Travel

 

Hi everyone my name is Matt and I lost my left leg above the knee just this past March in a freak accident in which I dislocated my knee and tore the artery behind my knee and the result was my leg was without blood for too long and infection set in and things eventually spiralled out of control till it was necessary to amputate. I'm 27 married...we married within about 2 mos. of my accident so we have yet to be able to go on a honeymoon . I am finally up and about and pretty proficient on my prosthetic and we have a trip planned to Sanibel Island, Florida. I have a c-leg. So, I have a couple of questions from any amputees..especially c-leggers in the group. Does anyone wear their c-legs to the beach and risk sand, water etc? How does one go about getting from the chair or towel into the surf? I'm just a little freaked out about the "hows" so any advice about the beach or travel in general will help tremendously. Thanks, Matt

hi matt , i dont know about your condition , but i have polio and i am a para , i love the beach and there are beach wheelchairs made for sand and water . many beaches have them free of charge for the day . i never take my braces to the beach . i go from the car right into the sand chair ........hope this helps a bit feel free at ask any questions . congrat's on the marraige

                                                        rainey xo  

 Hi Matt,

 There is a great member here that is a master dive instructer and is one of the few certified to also teach disabled his name is Cudachaser and lives in Coco Beach Fl but makes diving trips in different areas of Florida. I am sure you guys would have a great time. His web site is  www.cbscubaodyssey.com. He is a great guy and can get you certified and diving in short order.

Tony  

 Hi Matt,

This is "Cudachaser" (Joe). I use hand crutches since I have neuropathy in my lower legs. I have no problem access any of my favorite dive sites using my crutches wearing a 30 pound scuba tank on my back along with 16 pounds of lead ballast. I even manage to to do beach dive quite easily. I joke with my dive buddies about the close up free parking and that trudging through the sand is easier with 4 legs (crutches + legs).On a more serious note, I find crutching on soft sand not that difficult and hard sand, a piece of cake. When the seas get rough on a boat the crutches give me more stability then many of the abled bodied on board. You just have to be careful where you put your crutches when you sit down...I lost one over the side once and had to survive the remainder of the weekend on one crutc...that was a bear!

Have a great honeymoon...Sanibel is really beautiful...It noted for all the shells that wash up

PS...I would just leave the leg in the hotel room and crutch it at the beach

Hi Matt,

I'm an LAK amputee and I have used a C-Leg for a short time.  I would suggest that you not use it on the beach.  I would be concerned that sand and/or water would probably cause problems with it.  As for getting around on the beach, I use my crutches and they seem to work just fine...softer sand is more of a challenge than harder sand.  You can also hop for short distances.  And as was previously mentioned, you can use a wheelchair made for beaches.  I prefer just using my crutches.  Hope this helps.  Good luck to you and enjoy the beach and swimming.

Chris 

 hi matt, it's nice to meet you. sounds like you are doing great in the  short time you had your amputation. congrats on your wedding, will this be your honeymoon?  i am an amptee but don't wear a prostetic because i am paralyzed.  i wish you and your wife the best and have fun. welcome to disaboom!