It can be emotionally challenging when you face the world after an amputation. You have everyone around you – family, friends, and doctors. They are there to support you, yet they might not understand you fully. They are doing their best most of the time. Here comes the challenge to finding people who understand what you’re going through. And a community comes to the rescue! 

One such community is The CapeAbles, is channeling the motto that “Not all heroes wear capes”. Where, mobility disability is not a restriction and they believe ‘Disability’ can be turned into ‘This Ability’.

So, what are the benefits of a community?

• Helps you connect to the right resources and people – A community can guide you through each step in your journey. They can act as your primary resource for information. There are multitudes of resources present on the internet, but they can help you define what is best for you. 

• You can find a mentor – An amputee who has learnt the ways of life by experience and guidance can act as the right mentor for you. He/she can understand your plight and work through you, not with pity but with confidence. 

• Helps you make an informed decision about artificial limbs – Due to a great number of prosthetic types available, it becomes difficult to choose the right fit. Here, a community and a mentor comes into play. 

• To instill self esteem – After losing a limb due to any medical/traumatic reason, it is very normal to lose a sense of self. A community can provide you a healthy foundation to rebuild yourself. 

• Helps you to deal with Phantom Limb Pain – Phantom pain can be a menace, it is difficult to deal with, without proper knowledge. It is often known as a numbing, tingling, burning sensation in the amputated area.

• To learn about various Government programs and schemes – There are a number of Government and private schemes that run throughout a year, whether it is related to insurance or monetary support. It is essential to keep a track of these.

• Get quick updates on how to live a healthy and nutritious lifestyle from other Amputees – This will essentially help you stay fit and healthy with a daily dose of motivation. 

You can also take a look at our One stop guide for every amputee to help you initially! 

Still have some specific questions in mind? Don’t worry, call our certified experts. It’s time to step it up with Instalimb – Contact us today!

Holiday season is approaching us, and as we step ahead one will have some plans in place. Are you planning to see your loved ones over the holidays? Or Are you planning to take that long awaited vacation? Traveling can be a tedious affair as an Amputee sometimes. Worry not, we have combined a list of top 10 travel tips for every amputee!

Following these, you can make sure that your traveling experience will be smooth and comfortable as an amoutee. 

1.Find a spacious and comfortable seat – Don’t hesitate to ask for a spacious seat as it would allow you to sit much more comfortably with your device than normal. Whether you’re using a bus, train, or a flight; extra legroom will prove to be invaluable. You can stretch your legs from time to time, ensuring that there are no chances for a blood clot to form.

2. Reach the Airport several hours before the boarding time – Yes, you heard us right. It is extremely important as the security checks might take longer than usual at times due to the presence of an external device. You might be asked for a routine check of your device, it is recommended to wear loose clothes that can easily display your device. 

3. Plan your travel beforehand – As a prosthetic user, it is not advisable to keep walking for longer hours due to either airport connections or lack of transport. That might lead to added tiredness. In case of such a scenario, make sure to have an emergency number handy to get wheelchair or medical support. 

4. Don’t remove your prosthesis while traveling – While you’re inside a bus, train, or a flight; we understand you want to just relax for a bit and remove the device. But, you must not as in case of any emergency it would take a lot of time to put it back on!

5. Remember the importance of hygiene – Travel will expose you to different kinds of atmosphere and germs. Make sure to clean your skin and device (after consulting with your PO) with disinfectant after every wear. 

6. Carry extra stump socks – In case of lost/wet/torn socks in a new city while traveling as an amputee, it could affect your entire journey. To avoid that, you must carry 1-2 pairs of extra stump socks.

7. Traveling to a winterland – The cold can irritate your stump and stiffen your joints especially in case of a below knee amputation. Make sure to keep your body warm and mobile. Take care of your stump and exercise regularly. 

Refer : 

• Simple exercises for AK Amputees
• Simple exercises for BK Amputees

8. Carry additional support – Invest in a lightweight cane with good grip, it can help you in unprecedented situations that may occur due to prosthetic malfunctioning or stump swelling.

9. Wear the right footwear – Shoes with good grip go a long way to support you, it is extremely important to have a good grip in rugged and unknown terrains. 

10. Consult a good Prosthetist – Your PO can provide you with a specific insight on travel restriction, if any and guide on how to optimize your device to go along your journey.

Are you wondering where to find a good Prosthetist (PO) for the same? Well, look no further. Call us – Our experienced and certified Prosthetists are waiting for you.

For further insight, don’t forget to call our certified experts. This is the time to reach out to us and even try a test socket free of cost. Step it up with Instalimb – Contact us today!

There are ample changes in your life that are simultaneous with Amputation. May it be a lifestyle change, exercise regime change, mental exhaustion, multiple modifications and so on. Everything takes time, along with it comes the age old question of not being entirely dependent on somebody. Also, refer to our one-stop guide for an amputee!

One of the ways to become more independent in your daily life is to modify your HOME!

Your house is your happy place, a place that makes you feel at ease and it should do just that. Here are a few common modifications that you can make: 

1. Kitchen

You will visit the kitchen often in your daily routine. It is of utmost importance to make it more functional for yourself. You can try – 

• Choose to keep most used items on the kitchen counter or lower shelves for easy reach 
• Moreover, make sure that the kitchen is accessible 
• Get a one-handed faucet for easy sink use.
• Above all, have a space for a chair/wheelchair inside the kitchen to sit down if you get tired or dizzy.

2. Bedroom 

We understand that it’s not feasible to get all the changes done at once. Do consider it a gradual process. One example is to shift your daily work routine – a workstation to the most convenient location in your house so you can accomplish the tasks without hassle. Others can be : 

• Keep the walkers/crutches/wheelchair/artificial leg within reach.
• Use smart lights if possible, that you can control with your phone.
• Additionally, Install a hand-rail around your room entrance to the bed (especially if you have stairs at your home)

3. Bathroom 

The most essential modifications, mentioned below: 

• Get a hand-held shower for easy use.
• Use a shower seat, chair or bench to take a bath.
• Make sure that the bathroom essentials are within your reach
• With a lower limb amputation, you might need to make some space to fit in your wheelchair if you are using one initially.
• Also, opt for a non-slip floor coating in your bathroom!!
• As well as; If possible, avoid getting dressed in the bathroom, reach your bed to ensure safety.

Take a look at these Amputee house tours : 

1. Home modifications and it’s importance by Footless Jo
2. Home modifications as an Amputee mom of little kids

For further insight, don’t forget to call our certified experts. This is the time to reach out to us and even try a test socket free of cost. Step it up with Instalimb – Contact us today!