Hello my name is Ray Smitherman and I am a below the knee amputee. I was 27 at the time of my amputation. I will start my story and tell you how I became an amputee, how I have accomplished the task of walking again and how Alabama Artificial Limb has helped me obtain all of my goals.
Let me give you a brief summary about myself. On January 2, 1999 I was involved in a major car accident which caused me to be hospitalized in intensive care unit for 45 days. I broke numerous bones in my body, including but not limited to my pelvis being broken in three (3) different places. My face was crushed and my jaws were wired shut from January 1999 until April 1999. Both of my legs were broken and my right leg was crushed severely. After several failed surgery attempts my orthopedic physician approached me about the possibility of amputating my right leg below the knee. I had never been around any amputees and really was not familiar with what happens “after” the amputation. My doctor assured me that I could live a normal life after the amputation. I was very skeptical, however I had no choice. On January 28, 1999 my right leg was amputated 2 inches below the knee. My horror did not end there, I also had severe nerve damage in my left leg and I am unable to pick my foot up and have what is called “drop foot”.
I was released from the hospital on February 8, 1999 and sent home to recover. In March of 1999 I was sent to Alabama Artificial Limb to be fitted for a prosthesis. I arrived in very bad shape, my mouth was still wired shut and I had been in a wheelchair now for three months. I met Glenn Crumpton, CPO for Alabama Artificial Limb. Immediately I became good friends with Glenn and his staff. They worked with me diligently in helping me walk again. I was fitted with a temporary prosthesis to help me stand again and practice the techniques of walking. I received the prosthesis about one week after being fitted. I remember putting it on and it being the most horrible pain I have ever felt. Glenn assured me that I would have to build a tolerance in my stump and I would be fine. Honestly I did not believe a word he said, however he would prove me wrong.
I took the prosthesis home and attempted to wear it, but could not bear the pain and the thought of walking without my real leg. I threw it in the corner and did not touch it for over three days. After coming to reality with myself I began to put the prosthesis on and wear it in my wheelchair to help me transfer. After a few weeks I began taking very small steps with my walker and was really getting aggravated that I could not walk on my own. In July, 1999 I went back to Alabama Artificial Limb to be fitted for my permanent prosthesis. I was fitted with Alfa liners and a Flex Foot. I could immediately tell a difference and I took my first step on my own after 7 months. I pushed my wheelchair out of Alabama Artificial Limb and have not stopped since.
I have progressed over the past three years unbelievably. I am now fitted with a Pathfinder Foot and I am amazed at what I can do. I run and coach my son’s baseball and football team. I do everything that I could or was doing before my amputation. My leg is covered, and when I wear shorts you would not know I had prosthesis on if I did not tell you. I owe it all to Alabama Artificial Limb and their wonderful staff.
