St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Center offers something to area residents that they cannot find anywhere else in the county – an amputee support group.
The group came into existence when the medical director of the facility was talking with Arlene Griffin, who acts as the liaison to the rehabilitation center. A patient was looking for an support group for amputees that was close by. When none were located, they decided to start one locally.
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The first meeting was held in August 2016. Since then, on the last Tuesday of each month, amputees come together to talk through their victories and struggles as amputees. Starting with three or four people, by their latest meeting, there were about 10 people present.
“It’s not only for patients,” explained Griffin. Spouses, parents, kids and others who could be headed for limb loss due to illness or injury are also welcome at the meetings.
At each meeting, there are supporting physicians and prosteticians in attendance.
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“It seemed like whenever I went to my orthopedic surgeon, I would end up chatting with other amputees,” said Nora Spencer, an amputee who has been going to the support group meetings since they began.
The format of the meetings is pretty open. According to Spencer and Griffin, most times, the group ends up trading tricks and tips that make life as an amputee easier and less stressful.
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“Life as you know it is no longer the same,” explained Spencer.
The once every month meeting schedule works for most people, according to Griffin and Spencer. Getting out of the house and making it to a meeting is more difficult for amputees, so these consistent, if spaced out meetings, makes sense for the group.
Inside a day room at the St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Center in Middletown, occupants are nearly spilling out. There is cheery chatter and conversation about prosthetic limbs, daily challenges and how patrons can participate in regular activities such as bike riding.
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Earlier this year, State Rep. Frank Farry presented a proclamation adopted by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Farry was the co-sponsor of the proclamation, which passed the state house unanimously. The proclamation declared April as limb loss awareness month in Pennsylvania.
“I commend your efforts and the support group you folks have put together,” Farry said.
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According to available data, 2 million Americans are amputees, and 28 million Americans are at risk of amputation and 500 Americans lose a limb every day.
For more information on the support group, contact St. Mary Rehabilitation Center at 267-560-1120.
