Coping with the Loss of a Limb Losing a limb is one of the most difficult things one can face. Even when the loss was entirely out of the person's control, there may be feelings of guilt or shame, with the belief that they should or could have done something differently to prevent the loss. These are normal feelings, but it is necessary to work through them so that one can come out of the grieving period happy and with a healthy attitude. No Two Experiences Are Alike Losing a limb is never the same for two people. What the person does for a living, how old they are, their family situation, their financial status, and even their gender contributes to how the loss of a limb affects them. How the loss occurred also plays a role in how the person experiences and deals with the loss. When working with or talking to someone who has lost a limb, remember that their experience is unique. Know What Is Normal Though every person has a unique experience following the loss of a limb, nearly everyone goes through a similar grieving process. Like losing a dear loved one, losing a limb is an extremely traumatic experience, which is followed often by the same steps of grief. However, the way each person proceeds through these steps and the length of time each step takes is dependent on that person's unique experience. The common steps of grieving a lost limb are: 1. A state of denial, often accompanied by social isolation 2. A state of anger over the loss 3. A state of trying to bargain with God or a higher power (such as, "God, if you give my limb back, I'll never do such-and-such again" or "I promise I'll do so-and-so") 4. Depression over the loss 5. Acceptance of the loss and hope for the future Some people make it through a whole step in a matter of days; for others, it can take years. A Support System Is Vital One of the key factors in a person's ability to work through the steps of grief over losing a limb is their support system. Having supportive family and friends improves their ability to cope with the loss and move into a healthy state of mind. Support groups are available to the victims of such a loss, as well as for family members who want to learn more about how to help their loved one make the transition from grief to acceptance. A support system is vital. If the accident is due to negligence on someone else's part, an accident lawyer can be valuable in helping the victim find the right physical therapy. They can also help
them receive compensation to pay for therapy, prostheses, and other medical and rehabilitation expenses associated with losing a limb, not covered by OHIP. Finances Matter Among the important factors affecting a patient's ability to deal with and adjust to the loss of a limb – including their age, general health condition, and family situation – finances also play a significant role. Those patients who are confident of their ability to continue the quality of life they enjoyed before the loss tend to fare better than those who have to worry about the loss of income, lower income, or possible disability income. For this reason, it is important to get an accident lawyer if someone else is responsible for the situation. Having the finances to pay for medical treatments, loss of wages, rehabilitation, and other costs allows the patient to focus on getting better and learning to live without the limb – instead of adding on the worries of bills and lost income. Losing a limb isn't the end of life, but it is the beginning of a different life. Getting the support and help needed right up front is paramount to a successful recovery and a well-adjusted future.