|
Name: |
Wes Pixler |
|
My Story: |
I was born with problems in both
ankles. In eighth grade I had surgery because the doctor said that if I
didn't I would not be able to walk by the time I was 30. If I did have the
surgery I would have arthritis by age 30.
At 30 I developed arthritis in both
ankles which got progressively worse. The doctor told me I would need an
ankle joint replacement but that was at least 15 years away from being
developed. In 1998 I found a doctor who said the ankle replacement joint
was ready to go. I had it in 1999. However, there were problems and I had
to have another surgery that year, and a third one in 2000.
The first week of December 2000 I
was Christmas shopping and I told Denise that this was it. I could no
longer live with the pain. It was time to get rid of my ankles. The first
was amputated Feb 27, 2001 and the second was amputated Jan 9, 2002. I
told the doctor that the pain immediately after having my legs cut off was
much less than the pain with which I had lived every day for several
years.
I can still only walk about 700
steps a day, but when my new feet start to hurt, I take them off. I have
no phantom pain. Life is so much better without the pain with which I had
lived that having my legs cut off is one of the best things that has ever
happened to me. |
 |
|
Occupation: |
United Methodist Minister (on
disability leave) and web designer |
|
Hobbies & Interests: |
Photography, computers & technology,
exercise at the gym (I especially like swimming) |
|
Age at amputation: |
49, 50 |
|
Brand of Prosthesis: |
College Park TruStep |
|
What I most want new
amputees & their families to know: |
Humor is important! I'm foot loose
and fancy feet. I named my legs. The first is "Frank," short for "Frank
Footer" (I'm a real hot dog on my legs). The second is "Stein," because
sometimes I feel like "Frank" 'N "Stein." |
|
What I most want
others to know: |
I don't mind talking about my
"special" legs. You don't have to be afraid to ask me about them. I also
like to do what I can for myself. If I need help I will ask for it. |
|
My personal tip for
new Amputees: |
When my legs hurt I take them off,
so at home the easiest way to get around is often crawling on my hands and
knees. |
|
Major accomplishments
since limb loss: |
I went back to school while
recovering from my surgeries to amputate my legs. I just completed a
Certificate in Ministry and Technology from the University of Dubuque
Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. |
|
Contact me: |
wes@mywebchurch.org |
Amputee
Support &
