Testimonials
"Balance Communities are something really special! Now you got me tearing up! The programs deliver so much to empower people than I could ever dream! You’re an amazing FRIEND!”
Brenda -- Maine
Who knew it would take just one person (for me it has been Leslie Green) with the passion to bring the amputee community together. Without you, I would have been lost. Because of Balance Amputee Wellness and Education Communities, I have met such wonderful people, learned so much and found a community like me where I belong. Merry Christmas and here's to the year ahead - more great things to come!
Chris -- Minnesota
“It is definitely nice to know, that it is not only me.”
Les -- Connecticut
“The Balance communities are a blessing to me! I pray for all our community participants!!”
Brenda -- Wisconsin
“The Balance group has been really helpful to me since my amputations. It helps me to not feel alone, it encourages me, and it lifts my spirits. I'm so glad this resource was available to me, especially in the beginning of my journey as an amputee.”
Katy -- Minnesota
Before learning of Balance, I was very depressed about losing my leg. The event happened very sudden and I never had time to absorb the fact that I would lose the leg. I was left feeling like “less” of a man, and felt lonely about it. I was the only person that I knew that had limb loss; until I was made aware of your group through Hanger’s clinicians.
I am now so grateful for the community of limb loss survivors. And I use the term “survivors” because each of them has taught me how to drive on in life, knowing that I can still be a “whole” person and do the things that I love in life; such as go back to playing hockey, riding motorcycles; and in general, participate in life again.
If it wasn’t for Balance and the Community of awesome people, I would be in a very dark place. I love you, and those that I’ve met, so much!!
I’m not sure what else that I can say about promoting pre/post op education about amputation except that I wish I had learned what I know now, sooner; much sooner. So in short, the more we can educate someone coming into this community and as soon as possible, the better. It’s just that simple.
Leslie, I truly love you for being there for us, you are a true advocate for us, to include being one of us. And I think THAT’s what makes the difference to me; for once through this whole process, someone ACTUALLY knows what I’m going through.
(And yes, you are free to use anything/everything that I have written)
God Bless
David
How do I begin to tell you all that you & the community does for me? I feel like I finally belong & I can’t go too long without the companionship of you all. There are two other amputees (bk) in my building & I have tried to introduce them to the community because they seem to be fading away. They seem hopeless & lost. One never goes out of his bedroom, only to the bathroom & doctor appointments. The other rides the bus daily because he is lonely & sad. The community gives me a full life & resources to live & cope with my challenges. I would be like them if I didn’t have you all, I’m so grateful!
Although nothing compares to my relationship with Christ; it’s somewhat like that. Like it feels so good I don’t want to keep it to myself. I want other amputees to experience what we all share but I can’t force them or explain.
I have learned so much in the community & mostly because of you & all you expose us to. I laugh because you hunt down information & speakers for us like you are searching for fugitives. I can be comfortable & vulnerable in a safe space, no judgement & no hangups. I have met & made some amazing friends!
Thank you Leslie, two simple words loaded with love, admiration & respect!
Gem
Where to start: my background...I am a double amputee. Right above the knee as of late 2019 and below the knee as of 2021. To share my education and information regarding my amputation it was followed by a couple of brochures. Verbal information was close to nonexistent. I was beyond disappointed with the education or counseling. Fast forward to the present I am forever grateful for Leslie Green and the weekly zoom meetings I have been involved with the group approximately six wonderful, inspiring months.
Group has been a blessing mentally. The zoom meetings have been beyond educational and exhilarating. Leslie and group have inspired me to move forward with the new chapter in my life! I am actually now excited to explore the path that has been put in front of me. I would like to thank Hanger for offering this wonderful option it has truly been a blessing.
Lino -- Arizona
In general: once the pain management doctors completed their follow up, I was adrift. It was up to me to learn about being an amputee. I feel very lucky to have stumbled into the Balance Group and been so warmly greeted.
Specifically: Help connecting me with other amputees and professionals, leading to tips and tricks about everyday activities, and to my getting a prosthesis. The variety of the content and attendees in the Balance meetings - new amputees, upper extremity, and talks by professionals have been especially interesting for me. But there is something for everyone.
My surgeons, who were kind, spent time helping me decide to do surgery and did wonderful surgery. However, they discouraged me from seeking a prosthesis, did not refer me to the amputee coalition or any other resources, and did not educate me about phantom limb syndrome. Neither did the PT, OTs or Social Worker who saw me in the hospital.
Linda -- Vermont
I was in an accident in June of 2014. My left arm was crushed from the bicep to the wrist. I went through several surgeries over a span of four years trying to save it and gain some function. In October of 2018 my surgeon informed me that there was nothing else he could do to eliminate the pain in my arm or improve functionality. I decided that amputation was needed and an operating room was reserved for February 2019. And on February 11 I became a LBEA.
I suffered a lot of depression since the accident, and at times, the will to continue. It was a very hard and rough time for both my daughter and wife. I knew they loved me, but they just didn’t know how to help me. My doctors have helped with anti-depression meds but I, like most amputees, still fight depression.
I joined the Balance community after hearing about what they do for the limb difference community when I participated in Empower Fest in April of 2022. Guest speakers, fun and creative games, workshops and open forums helped unite persons with limb difference and feel part of a larger community. Balance also has support for caregivers at different stages of their journey and that would have made a huge difference for my wife to have in the some of the darker days of my recovery.
I am still learning about some of the newest technologies as well as getting tips from others on common issues like pain management with help from the community.
Andy H, Texas.
I lost my rbka in 2017. I sat for 2 years waiting on insurance approval. Once I received my FEAR took over. I was scared to walk even with my desire to return to normal my fear held me back. I wanted more but was too scared to reach for it. I found Balanced through searching Amputee Coalition website and thought what do I have to lose I'm already doing nothing and that was the least for me to do. I spoke with Leslie Green about the program and gave it a try. Leslie never puts pressure on you. You have to do the work that she suggested. I was so afraid to walk. I was afraid my prosthesis would not hold me up. One of the suggestions for me was possibly I could ride a bike. Ride a bike I did after purchasing one of course. Riding for Great Bicycle Challenge for the past 2 years. That's just the beginning of me building my life back to “normal”.
Leslie has stayed right by my side. Celebrating not only my goals but my achievements. Not just for me but everyone she touches.
This program helped me remove my fear and get moving again in life. I honestly don't know where I'd be without Leslie and the Balanced communities. If I had a question and Leslie didn't know the answer, she was always able to reach out and get that answer. I enjoy the podcast because they are always available to replay as many times as I need. The information inside the podcast has been very helpful in my acceptance of myself and my new situation. Subjects like fear, asking for help and accepting it, depression and care givers just to name a few. When I start having those doubts again, I try to go back and find the appropriate podcast because there's one for almost any subject we might face.
I believe that although Leslie always advised that she couldn't and wouldn't replace any of the appropriate doctors, her personal experience as an amputee is what makes her the best person for this program. I couldn't have done it without her and the program she runs. It definitely has been a life changer for me. Thank you Leslie and Hanger Clinic.
Carolyn G. -- Florida
I was rather lost after my amputation until I found the Balance Amputee Wellnessgroup. Before I was finding what I could on Facebook which I found later was not always containing the best information and was also very impersonal. Once I started attending the Zoom meetings that Leslie had going it was great to talk to other amputees who truly understand what we all were talking about. The guest speakers that Leslie has come on and tell us about new things coming out for all amputees. They also answer questions or look for the answers and get the answers back to us is very helpful. The Zoom groups are a lot of fun and have me feeling better about myself. The meetings have also inspired me to start a local live meeting group of amputees and limb difference folks that meet once a month.
One of the best things I know that Leslie does is meet with Doctors and nurses all over the country to talk to them and let them know what amputees need to know before and after their surgery. She put together a short video that had several of us from the Balance Amputee Wellness group that she showed to a group of doctors and nurses that really made them listen. I think it would be great if Hanger could get her help to make more and maybe better videos for her to share with groups. I also think that organizations like Hanger, the Amputee Coalition, and others need to get the word out to the public that they are there for amputees. Maybe contact the networks about a news stories to save on costs as a thought.
John -- Pennsylvania
It is a pleasure to share the encouragement Balance Amputee Wellness Communities bring to so many.
Leslie Green interviews some of the most incredible people who have work alongside. Balance programs are uplifting, strengthening, encouraging, inspiring, and even comforting to listen to their experiences, how they have dealt with issues each amputee faces, how they view themselves in this sometimes crazy world and rise above the challenges, and how they purposely fit themselves back into life with goals, intentions, achievements, desires, and impact the lives around them. I love hearing their own lives' biographies thus far. It is obvious there's more to come for them.
Even the little joke embedded in each dose of orange juice is looked forward to! Although my work schedule does not always permit me the opportunity to join in the Balanced Week's activities, when I can, I always learn new information and/or gain new perspectives.
Even learning about opportunities to personally make even a small impact, such as Odyssey Helping Hands, has changed my family's lives, and others around the globe.
Connecting with other amputees through mentoring has been and continues to be a genuine joy, just to learn from the new amputees' journeys, be able to share my little tidbits and support them in their daily learning, and hopefully help and encourage them, and just to have the opportunity to give back through this organization's given opportunity is life changing for many.
This is a worthwhile, beneficial, proactive, educational platform, (formally and informally,) friendly yet professional, impactful, evolving and a progressive total array of resources and reference people to continue and aid in our shared amputee journey, from pre-op through post-op and on to our lives' bright futures.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts, and thank you for making such a grand difference!
Dara J -- Illinois
This is a no brainer. Without this balanced community and Leslie Green I would be completely lost. My name is Cheryl and I live in California. I lost my right leg below the knee in a traumatic accident 2 years ago. I left the hospital with absolutely no information, no resources and most of all no knowledge of what, who or where to go. It was a good 5 months before finding this community. The fear, the depression, the loneliness, the isolation, and the burden you feel like to family members and not knowing what to do is painful.
Then I met Leslie and this amazing balanced community that I don’t know what I would do without. I have a brand new family and a wealth of knowledge that I would never have had without Balanced Community. I have learned so much. As a result I have become very involved in my new life. Each meeting has a different topic for everything you can think of. We have a speaker once a week where we learn about new technologies and a host of other topics. Fridays we either workout, have expert physical therapists or breathing and mindfulness techniques. The others are specific to level of amputation, medical reason etc...
This community not only helps us but it helps the people that love and or take care of us. This community has also had a major impact on my brother. He suffers from PTSD as he was there when my accident occurred. He never misses the Thursday night group. It has made a huge difference for him and he truly cares about every one of us. My daughter also comes on every Thursday as well as my niece. It helps them to learn what we go through and they get to learn and understand their feelings.
If I had been given this information when I was in the hospital it would have made the world of difference. I wouldn’t have spent 5 months of despair.
As for having the information if you know you’re going to be amputated or need to make a decision, absolutely should be given the information for this community. I have seen what it does for people we have that were in that situation. They got to learn what it looks like, that life still goes on and you’ll be ok and happy. You have the information to make a decision.
Balance Amputee Wellness and Education Communities are important to living with limb loss!
We NEED it!!!!
Cheryl F -- California
I believe support for a potential amputee is important beginning in the hospital setting. I saw a prosthetic in my early days post-surgery but I was not in an emotional state of mind to take in much of what he had to say. I was still in the shock/grieving phase and not ready to be a learner. The very best support I received was in rehab when one of my nurse’s compared me to a previous bi-lateral patient and asked if I would like to meet her. I said yes, and a meeting was arranged. Talking with her and watching her walk so effortlessly really gave me hope. We stayed in touch briefly after I was discharged but she has a busy active life and is employed full-time, so our connection lapsed.
I think the virtual connections Hanger offers are great and I would recommend those begin sooner. When you are a new amputee, you are so alone. It would be great to have someone offer you a link to connect with an amputee who is thriving. I would love to make myself available as that type of support person.
I have not participated in all the Balance groups you offer, but I like that I can choose the ones that meet my needs. I would love to see more sharing of resources, contacts for professionals that we need for being our best selves, and other random information relevant to the amputee life. An example would be finding a good counselor or therapist who understands life after amputation. If you are a veteran, you probably have access to counselors and therapists immediately after surgery. I saw one therapist in the hospital but she could not see me after discharge. Very sad. I needed someone to talk to but never found anyone in my community.
I am trying hard to be a forward-thinking person despite my multiple amputations, so I am interested in learning more about new technology, devices or opportunities for amputees. I want to live life not dwell on my losses. I think you’re doing a great job with the outreach of the Balance programming.
Sarah W -- Minnesota