Dancer: Fall made amputation seem real
A month after Adrianne Haslet-Davis' foot was amputated, the Boston bombing survivor describes the challenges she faces in an interview with Anderson Cooper. She says the hardest part is doing "simple things" like showering, going to the bathroom and getting ready - her daily routine.
Adrianne fell in her bedroom a few days ago directly on her tender wound and sensitive stitching. The incident made her new normal seem more real.
"I don't know if it was me just kind of realizing physically that my leg wasn't there anymore. But it was really hard for me. I think it sort of made me realize that I was a lot weaker than I thought I was ... a hard thing to think about," says Adrianne.
The excruciating pain was also a wake-up call. She was reminded to take her recovery one day at a time and take care of herself in the process.
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Post by: Anderson Cooper Filed under: Adrianne Haslet-Davis • Boston Marathon Attack |
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Adrianne,
I fell just a few months into my amputation too, I'm below the knee left leg amputated from car accident, it's been 31/2 yrs. and I still forget it's not there sometimes. It never goes away the brain still thinks it's there, it isn't the first time and it won't be the last time but it hurts just the same! Good luck with things. I belong to Amputee Coalition, it's a great networking for ?'s or problems that occur. God Bless!
I have a left leg BK , and fell just as you described, the wake up is just a reminder but painfull step to go through. I have no doubt with your support system and love I will receive that invite to your first recitel. I have now learned to fall with a certain amount of grace and dignity.
Adrianne, I know your Aunt Christine and Uncle Steve in San Diego. You remind me of her, strong and independent. You come from a strong family and I believe this terrible loss will not stop you from doing anything you want to do. Tell your aunt she has to name one of Molly's puppies after you and one after your husband. I hope he is doing well. With your typical bubbly Haslet personality I am not surprised you have become a point of focus for this wretched event. You give us all strength and hope.
Adrianne, my heart goes out to you with your daily struggles. May you find the inner strength to show the world what is possible...
Amazing woman! Anderson Cooper, do hope you continue to follow up on all the injured over time! Let us not forget!
best of luck to you. i think below knee amputees do well, but still...you went through a lot. yes, i believe you will be back. but its no excuse for what those guys did to you. there really are bad people in the world. and yes, they stop us. try to learn everything that you can about trauma. Read Trauma and Recovery so that part doesn't get ignored. obviously he is dead and his brother is going to be put away hopefully for life, but maybe only a few years. it is an opportunity to focus, but its more than just your leg. It's trauma too. Don't let them get your life. they got too much of it already.
To "Me", who said "I think below the knee amputees do well"... I don't mean this in a mean way, but I must say you are obviously not a dancer. A dancers life is irrevocably altered when one of their limbs is taken away. Dancers have to go through therapy for something as simple as a career change or retiring for the fact that they don't know how to cope with no longer doing what they love and what they have basically done their whole life. Other people hop from career to career, but dancers train intensely from the time they are 9 or 10 to achieve a successful career in the arts. I can't imagine the emotional and mental difficulties Adrianne will face in the coming months and years. As a fellow dancer (a ballet dancer), my heart goes out to Adrianne. You are an inspiration and you will dance again. I believe in you. xo
Adrianne is an inspiration to everyone. Sarah Reinertson is also an amputee who grew up in my neighborhood and she has competes in Ironman events and works with amputees around the world. Sarah will be in Boston for an amputee clinic on October 5 and she did reach out to those that were injured in the Marathon Bombing. I would love for Adrianne and Sarah to meet – I know they would both make a difference. Sarah has a facebook Sarah Reinertson.