Hemipelvectomy mom needs prosthetic
Donation protected
Hi!
My name is Layla. I'm a 44 year old amputee woman, having lost my leg to cancer when I was 9 years old.
Sometimes people think it's not hard, but it kinda is. Being on crutches for my whole day causes many secondary injuries to my back, arms and shoulders, and I have a really hard time sitting comfortably. I also experience unbearable phantom limb pain. I am hopeful that a prosthetic will reduce the severity of these issues.
I am also a mother of 2. They are a handful!


After my amputation at age 9, I recovered well and began using an artificial leg immediately. My amputation was above the knee so I retained a bit of my leg and was therefore able to successfully use my prosthetic on a daily basis.
However, 2 years later, the illness resurfaced and I underwent chemo and surgeries. My leg was removed, along with my hip and part of pelvis
Needless to say Chemo was a REAL drag at 11 years old. Uh huh. Get the bucket.
This 2nd amputation is called a
HEMIPELVECTOMY.
Hemipelvectomy amputees have a much more difficult time using prosthetics than many folks that have lower limb loss.
When my new prosthetic was made, it was totally different to what I'd been accustomed. Whereas I used to wear my leg all day and everyday to school, I could not even eat with this new leg on. It was too heavy and uncomfortable and difficult to use. It dug in everywhere and hurt so much.
And so it was banished to the closet.
But it's hard to be on crutches all the time. So I kept trying every 8 years or so. The last one I had made is in the photo below.

As a result of not having a hip, I get severe shoulder pain as I cannot sit straight and have no support on my left side. Obviously there are many other reasons why artificial limbs are a benefit. And I want one sooooo badly!
This is really a medical situation. However, I can't convince the forces that be of that. So that's why I need some help. The cost of the leg I plan on buying is 70,000 Canadian.
I have so much difficulty with my current artificial leg. It's extremely uncomfortable, with hard plastic digging into me. It doesn't stay on properly and it doesn't adapt to different walking surfaces, so I am not able to walk outdoors, and I fall even indoors.
Really, if I showed you a picture, you'd think I was a character in Downton Abbey.
(Me, Bates, yo.)
Check out the rad prosthetics being designed by these amazing folks:
⚡️⚡️⚡️www.weareastepahead.com
This team of remarkable prosthetists believe that they can make me a comfortable, modern leg enabling me to put down my crutches and use my arms for other things. Yay!
Once I get the entire funding for my leg, and can get back on my feet, my plan is to establish an educational bursary for a student with a disability in post-secondary to recognize the achievements and contributions of people with abilities different than you or I. That's the way it is...vive la diference!
Some cool radical writer said
something like
EDUCATION IS THE
GREAT LEVELER
(but I say, prosthetics help too!)
 Cool huh? That's a hemi woman struttin'
IT HAS GOT TO BE BETTER THAN THIS:

I love helping people. It's my favourite. If you do too, please forward on. Please share widely to likeminded individuals who understand that this is a way forward - I am looking forward to being free of chronic pain and so many restrictions. I want to continue to contribute to positive social change and healthy communities.

Thank you for your time in reading.
Layla
www.weareastepahead.com
My name is Layla. I'm a 44 year old amputee woman, having lost my leg to cancer when I was 9 years old.
Sometimes people think it's not hard, but it kinda is. Being on crutches for my whole day causes many secondary injuries to my back, arms and shoulders, and I have a really hard time sitting comfortably. I also experience unbearable phantom limb pain. I am hopeful that a prosthetic will reduce the severity of these issues.
I am also a mother of 2. They are a handful!
After my amputation at age 9, I recovered well and began using an artificial leg immediately. My amputation was above the knee so I retained a bit of my leg and was therefore able to successfully use my prosthetic on a daily basis.
However, 2 years later, the illness resurfaced and I underwent chemo and surgeries. My leg was removed, along with my hip and part of pelvis
Needless to say Chemo was a REAL drag at 11 years old. Uh huh. Get the bucket.
This 2nd amputation is called a
HEMIPELVECTOMY.
Hemipelvectomy amputees have a much more difficult time using prosthetics than many folks that have lower limb loss.
When my new prosthetic was made, it was totally different to what I'd been accustomed. Whereas I used to wear my leg all day and everyday to school, I could not even eat with this new leg on. It was too heavy and uncomfortable and difficult to use. It dug in everywhere and hurt so much.
And so it was banished to the closet.
But it's hard to be on crutches all the time. So I kept trying every 8 years or so. The last one I had made is in the photo below.
As a result of not having a hip, I get severe shoulder pain as I cannot sit straight and have no support on my left side. Obviously there are many other reasons why artificial limbs are a benefit. And I want one sooooo badly!
This is really a medical situation. However, I can't convince the forces that be of that. So that's why I need some help. The cost of the leg I plan on buying is 70,000 Canadian.
I have so much difficulty with my current artificial leg. It's extremely uncomfortable, with hard plastic digging into me. It doesn't stay on properly and it doesn't adapt to different walking surfaces, so I am not able to walk outdoors, and I fall even indoors.
Really, if I showed you a picture, you'd think I was a character in Downton Abbey.
(Me, Bates, yo.)Check out the rad prosthetics being designed by these amazing folks:
⚡️⚡️⚡️www.weareastepahead.com
This team of remarkable prosthetists believe that they can make me a comfortable, modern leg enabling me to put down my crutches and use my arms for other things. Yay!
Once I get the entire funding for my leg, and can get back on my feet, my plan is to establish an educational bursary for a student with a disability in post-secondary to recognize the achievements and contributions of people with abilities different than you or I. That's the way it is...vive la diference!
Some cool radical writer said
something like
EDUCATION IS THE
GREAT LEVELER
(but I say, prosthetics help too!)
 Cool huh? That's a hemi woman struttin'IT HAS GOT TO BE BETTER THAN THIS:
I love helping people. It's my favourite. If you do too, please forward on. Please share widely to likeminded individuals who understand that this is a way forward - I am looking forward to being free of chronic pain and so many restrictions. I want to continue to contribute to positive social change and healthy communities.
Thank you for your time in reading.
Layla
www.weareastepahead.com
Organizer
Layla Hassan
Organizer
London, ON