| Subject: Re: DAK amputee |
Author:
Kathy
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Date Posted: 11:58:19 12/11/01 Tue
Charlie:
I am also a DAK with short stumps (about 5"). I lost my legs at 16 in an accident. The thing that was most devastating was the prospect of not riding my horse again. Fortunately, I had a rehab therapist who pointed me in the right direction (I married him a few years later!). He got a saddle maker to make a leather "pair of short pants or shorts," so to speak, allowing the stumps to stick out a short distance, with a fairly high back at the waist line and fitted with quick-disconnect fittings on leather straps to secure the "pants" to the saddle. The fit is not tight, loose enough so I can move around to some extent. (We had to work on this to get it just right). I feel very secure and safe even at a gallop. I usually put the pants on before I mount my horse I am finally getting strong enough to pull myself up a rope attached to the saddle with hand rings attached in ladder fashion. When I am in the saddle I pull the rope up and secure it with saddle ties.
My husband is always figuring out ways to increase the number of things I can do on my own, not necessarily making things easier, but at least more fulfilling. Now that the kids are old enough to ride we have been going on camping trips in the summer in the mountains. He even had a pair of "saddle shorts" as we call them, made for our youngest to hold him in place, even with little stirrups where he can secure his feet. This year I am going to try "stubbies" so when we camp in fairly rugged areas I can get about easier by using short crutches when on the ground. I have a holster on the side of the saddle to hold the crutches. The trial runs we have made seem promising. There are times when I can even forget about not having legs.
Best luck to you. If there are any questions let me know.
Kathy
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