There is a lot that needs to be said about amputation and the plight of amputees in Nigeria, but most times the basics are left unsaid. How does one become an amputee, if asked this most people will say it comes about by the loss of a limb be it an arm or leg or both through accidents.

We tend to overlook the story of how someone came to be without a limb, and what can be done to help such a person live a fulfilled life. We forget that they just went through a painful procedure and are reminded about the trauma of the procedure, every time they look at what they have lost. It was not easy for the individual, some of them come out of it stronger, and some come out of it scarred for life, others…..

What is it all about, is there hope for these people. The answer is, yes.
One just needs to look at countless cases online of people with disabilities or amputations leading a normal life.

You might say but that the US, Britain, China and some other developed countries of the world. Yes true, there things are made more easy for them. But in all, let’s consider that the process remains the same. The lost something and are constantly reminded of it when they look at it. The key for them was that they understood what they lost and learnt ways to continue living with it and enjoy a full live. Make no mistake here, The LEARNT ways to continue living. For this is what must always be done. You learn new ways to live.

Like someone who lost his house to a storm or fire, he/she must adapt and find a way.

Like when we lose a loved one so key to the family structure, be it the head of a house or the bread winner. The family must adapt to new ways to live and grow into something better.

The human being was built with adaptation in Mind, case in point.

Put an eye patch on and wear it for 6 months, the other eye will adapt to the situation almost immediately.

When you break a wrist or your writing arm and it’s put in a sling or cast. You will learn how to write with the other hand.

We can always adapt to any situation in our daily lives. What holds us back is the trauma of the amputation or the disability.

The procedure in developed countries for any amputation case is.

Once the amputation is don’t the patient is required to meet with a psychiatrist during the period of healing to aid in overcoming the trauma, of course here in Nigeria, it’s the friends and family that filling in that gap. Although now a days the service can be acquire.

Check out How to get a Psychiatrist service in Nigeria

This adaption comes about with the help of Physiotherapy, Orthotics and Prosthetic: What’s best for me. This we will cover more in our subsequent posts.


A lot is now possible in Nigeria for the amputee and people living with disabilities. The problem still remains that the trauma of their ordeal usually is a big issue coupled with a general lack of information that should be readily available to help people make better choices and decisions.

Check out
Amputee Nigeria: The Story II
http://ampdisnigeria..com/p/amputees-nigeria-story-ii-what-is.html