A WOMAN who lost her leg is setting up a support group for fellow amputees after finding there was not much help across Worcestershire for people in a similar position to her.
It began when Kate Andrews, a Type 1 diabetic from Bromsgrove, was on holiday in Gran Canaria and had a blister on her foot.
Within 24 hours it had become bright red and, as she was due to return to the UK, she flew home.
Gangrene set in and she had to have her leg amputated below the knee.
She told the Standard: “Within two months, I had to change my life completely – I Iost my car as I could not drive and that meant I lost my job.
“I worked in care, helping young people with challenging behaviour, autism and special needs.
“It was the best job in the world.”
She needed to make big changes to her life and it was then she realised there really was no help across the county.
The group she is setting up will meet from 1pm to 3pm on the first Friday of the month at the Golden Cross Hotel (Wetherspoons) in Bromsgrove High Street and be a welcoming space where Worcestershire’s amputees can connect, share and support one another. The first meeting is next Friday, July 4.
She said: “The staff at the hospital were great and did all they could for me but they are nurses at the end of the day and not specialists in the kind of care amputees need.”
She has been well-supported by her husband Tony and her son but said there would be others who had no-one to turn to.
Kate has since become a Befriender with Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest (BRWF) which sees her call elderly residents and visit them to help combat loneliness.
She also wants to raise awareness of foot health. She said: “People do not check their feet enough – I didn’t before this.
“It is especially important for those with underlying conditions, like diabetes, but this could happen to anyone.”
Kate hopes to bring about further real change for amputees in Worcestershire so there is more help for them.
And her calls are backed by Wyre Forest District Councillor Fran Oborski who, herself an amputee, agrees there is not much help for amputees in Worcetershire.
She said: “There is some initial support but after that that, you are left to your own devices.”
She added, being a councillor, she was in a fortunate position as she knew who to contact for items, such as disabilities facilities grants for home modifications, wet rooms and specialist equipment.
“With the trauma of an amputation, you are not in the best frame of mind and need some help – at least in the first few weeks.
“There needs to be more collaboration – at least a list detailing who amputees can contact for what.”
Anyone wanting to find out more about the amputee group can email Kate at: [email protected] or call her on 07841 679465.
