College Tips for an Amputee

Going into my second year at Sterling College, I thought I'd share a more humorous post about some things I've learned. 

1. Have the campus nurse on speed dial. You will end up calling her at least once a month. 

2. Get used to questions about your leg. New people come through, so there is a whole new set of questions. 

3. If someone seems uncomfortable with your amputee jokes... Keep joking. Them being uncomfortable does not constitute you being uncomfortable. 

4. When some sees you fall, play it cool. It's going to happen a lot so don't be embarrassed. 

5. Do NOT shower without a shower chair. Even if you think your balance is good, chances are you're wrong and you'll spend a night in the E.R. and 4 weeks in a wheelchair. 

6. If someone uses the term "stump" instead of "nub", resist the urge to spill your lunch on them. Instead, explain to them you are not a tree and you prefer "nub."

7. If someone asks to touch your prosthesis, say yes, then when they touch it scream "OW" really loud. Chances are you'll need a laugh and their reaction will give you a good one. 

8. Keep your "fix a leg" kit in a convenient spot. If you don't have one, make one. 

9. Don't push yourself. Even if all of your friends are going on a 5 mile run, you know your limits. 

10. Check to make sure you have a shoe on your fake foot BEFORE you get to your class clear across campus. 

11. Even though all of your friends can wake up 15 minutes before class and get there on time, you can't. It takes you 15 minutes just to walk across campus. 

12. Be nice to your roommate. You will more than likely ask for help getting things off the top shelf, nub rubs, moving

your leg, and other odd requests. 

13. Enjoy your time. Don't let anyone get you own. College is not much different than high school in the sense that there are still people who will tear you down in an attempt to build themselves up. 

Family: We may not have it together, but together we have it all.

  Without my family, however dysfunctional and broken we may be, I would not be who I am. To begin I've got to start with my momma, she's the most important person in my life. She never once saw me as a child with a physical handicap and never let me feel sorry for myself, no matter what was going on. She has always been my backbone and biggest supporter.

  From my mom I got two awesome dads(divorces and remarriages happen, don't be shocked). Brian and Mark are my dads. Both of them. They both love me unconditionally and do everything they can to support me. Although, it's not ideal to be a child of divorce, I got two dads instead of one, so I think I won there. 

  Next are my sisters... I have 5!!! What?!?! Jadyn, Keilee, Calli, Ashlynn, and Tori. If there is one thing they taught me, it's how to fight. Whether we fight each other or for each other, it happens. Even though three of them haven't always been in my life I love them all so much. 

  Next is my niece and nephew. Naomi and Anthony, I love both of those kids so very much. They are so silly and are a constant reminder not to take life so seriously. I can't wait to have more nieces and nephews like them. 

  Next are the grandparents.. Nana and Poppy(mom), Gran and Poppie(Mark), and Grandma and Grandpa Lebeda(Brian). They all are the best. They have all worked so hard to be where they are and raise the amazing kids they have. 

  Honestly, I have too many aunts and uncles to name and if I missed one, I would feel horrible, so thank you all for loving me and being who you are. 

I didn't go into depth on my family, because who has time to read a book? As you can see, we aren't your average family; some of us don't get along, some of us don't even know about one another, and some of us aren't even related. Whether they like it or not they are MY family and I thank God for that. 

How to become an amputee

There are many ways for one to become an amputee, but I'll tell you about my way. 

I was born on May 10, 1996 to Michael and Rachele Bandy(now Foltz). My parents weren't expecting me until July, but I was very eager and surprised them while my mom was trading in her Camaro for a more suitable car for a baby... A Ford Bronco. Due to some complications I was born through c-section. Well, more like removed. During the removal process everyone seemed to be calm, but that didn't last long. I came out silent; no cries, no breathing. The doctors basically snatched me out and put me on a helicopter to Lubbock, Texas. Being the woman that my mother is, she tried to immediately check herself out of the hospital, but due to hospital protocol she had to wait 48 hours, well... She was out in less than 24. Tests, tests, and more tests is what I endured for several weeks before I was released home. Well, about 7 months later after more tests the doctors discovered cancer in my left leg. I was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma bone cancer, which is one of the rarest types of bone cancer(Red Cross can't find it in their database when you give blood, so it's pretty rare). The doctors were confident if they performed an amputation, I'd be completely cancer free. On January 13, 1997 Dr. Herring at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas amputated my left leg above the knee, and what do you know? I've been cancer free ever since.

Galatians 1:15 says "Before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace."

That is the scripture I live by and I thank God everyday for making me who I am.