04/21/2024
Limb Loss & Limb Difference Awareness Month - Client Spotlight
Thanks to Eric for sharing his journey with us. Eric is a husband, father, military veteran, athlete, radio broadcaster, and comedian (see jokes ahead):
Here is Eric’s full story:
Eric was nearing the end of a military career. Most of spent with the Navy. He was well travelled. He was on both coasts of Canada. Northern Europe and Eric was on the first Canadian Frigate to arrive for the Afghanistan War after 9/11. He was unscathed.
He had just picked up his motorcycle on April 15th 2005. He was out with friends on the 19th of April for their first ride of the season. The Sun was still up. The weather was good; chilly but tolerable. The roads were clear, slow and winding. Then around one of those turns there was a truck coming the opposite direction.
Eric faced a crushed left leg injury. He had 15 operations, muscle, and skin graphs and now a serious infection. It took 6 months to get to this place. The initial plan was to pin his leg from his hip to his ankle. The infection took that off the table. His doctor came in and we agreed. Eric panicked, "Where are you taking it off at?"
"Two inches above your knee," was the reply.
The answer was surprisingly reassuring. Well, it was, until his mother asked, "what do they do with it when they take it off?"
The amputation operation was that Friday in October. The following week he was on his way home from the hospital. He felt like he had a new lease on life. He was 38 at the scene of the crash. He was now 39 by the time the amputation happened. Things were going at a million miles an hour and at a full stop.
He was offered one of the micro processing knees. Little did he know how that choice would benefit him later. Next, he was getting moved from Nova Scotia back to P.E.I. He was now "disabled." He was sure what that meant. He knew it meant much better parking and a tax break. I will take it.
It also meant he was introduced to a program in the military called Soldier On. This program introduced the wounded injured and ill member to sport to regain an active lifestyle. The military partnered with the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Eric learned how to three track ski. They had a program launching he attended.
Eric had heard a great deal of negativity because he was now "disabled." You can't was the most repeated statement. There were somethings he had gave up because he was disabled. Hockey was one.
The weekend had numerous sports wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and tennis. There was one on the second day, para ice hockey. Eric found himself on the ice in a sled with sticks and a puck. The epiphany happened. If I can do this, what else can I do? The shift began.
Now living on P.E.I. the military needed to find someone to manage my C-leg Gen 2. I was sent to Atlantic Prosthetics Inc. This was the first meeting with Eric and Elizabeth Harris. Up and till now it was almost as things were done to Eric. Elizabeth changed the dynamic. Things slowed down. He was listened to, and Elizabeth was certainly a wealth of knowledge.
Eric, being military, assumed Elizabeth's title. He thought she does works on prosthetics. This would make her a Prosthetic Tech. Oh , how wrong he was. He called her the made-up title. She replied, "you know I am not a Prosthetic Tech?"
He replied, "I will play your game, what do I call you?"
She said, I am a Prosthetist."
To keep the mood light he said, "I am a Catholic and I cannot call you that!"
That kicked off a great 18-year relationship. Eric went from the C-Leg to several Total Knees because she listened, and she was right for my needs and lifestyle. Eric was medically released from the military. They gave him the leg and they gave him the boot.
He went to the Public Service for the next 10 years. He managed and played an internationally successful para ice hockey program. He was on provincial boards concerning the needs of persons with disabilities. He talked to the whole Public Service about Barriers in the public service. Eric was paid to come back and speak as an inspirational speaker to the Canadian Armed Forces. Eric was named Captain to the Soldier On Para ice hockey team who played against the USA Wounded Warriors (American equivalent) at the Washington Capitals versus Toronto Maple Leafs outdoor game.
Eric went from the Public Service back to school to work in Broadcasting and Eric also does standup Comedy in Canada Coast to coast to coast.
Father Time is catching up with him. He is now 58. Gravity is now more of a factor. He has retired the total knee and is now gone back to Otto Bock and a microprocessor. Falling was starting to hurt and linger.
Eric still rides motorcycles, Skis and plays hockey. He doesn't identify as disabled or an amputee. My name is Eric. I can do whatever "I" want. I get great parking and a tax break for being me.
Amputee Coalition
Eric Payne
