07/01/2024
In honor of Disability Pride Month, join us in celebrating Brooke Fletcher. Brooke has an infectiously positive attitude and always enjoyed helping others as an EMT, former National Guardswoman and waitress. She maintains that attitude despite what she endured in February 2023.
"When I woke up from a coma and saw the shape my arms and legs were in, I knew I would need amputations," Brooke said. After an implant became infected, Brooke went into sepsis and organ failure. She was steps from death. "I was put on lots of medications that saved my life but led to the death of the tissue in my arms and legs," Brooke recalled.
Doctors had to amputate below her left knee, her left hand, part of her right foot and several fingers on her right hand. "I knew that I would have to have amputations, but I also know that people can live their lives with prosthetics," she said. "This really isn't the worst thing that has happened to me in life, so I knew I could handle it."
NovaCare Prosthetics & Orthotics Market Manager and Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist Katy Schatzberg first met Brooke at the hospital. "I knew after my first interaction that I was in great hands, and I was very confident about everything that I had ahead of me," Brooke said. "Katy has become like a part of the family. She's not just the leg lady; she's a friend, and she actually cares about how I'm doing."
Katy worked with Brooke at our Southfield center. Katy explained the recovery process and encouraged Brooke along the way, adjusting her prosthetics as needed.
Now, Brooke is back to doing all the things she loves. "I can drive, I can play with my dogs," she said. "I can go up and down stairs. I can do my makeup. I can do everything that I was able to do before I had the amputations."
We're in awe of your perseverance and positivity, Brooke. Thank you for choosing us for your care.