An Insight into the Life of an Amputee

By Samuel Peace

“Two steps forward, one step to the side, and one step back,” is a description of how amputee John Tarrant made his way home on crutches after a drunken night out. In an interview given earlier today, John, 69, from Peacehaven told of the ups and downs of having only one leg, and how it has shaped his life over the years. With modern technology and the Paralympics showcasing the incredible abilities of disabled people, and what they can achieve these days, there is no lack of inspiration to behold. However, not everyone is able to afford the latest advancements, or enter the games. Most folks like John just don’t have enough money, or don’t have enough time to commit. This is why John’s story is so interesting to hear because he’s an everyday person doing everyday things.

John, a retired senior medical technician, lost his leg at the age of 18 following a motorbike accident which nearly cost him his life. The crash happened roughly six months after his birthday on the new Royal Enfield 250cc Crusader Sports he was given. The collision was caused by the negligence of a driver coming from the opposite direction. John said: “A yellow Ford Anglia hit the right side of me when it tried to overtake a car. It was a clear day on a straight road, there was no need for it.” The contact temporarily impaired his vision as he struggled to stay on the bike “having no control is terrifying,” John said as he recalled the heart stopping moment. The last thing he can remember before losing consciousness was: “God I hope nothing hits me in the face.”

It was June 3, 1961, when John’s life changed forever. The clanging bell of a Red Cross ambulance acted like a wake up alarm as he came around from his slumber. He was suffering from shock and blood loss, but witnesses wouldn’t let him move because of the serious injuries he had sustained. At the hospital he was told there was no circulation in his right leg where he was initially hit, and it was unlikely they could save it. Gangrene had begun to set in fast, so they needed to ensure it wouldn’t spread any further. Despite having an amputation however, John was out of hospital within three weeks, yet he had to go back every other day for check-ups. Taking off the dressing was “incredibly painful,” John said. He also remembered his mother’s initial reaction when she saw the injury, he said as he laughed: “It looks like something out of a butcher’s shop.”

What about the emotions he went through after the realisation he had lost a limb? He replied that it was quite upsetting to begin with, but overall he was “just happy to be alive”. John was faced with a long road to normality; it was like stepping into a “whole new world”. Although he likes to remain optimistic he describes how he was at first in a “dark place,” after enduring the harrowing experience. Things didn’t improve when he eventually came face to face with the culprit of the crash who simply said: “No hard feelings.” Not fazed by the lack of remorse however, he managed to get justice by winning the court case and was determined to get back to work as soon as possible.

Having to adjust to moving around on one leg with the support of crutches John was often confronted with difficulties. He didn’t let this deter him however, as he tried to lead a normal life. This involved doing things himself, and going out to get intoxicated with his friends. How he managed to drunkenly get home with only one leg (when most can’t with two) no one will ever know. It took just over two years to get his first prosthetic limb, in which time John was in and out of hospital for about five months. Constant checkups were needed to make sure the stump didn’t get infected, yet unfortunately ulcers started appearing. After the amputation the surgeons had put a skin graft on the wound, but consistent rubbing made it sore, and caused it to swell up. Therefore it was decided he should get some plastic surgery in order to create a ‘smooth round off’ at the end.

John was sent to Odstock Hospital in Salisbury, Wiltshire, where he not only sorted out this stump, but also met the love of his life, Mabel, a trainee nurse. He got to know her quite well throughout his stay, and they became very attached. Their happiness was short lived however, when she had to fly back to her home in Hong Kong at the start of 1963. He wouldn’t see her again until 1965 by which time he finally had his first prosthetic leg, at the age of 20. The prosthetics back in those days were a lot more basic and cumbersome he recalled. He had to: “adjust the foot angle to match the height of the heel.” Luckily John’s amputation was below the knee, which means he had his own joint allowing him more control over the new leg. He could just “plug in,” and use his upper leg muscles, and knee joint to fling the leg forwards.

With this he was able to go back to work and do most of the things a fully abled person can do (eventually), which even includes the ability to run! To begin with “it was frustrating,” he said as he was unable to ride his bike again until he passed a new test. While still getting used to normal life a huge surprise came when he found out that Mabel had managed to find a way back to England. She wrote a letter to his house hoping he was still living there. When he received it he went straight up to the hospital where they originally met to try and find her. Once they were reunited he proposed by saying: “I think we better get engaged don’t you?” John laughs: “There was no ring and I was standing up,” but he said he “knew it was meant to be”.

Over the years of being disabled John has made the most out of life. Not once has he let his disability get in the way of what he wants to do. In fact he made light of the defect and recalls more funny moments than troubled ones. One such time he was setting up an operating theatre (putting out the equipment and sterilizing them) when he decided to stick a metal spike through a hole in his prosthetic leg as a joke. Unluckily the student nurse he was with thought it was real and fainted. John also worked on giant industrial chimneys at one point. He reminisces about a day where he was quite high up a ladder when suddenly his knee strap came loose causing his prosthetic leg to slip down his jeans. Once it got to the bottom it got caught, so it ended up looking like he had a double length leg, which got a lot of passer bys chuckling. A few of the other highlights include one of his mates accidentally stepping on his fake foot on a lad’s night out, which consequentially pulled his leg off when he stepped forward causing them both to fall over. There was also a comical occasion when one of his more recent prosthetic legs would come off with a press of a button. His mischievous granddaughter therefore took advantage of this, and decided it would be funny to run off with his leg while he was sitting down. Lastly there was one moment where he was lifting a heavy object when all of a sudden his prosthetic leg collapsed. The ankle bit broke and twisted upwards causing him to become lopsided, and immobile. This made it look like a horrific injury causing passer bys to be in a state of shock. John has now had over 14 legs, but his current one has lasted a lot longer due to it being an improved build.

Wrapping up the interview I asked him about his thoughts on modern, and near future prosthetics which connects to the body’s nervous system. He told me how even though he thinks the technology is great he is more than happy with his current leg: “I have no complaints about my leg, why would I want to move my toes?” To finish off I asked if he missed his real leg, John responded by saying: “I have no regrets because I met the nurse who I married. I’ve never felt disabled because I’ve always been able to do what I want to do.” Many people suffer from some sort of disability, John has been lucky, but he wants people to know that a bit of optimism can go a long way. Don’t give up and live life to the limit.

Medical Marvels – Coronary Heart Bypass

By Samuel Peace

Modern day health care has evolved at a phenomenal rate over the past hundred years. New technology and a greater knowledge of what can be done with the human body have helped create some major success stories; stories which sound like miracles. These days however, what used to be seen as quite miraculous has now just become a “common practice” or a “standard operation”. One such surgical procedure is the Coronary Heart Bypass (CHB) surgery.

As the name suggests the CHB surgery is focused on the heart and the flow of the blood. Coronary is the name given to the arteries which directly feed into the heart. The term bypass is used in its literal sense which is to ‘avoid’ or to ‘go around’. A build up in the arteries of a fatty substance called Atheroma leads to Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) which is the reason a CHB is needed. If left untreated then the build up could eventually lead to full blockages and blood clots, which in turn can often cause fatal heart attacks and strokes. The CHB surgery is an option which will create a diversion for the blood flow enabling it to avoid the blockage altogether, and to reach the heart without any problems.

Ray Peace a 76-year-old man from Bognor Regis recently underwent a quadruple CHB. He had a vein which was the length between his groin and his ankle taken out of his leg in order to create the four new routes needed for his heart. However, despite having this high risk and complex operation he was walking again two days later. He was then discharged from hospital only seven days after he had the surgery. Six weeks have passed since the operation and he is nearly fully active again. He has daily exercises, takes regular walks, and has checkups once a week. He has also started driving again and he plans to restart his daily swimming routine around Christmas time.

He said “I’m pretty much back to normal now. The experience was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, and I didn’t feel too much pain afterwards. In fact the only pain I have now is in my leg where they took out the vein. I usually take painkillers before bed, but the past few days I haven’t”. He went on to say: “My last check up is at the end of November, so hopefully I can start swimming again after that. It all depends on my blood pressure and how my chest muscles are.”

Cardiovascular diseases such as CHD are responsible for approximately 32% of all the deaths in the UK each year. This is higher than any other cause including cancer mortalities. In 2010 there were almost 180,000 deaths from heart diseases with CHD alone causing just over 80,000 of them. Of these around 46,000 were men and 34,000 women. The big difference was their age range, as both genders had over 27,000 fatalities in the 75+ category. While below the age of 35 there was only 102 for men and 36 for women.

However despite the severity of such an illness, there has actually been a 45% drop in CHD since 1998. In fact the number of deaths per 100,000 people in 2010 is less than a third of what it was in 1980. While a couple of years ago there were 114 male and 50 female deaths per 100,000, 30 years ago there were 380 and 164 respectively. Compared to the rest of Europe the UK isn’t too bad, however it falls slightly behind its biggest neighbours.

As of 2009/2010 France leads the way for men with only 52 deaths per 100,000 people. This is closely followed by Portugal on 57, the Netherlands on 59, Spain on 65, Italy on 80, Germany on 111 and Ireland on 131. The worst mortality rate falls with the Ukraine which had 656. It’s a similar story with women albeit on a smaller scale. France once again leads with only 20, followed by Spain and the Netherlands on 27, then Portugal on 30, Italy on 40, Germany on 57 and Ireland on 61. This time Moldova suffered the highest with 424.

It’s not all doom and gloom though as there are plenty of success stories like Ray’s. Every year it is estimated that there are around 28,000 bypass operations. Although the CHB procedure is very dangerous, the survival rate in the UK as of 2009 is as high as 98% for the first 30 days post op. There is a further 90% chance for five years and 85% for 10. As a majority of these ops occur with people over the age of 75, a life increase of 10 years is astounding. Even if it’s not classed as miraculous, it’s still pretty impressive.

Sources:

http://www.bhf.org.uk/publications/view-publication.aspx?ps=1002097

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Coronary-artery-bypass/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.bypasssurgerycomplications.com/bypass-surgery-statistics.shtml

Dynamic Hot Yoga, Hove, review

Dynamic Hot Yoga at Hove Business Centre.

By Sarah Jackson

Dynamic Hot Yoga is exactly what it says it is. That is, it’s a yoga class in a hot room, specifically a room heated to around about 30-36°C (not as hot as Bikram yoga, which whacks the thermostat up to 40°C). The idea is to replicate the internal temperature of the body, making it easier to stretch and encourage the body to sweat.

I’ve heard arguments both for and against these apparent health benefits, but I was personally keen to try Dynamic Hot Yoga for two reasons:

1) As a runner, I find that if I go for longer than a couple of months without doing any yoga, my muscles get so tight, I feel like I might start to roll up like a tape measure;

2) I’m not sure if you’ve been outside lately, but it’s really really cold. I have this idea that my body is like a storage heater, and that if I spend enough time in the warm, my bones will release the heat later when I’m colder (biology isn’t my strong point).

My instructor for the Saturday morning class was Sachia who, knowing that this was my first session, found me in the corridor before the class to go over some things. The main point was to take it easy and to try to stay in the yoga studio and not go out into the corridor, even if I felt a bit faint. “The floor out here is concrete,” she explained. Good point.

These instructions seem a little dramatic, but once you enter the studio they make sense. The heat hits you the way hot air rolls over you when you get off a plane in a tropical country. Getting your mat and towel laid out seems to sap your energy; soon you’re panting.

It can be incredibly intimidating to walk into a class like that. After all, when faced with temperatures of 30°C-plus, most of us are lying on a beach, not trying to do a back bend. But don’t panic! It is tough, but I honestly don’t understand the point of an exercise class if it’s not tough or fun, and Dynamic Hot Yoga was both those things.

Sacha was fantastic at explaining all the poses, demonstrating both beginners and advanced and walking around the class to ensure everyone was moving correctly. One of the things I love about yoga is that you’re not in competition with anyone else. I am supremely inflexible, but that doesn’t matter. Everyone is working to different levels. If your level is to simply sit in a hot room and watch, then go for it. Nobody else will care; they’re too busy trying to keep their own balance.

The studio has showers and changing rooms which are sorely needed after class – you will sweat in places you didn’t even know you had sweat glands. As well as drinking water throughout the class, I would recommend that you eat something after the class – a banana is perfect. The reception area also sells these, along with water and coconut water, as well as hiring yoga mats and towels if you don’t bring your own.

If you’re already practicing and fancy trying something new, or are entirely new to yoga altogether, Dynamic Hot Yoga is definitely something to consider. However, if you hate to sweat, I would stay away.

I left the class feeling energised, looser and a whole lot warmer. In fact, I stayed warm the entire way home, even though I had been freezing on my way to class. Maybe I am a storage heater, and I just needed hot yoga to warm me up.

Dynamic Hot Yoga is located in the Hove Business Centre, just behind Hove railway station. Information on classes and prices can be found here.

 

Southcoast Zodiacs fly the flag for UK Competitive Cheerleading

By Nathalie Jacquemard

Cheerleading is booming in the UK.

A study published by the Department for Education showed that nearly two in five schools (37%) now offered cheerleading in P.E lessons. Even though cheerleading is on the rise over here, it is a discipline that is still met with scorn by many.

Last month British cheerleading team Southcoast Zodiacs attended the two-day National Championships in Atlanta, Georgia: their first international competition.

Eastbourne Half Marathon 3/03/13

The Brooks Brighton 10K Race

By Tom Copeland

This Sunday morning (18 November) Brighton seafront will once again host the annual Brooks Brighton 10K.

The ten kilometre race will start and finish on Madeira Drive, which is located at the seafront to the east side of Brighton Pier, at 10am sharp. Runners should be assembled at the start line by 9.50am, in a starting position relative to where they realistically expect to finish.

The route takes runners east to the first turn before heading back down past the pier and arches to the second turn at six-and-a-half kilometres. From there it is a straight run back to the finish line to rapturous applause and to collect a medal.

Last year’s event was won by Ben Whitby, running for Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow, in a time of 29 minutes 52 seconds.

The course record was set by Rob Denmark in 1993, who recorded a blistering 28.59, and Louise Damon holds the fastest time for women of 33.14.

For further information see the race website here.

Medical Marvels – Coronary Heart Bypass

By Sam Peace

Modern day health care has evolved at a phenomenal rate over the past hundred years. New technology and a greater knowledge of what can be done with the human body have helped create some major success stories; stories which sound like miracles. These days however, what used to be seen as quite miraculous has now just become a “common practice” or a “standard operation”. One such surgical procedure is the Coronary Heart Bypass (CHB) surgery.

As the name suggests the CHB surgery is focused on the heart and the flow of the blood. Coronary is the name given to the arteries which directly feed into the heart. The term bypass is used in its literal sense which is to ‘avoid’ or to ‘go around’. A build up in the arteries of a fatty substance called Atheroma is the reason a CHB is needed. If left untreated then the build up could eventually lead to full blockages and blood clots, which in turn can often cause fatal heart attacks and strokes. The CHB surgery is an option which will create a diversion for the blood flow enabling it to avoid the blockage altogether, and to reach the heart without any problems.

Ray Peace a 76 year old man from Bognor Regis recently underwent a quadruple CHB. He had a vein which was the length between his groin and his ankle taken out of his leg in order to create the four new routes needed. However, despite having this high risk and complex operation he was walking again two days later. He was then discharged from hospital only seven days after he had the surgery. Six weeks have passed since the operation and he is nearly fully active again. He has daily exercises, takes regular walks, and has checkups once a week. He has also started driving again and he plans to restart his daily swimming routine around Christmas time.

He said “I’m pretty much back to normal now. The experience was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, and I didn’t feel too much pain afterwards. In fact the only pain I have now is in my leg where they took out the vein. I usually take painkillers before bed, but the past few days I haven’t”. He went on to say: “My last check up is at the end of November, so hopefully I can start swimming again after that. It all depends on my blood pressure and how my chest muscles are.”

Although the CHB procedure is very dangerous, the survival rate in the UK as of 2009 is as high as 98%. Even if it’s not classed as miraculous, it’s still pretty impressive.

Olympics dig Britain out of the recession

By Emily Sargent and Lalage Wordsworth

The British economy has struck gold thanks to the boom generated by sales of Olympics tickets.

20 per cent of the overall growth of Britain’s economy announced this morning has been attributed to Olympics and Paralympics ticket sales.

One day in 1932 some people went out for a walk and changed England forever…

by Malcolm Cook

Did you know, the Peak District is the spiritual home of opening up the countryside to all people? 80 years ago, 400 or so working people from Manchester and Sheffield walked on private moorlands in the ‘Mass Trespass at Kinder Scout’, all led by a young Mechanic from Manchester called Benny Rothman.
Then, as now, some people thought there was nothing they could do about it, so why bother..? While others took a different perspective and stood for the their freedom and the public opinion, they were upstanding not by standing citizens. Although the actual trespass was all of 50 yards off the footpath and about 100 yards long and according to a Game keepers recall they shouted and cheered a bit, turned around and went home.

This has become one of the most rewarding examples of popular protest in 20th Century Britain and the trespassers are regarded as heroes by Britain’s large population of “ramblers”. who broke the law and were prepared to risk prison so we all can walk in the Peak District, along Public Footpaths, through National Parks and Nature Reserves throughout England freely today.

Our National Parks
by John Muir,

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into the trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like leaves of autumn.

The first of Brighton’s Big Dig days was lovely!

by Malcolm Cook

The weather was bright and breezy, the sun was scorching and atmosphere was just like being on a school summer holiday. Stanmer Organics, Brighton Permaculture Trust, Fork n Dig It! and my favourite which I am more than likely to return to for some volunteering is the newish Berry Farm.

I met a friend who was waiting for at the top of Farmhouse Orchard.  I was late for our picnic! Luckily she didn’t wait and was quite full and stretched out sunbathing. Once a couple a forkfuls of a Dahl curry had disappeared, across the lightest of breezes came the light aroma of Apple, Vinegar and other sweet things. It was wofting up from down the bottom. A table had been set up a big cauldron of Chutney was being stirred casually and people were busying about. Some were Scything the grass and hedges and making big stacks. Others were sorting what apples there were. This year only 1 and half kilo’s whereas last they cropped one and half tonnes! Did you know that bees don’t fly when it’s wet? Clever bees!

As the afternoon passed all too quickly we realised that things were winding down so we got a move on and made our way up past Fork n Dig It who were cooking Chips and straight passed the Earth Ship to the Berry Farm which had berries I had never seen before in my life. Anyhow that’s all I have time for this time, more next time bye!

http://www.harvest-bh.org.uk/the-big-dig

Malcolm Cook

Fitness Fundraising and Family Fun at Brighton Sport Relief Mile

One of the many younger participants of the Brighton Sport Relief Mile 2012
PHOTO: Hope Wisechild

Over 3,000 fundraisers completed one of 17 flagship Miles on Kemptown’s Madeira Drive on Sunday helping Sport Relief raise a record £52 million.

Alongside serious runners including cricketer Clare Connor, Brighton participants completed 1, 3, or 6 miles dressed as clowns, superheroes, sailors, animals and even food.

Children ran, hopped, scooted or bounced the mile raising sponsorship to allow Comic Relief to change lives in the UK and the world’s poorest countries.

Paralympian Sophia Warner, who participated with three friends, one in a wheelchair and one in a pushchair said: “I’ve been so inspired to see thousands of people, of all ages and abilities, supporting Sport Relief today”.

Brighton Rock Choir flashmobbed the event and finish line entertainment provided opportunities to dance to the Millstones Big Band, hula hoop or play wheelchair football.

Sid the Shark was there to encourage youngsters to bat, bowl and catch in a seafront Sussex County Cricket Club cricket cage.

Kimberley Sibbald of The Hula Honeys, who had hooped along the seafront, said: “It’s a great way to have fun and get a little active.”

Celebrate World Sleep Day 2012

By Catherine Roberts

, via Wikimedia Commons”]

Insomnia world map by Lokal_Profil [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)

Bosses watch out: Friday is World Sleep Day, a celebration of snoozing that raises important issues related to your daily kip.

Organised by the World Association of Sleep Medicine, the day promotes healthy, undisturbed sleep that is often compromised by modern life.

Sleep disorders affect up to 45% of the world’s population and can have serious consequences.

World Sleep Day 2012 will focus on obstructive sleep apnoea, a respiratory disturbance that causes the muscles of the throat to relax and block the airway.

The NHS says that the disorder is linked to heart attacks and strokes, although it is unsure whether people develop hypertension as a response to sleep apnoea, or whether it is the result of an underlying cause of apnoea, such as obesity.

Treatment for sleep disorders can improve sleep so dramatically that it improves the patient’s quality of life.

World Sleep Day looks to educate people about how to better their health with improved sleeping habits.

For more information on World Sleep Day visit: http://www.worldsleepday.org

School massages for Sussex children

By Fraser Ward

The Massage in Schools Association – it exists and it could be coming to a school near you.

Photo used under creative commons by Nick Webb

Review: Moshi Moshi Brighton

By Ruth Hazard

Who would have thought that a restaurant review would rave about a place where the food is served cold and uncooked? Well Brighton Lite is about to do exactly that.

Photo used courtesy of creative commons by adactio

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Festive Booze

By Jack Deacon

With the cuts and cold weather kicking in, now’s as good a time as ever to turn to alcohol.

Brighton Hospital escapes criticism from Doctor Foster Report on A & E Waiting Times

By JP

Whatever you do, don’t fall ill at the weekend – so say new figures published last week which show rises in death rates in A&E departments across the country.

These were the scaremongering headlines which rang out throughout the country last month and headlines drew their facts from a report published on November 28.

Picture used under creative commons by José Goulão

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