By Brandon Evans | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009
On Christmas Eve in 2007, Tammy Myers lost her leg. What started out as a blood clot took a direction for the worst. Myers suffered an allergic reaction to heparin, an anticoagulant, and doctors had to amputate her left leg.
Myers had just moved to Decatur with her son, Brandon, and husband, Lindell.
Her road to recovery and learning to cope with the loss of her leg was riddled with additional problems.
"I was in the hospital during every holiday in 2008," she said. "I celebrated my birthday in ICU."
Myers dealt with repeated staph infections in the bone where her leg was amputated. She also recently had another blood clot. This time in her brain. All this complicated an already difficult rehab.
"Physical therapy with an amputee is a very extensive and long process," said Travis Fulton, director of rehabilitation at Wise Regional Health System in Decatur. "And it took even longer with Tammy due to all her additional surgeries."
"It's not easy," Myers said of the physical therapy. "It's difficult and can be painful at times. There are times when you want to give up."
But within a year Myers went from rolling in a wheelchair to skydiving from a plane.
After almost a year of physical therapy Myers learned to walk with her prosthetic leg. But she didn't stop there. With the help of her physical therapist Brett Brazile, along with several other employees at Wise Regional, she founded a local chapter of Amputees in Motion (AIM) in 2008.
"When I lost my leg, I felt that something good should come out of it," Myers said. "I never realized before how many other amputees are out there. It became my passion."
She celebrated the founding of AIM by skydiving.
Skydiving was appropriate due to the approach of AIM, which encourages its members to stay active. Myers is quick to point out that AIM is not a typical support group. They focus on what they can do, not what they can't do.
"We don't sit around and feel sorry for ourselves," she said. "This provides an opportunity for people to get out of their comfort zones."
AIM works to motivate and inspire its members. They also provide information on prosthetics and other issues facing amputees. It's also for friends and family members who assist an amputee.
"We want to let others know they are not alone," Myers said. "Everyone has struggles. Ours are just more obvious."
Before AIM, Myers said she was "stuck in a rut with life."
But since forming the group and meeting other amputees in the area she has become excited about life again despite all its obstacles.
Myers said the group would not have been possible without the help of Fulton, Brazile, Tammy Fanning, Kelli Michelle Weatherly and Wise Regional. AIM activities range from going to the movies to trips to the lake.
AIM is a nonprofit group. It is maintained by donations from individuals and businesses. Proceeds are used to fund upcoming events. AIM is for all levels of amputees.
The group meets once a month. The next meeting is 6 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the board room of Wise Regional Health System. For information, contact Myers at (903) 746-5091 or e-mail at aimdecatur@yahoo.com.
