Post by douguk on Jun 1, 2021 11:40:05 GMT
I've been interested in many kinds of bracing since I was a child. I was very ill when I was about 6 years old, and put into a polio ward. I was disappointed when I was discharged some months later without a leg brace, after I'd seen other kids in the ward going home with braces (we called them leg irons in 1950's UK). I'm sure my fascination started from that prolonged time in hospital. Many years later, as an adult, I saved enough to get a pair of KAFOs, and got them from Bob at Fantasy Braces. I've worn them a very great deal, and often every day for many weeks continuously. Later I got a wheelchair, and got much pleasure from wheeling. Around age 60, I started to get a great deal of muscle pain in legs and especially feet. My surgeon suggested I start to use a wheelchair, little knowing that I already had one at home. So now I have a genuine excuse to be a fulltime wheelchair user, although I sometimes wear my KAFO's whilst wheeling.
Recently I decided I'd like to have a Milwaukee brace. At that time I didn't know about Vintage Braces, and bought a custom Milwaukee from MyCareMedical in India. Sadly, the brace arrived and looked OK, but it's too tight, too difficult for me to put it on without help, and very uncomfortable. It's also impossible for me to sit in my wheelchair. At the moment I am a little overweight, so I'll put it in a cupboard, and try again when I've lost some weight.
I've now contacted Vintage Braces with a view to making me a TLSO or CTLSO, but meanwhile I've a question: is there anyone in the London area with the skills to modify my ill-fitting Indian Milwaukee?
I'm also a sufferer of BIID. Again I think this comes from childhood experiences. Growing up in the 1950's there were plenty of amputees from the Second World War, and I particularly admired men who needed crutches to get around. One particular young man I saw regularly was DAK (double above knee amputee) and walked on two "stubbies". As a child I was fascinated by him. He regularly used the same bus that I was on going to and from school. I enjoyed pretending, but always yearned for LAK. Although I researched how to safely have the amputation, I never had enough money to get the surgery. Now I'm retired I still don't have the money - so I'm resigned to never fulfilling that dream.
Also, as a new member of this forum, I'd be pleased to contact other members. I live in East London. I don't have a car, but use my wheelchair to travel on accessible tubes and buses to many places.
Recently I decided I'd like to have a Milwaukee brace. At that time I didn't know about Vintage Braces, and bought a custom Milwaukee from MyCareMedical in India. Sadly, the brace arrived and looked OK, but it's too tight, too difficult for me to put it on without help, and very uncomfortable. It's also impossible for me to sit in my wheelchair. At the moment I am a little overweight, so I'll put it in a cupboard, and try again when I've lost some weight.
I've now contacted Vintage Braces with a view to making me a TLSO or CTLSO, but meanwhile I've a question: is there anyone in the London area with the skills to modify my ill-fitting Indian Milwaukee?
I'm also a sufferer of BIID. Again I think this comes from childhood experiences. Growing up in the 1950's there were plenty of amputees from the Second World War, and I particularly admired men who needed crutches to get around. One particular young man I saw regularly was DAK (double above knee amputee) and walked on two "stubbies". As a child I was fascinated by him. He regularly used the same bus that I was on going to and from school. I enjoyed pretending, but always yearned for LAK. Although I researched how to safely have the amputation, I never had enough money to get the surgery. Now I'm retired I still don't have the money - so I'm resigned to never fulfilling that dream.
Also, as a new member of this forum, I'd be pleased to contact other members. I live in East London. I don't have a car, but use my wheelchair to travel on accessible tubes and buses to many places.