Thanks Chris for sharing your 'frankness' about the fears we each need to adapt to on this journey. I am only in my 6th week post surgery btk rignt leg. Yes, I have many fears. But each day I do somethiing to move forward, albeit very tiny things sometimes. I know I've got a long way to go, as I don't have a prosthesis yet, but the process has started.. The positive amputees, especially like yourself, are what keep me inspired. And that includes sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly, which you have done all along. It's tremendous encouragement. After all, we're all in this together!

Thank you for your honesty

I was doing so well 7 months after receiving my LABA prosthetic...went back to part time work, which was hard even when I had both legs. On your feet constantly. But I did it everyday for almost 4 months. walked the dog without cane or assistance. these were two things on my buckets list to accomplish after receiving my prosthetic. I put my Christmas tree up, cleaned the house, refrig from top to bottom. Then all of a sudden we had two weeks vacation for Christmas holiday. My schedule was gone. I started getting anxiety and it got worse and worse, Right now its a bit better, I am going back to work tomorrow, but I had missed many days in Feb. and March. I actually went to inpatient behavior health twice in order to get me life back. I hope all goes well tomorrow. and my anxiety does not take over. I am afraid just thinking about it. Coping will be hard for some reason. But have to at least try to get back on the horse.

Chris, this video is definitely good enough! I have struggled with fear and not feeling good enough since becoming an amputee in 2015. I became more confident in myself after getting my first prosthesis, but took many steps back after needing another surgery in 2017 and becoming an above knee. I have had tons of trouble getting my footing back after this setback. (Sometimes, I wonder if I really had it with just a below knee and if I was just pushing it aside and masking it.) I started seeing a therapist back in November and have just started to really see the things that are holding me back. Regaining my trust in my body, fear of failure/not being good enough, and accepting that small, not perfect steps are still getting me towards my goal. Thank you for the video! Sometimes, just knowing that there is someone out there dealing with the same adversity and having the same feelings that you do is extremely helpful.

Hi Chris, so good the finally see a new video from you again! I wondered where you were! For one, your video's has helped me personally so much with building up confidence to walk with my prosthetic leg (I have had very bad anxiety issues and getting off my churches the fear of falling and getting injured was very real). You showed me how its done and helped me overcome most of that! After my accident I got myself a law firm to take on my case against the RAF, they messed up bad with their due diligence in preparing for the case and that forced me to get a new lawyer ( that set me back 3 years in my case). Things are going well with the new law firm and the RAF accepted all responsibility and that's how I could get my prosthetic leg!! Problem is after the accident I lost almost everything and as I am typing this I have not been employed or had any income now for over 6 years. So my day to day struggle to survive is not so good for my anxiety as I am waiting for the RAF to pay me out (and they take forever) I wonder how I will get through the next month! The uncertainty of not know how long I still have to wait and how I will be able to help look after my family, its terrible. So please keep on sending the video's, you are helping more people than you think!

All your stuff is great. When I'm having "feelings" about my situation your words and demeanor help. I think it's the example that you set by living and sharing like you do that I most appreciate though. I have a similar situation but it's more recent, and it's great to see your example as proof positive of the potential of the future. As long as you find meaning and enjoyment creating this content please continue. I'm sure there are countless people that really appreciate it so thanks again.

Just lost left leg I'm writing this message it's now Feb 2021 winter in boston 6 months post surgery,1 month received prosthetic the world has changed drasticly, pandemic,insanity, biblical times .I wanted to say u should never feel fear about making videos because by ur video helping one person like me right now is a wonderful selfless act and u deserve the help it gives you that it helps u too

Hey Chris, it's a great attribute to be able to show our vulnerability to people we're familiar with...and really great for you to do it in front of a camera exposing yourself to strangers you've never met. Our intellect, and often our family and friends, tells us that it serves no purpose in asking ourselves, "What if...?", but reality dictates otherwise...it's hard not to ask those questions from time to time. Sharing our feelings with others is very important because oftentimes simply sharing our burden is enough to prevent us from entering a dark, unhappy place. Thank you for your honesty, humility, and gentleness in speaking on this subject.

Hi Chris It's almost as if the script has been written for many of us. I have only been an amputee for 10 months and am experiencing Manny of the feelings and emotions that you are describing. The feeling of inadequacy in all aspects of life is very demoralizing. I find that listening to your friends and family goes along way in building me up. If nothing else I have found value and guidance as well as answers to many of the questions that I have in the content that you have put out. Thank you. Regards Rodney

Hi Chris I'm a recent amptuee suffered an car accident 4 months ago Nov 19, which resulted me losing my left arm. I have used you as an inspirational watched all your videos to help me prepare mentally. As an arm amputee and you a lower limb amptuee its totally different at the same time your videos related to me gaining the insight into an amptuee struggles and uncertain opened my eyes. Really informed me never saw or knew much about amptuations/ amputees or proshetics before my accident in this world we are a small community compared to able bodied people..

Hello Chris, Thank you for your very frank word. Only if you talk about the amputation and can deal with it openly, can you cope well with it. Talking about fear is always good, because talking shares fear and it gets better. I myself have been walking on a prosthesis for 18 years and the discussion about my limitation continues and I think it will last a lifetime. I have subscribed to your channel and wish you a good time, best regards from Holstein, Germany, Bernd Googel supported me with the translation.

I am so glad you have this channel, Chris. I am learning so much from you. I am going through dealing with the "real stuff" in order to fully process my amputation - fear, anxiety, lack of confidence, emotional and mental baggage of limb salvage surgeries that in the past laid down deep-seated memories of trauma, an out of whack perception of pain, cognitive distortions of my thoughts and self, past pain points in my leg that I attached an emotional valances to. I am glad you're so real and I need your videos - you're helping me work through my past to find my myself under the pain medicines, the anxiety, the fears, to find out really who I am. That scares me. Who am I? But my doctor reminds me I should be excited. Today, oddly, is the first day post-amputation I have some small excitement to do all this hard stuff (plus all the physical recovery).

Thank you for your Honesty!! Brave!!

Love this topic Chris!!! I needed this message right now! As I approach the one year anniversary of my amputation at the end of June, I’m just now starting to have feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt especially when it comes to social settings.

Thanks for this, Chris. This is helpful as I prepare to be an amputee. Late last year, the fear came from the decision I had to make. That’s gone for the moment, but there are related anxieties. Thankfully I have a solid team around me to help me navigate through what’s to come. I think that’s important. So, hey, did you ever get back to riding a motorcycle? I’m hoping to get back in the saddle!

Thank you Chris. With your insight and honesty you help others in a similar situation. And those close to you: parents and siblings. Especially your very special wife. And your 3 beautiful children. Love you forever.

Hi Chris , i am glad i am able to conect with You through this , you helped me a lot and you struck me as a hiper confident person, is good to see you vulnerable and open. I miss the town and Stellies swimming pool sometimes, will follow you here. Thanks Again, !! Julian

Hi Chris. Thank you for your bravery and speaking your truth and sharing. It brought a warmth and openness and sense of relief to me as you were speaking. I really relate a lot with this FEAR feeling. I think it is so important that we can speak openly about this and surround ourselves with people who can hear such vulnerability. Sending you light, Jess

This is soooooo relevant !!

I have a lot of fear, and loss. Loosing a foot tells people that I went through some serious 💩 to be here today.

My major fear, Chris, as a 74 year old man with an above-knee amputation like yourself, is of falling over in public places while negotiating uneven ground surfaces. I have discovered that as we grow older, we do not bounce off concrete as well as we did when we were younger!! I have had my mechanical knee for about 7 months, and am hoping to graduate to a computer-driven model after I master this one. My main problem is negotiating sideway inclines, especially when the prosthetic side is higher. Downward inclines also give me some anxiety. I would really appreciate your thoughts on negotiating these surfaces, as I am determined to be able to walk freely without watching the ground too much. Bruises are no fun at my stage of life!

My. Biggest fear is falling trying to take a shower. As I messaged u a few days ago

Yo, Chris. I’m missing the hell out of you, bro! Show some mercy!

How did you get off the meds

Is COVID isolating you, Chris??