Hi, my name is Brian, and I am 25 years old. Here is my story: I was a ballet danseur, and loved every leap of it. After a performance I fell inside my home on the stairs. I lost consciouness and it was many hours before I was found. I had fallen over my legs such that I developed compartmental syndrome. I spent four months in the hospital, receiving surgery after surgery to save my legs. In the end, a below knee amputation of my right leg was necessary and I lost sensation and full movement ofmy left foot due to major nerve injury. In July of 2011 I had surgery to legnthen my left limb. Over these past months it has extended from 2 inches to 6 inches, which should make for a vast improvemnet in security within the socket of a prosthetic. I had many unsuccessful fittings before researching and choosing to undergo the lengthening at the HSS. The bone is still maturing so it will be another few months before the apparatus can be surgically removed, but I am anxious to feel the difference. 

     In February it will be two years since the ampuation, but I am still in the beginning stages of coping with this loss. I have faced major losses in my life, and this loss I am finding very hard to accept. It has made me isolate a lot of the time, and has blocked my passion for life. I am looking to fellow 'amputees' for support and connection. Thanks!