BEING CENTERED AT HORSE-POWERED SPEEDS

"I'm one of those people who if I can't do something right, I don't want to do it; so I just find a way to do it right," says Linda, who, with the help of her husband Michael, continues to search for innovative ways to do what she loves. Since becoming a below-the-knee amputee two years ago due to primary thrombcytosis (blood clotting), Linda doesn't focus so much on why this has happened to her, but rather on her determination to adapt. "You really have to re-arrange your life so you can be able to do the things you want to do."

What Linda loves are her horses--all seven of them. She is an avid horseback rider and competes in Team Penning competitions (a timed event in which calves are singled out from a herd and corralled into a pen). Linda is working with SPOT's staff to develop a prosthesis solely for horseback riding. She has been using a specially designed prosthesis that uses a vacuum system within a vertical shock component, similar to a mountain bike shock. The system creates vacuum within the socket, holding the prosthesis firmly in place. The system also helps in keeping her residual limb a consistent size throughout the day and reduces moisture build up. Despite these improvements, Linda must contend with stir-ups that turn her leg and foot inward, while she is trying to keep them straight in order to be centered and balanced on the horse. "The horse can misread signals from my foot and leg pressure, if I'm not centered," explains Linda, who practices by riding in the mountains, where downhill paths force her to practice staying centered.

Freedom and fresh air, preferably the kind that whips your hair around, is what ignited Linda's passion for horses as well as for her other horse-powered "pet"-her 600-lb Harley Davidson Heritage Soft Tail, a twin to her husband's. When she lived in Wisconsin, she and Michael would take 200- to 300-mile road trips throughout the Midwest. "We've met a lot of nice people through our horses and motorcycles-there is a whole community around each activity," notes Linda.

Unfortunately, Linda has not been able to ride her Harley since her amputation, but she and Michael are investigating the necessary adaptations in order to make the riding happen. "We've looked at some wheels that could go on back of the bike so when I stop, I wouldn't have to be worried about getting off center and dropping the bike," explains Linda. "We also need to change the foot shifter up to the handle bars."

The changes Linda has made in her life are sometimes simple but allow her to continue doing what she loves to do. Michael built her a ladder-platform structure for her to mount her horses. She keeps a chair in the barn to take rests from being on her leg. A recently installed pool, allows Linda to exercise without her prosthesis on and to build up her stamina.

Although a Certified Public Accountant by profession, you can't help but wonder about Linda's other "calling." Besides her beloved horses, seven dogs, two cats, two fish, a pigmy goat, and two guinea pigs all call her acre of land home. Among these are several "rescue" dogs and horses that were destined not to live. "What can I say, I love animals," says Linda, unabashed. Next spring, a couple of colts will join the family.

Linda has plenty going on to keep her mind off the frustrations of adjusting to life as an amputee; although she doesn't sugarcoat the transition, "It changes your life drastically." But her stubborn will shows in her advice to others who have amputations: "Take on a positive attitude and start moving forward. If you really want to do it, there is nothing you can't do, but you have to want to do it."

[Linda has a Vacuum assisted suction socket with custom urethane liner and Otto Bock Luxon Max foot]

By Peta Owens-Liston
May 2005

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