AMPUTEE BATHROOM Layout for SAFETY and ACCESS

[@FootlessJo]

Such an important video!! Having a safe bathroom set up as an amputee is vital...when I traveled internationally for the first time post-amputation I realized what a big deal it was. Also loved some of the cinematography in this!! Beautiful home!

[@theampedlife]

Hi Jo, thanks for dropping in and contributing!! You're absolutely spot on - I should have mentioned it I guess. Getting around in hotel rooms and bathrooms can be a minefield. My heart goes out to bi-lateral amputees. I remember the hotel in San Antonio where we stayed at the AC conference's access to the shower had me crawling around on all fours - trying to stand in a bath is a nightmare. Thanks for your supportive words on the video content and presentation :-)

[@williebulletman5217]

Thank’s Mr. Chris your wife did a wonderful joe laying out your Bathroom . I’m still A little scared of hopping over steps my amputation was August 23 of this year so it’s still a little new to me thank you for your videos you share so many great ideas to all of us amputee’s and I thank Cheers

[@theampedlife]

Hi Willie, thanks for commenting. Hopping over stairs is such a dangerous thing to do, i suggest that we eliminate the need to do this at all cost. the consequences of a slip are sooooo severe. I hope you doing OK mate - its been almost 3 months for you - such a crucial time. Please ask if there is anything I can make a video on which you think might be helpful. All the best, please take care of yourself :-)

[@transtibialog9248]

Splitting my stump has always scared me! Worrying about falling over without my leg has made my balance almost 100% lol. Same here, my leg and everything I need is close to hand in the morning for when I take it off, I'd rather put my leg on then use my sticks. Got a walk in shower so I use my shower chair or just transfer to to a stool. Can't say enough how them handles help, if you haven't got any you must get some, it will be one of the best investment you make as an amputee because you will need it every day and multiple times a day. Great video for new amputees, I wish I had this info 2 1/2 years ago. P.s beautiful home👍🏽

[@theampedlife]

Thanks for your comments mate! I forgot to mention the chair thing in the video - thanks for bringing it into the conversation! Yes your spot on - handles more important that any other precaution I've taken. I'm also with you on the leg before sticks thing too - for a few extra minutes its just not worth taking the risk with sticks in a bathroom.

[@bluedeva]

G.A.P is so important! Great post Chris 👌🏻 Your wife has done you proud 🙌🏻Bathrooms are the most dangerous places for slips and falls. I recently had a wetroom installed with a wall mounted folding shower seat and grab rails, I made sure the flooring is anti slip and all on one level. I used to fall so much before the wetroom was installed and now having it done has made life so much easier and safer. Thankfully accessible bathrooms no longer have to look hospital like and you can find some great deals and designs out there at a reasonable price. 🤗🥰🤗

[@williebulletman5217]

bluedeva thank for sharing your bathroom lay out Iv been so scared of falling again Iv had my fare shire of miss haps so no more my bathroom looks. Like a hospital room now unfortunately but no more falls I hope have a great day Bluedeva

[@bluedeva]

Willie Bulletman As long as you are safe from falls and it helps you to stay independent and keep your dignity that’s the most important part. 🤗🤗

[@CinkSVideo]

Getting in and out of the shower was the riskiest activity after my ankle surgery. I’m lucky that I never fell. Now that amputation is looming…I need to create a more permanent and safer option. Handles!!

[@theampedlife]

Handles - as many as you need to move safely everywhere in the bathroom. Thanks for commenting!

[@Mr.Quinlan888]

Great video!! I use a shower chair while washing and use a wheelchair to transition out of the shower to dry off. I'm lucky my bathroom is pretty large to accommodate a wheelchair. I've always heard horror stories from other amputees about the bathroom danger zone, so good advice.

[@theampedlife]

Hi, thanks for suggesting a wheelchair as an alternative. You're right though, one needs quite a large space to accommodate a wheelchair. Bathrooms and amputees often = horror stories. But mostly avoidable with a few simple precautions. Thanks for commenting, please keep 'em coming!

[@olgasosa]

Great video Chris. Your bathroom setup is beautiful.

[@theampedlife]

+olga sosa hi Olga, thanks for your kind comments and for participating in our community ☀️ please feel free to suggest any topics for future videos, I would appreciate any ideas from you 🙏

[@geraldinejones7290]

Thanks for the video. Yes, my husband installed bars in our shower and it gives me more independence and I feel much safer. I’m getting my prosthetic this week. So many emotions. It feels surreal. I waited so long and now it’s here!

[@theampedlife]

Hi Geraldine, its real good to hear from you again. I'll be thinking of you with the new prosthetic the next few days. I very clearly remember how it felt and how frightened I was. It was unnecessary pressure I put on myself - in the end all I had to do was the best I could - not the absolute best, but what I was able to do at that given time. Please let us / me know how it went if you're comfortable with that - you will help so many who are going to go through all of these same motions at some point. All the best - hope you experience the sense of freedom it was able to give me that many years ago :-)

[@geraldinejones7290]

Hi Chris. Well I picked up my leg last Wednesday. It felt good, no pain. But I was surprised when my family pointed out to me that I was walking on my toes, just like I had used to. I thought my leg may be weak but I never imagined walking the way I had. I was a bit upset that night. I went to PT the next day and he told me I’m going to have to re train my brain to walk the correct way. I felt much more hopeful that with hard work I’ll get it. Some blisters developed so I had to keep it off for a few days. It’s going to be a journey. One day at a time. On a side note, my niece and her husband had a wonderful honeymoon in South Africa. They loved it so much that they extended their stay. Thanks for having this channel for all of us. It’s comforting to know there are people who can understand what we are going through.

[@theampedlife]

Hi guys, I just need to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who have watched, liked, subbed, and commented on this video. I really appreciate the feedback and involvement between all of us, and I believe that together we are assisting and inspiring each other. I have learnt more from this channel and interaction with you all in the past 18 months, than in the decade as an amputee before I started it all. It motivates me to keep on uploading - please keep the suggestions for content coming :-) Catch you all on the next one - Ciao!

[@parrant8134]

Thanks a lot Chris, I was so excited to see your new video, I’ve got a company coming in a few weeks to make modifications to my house and bathroom and your video was extremely helpful. I hope your doing good and I look forward to your next video. Again thanks so much Chris!

[@theampedlife]

Hey mate, thanks for dropping in again!! I'm really well and healthy - very grateful for whats going on in my life. I hope you are able to get the bathroom you want with all the safety features required, feel free to ask if there is anything you are not sure of. As I said my wife Helena is a professional interior designer, she would be happy to pas son any advise you might need. Chat soon!

[@parrant8134]

Awesome Chris, thanks so much for taking the time to respond and offering your wife’s advice. Hoping to one day meet you when your in the States again. Have a great day in South Africa, if I’ve never told you I’m responding from Pearl, Ms. US

[@adewunmifalilat4385]

Really helpful , installation of handles is the next for me thanks

[@theampedlife]

Thanks for watching and the message! Yes handles are crucial mate, safety 1st in a slippery environment.

[@alwayslearningthankyou2708]

Valuable information you really don't think about. There's so much thought and planning to do when you're faced with amputations. Good job!

[@theampedlife]

Thank you! Planning just makes it more bearable and less stressful. It's a new reality, just something to plan for and adjust to, with support 🙏

[@LeaneHattingh]

Hi Chris thank you so much for sharing. I like the shower opening, safe for amputees.

[@theampedlife]

Hi Faith, you're welcome! Thank you for the comment and for supporting the channel, I hope there is some value for you in the content shared.

[@ottoscholtz9338]

Hi Chris, thank you that was very informative! I loved your video with Jo, that was awesome man!

[@theampedlife]

Hi Otto thanks my friend!! Yes the video with Jo was great fun, also so great to meet her. She is an amazing person with great perseverance, a real privilege to do that video. Please keep in touch - you're like one of the "locals" now :-) Cheers mate!

[@mrchristopher337]

Thanks Chris. Good info. Stay strong☆

[@theampedlife]

Hi Christopher, thanks for your message. With the support from this community for each other staying strong moves a little closer :-)

[@amputee_basics1149]

Another excellent "show and tell" vid.

[@theampedlife]

Thank you very much, I appreciate your comments. Also awesome that you’re doing your thing on YT too 👍

[@mariondiemert430]

We had our shower torn out and replaced it with a 'roll in' shower. With that, I can transfer from my wheelchair to my shower chair and roll into the shower. I am not as secure as you are with hopping, especially not when I am wet. It works fine for me this way. I have handles in the shower, on my sink and also two in the toilet area. They are life savers.

[@theampedlife]

Hi Marion, thanks for your message. I imagine one day as my abilities slide I'll be creating a roll in shower too, thanks for the idea. Hopping is such a bad idea, i really need to cut it out completely. I've never thought about handles at the sink, its the next piece of assistance I'll be installing :-)

[@staceyranee5756]

@marion would you mind sharing a bit more about your set up. I'm working on getting my father's bathroom renovated, he's primarily in a wheelchair and when going to shower he will roll in ....I guess my question is do you transfer from your regular wheelchair to a shower chair to roll in or did I misunderstand. My Dad is a double amputee now and it's gotten a lot harder for him to maneuver the bathroom which is why we are getting it renovated.

[@staceyranee5756]

I'm sorry I saw that you said you transfer from chair to chair. Sorry about that

[@elizabethann5308]

My dad has been an amputee since July 2017. Just this a few months ago we finally got the master bathroom remodeled so he can use it. Before the guest bath had a shower chair in the shower and he couldn't fit him self and the wheelchair in the bathroom and close the door. We now have a roll in shower with built in seat, grab bars and fully adjustable shower head. We also remodeled the guest bath but no improvements were made. I say that to say the him and I remade a guest bathroom.

[@stevyg4549]

Great video thanks I’m possibly having a above knee amputation due to accident I had in 2016 at moment I’ve not got much quality of life and feel amputation would work for me.

[@theampedlife]

Hi, man I'm so sorry I missed your comment when you sent it! I hope that you've found better quality of life since, at the time you were looking at a big decision. It would be good to know ion things worked out well for you. All the best

[@stevyg4549]

@@theampedlife Was due to have amputation next Thursday 9/3/23 but now its put back for 4 to 6 weeks max due to another operation taking place in next 2 weeks. looking forward to getting it done and moving on with life 👍

[@williamokoyo8077]

Hey , this is has been very valuable .. GAP is a takeaway ... Can i know the type of prosthetic leg you use ?

[@theampedlife]

Hi William, thanks for your comment! I use a Össur Rheo XC Knee and Össur Proprio Foot. It really changed my life, my mobility is as good as I could wish for. Worth a try for sure. All the best!

[@Zooumberg]

Hey Chris. I hope you don't mind me asking a personal question. But when you're in bed at night and have to go to the loo, do you put your leg on? I'm not an amputee, I am suffering from chronic pain in my lower left leg and I'm awaiting test results. I am considering amputation below knee. Needless to say that this is causing me a lot of anxiety. But I'd kill for a day pain free, I've suffered from this for twenty years, but I was unable to exercise for a year due to the lockdown here in the UK and I had to isolate because of my asthma. Now that I'm out and about again, the pain when walking even a short distance is excruciating. Thanks for any advice in advance.

[@theampedlife]

Hi, thanks for your message! To answer your question, I don't put the leg on, I usually hop (NOT GOOD) or use crutches. I did not have to amputate, I chose to do so due to chronic pain. Living with pain and medication almost destroyed me, and the amputation came as a relief. We are all different, you have your unique circumstances and I hope you find your solution. I really hope you find relief and that you can live freely again, whichever way you choose to go. All the best, please keep in touch mate!

[@Zooumberg]

@@theampedlife thanks for the message, Chris. I've been in bed all day in total agony. I'm not on any pain medication, I refuse to take any due to past addiction issues. Although with the pain in going through I don't know how much more I can put up with. I'm considering calling the 111 non emergency service right now, but I hate making a fuss and I hate being pawed over by these doctors and nurses.

[@samajhdarprani5779]

I have green plastic mating at my bathroom. It helps with better grip. I never take the risk of hopping in bathroom. Not worth it. But yeah a learning video thanks for the tips.

[@theampedlife]

Hi Samajhdar, thanks for your message. I completely agree, hopping is not a great idea, I always try to hold onto the rail when I do, but still risky. The rubber mat is a better solution for sure, I think Ill head down to the hardware store and pick one up - great suggestion, thanks!

[@therealkungpao]

Great video. I use my zimmerframe to maneuver around the shower. It constantly stays there and the crutches when coming in or out. Tiles are evil tho(not just in the bathroom), care not to slip

[@theampedlife]

Hi, you're right, tiles are the devil! Ive had such near disaster experiences in malls and bathrooms - thanks a ton for mentioning that!!!

[@youngmetro3times849]

Great!!

[@rickjames38]

Very helpful

[@vanjakarkovic]

Hi Chris , I have wrote you my question but I cant find it where is it right now.

[@leonardhenry4288]

so you dont have a shower chair? when your foot is wet, are you still hoping around ??

[@theampedlife]

Hi Leonard, there is a ledge below the shower head I can sit on, otherwise I grip one of the handles with one hand. I avoid hopping if I can as much as possible.

[@ladyalexandra2980]

If you have to pee in the night, would you put on the leg?

[@theampedlife]

Hi, thank you for the message and for watching the video. Haha that's a good question! I am very much against hopping in a bathroom, the floor could be slippery, loose carpets or a towel could trip you and you might fall. So I try as a rule to put the leg on, or use crutches. A fall will set me back days, weeks or months, or could cause permanent further damage. So best to be safe and take an extra few minutes, and put on the leg to prevent any accidents you might regret for a long time :-)

[@FranchiseLore8888]

How do you lose your leg?

[@theampedlife]

I had a paragliding accident in 2000. There is a video about this on this channel, check it out, the white story is there. If you join our live streams and ask the question I can tell a little more. Thanks for your question!

[@simon_says_gs]

Amazing layout and you describing the highpoints for safty for Independence personal care 🦿⚡️ ... Even having all the willpower, to complete that amazing manner of self petsonal independence .. the Earth shattering part that folk don't get/have is the major financial added cost. Your an inspiration, stay blessed 🙌 🦿⚡️and thanks for sharing the importance.

[@theampedlife]

Hi Simon says! Thanks for the message and for motivating me to make more video's. Yeah its an expensive disability, but I guess safety and good mobility has no price :-) Right? Bless you too, I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment :-)

[@lourensvanniekerk4773]

Hallo Chris. There is no substitute for grab rails. No need to play Tarzan, install them where you need them!

[@theampedlife]

Haha, you're right, i'm not Tarzan - the last time I tried that I lost a leg :-) Good to hear from you again Lourens! Thanks for commenting.

[@morgancalvi6675]

'Your practice'? Are you a doctor or lawyer?

[@theampedlife]

Hi Morgan, neither of the two. I am a therapist. I work with disability, addictions, and existential issues. Thanks for asking!

[@boryker4044]

Where did you go, bro? Been missing you. Stay strong😎

[@theampedlife]

Hi Bo, please take a look in the comments above, I sent w response to your message. Good to hear from you ✌️

[@LeaneHattingh]

accessibility is very important. . loose carpets don't work for amputees..bad bad accidents. my daughter fell and her wound got open.😢

[@theampedlife]

Hi Lea, thanks for posting this, sorry for my late reply. I hope your daughter recovered well and is able to wear her prosthetic again. Its such a painful injury.

[@brendabates1746]

How can you preach safety while hopping around the bathroom/shower area? You are much younger, more in shape & lighter than i am. Been a RBKA almost 1 yr. Had prosthesis 2 mos. I have been walking for about 7 wks. Still don't feel confident especially with balance. I would NEVER hop. Best wishes to you.

[@theampedlife]

Hi Bo, thanks for the message! I've been around mate, have you not seen the last video posted about 3 weeks ago? (click that notification bell 😉) Its on walking / gait tips, definitely my best suggestions yet. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5awmXuZZZeDq9E I hope you're doing well too?

[@peterhalse615]

Hello I,am five mouth with foot gone, sucks

[@victoriapendleton4099]

Do you still have your knee??? If you do, you should be very thankful. My husband is an AK since age 17 and would happily give a foot for a knee

[@theampedlife]

Hi Victoria, I gave the knee to someone who could not afford one. Have you managed to find what you need yet?