Latest news with #amputee
WIRED
5 hours ago
- Health
- WIRED
It's healthy to talk about health
Feature With When it comes to our health, talking and sharing can have a positive impact on our wellbeing. Bupa's new Health Stories campaign aims to encourage even the most reserved amongst us to open up. Many of us don't want to talk about our physical and mental health. But new research suggests that doing so can actually have a positive impact on our wellbeing. Bupa, the international healthcare company, is encouraging all of us to talk about our health through a new global campaign, Health Stories , which launches today. The company has created a suite of films featuring people sharing their experiences of a wide range of health conditions. By capturing these incredible voices, Bupa is breaking down the barriers of stigma and embarrassment, while also tackling the sense of isolation that individuals too often feel as they cope with a cancer diagnosis or begin therapy for a mental health condition. It's all about removing the taboos that still affect us as a society when it comes to our health. One story within the new film series sees a brave woman sharing her response when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Her immediate reaction was: this cannot be happening to me. Imagine how many have felt that same emotion but kept it to themselves? Another person shares their experience of being a deaf person with ADHD, which is a condition he believes has never been discussed in public before. And an amputee explains how she was able to start enjoying life again after she expressed her feelings to her prosthetist who listened and understood. Dr Mohamed Maan, Head of Clinical Operations, Bupa Global explains why this campaign can have a positive impact: 'Hearing how another person has managed a health condition can make you feel so many things—connected, empowered, supported, hopeful, a sense of relief.' Ruby Tui, 2021 Rugby World Cup champion and a mental heath advocate. New research from Bupa shows that while four in five people believe that sharing their health stories can support physical and mental health, almost half (49 percent) have avoided addressing a health concern. Yet of those who have avoided a health concern, over half (53 percent) admitted that it caused them more worry, and over a third (31 percent) felt their health worsened. The overall picture is that people really do want to talk—they just need the means and encouragement to do it. Ruby Tui is a New Zealand rugby union player who has competed internationally, won gold at the 2020 Olympics, and was a member of the Black Ferns team that triumphed in the 2021 Rugby World Cup. Through openly sharing her mental health story, she advocates for others to do the same so they can get the support and help they need: 'Through the simple task of sharing, we can open ourselves up to different perspectives, and we can empower ourselves to find solutions. I hope this campaign from Bupa sheds light on the importance of our individual health and wellness journeys and inspires more people to make their health a priority that they talk about openly and honestly.' Junior who has Crohn's disease Bupa's ambition with Health Stories is to encourage people to proactively seek the care they might need—inspired by the stories they have watched. As a result of these conversations and moving testimonies, we can all realize that there are millions of us, every day, with a health condition that doesn't need to be endured alone. A simple conversation can make a big difference. For more inspiring real-life health stories, visit
The National
6 days ago
- Business
- The National
Renowned surgeon launches Abu Dhabi clinic to transform care for amputees
A pioneering orthopaedic surgeon who has dedicated his career to advancing prosthetic care around the world has a new mission to support amputee patients in the UAE. Prof Munjed Al Muderis, a renowned expert with decades of experience in the field, spoke of his vision to ensure limb loss never 'defines a person's future' after launching a cutting-edge clinic at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi. The Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic – which opened last week in collaboration with the Paley Middle East Clinic – offers groundbreaking surgical techniques which aim to reduce recovery times and boost the mobility of patients adapting to a new way of life. The centre offers surgery, rehabilitation, training and long-term follow-up care. 'Mobility is life,' said Prof Al Muderis. 'Our mission is to ensure that limb loss never defines or limits a person's future.' Prof Al Muderis is a former refugee who fled Iraq in 1999 after refusing orders to perform amputations on army deserters under the regime of Saddam Hussein. He rebuilt his life in Australia and has gone on to become a global leader in limb reconstruction. He has treated more than 1,200 patients around the world – including soldiers from Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries wounded in war. New lease of life Most amputees wear prosthetics that attach using a socket that fits over the residual limb. These systems can cause skin breakdown, sores, sweating and instability. Osseointegration involves surgically inserting a titanium rod into the bone of the amputated limb. The rod extends through the skin and connects directly to the external prosthetic limb. Because the prosthesis is anchored to the skeleton, it moves naturally with the body, improving balance, comfort and control. When paired with robotic or muscle-controlled components, the prosthetic limb can respond to signals from the body, offering precise, intuitive motion. Recovery after surgery typically takes months, but Prof Al Muderis has developed a single-stage procedure that dramatically shortens healing time. In some cases, patients begin walking immediately after surgery, with a full recovery period as short as a week. 'I've operated on Ukrainian soldiers this year, and I'm going again this month,' he said. 'I've treated soldiers from many countries. They're young people who deserve to live full lives after injury.' His work has also helped civilians and children. The new clinic in Abu Dhabi will offer access to patients across the region, many of whom previously had to travel abroad for this kind of care. Osseointegration is expensive. In countries without insurance coverage, the procedure can cost between $80,000 and $100,000. However, studies show it can be more cost-effective over time. Traditional socket prosthetics need frequent replacement and adjustments, whereas the osseointegrated implant is long-lasting and more stable. Pledging support Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and chairman of Burjeel Holdings, announced he would fund 10 osseointegration operations and pledged Dh4 million in support of the clinic's work. 'In the Year of the Community, it is our responsibility to support those who need advanced care and help bring them back to normal life,' Dr Vayalil said. 'When it begins with a touch of generosity, we've already succeeded.' He was inspired by the story of Sham and Omar, two young Syrian siblings who lost limbs in a devastating earthquake and were brought to the UAE for treatment. Their strength, he said, is what led him to act. Life-changing surgery Glenn Bedwell is one of the many patients whose lives have been transformed by the procedure. He was 35 when a celebration turned into catastrophe that changed the course of his life. In 1991, after attending a party with family at a friend's house, he began packing their belongings into the boot of his wife's car. As he stood at the back of the vehicle, a drink-driver lost control and crashed into him, crushing Mr Bedwell between the two cars and severing his right leg on the spot. 'There was no time to move or brace,' he told The National. 'One moment I was loading the trunk, and the next, my life had changed forever.' For more than 20 years, Mr Bedwell wore a socket-based prosthesis. It allowed him to return to work, raise his children, and continue living. But eventually, his skin began to react to the silicone liners used in the socket system. By 2012, he could no longer wear it without pain. 'My body just rejected it,' he said. 'The heat, the pressure points, the constant chafing. In the tropics, you sweat all the time. It just got to the point where I couldn't wear it any more.' Even sitting down became a hazard. 'I remember breaking toilet seats because of the shape and weight of the socket prosthesis,' he said. 'If you sat down too quickly, it would just snap.' That was when he heard about the work being carried out by Prof Al Muderis, and, within three months of meeting him, he underwent surgery. 'The difference was instant,' he said. 'There was nothing touching my skin any more. Suddenly, I had my life back. 'It's like going from a loose, heavy boot to something that feels like your actual leg. 'There's no slipping, no pressure points and you even get a sense of the ground underneath you.' Today, the father of two and grandfather of four walks without pain. He swims, rides a bicycle and no longer needs crutches. 'I have a water leg I use in the shower. I can jump into a swimming pool and climb the ladder to get out like anyone else,' he said. 'I don't worry about slipping any more.' He now travels with Prof Al Muderis to speak to other amputees considering the surgery. 'I'm not a doctor. I don't get paid for this,' he said. 'But if my story helps someone else make the decision, it's worth it.'
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Cape Breton man writes book about life without one hand
A Cape Breton man has done it all with one hand…now he's sharing his story. Teddy Morrison of Glace Bay, N.S., has accomplished a lot in his life despite having only one hand. Now, he can add one more thing to the list- writing a book. 'It's called The Adventures Of A Man With One Hand,' Morrison said. Morrison has lived the majority of his life without his right hand after losing it in an accident at the age of five, while trying to help his mother wash clothes using an old wringer washer. 'I reached in, and my hand got caught in my father's shirt cuff and got dragged through the ringers,' Morrison said. 'So, it got crushed.' Morrison's book tells stories about decades of learning how to do things as an amputee, like playing baseball and golf, volunteering for years in the kitchen at the Glace Bay Food Bank, working in his garage and building things from scratch. However, he said it's an everyday task that has proven to be one of the most challenging. 'Tying my laces,' Morrison said. 'You try tying your shoelaces with one hand. It is extremely interesting.' When asked why he wanted to write a book, Morrison's answer was simple. 'I wanted people to understand that if you have a disability and you're willing to try to get things done, you can,' he said. As for how he feels about becoming a first-time author at the age of 78? 'I'm really, really.. I guess the word is, proud of myself to take the time to do that,' Morrison said. Morrison said his book should be available, in bookstores and online, within a few weeks. Teddy Morrison Teddy Morrison, author of The Adventures Of A Man With One Hand. (CTV/Ryan MacDonald) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
BBC News
22-05-2025
- BBC News
Donald Burgess' knife was threat, accused PC tells court
A police officer believed an amputee who threatened to stab care home staff had "ample opportunity" to drop his knife before he was Tasered, a court has Stephen Smith told Southwark Crown Court that he did not see that Donald Burgess, 92, was disabled and in a wheelchair before he used Pava spray, and then a baton before making an police officer, aged 51, and PC Rachel Comotto are accused of using excessive force on Mr Burgess, who had one leg, at Park Beck care home in St Leonards-on-Sea in June Smith denies two charges of assault and PC Comotto, 36, denies one charge of assault by discharging her Taser at Mr Burgess. Mr Burgess was taken to hospital after his arrest and later contracted died 22 days later aged 93, and the PCs are not accused of being responsible for his death. Jurors were previously told the care home had called 999 after Mr Burgess reportedly grabbed a cutlery knife and said he wanted to murder the site manager with a cutlery Smith told jurors: "The way he had been threatening staff members - the threat was the knife, to the staff there, and also to himself."The court heard both PC Smith and PC Comotto repeatedly asked Mr Burgess to drop the knife and PC Smith warned him he would be sprayed or Tasered if he did Smith told the court he believed Mr Burgess "could clearly understand what we were saying to him".In the Sussex Police "use of force form", which PC Smith filled out shortly after the incident, he wrote Mr Burgess was "given ample opportunity" to drop the knife. Jurors heard on Monday that PC Smith allegedly emptied a canister of Pava incapacitant spray into Mr Burgess's face and struck him with a baton before PC Comotto deployed her Thursday, Smith denied this and said he used a "short burst" of Pava on Mr Burgess."I just wanted the knife out of the gent's hand", PC Smith said, adding that he tried to "knock the knife out of Mr Burgess's hand" by using the baton. Ian Mills, a police use-of-force adviser, later testified for the defence that PC Smith's actions "though difficult to watch, was generally in accordance with his training".Mr Mills agreed PC Smith used his baton with "minimal force" and said police officers make "split-second decisions based on their perception of the circumstances" and "without the benefit of hindsight".The two officers made a "tactical error" in failing to "fully explore avenues of information before entering the room" such as by talking to the care home staff about Mr Burgess, Mr Mills say the force used against Mr Burgess was excessive and unnecessary given his age and physical trial continues.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
Butter knife that led cops to pepper-spray and Taser tragic amputee, 92, as he sat in wheelchair is pictured
THIS is the butter knife that led cops to pepper-spray and Taser a tragic amputee as he sat in his wheelchair, a court heard. PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto are accused of assaulting Donald Burgess at Park Beck Residential Care Home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex. 6 6 6 6 The officers had been called to the residence after the 92-year-old poked a worker in the stomach with a butter knife, jurors heard. A picture has now been released of the knife, which was specially adapted so the pensioner could eat his food. Bodycam showed Donald clutching the blade while sat in his wheelchair when Smith and Comotto entered his room. PC Smith can be heard saying: 'Put it down mate. Come on, Donald, don't be silly. "We can solve it without having to resort to as you're told." He then "emptied all or almost all of his canister" of pepper spray in Donald's face, Southwark Crown Court was told. The footage also showed Smith making his way towards the pensioner with his baton extended before striking him. Comotto then deploys her Taser as Donald screams out in pain before the officers took the knife from him. Jurors heard the pair used "unjustified and unlawful" force just 83 seconds into entering the one-legged pensioner's room. The officers were later seen joking about the shocking incident, it was said. In separate bodycam, Comotto is seen laughing and asking Smith: "Oh my God, is there any left in your can?" Smith replies: "Probably not." The court heard Donald suffered from multiple health conditions including diabetes and carotid artery disease. He was taken to hospital after the incident and died 22 days later after contracting Covid. Jurors heard police had been called to the care home on June 21, 2022, after Donald was seen poking a care worker in the stomach with a knife after flicking food at her. He allegedly threatened staff with the blade and told them he would take plasure in murdering them. Managers wheeled him back to his room and tried for 30 minutes to calm him down before calling 999. The officers were dispatched under a grade one call, meaning it was treated as the highest level of emergency. Jurors were told the care home specialised in support for people with dementia but Donald had been diagnosed with the disease. Prosecutor Paul Jarvis KC said: "I want to make it clear - these defendants are not responsible for his death. "He was an elderly gentleman who was unwell." But he added: "The force used was unnecessary and excessive in the circumstances. "The defendants assaulted Mr Burgess, causing actual bodily harm." Smith, 51, denies two counts of assault by using Pava spray and a baton, and Comotto denies one charge of assault by discharging her Taser. The trial continues. 6 6
