ElfmanLV

Hey there, not sure if you're already using an orthosis (brace), but I'm a student orthotist and I think you could really benefit from one. Some of the drugs in your pictures are pretty heavy duty pain killers so I assume you're in a great deal of pain when you weight bear. I see from your comments that you were originally from Australia? Well, if Australia's healthcare/insurance system is anything similar to Canada you probably only need to pay a small portion of the total fee for an orthotic device.

The device you'll likely need is a KAFO (knee-ankle-foot-orthosis) and will look similar to this: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnLtCu8MDa0/UjLC_g2aQYI/AAAAAAAAA-o/J-DoX2d23JU/s1600/alat_bantu_kafo_untuk_kaki2.jpg

Not many family doctors know too much about orthotics/prosthetics, so please specifically consult them about an orthotic device. Physiotherapists will likely have some knowledge on this as well. If a referral is not required, you can even look up an orthotist directly yourself.

Hope this helps.

Politicians eat man, woman rules the earth.

Ah I see. Well do not lose all hope. Even as a student I've seen quite a few polio patients already, and being in a wheelchair does not necessarily mean complete loss of mobility, just different. I'm sure you'll learn to use it efficiently!

Did you get banned from /r/pyongyang yet?

Firstly, I am not American, but I would like to thank you for your services. I hate war, as most people should, but the people that offer their lives should always be respected for their contributions.

Secondly, I am unsure of what disability you have, but please consider being a volunteer for medical students. I am in the field of prosthetics and orthotics, and we often give volunteers free devices that may cost up to a few grand due to labour (which of course, labour is free when you are a student...). Depending on what disability you have, you may walk better, or walk at all if you are wheelchair bound. You will meet some of the greatest people because you are often not the only volunteer. There may be other amputees/disabled volunteers that will give you the empathy you deserve, and their own life experiences as well (often older dudes volunteer, and they are a treat to have!). Young, traumatic patients like yourself are a rarity, and they are the best volunteers for students to work with since you guys can get up and about the easiest without us having to worry that you'll fall. A lot of our volunteers suffered from some sort of depression or acquired psychological disorder like yourself, and the weekly routine of volunteering (usually in bouts of 3 months) gave them something to look forward to and really helped them recover from their troubles.

I hope this was any insight, and I wish you all the best.