When people notice my artificial leg they often come right out and ask, “What happened to you?”. Here’s the story of my amputation!
I often come up with some crazy, exciting story like shark attack while surfing, or fought off a bear on a hike, but the truth is that many amputees have boring stories of unfortunate circumstances.
My cause of amputation was congenital. Which just means, I was born with a birth-defect. I hate this terminology, and would like to speak to whoever came up with it. Congenital always sounds like I’m talking about genitals, and defect? Am I some reject toy in the discount aisle at Target? Basically, yes, I was haha.
Because I was born in a small town in Russia with Clubfoot and Tibiahemimelia I was given up for adoption. Basically, my shin wasn’t growing, and my foot was extremely internally rotated. I also had 7 toes on my foot! You know those cute little foot prints your parents hold on to? Mine looks like an alien’s feet!
I spent several years in an orphanage until my lovely Italian-American parents found me. They adopted me and brought me here to the U.S.
There were hospitals fighting over who would get to amputate my leg because Clubfoot is often treated immediately after birth. I was almost 5 years old, and still had my foot completely in-tact. We chose Shriner’s Hospital because they would support me beyond the surgery, and fit me with prostheses up until I turned 18! They removed the deformed foot, and walla! I became an amputee in 1996!
March 26th 2017 My family and I went out to sight see Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho. My kids had to use the restroom so while my wife stayed with them, I went out to the edge of the cliff to get a look before we got closer to the waterfalls. I took a picture and turned back to see my family. That is when I began a free fall of 50-60 feet. When I landed my wife called and I answered my phone and told her i fell and I needed help. She laughed and replied no seriously where are you? I then replied I fell, she heard someone yelling call 911. She asked what was wrong I told her for sure my arm was broke and I believe my leg. (Little did I know I sustained 23+ injuries).
Life Flight landed roughly 100 yards from where I was. I was flown to St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise, ID where I was catergorized in critical condition. For the next 18 days I was in I.C.U. and underwent many X-Rays, CT Scans and MRI’s. I had broken 11 ribs, fractured my C5 + C6 , shattered my T1. Left Humerus and Left Scapula, shattered Right Knee Cap and right iliac crest. Ripped open my right side had my intestines hanging out, lacerated spleen and liver. Underwent 12 surgeries in 14 days. Spent 5 weeks in the hospital then was released to go home. I was stuck in a wheelchair with use of my right arm and left leg that was a feat of its own not to mention I had a hard shell on my torso to allow my back to heal.
The months following at home I underwent many hours of DR appointment and Physical and Occupational Therapy. It wasn’t until about month 3 they realized the severity of my brachiall plexus injury. I remained hopeful that I would get function back. Shortly test after test and specialist after specialist my wife and I sat down and talked about moving forward for my best way of life. We came upon amputating my left arm. So December 11 2017 I went in for my operation. Laughing gas and a couple of hours later I was on my way home.
Since that day I’ve had my ups and downs but it has been the best decision of my life to be able to live again. I have accomplished so many more things than I ever thought I was going to be able. A lot of things take more time or different way of doing it. I am Able to tie my shoes which seemed impossible at the time I had one dead arm. OVERCOME, ADAPT to this new life. I AM ADAPTIVE.
Wow! You brought tears to my eyes! I have been to Shoshone falls! What a tragic accident 😔 I am so glad you are alive and adapting 💪 what a story of strength and will power. So glad you have a loving family supporting you along the way. Thank you so so much for sharing your empowering story with us 🙏
Thank you for the kind words
On July 9th 2015 I limped into the Oregon Health and Sciences University Emergency Room In unbearable pain, physically, mentally and emotionally. I was Addicted to drugs, homeless and sleeping in doorways. I had no real friends anymore just drug buddies. My family wanted nothing to do with me. I was trying to die through my behavior, but I was already dead. I found out that day I had blood clots in both legs, lungs, heart and aorta. I had MRSA staff infection in my blood. I weighed 130 lbs and was extremely unhealthy in every way. The vascular surgeon said I would lose my foot and that my life was in serious jeopardy. It ended up that I lost my foot then pretty much my whole leg with an above knee amputation. The surgeon was able to clean out the other clots and save my right leg and my life. I had 9 surgeries, I thought life was over. I wanted to die. Well, come to find out a new life had just begun. That new life had started very rocky with me returning to my active addiction, legless in a wheelchair, homeless, getting into fights, sleeping in tents, shelters and doorways it was winter too, that was not easy. I was gawked at, taken advantage of by other street people, judged and viewed as pitiful. I was, in the face of all these consequences I continued to do the same things that got me into that unbearable position. A positive on I created. I’ll define that as insanity. I was a crazy person.
It got to the point where I was in a severe psychosis, I thought people were out to kill me, that I was being stalked, I don’t have a mental illness, it was the drugs. I decided suicide was the answer. So I set out across town pushing away in my wheelchair. I was headed to a parking structure, in the middle of the day. I was gonna get it done. On the way I saw a little marble inlay, it read “They say that time changes things, but you have to be the one to change them” I knew this already. I broke down started crying. Something had to change. Everything had to change, so it was time to change everything. That little inlay was right at the front door of old town clinic. I had state health insurance. I went inside and met with a social worker. She helped me get a sleeping bag. I slept on top of the that little inlay for two weeks every night. I didn’t use, I wanted treatment and I got it after those very tough two weeks, things were already hell so I had no choice but to move towards the light.
I’ve put in a lot of work in the last three years to get where I’m at. I continue to work hard in every aspect of my mind body and spirit. Drugs and any mind altering chemical are not in my life any longer. I’m engaged in a program of recovery and in a supportive community of other clean addicts. I have a beautiful home, loving friends and my family back in my life. I’m proud of myself and I’m turning this tragedy into an asset. I’m grateful for the outcome so far and what’s to come into the light. I still struggle with things and I work on them as they come. The obsession to use drugs is gone completely, I’m free of that. I went up a different person and came down somebody else and I think that dude is pretty cool.
If you’re struggling with drugs or alcohol and you want help, it’s out there. I can help. You can find me on Instagram @joshua_j_koplin and message me there.
Whatever your struggles are as an amputee, I’m here to tell you it’s gets easier. Make it a gift. Because it’s up to you what you do with it. ✂️🎁
Wow! I have chills!!!! What a moving story. You have overcome so much, and have such a positive attitude about it all. Not blaming the world or others, but working on YOU. You are in complete control of your life and your situation and I am so humbled by your story. I’d say you’re a pretty cool dude haha. Thank you so much for being so open about your story and offering others help too! What a great story of overcoming the odds. Keep up that positive attitude & know you always have a friend here you can talk with 🙂
Thanks a lot Angelina! This website is really awesome! Good creation with good intentions. We need more people doing stuff like this. The world be be an even better place. 🤗
That means so much ☺️ thank you Joshua!!!
Awesome 👏 that is Great. Way to Come out on Top.