Jacobys’ award-winning essay

Editor’s Note: Bob Jacoby, Plymouth, an above-the-knee amputee, lost his left leg in a workrelated accident in 1973.

Jacoby and his wife Marilyn Jacoby wrote the following award-winning essay – providing them an allexpense paid, five-day (June 18-22) trip to Atlanta, to attend the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) Conference, at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel.

“I am thrilled to have an opportunity to express my desire to attend the ACA Convention in Atlanta, Ga. Since one of my passions is to meet and share with others who have lost a limb like myself, I believe this could be an opportunity for me to encourage others and at the same time would be very educational.

It always helps me to have another opinion on some of the struggles that ensue from wearing a prosthesis. In all of the years I have worn an artificial limb, I have never had this kind of opportunity.

I can’t comprehend what it might be like to have so many amputees in one place and to be able to hear them share their experiences of how they coped through challenging times.

I believe I wore about five or six different legs since my first one was fitted in 1974. Each one was a step up from the previous one, and I managed with each one. I was never too excited about a new prosthesis. However, when I received the C-leg this past December, I was in awe. I was leary about learning to walk on it in the snow and ice, but it so user friendly for me throughout the winter months.

Going down stairs with one leg in front of the other was a challenge for me, but now that I am getting the hang of it, I am enjoying it. I exercise at the gym three times a week and now using the remote for the Cleg, I am able to use the bicycle, the treadmill and the elliptical. Getting to the gym requires a ramp, followed by about 15 steps. I am improving on this ramp walk, which is my greatest challenge right now.

I have golfed for about 45 years in a league, and as this season began, I have already seen some improvement in my game. However, I am looking for greater improvement by the end of the year.

As I stated above, I love encouraging people who have lost a limb. Some people are so discouraged, they can’t see past their loss. If I can tell them and show them that even though they have a handicap they can excel in anything, then I have a good day.”