The Herald, October 25, 1979
THE instant Richard Barwise activated the electric guillotine in the Salisbury Printing shop where he works, he knew he had made a ghastly mistake. The machinery whirred smoothly and the blade sliced off his right hand.
The firm’s production Manager, Mr Peter Jones, rushed Mr Barwise and his severed hand to the Andrew Fleming Hospital, where the hand was sewn back.
It was hoped that the hand would “take” and Mr Barwise would regain at least partial movement of it.
However, this was not the case, and he is now back at the Salisbury Polytechnic, without his right hand. In its place is a mechanical one which he operates from his shoulder.
“Immediately after the accident, I realised I had lost the hand and resigned myself to the idea. But when it was sewn on again, I hoped it would be alright”, Mr Barwise said yesterday.
He is now coping with the mechanical hand which was fitted more than a week ago and said he did not think it would affect his work too seriously.
He has been going to St Giles for rehabilitation and was back at the Polytechnic less than a month after the accident.
Having been right handed, he now has to learn to write with his left hand.
Lessons for today
- Amputation poses challenges on many levels: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial and may temporarily one’s ability to think clearly and solve problems.
- Emotional responses to amputation are different for every individual and their family. It is common, however, to feel a sense of grief and loss.
- How people respond to their amputation depends upon their unique make-up (personality, values, and attitudes), previous life experiences, their support systems, and the meaning they give to their amputation.
- Accidents may occur anytime of anyone’s life, hence it is prudent that people embrace amputation once it befalls them, so as to be able to continue living positively.
- Take control of decision making as soon as you can. Family may have had to make decisions for you while you were ill but once you recover, take charge of your life.
- Be clear with yourself and others as to what you are capable of doing for yourself and how they can help if need be, this will help you feel useful.
- Try to find others who are living with the same condition and get to know how they are managing.