FAQ's

 

1. How did you lose your leg?

I had a head start, I was born without my leg, was also born with small toes and no thumb on my left hand.

2. How did you cope with the news that you were going to lose your leg?

The news was more for my parents to deal with as I was just a baby, the doctors did amputate my foot as it didn’t form correctly and would have made wearing a prosthetic leg difficult as I grew. The operation was done in consultation with my parents and I am grateful that the decision was made and operation completed at such a young age. I really didn’t know any better at such a young age.

3. How long did your rehab take?

I had rehab as a kid when I got a new leg but because I was so active and into just about everything, I think the rehab or ‘learning to walk’ never really took place for as long as it should have. I’m sure as a kid I would have walked much better if I had of had more time with an Occupational Therapist after operations on my stump along with every time I got a new leg. Thanks to the Physiotherapist and Osteopaths I have worked with as an athlete over many years I am able to walk quiet comfortably without much of a limp.

4. Did you have any setbacks when you where young?

The biggest setbacks throughout my life was when I had growth spurts on my stump and when my leg didn't fit properly, living a few hours away from our ‘leg man’ would often mean that I would just have to deal with it (put up with the pain) for some time till it suited to make the trip to Melbourne to have it fixed or I could get a new one made.

5. How did you overcome them?

Often the answer was a new leg and then that would create a few dramas as the new leg was longer and took a bit of getting used to, but it was always better than the old leg that didn’t fit any more. Sometimes I would need to have the bone in the end of my stump trimmed as it grew faster than the rest of my leg, this would mean I would need a new leg after my stump had healed up, sometimes I would be on crutches for months.

6. What were your initial goals?

As a kid I just wanted to fit in, be like all the other kids and play footy, Aussie Rules.

7. Have they changed?

Yes they changed when I started to learn about the Paralympics, when I realized there was sport for people the same as me, missing half of my leg. I was keen to have a go, not so keen to give up footy though. I thought it would be awesome to represent the country playing sport. I was right. I loved it and I’m grateful that my coach was so tough on me in those early days. I’m not sure I would have had as much fun and success if he was any other way.

8. What or who have you been inspired by along your journey?

The person that had the first real impact on me as an amputee was a man by the name of mark, he was an above knee amputee and I remember him coming to meet me, we went for a swim in our pool. He stood with one leg on the edge of the pool and did a back flip. I couldn’t believe it and after that day taught myself to do back flips into our pool and started to realize there was no reason I couldn’t do what everyone else could do. After all, my mum and dad had been telling me that for years. My brother and sister were also great, encouraging me to be me and not worry about anything else.

I am very fortunate to have some great mates that have made something of their own lives, the inspiration has come from them, not by saying but by doing and I love being a part of their journeys.

9. What prosthesis are you using now?

I am very fortunate to have the world best Prosthetist, commonly known as ‘Professor leg’. David Howells is a genius when it comes to making a good leg. This means having a great socket fit matched the right components, like a really strong foot for an active person. In my opinion I think I could walk on just about any components, soft foot, hard foot, I am sure I could adapt. There is no doubt some components feel amazing, like the VSP that I wear. Others would do the job, though as a very active amputee I found that very few gave me that ‘no limit’s’ feeling like the VSP, it really helps me get as much as possible out of everyday but the key is the socket fit. If the socket fits well life is fantastic but if the Prosthetist get it wrong you will have stump aches and then you know life can be tough. If you are keen to see if Professor leg and his team can help you, then check them out at www.apcprosthetics.com.au

10. Are you doing or have you tried anything new?

I try to do something new every day of my life. I figure life is to short not to have a crack, I taught myself how to skip, I can run jump and swim. Ride a motorbike. I live a pretty good life.

11. Has your amputation changed the direction of your life?

I am sure if I had two good legs then I wouldn’t have been able to compete in the below the knee amputee Pentathlon at three Paralympics, so I am grateful for being an amputee that loves sport. Given my love of sport and my willingness to have a go at just about anything, many doors have been opened. The opportunity to travel the world meeting so many wonderful people along the way has been amazing. I am really enjoying the fact that so many people relate to my journey, this allows me to continue to travel and perform presentations all round the world.

12. What are the things you enjoy doing most now?

I love spending time with my kids. I really enjoy passing on through public speaking what I have learnt in sport and life and helping people towards their own successes. Riding my motor bike is a thrill every time and I love to travel, our world is an amazing place.

13. What advice would you give to new amputees or people who are finding the going tough?

Hang in there, the tough times don’t last. Don’t dread being an amputee. The best thing about being and amputee is that technology has enabled amputees to be as active as able bodied people. Embrace life and remember, we don’t get a chance to come back and do it all again, so live while you canl.

14. Whats next?

Life wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t have a few things on the go, the next big venture is getting my book finished. I’m very sure we have the right team in place for this to be a winner. I would like to say a huge thank you to all the people that made an effort to help me enjoy a better quality of life. I love life and am extremely grateful to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.

15. Why are you now www.donelgin.com.au, what happen to www.timanddon.com.au?

You will be happy to know, that my best mate Tim is fit and well. Tim has moved into coaching now with great success. He is also flat out with his role as the recruitment officer for the Australian Paralympic Committee, so if you know of any sports minded people with a disability, I know he would love to hear from you www.paralympic.org.au Stay tuned for further success in the world of coaching from my little mate. Tim was happy to focus on the coaching and leave the speaking up to me, thus we agreed that it made sense to fire up donelgin.com.au and say goodnight to timanddon.com.au We would both like to thank Paul and the crew that gave us so much assistance with timanddon.com.au.