HOW I BECAME AN AMPUTEE - The real story [CC] 

Who is here after the goodbye foot video?

As a doctor, I can confirm... usually not a good thing to be an “interesting case!”

So many youtubers will make 25 minute videos about how they had an OK uber driver...you made an 8 minute video about HOW YOU GOT UR FOOT/LEG AMPUTATED. Thank you. You have made my night

Jo: “I loved horses” Me: dem damn horses did it

shoot i came because you are so straight to the point and don't make the video 25 minutes long AND I STAYED BECAUSE OF THE LIL RATS WOW i'm subbed i love you

Normal youtuber: *Makes thirty minute long video on how long it took to get shirts out for people* Good youtuber: *Makes an 8 minute long video on how they got their leg chopped off*

Your a very brave young lady! All the best from the UK😁

My daughter left home for college in 2016 and two weeks into her freshmen year, she was a pedestrian in a hit and run. She had SO MANY SURGERIES on her left leg and it came down to the choice of “salvaging” her leg or amputation. She chose amputation for the exact same reasons you shared! She was 19 when she had her amputation, but now she does everything she loves.

Pedicures are half price now

*_Right foot_*_ has _*_left_*_ the chat_ *_Happiness_*_ has _*_joined_*_ the chat_

This came up on my recommended and I just want to say that you speak so well that this sounds like a Ted talk. It was amazing to listen to and watch.

Jo: *is having conversation about how she became an amputee* Brigette: 📃🐁

This made me appreciate my body on a whole new level

Very similar story to mine, I was injured in a Helicopter crash at 23 and my leg never healed right, I had to wear a polio style brace for 18 years and was on pain management for a long time. I decided to amputate in 9/2011 and my biggest regret now is not doing it sooner. I'm off drugs, I can do just about anything now and it's awesome.

Chronic pain is the worst, most torturous thing a person can ever go through. You’re very courageous and strong. I wish you the best.

I was in a motorcycle wreck last year. Broke my foot. Its "healed" but every step hurts. Every day. That's a crazy decision to have to make. Couldn't imagine telling the doctor to just take it. Glad you found yourself

You didn't lose a leg... you recovered your life. Everything will be better now that the pain is gone.

Rat interruptions are the best kind of interruptions

Wow, I’m so glad I found you. This video popped up on my recommendations. You are an inspiration. So young and beautiful, experienced something awful, but still managed to come out on top. Still full of life and positivity. Also, Love when Bridget stole that piece of paper, so adorable. Nice little perk to the video lol. Keep on keeping on girl! I subbed. ❤️

Thank you For your story Joe. My brother is having surgery this morning to remove his right foot. You have given me hope hes going to be ok and can come through this.

My legs aren’t amputated, but my legs are paralyzed. I was an gymnast and I was invited to do gymnastics on the olympics for the german team. (I was born in America.) But now? Well I can’t walk anymore so...

Why do the sweetest/kindest/and most beautiful people always experience traumatic situations?! Jo, I love u, I will always support u💜♥️

First thing- Bridget is freaking adorable Second- despite it being the best option, I can’t imagine having to make that decision of cutting off a limb. You are literally one of the strongest people I have ever met. Like, even when you show us the ugly, you make me want to keep persevering. Thank you for sharing your life with us❤️💪🏽

You literally "got back up on the horse". That takes some inner strength. Knowing what has happened in the last 4 years, you needed all of it. I hope they have it right this time. You deserve a little peace.

i will never bitch about stepping on legos or bashing my shin against the bed frame again...instead I'll feel damn lucky I can feel it.

I'm 72- a recent amputee due to a motorcycle accident- so stuff happens! You're doing great and I wish you all the best- I ve had my " leg" about a month now and get around well- just now relearning how to drive!

Having been through 10 orthopedic reconstructions and even more revisions for most of my major joints... the amount of pain you have to be in to make the decision to amputate must’ve been just... immeasurable. I just can’t imagine, thank you for sharing your story

Love this video. As an ortho nurse, I've seen countless patients have revision after revision and in the process lose their prime years being laid up or in the OR. I love that you saw that possibility and wanted no part of it. Like Shawshank said; "get busy living or get busy dying."

I smashed my leg in 3.5 years ago, I now suffer from post traumatic arthirits and I have CRPS, alongside anxiety and PTSD. I have begged, pleaded, grovelled etc with surgeons, doctors, consultants anyone to please amputate my leg and no matter what they keep refusing. I've tried every physio under the sun, every pain relief. I cannot carry on much longer with it, I have two kids who I struggle with and a partner who I feel deserves better. I just can't be in this level of pain anymore and struggle more and more as time goes on. NHS won't help me and I can't afford to go private :(. I am so envious that you had the input in the decision making in this ♥️

She's so positive like some people are not grateful for anything and she here is like the happiest person ever

It shows how powerful and miserable pain is. As someone who lives in massive chronic pain I wish there was something even extreme, which many would say your decision was, that I could choose. I can totally understand why you would make a decision like that. I know it couldn’t have been an easy. I’m amazed at your strength. It’s amazing to see the human spirit in true form.

As a radiographer, I would so love to see those original xrays. I'm glad you're doing well.

I hope your off camera attitude is as great as your on screen one. Must be a hard thing to go thru

I used to own a horse, and I've been riding since I was like 5. I fell down so many times and I'm so grateful nothing grave ever happened to me. You're amazing ❤️

I am 13 and I have CRPS thanks for sharing your story. I have been suffering for 3 years. I have had 2 surgeries and I use to be a runner cross country and Track and Now I can’t walk

My friend showed me your page. I’m a recent amputee. I’m so glad you shared your story. It’s inspiring to me

thank you for making this a 7 minute video and telling us right away instead of it being a 28 minute video 😂 edit:woah thanks for almost 1000 likes

BEST INTRO BEST USERNAME best channel? Btw this is the second video I’ve watched

Hey Jo, I really hope that someday your manage to read this. I use to ride horses alll the time. 5 years ago, I woke up in the ICU after a horrific asthma attack the triggered a very rapid onset of a previously undiagnosed muscular dystrophy. I lost the use of both my legs and became a full time wheelchair user. A year later, I got back on a horse. I'm very lucky that the riding school I went to was also part of the RDA (riding school for the disabled) and there was a lift installed there that raised me up to the level of my horse. I then did a normal transfer from my chair to my horse and started to ride. I was able to find different ways to communicate with my horse to be able to do all the normal things you would do if you was able bodied. Then to get off the horse, I would have someone put my wheelchair down the side of the horse, and I would have one pertaining holding the head of the horse, I would lift my leg over the horses head so I was sat sideways. I then had two people the side that I was now facing who would "catch me" basically as I slowly slid myself off the horse they would slowly move their armed from holding my hands up into my armpit to support my weight as I landed. With Not being able to stand when I hit the floor, the two people turned clockwise as I landed and I bum hit my wheelchair seat. The first time I done this I was TERRIFIED, as I had to put a lot of trust into a lot of people, and the horse as I was transferring on and off of him. Put only a couple of rides later, the transfer ing on and off was smooth and the communication between me and the horse to ride around always lile it was always there. I have high hopes that you WILL find a way to do everything you need when you get back horse riding. Huge hugs, and thank you for sharing your story !! Xx

Saw this after suffering w debilitating unmanageable pain from severe carpal tunnel in both hands. 2years of unending pain, 2 surgeries in two months, got my stitches out today and almost cried to the Dr. Today telling he truly changed my life because the pain was gone. Still have swelling and PT to go through but the relief I feel is amazing! I can't even compete w 14 years of pain but I am so happy for u that life can restart.

can you do a video introducing all of your pets?

I’m not sure I should be watching this broke my ankle in December and it’s not healing

I have never seen a cute rat until now 😂

I'm 18 and currently dealing with a recovery from an ankle fracture , and this gives me so much anxiety about all the things that could've gone wrong (I'm still having my hardware removed but I trust my body) but also this video makes me so grateful because some days ago I had a life crisis because I didn't like the way my ankle looked like ( with being swollen and the scar ). Now I understand how much of a fortunate girl I am for having this and not other thing happened to me. Thank you so much ,God bless💖

my name is bridget and I'm a rat too!

A really hard decision but maybe the best!

*Wait, so they don't grow back?*

Also, as a nurse, I have seen people with lower leg wounds that they fought to heal and tried to not lose the leg or foot. Then they would finally just cut off the limb. Once it was over they wished they had done it sooner. They could actually heal (good circulation to the end of the stump) and get fitted for prosthetic and then start to really live. Quality of life ended up so much better.

your rat and i have the same name and honestly??? I feel honored.

How many are looking for the rats in the background?

Thank you for sharing your amputation journey. It was very very encouraging, as my husband is about to undergo a foot amputation as well. We are a bit nervous but he is pretty determined to move forward and get this going. This video was so helpful and we are joyous for your recovery.

I can't let my wife watch this because my 7 year old daughter just started horse riding lessons a few months ago. I hope you are pain free.

I nearly lost my left arm in 06/2011.. I had necrotizing fasciitis, literally- the flesh eating disease. I BEGGED the doctors to take my arm. I signed paperwork so when I was having emergency surgery they had my permission to go ahead and amputate. But I told them that this was not a "just-in-case" situation for me. I begged them to just take it, just take my arm for the love of God!! Make the pain go away! After waking up from surgery and seeing my arm still there- it was very bittersweet. I admire your strength for everything you have gone through, I personally know that the decision you made was not easy.

The more of Jo's videos I watch, the more inspired I get by her non-stop zest for life.

I love that people are so supportive towards her

You are an inspiration. As an EMT your story is inspiring. You give a positive perspective to a situation that would bring some people down. I like how you explain the mechanics of your foot. Keep up the good videos.

Thats one reason why i don’t step out of my cozy bed😇💤

Love your positivity. It's contagious. God bless!

I fell out of a tree 7 years ago of all things, rescuing a baby opossum from two dogs trying to kill it. My foot flipped upside down upon landing. I had 6 surgeries in a year and all looked well. Then I found out all of the bones in my ankle joint died and my leg bones crashed down into the bottom of my foot. They gave me the choice of doing the full implant with the rod up my leg or amputation below the knee. The implant only had a 10% success rate but given the little amount of time to think about it, I went with the implant. Worst decision ever. It's all fused nicely but I am in constant pain. It doesn't help that I am allergic to almost all pain medications too! So now I hurt like crazy and don't walk normal which has luckily trashed my hips. I am barely a week out of getting 1 hip replaced and staring down having to do the other one. I can usually only tolerate about 3 days of pain meds so trust me, this is not fun and makes me feel so old at times. I happy that you are doing well and are good with your decision. Many happy wishes for you!! BTW, the baby opossum made it back to it's mother before I fell. :)

RU-vid put one of your videos in my feed for some reason, but I do love hearing stories from people who aren't like mine. I'm amazed by yours- the pain, the changes, the bravery, the resilience and hope. I'm really glad thar you shared your story and that I found it. ❤️

My ankle started hurting watching this 😭😭

At 22 I fell down about 6 stairs. All of my weight was on the ball of my foot. Basically destroying my mid foot. Durring that fall, I also shattered a bone by my toes and had to have it rebuilt. Two surgeries and two long rounds of PT and at least a year of crutches. I’m still in frequent pain and now at the age of 28. We’ve talked recently about another surgery but I’m at the “what’s the point” phase. I’m not going to live my life getting surgery every 5 years. I love summer and being active but my foot swells and turns purple after walking around. You’re so brave to go through so many surgeries. I don’t think mine is bad enough that they would suggest an amputation but if it were on the table, I’d never have the guts to take that leap. I hope this all works out well for you and you continue being happy and hopefully pain free! ♥️

Subscribed. Amazing story. I've had 4 surgeries to my right foot after developing arthritis and sesamoiditis. I'm left with a lot of pain, nerve pain and I'm on a lot of painkillers. Most days I can walk ok, but I'm often on crutches and very occasionally in a wheelchair. I can't walk far - half an hour on my feet will keep me awake for hours. Thanks for sharing your story x

Same thing happened to me in 2011, except mine was a fall. Doctors said my ankle looked like a jigsaw puzzle along with my fibula and tibia broken. My nerve block didn't work either and so waking up in horrible pain was not picnic. I know exactly what you are going through and wish you well. Thanks for sharing.

Horseman here. The most amazing experience of horsemanship I've witnessed was an older woman in a horse show, western, and an amputee below her right hip. She basically had no right leg. With help she mounted her horse and performed beautifully. She showed no fear and her horse was perfect. It was apparent she wouldn't give up and loved horses. Never give up, that's in you.

One of the bravest and optimistic girl I had ever seen. Stay strong girl.

I think you are incredibly brave and have your head screwed on straight. When pain gets to the point that you can’t think straight without being on tons of pain killers, it’s time to weigh your options. You did the right thing in your mind and that’s all that counts. One of my best friends broke two vertebra in his neck in a car accident. He had several surgeries to fuse more and more vertebra in his neck until all of them were fused. The problem was that the pain was supposed to stop when the bone fusions were done, but it only got worse. He ended up killing himself because nothing helped the pain and it was too much for him to bear. That was 11 years ago on November 2, 2007. Intense pain is nothing to mess with and can affect you psychologically. Believe me when I say you absolutely made the right choice. Your husband is very lucky to have an incredibly brave and beautiful person like you in his life.

We don't live in a perfect world but you found your hope at the end of the tunnel. Means alot to me..heartwarming and a proof that to be happy you just need some hope and self love.

Definitely not the same, but I had an elective hysterectomy last summer because I have endometriosis that was too painful to live with and I knew I would need to get it done eventually. It’s such a relief to not have that pain anymore but the concept still feels so strange to me sometimes.

I love your videos so much. They’re not too long and they’re not too short. They’re perfect ❤️

Woooooow. Gave me chills girl. You are freaking brave. So many kudos to you for doing what you did. Happy you can live pain free now and enjoy the rest of your life!

When I had my gallbladder removed I was so consumed by the thought of “I’m choosing to have an organ removed and I’m going to wake up from surgery with one less organ”. But I had the luxury of waking up with no indicators of losing that organ aside from a couple scars and no impact to my daily life. I can only imagine the emotional distress in cases like yours. I’m so happy you’re able to live tour best life now

God dammit it’s always bloody horses

You are an inspiration Jo. What a brave attitude and outlook.

Let’s talk about the amazing fact this girl RU-vid user name is “Footless Jo”. You are rocking that lost gurl!

Me:seeing before video with her and cat, Me:seeing this video with rat Conclusion :cat transformed into rat.

“We need to have a talk, Bridget” 😂 too cute! Plus i love your upbeat personality. Happy healing❣️

Jo- you are a beast- a strong and very real woman. Love your attitude. Instead of playing the victim you have seized this as an opportunity for growth. Respect and blessings to you and your family.

Bridget is so cute. Keep up the positive attitude and you will recover fast.

I love how she is still smiling and not giving up. I’m glad you even more happier! 💕💖💗

This came up on my recommended and I’ve been avoiding it for 3 days bc I didn’t know why but now that I watched the video its because you’re awesome! Glad you’re ok and happy !

Jo, you're somewhat of a celebrity in our home. My wife is having an "elective" below-the-knee amputation in January, and we have been following your story as an inspiration and for a "what can we expect" resource. When we say things to each other like "well, Jo says..." it's like we know you. We've used your name when talking to others and forget that they have no idea who we're talking about. Anyway, I want to express TRULY that you are inspiring us, and we wish you well. Keep making progress, Jo. We are really pulling for you.

The rat is adorable. I admire your courage. I wish life had been different for you. Thank you for sharing such a tough experience. You are amazing

You are very strong!!! I’m very glad that we have people like that in the world who can show their moments so honest and pure!!! I wish you all the best!!

i’m gonna have to watch more of your videos when it’s not 3am

You are such a powerful you woman and you are still in shape and are taking a trauma to a teaching moment I just found this channel and then I subscribed the second I came to this channel

I know that feeling where the doctors say "Ive never seen this before"! It was when I fell on my arm and crushed my humerous, and the doctors found out that i had a cyst in my arm but they had no clue what it was. It could have been cancer. I went to a specialist in Atlanta where I live and he told us that the cyst was benign, but three surgeries might be needed. Through God's providence, I only needed one, but it was a long wait because I had to let the break piece itself together a little, so I had to sleep sitting up, then after 6 months the surgery happened and after 1.5 years of recovery my arm is 100% functional with no cyst (also no bone marrow) and I was able to go back to doing my sports.

My mom died from cancer and she was so brave and I love her so much.

Wow... thank you 🙏 !!! Your story hit home so hard it was emotional. My story with some exceptions is the same . Reading yours really hit home.. I’m 60 going on 50, major degenerative/debilitating arthritis in right-ankle, horrible chronic pain (ankle, lower back, unaligned hips), pain medication issues, same story with docs- surgeries (plural) with no guarantees, I could barely walk (my ankle was basically my foot), and I wanted my life back; have always been athletic and involved; swimming /weight training, community )...and on and on....No rats though and I woke up post op smiling (my numbing blocker was working). In two days I try on my prosthesis (surgery was 4/25/19) and hopefully take some steps for the first time in 67 days. I’ll be watching this video every so often because above all, the decision to have your leg amputated is crazy difficult (talk about anxiety!), but you made the right one. Thank you for the reminder of what was. It confirms my decision, which in my gut I knew was the best one. So far so good! I know that there are still hurdles, but bring em’ on!

I'm so glad that you were able to make this decision for yourself and that you feel good now. Recovering from surgery is such a long process! But now you can live without pain. Thanks for sharing your story. It was nice to hear someone else's story and your reasoning about how you can continue horseback riding. Wishing you all the best! x

I guess you could say trouble was afoot

Love the story Jo. I will follow your story. Here in Kent UK, I had left ankle TT on 3rd December 2013, I am still on high medication still, I have been told that now I have to live with the pain and I also have artritis and C.R.P.S type 2, this started off in the ankle and now traveled up the leg and into my groin. I have been shouting at my GP to sort the pain he then refers me back to the pain team at the hospital and I get told you are on as much pain meds as we can give you and then tell me that my gp has to now take charge. So I feel like I am just banging my head on the wall. I have asked for the leg to be taken off but to no avail.

Your rat is adorable! I was honestly having trouble concentrating on your story lol. I was looking for her and trying to see what all she was getting into. I'm glad that you got the amputation done. Living without part of a leg is way better than living in pain.

Brigette is cute! On another note--unless we go through something ourselves, it's very hard to even imagine what a hardship such as this would even be like, all the way around. I do know you are a very strong woman. It reminds me a bit of making the decision to leave an abusive man even though you still love him. Now THAT I have experience with--a couple times over. Thanks for sharing your story, I'm sure it will inspire many who hear it!

It’s fun I walked into the hospital for my amputation also . Thank goodness I didn’t walk up form an accident with my right leg missing. But it is a strange feeling knowing I signed a peace of paper to remove my leg removed . I think if you can stay in a Positive mindset it will help you tremendously through this ordeal I’m a right B.k. I had my surgery on 8/23/19 and I’m wait for my prosthesis to come in around December 23rd it will be my Christmas present this year OK young lady stay positive have a have Thanksgiving

I spent most of my worst health issues in a medical school hospital (Duke hospital durham, nc) I was very often accompanied by a never ending rotating door with my room being filled with minimal 5 doctors at a time (sometimes 8-10) and finally a doctor looked at my exhausted riddled face and said, "I cant imagine it feels great being an "interesting patient at a medical school... if it's something you're interested in im going to put in an order for a do not disturb time from 12am-8am" just that 8 hours helped me a lot. It gave me time to spend with myself to try to sleep if possible and alone time to process my grief not in front of medical students and doctors.

OMG! I never had heard something like this before! You are so so so brave! I found your video with spanish subtitles. I can understand why you had done this. It must be horrible living in pain everyday and the medicines don't work. I hope you can do whatever you want after this decission. Enjoy your life 😊💜

This is the first video of hers I watched and when she showed her leg at the start of the video I jumped in shock. She is so brave and a very good inspiration

You are incredibly brave and inspiring. Your positive attitude is amazing.

You are a AMAZING human being and this was really inspiring. Despite of suffering so much...you've narrated your story with such a sweet smile. Not only that, but you've chosen to embrace and love what other awesome things you have in your life. People develop phobia after such incidents and avoid the things or activities which lead to the hell of their life but you're just opposite...you're still willing to ride horses. You bad times failed to change the joyful spirit in you!! I've got to learned a lot from this video YOU ARE REALLY BRAVE WITH FULL OF COURAGE