Asheville has officially entered the holiday season. As the last autumn leaves fall from the trees, lights and decorations are installed in their place. Residents in the region are thankful for their family, friends, and the opportunity to live in such a gorgeous place as they gather with their loved ones. 

Many people will spend their holidays in western North Carolina, while others will travel across the United States. For those with limb differences, traveling during the season can be especially challenging. 

Whether you’re driving or flying, the prospect of sitting for long periods of time, packing and moving all you need for your routine, and staying in an unfamiliar location can seem daunting. 

In addition to travel, there are many other factors that can make the holidays difficult. Orthopedic Appliance Company is here to help navigate the season well.

Holiday Challenges for People With Prosthetic Devices

The holidays can be a difficult season for anyone, but people who use a prosthetic device face additional challenges, such as:

• Friends and family: If you've recently had a limb amputated or are seeing family for the first time following your amputation, you might be worried about how they'll respond. This can lead to stress during the holidays as you may see extended family for the first time in a long time.
• Traveling: It seems like everyone is traveling during the holidays. As a result, driving and flying are considerably more stressful. When you factor in the difficulties of transporting an artificial limb through the airport, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. 
• Lack of Consistency: One of the most important things you can do after an amputation is to establish a routine. Traveling during the holidays might throw your schedule off, and you may not be staying at your home where it is designed to accommodate your needs.
• Winter Weather: From the effects of the cold on previous injuries to the difficulty of traveling in snow and ice, the holidays can bring some of the most challenging weather of the year.
• Overcommitting: During this time of year, it's easy to go overboard. Your time and energy might be overcommitted if not carefully controlled, resulting in fatigue and anxiety.

These obstacles do not have to prevent you from enjoying a wonderful holiday season. The key is to be aware of them and plan ahead of time.

Enjoying the Holidays with Your Artificial Limb

Planning ahead will make all the difference for effectively navigating the holiday season:

• Make sure your family knows how you want to communicate about your artificial limb.
• Help your host understand what you need to establish an effective routine. 
• Avoid the busiest flying or driving days while traveling.
• Make sure you understand your rights with TSA.
• Don’t be afraid to say no to some invitations in order to ensure you do not over-commit.
• Talk to your doctors and rehabilitation team about how much you are ready to travel. 

Orthopedic Appliance Company

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year from Orthopedic Appliance Company. In western North Carolina, the holidays are one of the most wonderful times of the year. 

As we reflect on our sixty years of providing the greatest quality orthopedic braces and artificial limbs to people in and around Asheville, we are grateful for all of those who have trusted us to help improve their mobility. 

If you have any questions about braces or prosthetic devices, please contact us.