Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Spring 2018 - 9

"I viewed everything since my surgeries as a
challenge-not a negative thing. Being able to set goals
and meet challenges is very motivating to me."
- Anne Mekalian

that balance issues and core strength are
key to fulfilling Anne's goal to run again.
Anne's prosthetic arms are heavy and
she does not get the natural swing she is
used to when she runs, so she takes the
prosthetic arms off. Running was a way
for Anne to keep in shape and to relieve
stress. She missed it and wanted to get
back to it, although she thought it might
not be possible. But Anne is a goal setter
with a strong mind and will to match. "I
wanted to prove I can still do things," she
recalls. "I viewed everything since my
surgeries as a challenge-not a negative
thing. Being able to set goals and meet
challenges is very motivating to me."
Anne remains an active member
of the amputee support group at UM
Upper Chesapeake Health (see sidebar). She wants to encourage others
struggling to reach out for support and
advice. "You have to do the exercises,"
she says. "Don't get lazy but be patient
with yourself. And let your therapist
know of any problems you are having."
By all accounts, Dana is both a natural
many prosthetic design systems to

teacher and a creative problem solver.

see what might work best.

Working with her patients to navigate

LEARNING TO BE PATIENT

around obstacles at home and outside,
she has patience and focuses on that

When asked about the toughest part

particular person's needs and goals. "I

of the rehabilitation process, Anne

can sometimes have six to seven ampu-

says, "Being patient with myself. I

tees on my caseload at a time," she

am patient with others but not with

says. "I love taking someone who has a

myself. I expected to be finished 'now,'

goal but doesn't imagine ever reaching

but when you have prosthetic devices

it, and helping them tackle it step by

it takes a lot longer."

step. I like to get them back to running,

Selecting the appropriate prosthetic is
only part of the process. Dana explains

getting into a pool, or even just going
out to a restaurant." 

Health includes a wide array of specialists. Visit umuch.org/healthy to learn more.

AMPUTEE
SUPPORT
GROUP
The amputee support group meets
the first Wednesday of each month
at 6 p.m. in suite 513 of Pavilion II on
the UM Upper Chesapeake Medical
Center Bel Air campus. Amputees
with various levels of amputation, as
well as their caregivers, are welcome
to join. Prosthetists are generally
in attendance to answer questions
and assist patients and, occasionally,
guest speakers will present.
While there is no formal registration, individuals may reach out to
Dana Cross at dcross@uchs.org to get
more information or ask questions.

WATCH A VIDEO
Take a look at how Dana helps
Anne run again by visiting
umuch.org/healthy.
umuch.org | Spring 2018  9
http://www.umuch.org/healthy http://www.umuch.org/healthy http://www.umuch.org
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Spring 2018
