Andrew Dragsnes, 71, lost his leg in 2023 following multiple unsuccessful surgeries. After suicidal thoughts, he says a local amputee charity, Finding Your Feet, saved his life.
The father of three was made aware of cardiovascular issues in his right leg following an extreme bout of calf-pain and ultimately told that doctors would have to amputate his leg below the knee.
Post-surgery, Andy highlighted ‘negative thoughts’ within two weeks.
“I was sitting at my back door in the kitchen looking out on a nice sunny day. I saw the steps and the thought came to my head, ‘you could get up off this chair, fall forward and end it all.’ But the minute I said that, I thought of my grandchildren, my wife and my sons. It was at that point I knew I needed help.”
Andy, who served in the Army, was made aware of Finding Your Feet while he was recovering in hospital. He first attended its ‘Ampu-Teas’ weekly club at the FYF Charity Hub in Paisley.
“I don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for Finding Your Feet,” said Andy. “The very first time I came I couldn’t believe what I saw. These people were the same as me. I thought I was the only one. They made me so welcome. It’s just absolutely amazing.”
The Lanarkshire local regularly attends the charity’s coffee mornings and bowling club, but it was the free counselling sessions that really changed his life.
“I clicked with the Finding Your Feet counsellor immediately because he was also in the Army. Whatever he said, whatever he did I can’t remember, but in the first session I cried for 20 minutes. I felt a lot better. He said it was my emotions coming out and a lot of men keep them inside. I don’t anymore. I’m a whole different man.”
After ten sessions, Andy had returned to a healthy weight and was out of his wheelchair and walking with a walking stick. He has since recommended the counselling service to other amputees in a bid to get men talking about their mental health.
A spokesperson for Finding Your Feet said it is a vital message, particularly at this time of year.
“We will see an increase in amputees asking about our counselling service over Christmas because it’s such a tough period. The dark days and bad weather can leave those who have lost limbs stuck inside and isolated. The festive period is tough in general if you don’t have a good support network. It also comes at a time when fundraising begins to dry up slightly, so we’ll be working twice as hard to provide support and get it in equal measure from kind supporters.”
“Andy is a shining example of why people should be willing to open up about their struggles. Not only because it’s changed his life immeasurably, but because it encourages others to do the same.”
Finding Your Feet has been supporting amputees in Scotland for a decade, providing both physical fitness classes and emotional wellbeing services.