View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

1.6.4 Do amputees experience physical, psychosocial and vocational problems in the
community?
1.7 MOTIVATION "
The researcher has observed amputees in the community who were neglected and
rejected by their families in such a way that some were in the streets begging. These
amputees were physically, psychosocially and vocationally neglected. They lack
rehabilitation in all aspects of life, especially so in the suburban communities. Some of
the suburban amputees do not receive disability grants hence cannot even afford to buy
their prostheses.
Some amputees come to the outpatient clinics with broken prostheses or old broken
crutches, not knowing anything about disability grants or having no money to attend the
hospital or the clinic to purchase these appliances (Kubheka & Uys, 1995:44). Amputees
with prostheses that are in good working condition often do not use them because they
complain of pressure sores and heaviness of the prosthesis, as well as a physical
environment which is not easily accessible. They cannot even attend follow-up clinics to
report these problems because of financial problems and unemployment, especially
clients living in remote areas (Mbeki, 1997:6). School-going amputees are often not
accepted by their peers with the result that they leave school. This leaves the question
whether community reintegration was ever done.
1.8 ASSUMPTIONOF THE STUDY r:
It is assumed that proper community-based rehabilitation can contribute to successful
adjustment for the amputees with regard to their physical, psychosocial and vocational
needs.
4