Limb loss group offers support
By Karen Mann JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT

Members of the Central Massachusetts Limb Loss Support Group gathered in Westminster at the home of Rene Cote (far right standing). Also pictured are (seated l. to r.) President Rose Bissonnette, Vice President Dean Carlson, Warren Arnold, Doug Cudmore and Lou Mortelli and (seated left to right) is Cindy Camosse, along with Yaritza and her son Zavier Colon. FILE PHOTO

Westminster resident Rene Cote was not looking for any pity when he became an amputee nine years. He was however, looking for support and someone to help answer his many questions. "When I left the hospital didn't know how to get in and out of the car," said Rene. "There was no one out there for me to talk to."

Cote, who over the years has had both of his legs amputated, was no the only one looking for support.

His wife, Louise, focused solely on being her husband's pillar of strength, wanted someone she could turn to.

"It can be hard and scary. I also needed support," said Louise. He needed support from me, I had no one."

In 2003, the couple met Rose Bissonnette who was looking to start a support group in the region after attending the Amputee Coalition of America in Boston.

Bissonnette, the president of the group, contacted Clinton Hospital about renting a room for meetings, and was given a room free of charge.

Once a month, the group meets at the hospital to talk and listen to guest speakers. Over the course of the last four years the group has grown to about 36, according to Louise.

They also hold events throughout the year, such as a Christmas Party and cook outs.

"The social aspect is the other key of it. We need to let go a little bit and laugh," said Bissonnette.

She and Dean Carlson, the group's vice president, are peer visitors, meaning they were trained by the Amputee Coalition of America to visit new or soon-to-be amputees in the hospital.

"It is hard for some, you are mourning the loss of something," said Carlson.

The group said that 90 percent of the adjustment is from the neck up - meaning the attitude that one possesses largely determines how their life will be affected.

"I never wanted any pity," said Rene.

Bissonnette said Rene sets an example for other members because he possesses an outgoing attitude.

"They say, 'If this person can do it, why can't I?'" said Bissonnette.

When Carlson and Bissonnette visit people in the hospital, they encourage those who believe they need help with the adjustment to life as an amputee as well as those who share Rene's attitude of being self-sufficient that they to attend group meetings.

"If they say they don't need help, maybe they can come give a lot (of help)," said Carlson.

Bissonnette describes this as the domino effect, and said it makes their meetings successful.

"What makes it a success, when they see a new member come in, how they are greeted by the rest of the group. When you are talked to by someone, it has a domino effect. When you are pulled up, you pull someone new up," said Bissonnette.

Along with offering support, core members of the group want to provide information to people.

"There is no reason why a person who loses a limb shouldn't get all of the information that someone gets when they have a heart attack or cancer. This is what we are fighting for," said Bissonnette.

The Central Massachusetts Limb Loss Support Group meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at Clinton Hospital. For more information, contact Dean Carlson (978) 840-4615 or Rose Bissonette (978) 365-2580.