Sometimes we are inspired by our patients

Sometimes we are inspired by our patients

I had the pleasure to meet a remarkable 21 year old with an amazing life story that is truly inspiring. His name is Dustin Carter. At the age of five Dustin contracted meningitis. Tragically, he required emergent partial amputations of both arms and both legs. His condition was so bad that he almost died. Over the years he has undergone multiple revision surgeries to his residual limbs.

Throughout his life he has been determined to not allow his disability prevent him from being active. In high school, he decided he wanted to wrestle. He worked hard and trained everyday. Each year improving and by his senior year he was the varsity wrestling captain with a season record of 41-4 and ranked 9^th in the state. Currently he is coaching youths at wrestling camps and giving inspirational speeches nationally.

Dustin was referred to me for minor surgery to his residual limb. One of the main goals of the surgery is to be able to walk with his prosthesis while he accepts an award from the national wrestling hall of fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Dustin is not a big fan of wheel chairs and entered the office literally crawling on his residual limbs. The patients in the lobby are moved by his determination. One of my patients said that she was a little embarrassed that she was being seen for a minor foot ailment.

As physicians, we treat our patients with compassion and integrity. Our patients look to us for recommendations, education, and sometimes inspiration. From the first moment I met Dustin, I was amazed by his courage. We tend to get caught up in life and generally take simple things for granted. Sometimes our patients inspire us. Dustin is an inspiration to me; perhaps he should be to all of us!