Andy's story

Andy is 71 years old. After experiencing pain in his leg, he went to the doctors and was told he had cardiovascular problems, and they had to amputate his leg. At his toughest moment, Andy reached out for support. He found a lifeline in his local small charity Finding Your Feet, funded by Make Some Noise, and it changed everything.

This is Andy's story:

“I was okay with it because I was in so much pain. I found it difficult getting about in the wheelchair and my house is not adapted for wheelchair accessories, but we managed.

The negative thoughts came probably September, October. I was sitting at my back door in the kitchen, looking out on a nice sunny day, and I saw the steps... and the thought came into my head. You could just get up off the chair, fall forward and you could end it all. 

But the minute I said that, this thought came into my head – what about your grandchildren? What about your wife? What about your three sons?

So I just burst out crying. And that was when I knew I needed help.

I really don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for Finding Your Feet.

The very first time I came, I couldn’t believe what I saw. I couldn’t believe all these people were the same as me. I thought I was the only one. They made me so welcome.

The very first meeting. Whatever he said to me, whatever he did to me, I can’t remember. But I burst out crying. And then he let me sit for 5 minutes and said, how do you feel now? And I said, I feel a lot better.

A lot of men keep these emotions in, but I don’t anymore. A whole different man.

I managed to speak out. Things I would never talk about.

Finding Your Feet completely changed my life. Every Tuesday when I was coming here I was feeling better and better.

I had suicidal thoughts. I was really, really in a bad state. But through the counselling, through the people in Finding Your Feet and with the support of my wife and sons, I pulled through and now I feel great.

This time of year, amputees are really struggling."

Thanks to your generous support, we're currently funding an activities programme at Finding Your Feet, in Glasgow, that helps amputees connect, rebuild confidence, and rediscover joy.

Give today to support people like Andy