Amazing story

Taylor Morris, Quadruple Amputee, Dances With Girlfriend Danielle Kelly

Taylor Morris and Danielle Kelly's love story is a captivating one: Morris was hit by an explosive device while serving in Afghanistan and became one of the few surviving quadruple amputees, but that didn't stop him from dancing at a recent wedding with the girlfriend who has stayed by his side throughout his recovery, 9 News MSN reports.

Morris, 23, is an Navy EOD tech -- or Explosive Ordinance Disposal tech -- from Iowa who was injured in action last May after stepping on an IED. He lost both of his legs, his left arm from the bicep down, and his right hand.

Also...A Love Story In 22 Pictures: A picture is worth 1000 words. Keep tissues handy.

I wish them all the best...

I work for a non-profit

that gives free orthopaedic care to children, sometimes as far away as Guatamala or the Pacific. I wonder if children can be sponsored to the US for health care, depending on what would work best in their culture, cooperation among aid organisations, and our own resources?

Haiti: as gangrene sets in, the amputations begin

The earthquake did not kill Youseline Paupilaire, but gangrene nearly did. She was brought to Haiti’s only functioning children’s hospital early yesterday with a festering double fracture to her lower left leg, and anaesthetised at 10.40am.

The first smell of amputation was that of burning flesh, as an Italian surgeon cauterised the blood vessels that he had severed with a neat incision around the leg. Then he pulled back the muscle and asked a colleague to hold it steady. At 11am he cut off Youseline’s foot with a hacksaw blade.

Youseline is 11, without parents or any known relatives. She is permanently disabled in a country that can barely look after the fully fit, yet she is alive. Stefano Calderali has lost count of how many amputations he has performed since landing in Port-au- Prince last Wednesday. “Thirty-five, maybe forty,” he said. “My own saw broke after the first ten.”

The scope is so large. But perhaps some children can find the care they need. I'm sure people are working on it; we're based in Florida, where many Haitian-Americans live. I think I'll ask a few questions up the ladder.

A tragedy of errors

cost Lisa Strong all four limbs, the result of a kidney stone that led to septic infection and gangrene, due to miscommunication and misunderstanding of her condition by the doctors who were supposed to care for her. She sued them, and the jury refused to award her the case despite overwhelming evidence. Since it was such a complicated case, they seemed to have difficulty determining blame. Because the evidence was so compelling, the judge threw out the jury's decision and ordered a new trial, something the defendants have appealed.

Amputee gets second chance to sue doctors: Florida judge orders new trial after jury rules against Florida woman

I had no idea that a kidney stone could lead to septic shock. One doctor who never saw her diagnosed her with a gall bladder condition, leading to useless surgery when she was already very, very sick. She had come to the hospital in pain and with a 106 degree fever. She's lucky to even be alive. But her marriage has fallen apart and she's now on disability, things that could have been avoided if the doctors had done a better job. Plus, on top of everything else, she has over $800,000 in medical bills. That's insult to injury. I hope justice prevails on this one.

More power to him

Amputee graduates from fire academy after lawsuit

Isaac Feliciano is a busy guy. He runs four miles a day and is an accomplished athelete. He wanted to be a firefighter since he was little and pulled from a closet during a house fire when he was four. Lots of little boys dream of being firefighters, but few go on to do it.

Feliciano did, despite losing part of his leg as a result of an infection at age five. Despite being an amputee, he did very well during the physical tests required to enter training. He also scored well on the written test. So after the fire department balked, but he eventually was able to join.

He does more in one day than most people, including me. I say congratulations. I hope he makes a fine firefighter.