A mum with a rare condition got her leg amputated to pass her driving test – and to prove doctors wrong after they said she’d never get behind the wheel.
Amy Patterson has undergone 30 surgeries over the years.
The 39-year-old was born with hemihypertrophy, which causes one side of the body to grow larger than the other.
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Amy has suffered many hurdles during her health journey, but one of the toughest was being told that she would never be able to drive.
The stay-at-home mum also had to deal with constant pain, being bedridden for weeks on end and severe bone infections.
When doctors recommended she have an amputation, she worried if this would further hinder her chances to become a qualified driver.
But Amy refused to accept defeat.
She pushed through the fear of losing her leg and has not only gone on to thrive in her everyday life but has also passed her test with flying colours.
The mum finally has the independence she has always craved and can take her sons to school.
“All I wanted was to get behind that wheel and go, with nothing holding me back,” Amy, who is based in the North East of England, told Need To Know.
“I used to be bedridden and forced to use a wheelchair.
“The bone infections were agonising and I was in debilitating pain whenever I tried to walk.
“I couldn’t hold down a job and wasn’t able to finish school because I was in too much pain.
“Without a car, I was left hauling myself along with a walker to take my boys to school and then I’d hobble home again.
“I longed to be more independent.
“But getting my license wasn’t just about freedom – it would completely my quality of life.
“I wasn’t sure if cutting off my leg would help me get a license.
“But I refused to give in to that negative thinking.”
“At the same time, my doctor warned me that I couldn’t have any further surgery as the next infection would likely spread to my bloodstream.
“And when that happened, I had no other choice but to amputate my leg – or my life would hang in the balance.
“I was devastated.
“But as heartbroken as I felt, I became even more determined that this would give me at least one positive change: without constant pain, I could pass my driving test.”
After Amy had her surgery, she was in recovery for three months before learning how to walk with a prosthetic.
But as soon as she was signed off by doctors, she started taking driving lessons.
Within four months, she had passed her test.
She said: “I was fitted with a prosthetic, bought myself an automatic Kia and I passed the first time.
“No words can describe how thrilled I was.”
But Amy’s new life doesn’t stop behind the wheel.
She also longs to be able to run with her sons again.
The mum has raised £530 out of £4,000 on GoFundMe to purchase a sports leg for this exact reason.
She hopes that sharing her story will raise awareness and encourage others with chronic pain to set their own limits – and not listen to people who say they “can’t” do something.
Amy added: “I hope that by sharing my battle I will at least help one person.
“I never thought driving a car would be possible – but look at me now.
“I’m able to move ahead under my own steam.
“I love getting behind the wheel and having the freedom to just move; unlike when I was a child.
“Whenever I get knocked down, I just keep getting up again.
“There’s no stopping me.”
