Fuquay Varina resident, James Brown, chuckles when he thinks of his newly-minted celebrity status…among kids.

“Wherever I go, I find kids staring at my prosthetic leg. One day, I was walking through my neighborhood, and a little boy stopped on his tricycle to say, “I like your robot leg.”

Despite the hardships that James has endured, the simple kindness in these passing glances and innocent words have offered him some comfort and reminded him of his glory days as a body builder, United States Air Force Airman, basketball star and football player.

An Uphill Health Battle

Around 2014 and for the next six years, James and his wife, Romanda, began to see a decline in their overall health. James went into kidney failure as a result of diabetes and had to go on dialysis. Simultaneously, his wife began to suffer a series of strokes that, with each one, took more and more of her faculties.

Together, they did their best to care for each other, often depending on their son, Ian, initially just 13 years old, for various caregiving tasks.

“It was tough on my son. He had to help care for his mom. No boy should have to do that. In 2019, when I got the call for a kidney transplant, I agreed right away. I wanted to take care of my wife.”

After his transplant, James began to have more energy, but a diabetic infection brought his activities to a screeching halt.

“I already had neuropathy in my feet from diabetes. One day, I looked down at my foot, and my toe looked like a cobra head. I’d hit it on something, but I didn’t feel it. I went to the foot doctor and found out it was infected.”

WakeMed medical staff member, Dr. Brian Futrell of Raleigh Foot and Ankle, made the diagnosis of a necrotizing infection.

“He had to remove the toe to hopefully eliminate the infection, and little by little because the infection was spreading, he took all the toes and set my foot as a block, so I could walk. Then, it spread under my foot. He said I had a choice of losing my foot and leg slowly as infection spread, also risking my life, or I could amputate below the knee and be back up and walking within a few months. I needed to care for my wife, so I decided on amputation.”

Soon thereafter, James went to an appointment to get scheduled for his amputation, and while there, he received a call from his wife’s nurse.

Tears in his eyes, James shares, “The nurse called to tell me Romanda was gone. We buried her the following week and then one week later, I had my leg amputated. It was April 6, 2021.”

James and Romanda had been married for 32 years and together for 34. An inseparable pair, they had experienced love at first sight, discussing marriage after only one week of dating. Together, they raised three children who have grown into compassionate and hardworking adults: 32-year-old son, Bruce, who is a United States Airforce Airman; 28-year-old daughter, Symone, who is a nanomedicine engineer; and youngest son, 20-year-old, Ian, who is an artist.

James’ Limb Removal Surgery

Prior to the amputation, as the infection spread, it began to cause searing pain. “I was in pain when I’d try to walk, but immediately after the amputation, I felt better. Strange as it sounds, the amputation also helped me to deal with my grief. I was able to concentrate on getting through the rehab process, so I could walk again.”

The WakeMed Rehabilitation occupational and physical therapy teams wasted no time in helping James refocus his attention and regain his mobility. He began rehab immediately after the amputation to learn how to maneuver in his wheelchair. Once he left the hospital, WakeMed Home Health rehab teams visited him to continue therapy in his home.

WakeMed StepForward Program

In the summer of 2021, he was fitted for his prosthesis and invited to attend the WakeMed StepForward program at the Raleigh Campus Rehabilitation Hospital.

“I received physical, occupational and some recreational therapy during the StepForward program. They helped me tremendously with balance and strength because I had to learn to use different muscles to compensate for my lost ankle and calf.

“I did whatever I could to harass the therapists,” James laughs. “On the last day, they gave me a shirt that said ‘It’s My Independence Day,’ and I turned it over, got a black magic marker and wrote ‘I survived boot camp with Karen the Impaler.'”

James did well in the StepForward Program and after only two and a half weeks of therapeutic sessions, he was ready to take on the world.

James Steps Back Into His Life Again

Proud of what he’d accomplished, he drove from Fuquay Varina, NC to New Castle, PA to see his high school buddies for their 40th anniversary basketball championship celebration.

Upon his return, he resumed therapy at the WakeMed Outpatient Rehab – Cary at the Health Park at Kildaire. This therapy gave him a chance to continue improving his balance and increasing his leg strength.

“Today, I’m doing pretty good. I still have to think about going down slopes. If it isn’t too steep, I can lean back and control myself going down hill.”

James will complete outpatient rehab this April 2022 and has big plans for his future. He’s currently building a patio in his backyard and adding a water fountain and garden to host parties with his neighbors. Next up, he plans to travel the world.

“First, I’ll drive all over the USA. I have friends everywhere. Next, I’ll go to Paris and the Greek Islands as well as return to England, Amsterdam and Germany. I have a German neighbor, and she and her family have already extended an invite.”

James’ Words of Wisdom for Those Facing Limb Loss

For anyone currently going through limb loss, James has words of encouragement.

“You simply have to take one day at a time. You’re going to wake up and not feel well, and your limb will hurt because right after the operation the limb is swollen. This swelling will go down over time, and eventually, you’ll get your final prosthesis and get back to enjoying your life.”

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About the WakeMed StepForward Program

It’s time to look ahead

The healing phase after surgery is the time to start thinking about relearning how to do the things you enjoy with your new prosthetic limb.

WakeMed StepForward – a comprehensive, structured program for people who have had amputations – will help you:

• Safely and confidently use your new limb
• Use your prosthesis to its fullest potential
• Care for yourself and your prosthesis
• Troubleshoot issues and who to call for assistance

How StepForward Works

Learning the right way to use your prosthesis with a structured program will help you reach your full potential with your new limb. There are three ways to complete StepForward:

• Inpatient – As an admitted patient in WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital
• Outpatient – At one of WakeMed Rehab’s participating outpatient practices in Wake County and Clayton
• Home Health – In your home

Which way is best for you? An evaluation with a WakeMed physical therapist and occupational therapist as well as an insurance plan review will determine which StepForward option you qualify for.

When to schedule your evaluation

Your physician can schedule your evaluation when you receive your prosthesis. You will need to bring your prosthesis to your evaluation appointment. Call WakeMed Rehabilitation at 919-350-7876 to get started!

You will need a physician referral for your evaluation, so call your physician and ask for a referral for a StepForward Evaluation. Referrals can be entered into Epicor faxed to 919-350-8791.