It’s funny how life’s simple pleasures have now become treasured moments.
For the Finding Your Feet troopers, a simple trip to Robertson Park, in Renfrew, for a day out with pals became a day to remember.
It’s the first time the group have been able to meet face-to-face since the pandemic hit - and they certainly made the most of the occasion.
Quadruple amputee Cor Hutton founded the charity in 2014 to help families affected by amputation or absent limbs, focusing on helping to get amputees out of isolation and involved in the social, physical and emotional support programmes they offer.
She said: “It was just lovely to be back again with a face-to-face meeting.
“We have had lots of online classes and clubs but getting to see each other in person was just great. It has been really odd not seeing people in a year.
“We still couldn’t have a hug, which again is strange, but it was great to just see each other.”
The Paisley-based charity runs a number of support groups including exercise classes, quizzes and much more.
The park outing, or Ampu-tee in The Park, as it is known, was the first in over a year.
“We had a new guy, John, come out to the park with us and it was great to see a new face,” Cor added.
“He went through an amputation this year on his own so it was good to offer some friendly faces.”
Fun is the name of the game of Cor and her army of volunteers.
She explained: “We want it to be fun for people. It’s not a sympathy session, its about cheering people up and making new pals and having a laugh together.
“Its not about feeling sorry for ourselves or letting our disability stopping us from doing things.
“We encourage people to try things, to be outside their comfort zone sometimes to show them what is possible. Maybe not everyone is as pushy as me but I believe people can do things when they put their mind to it.”
Finding Your Feet was set up by Cor when she became a quadruple amputee as a result of sepsis.
During recovery Cor noticed a lack of peer support and felt extremely isolated.
Now in its sixth year, the charity helps over 800 people across Scotland through social, physical and emotional support programmes, with 70 per cent of activities held in Renfrewshire.
Lochwinnoch mum Cor recently celebrated the second anniversary of a double hand transplant.
She amazed medics with her progress since the marathon 12-hour surgery at Leeds General Infirmary, having regained 90 per cent function.
The 50-year-old became the third person in the UK to receive a transplant in January 2019 after having her hands and feet amputated in 2013 following a battle with acute pneumonia and sepsis, which nearly killed her.
And she is now determined to help as many people as possible as lockdown rules are eased.
“Throughout the pandemic we were able to run about 80 per cent of sessions online, but as the rules ease we hope to start doing more and more in person sessions,” she added.
“But there are also things that work online really well, we have one woman who joins the quiz from John O’ Groats, so want to keep that going.”
To find out more about the charity, or to make a donation, go to https://findingyourfeet.net/
