When I found out I was going to have my leg amputated, I felt sorrow.1 A lot of things went through my mind. I thought it was going to be really hard, but not impossible. When something happens to you, you have to face reality. If life shows you adversity, you have to stay brave, have the spirit of a fighter and have a mindset to win. 

I’ve been able to adapt well to my prosthetic leg. I had a wonderful team. There were angels around me. 

I’ve surprised my therapists a lot.2 Or maybe a little — I don’t know. In me, they found a patient with a lot of willpower to overcome his situation. Whatever test they had me do, I surpassed the goal. 

My wife, Raquel, was with me throughout the process.3 She told me to know my limits and not to hurry, because I needed to slowly but surely get where I needed to be. 

Raquel is a great wife, a great mother and a good person. I was determined to dance with her again. I’ve been dancing since I was a young boy. Dancing is a way to connect with each other. It’s a way to express our feelings. It’s a way to show love. 

 

After five months of rehabilitation, Angel Alpaca did indeed dance again with Raquel.

Angel Alpaca and his prosthetic leg

Photo: Stephen Travarca

Notes

  1. Because of complications from diabetes and infection, Alpaca had surgery to amputate his left leg below the knee.
  2. For his first physical therapy appointment with Cleveland Clinic, Alpaca arrived in a wheelchair, holding his prosthetic leg. He soon graduated from a rolling walker to a cane.
  3. The couple celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary this year.