Today, there is an estimated 200,000 Canadians that are amputees. With a number that high, it’s important to understand how an amputation can affect you. For instance, amputees are often eligible for disability tax credit, which can help ease financial burdens. Here, we tell you everything you need to know about Disability Tax Credit for amputees. Learning the facts about amputation is important and can help you deal more easily with the issues related to living with an amputation, whether those issues apply to you or a loved one.
What is there to know about Amputation?
In Canada, diabetes causes the majority of amputations, specifically of the feet. Anyone suffering from diabetes is at particular risk, though anyone that participates in high-risk activities is also in danger of becoming an amputee. Here is a list of some of the most common reasons people lose their limbs.
- Diabetes
- Gangrene
- Frostbite
- Bone Infection
- Sepsis
- Soft Tissue Tumors
- Chronic Pain
- Severe Injury to the Limb
There is no single cause of amputation and a great deal many actions that could cause someone to lose a limb. Losing a limb is a life-changing experience. An amputee often requires months of physical therapy to return to a normal life. During that time, money can get especially tight. If you or a loved one loses a limb, keep Canada’s Disability Tax Credit for Amputees in mind. This disability tax credit can help out anyone that is markedly restricted earn enough money to live comfortably and afford better care and treatment for their condition.
Remember, It is good to know the basics of amputation, because you never know when it might happen to you or someone close to you. Here are some facts that can help you understand amputation better.
- Amputation Can Happen to Anyone—Amputation is not as rare as most people think. Common illnesses, such as diabetes, can result in the loss of a limb. Trauma of any kind, such as what you might experience in a car accident, can also result in a limb having to be removed. Those who are sick or who engage in high-risk activities are in more danger of becoming an amputee, but anyone can suffer an accident that will result in the loss of a limb.
- Phantom Limb Pain—Phantom limb pain means that an amputee feels pain in the part of their limb that is missing. As many as 80 percent of amputees feel phantom pain and, for many, it can be nearly unbearable. Therapy, time, and gentle exercise can help to alleviate some of this pain.
Disability Tax Credit for Amputees and Other Forms of Assistance
If you find yourself in a situation where someone has lost a limb, you may be able to save it by placing the limb in a bag, putting the bag on top of ice, and contacting emergency services. If your limb has already been amputated and you are experiencing phantom limb pain, here are some methods of treating it:
- Heat Application—Applying gentle heat to the pained area can help to relax muscles and ease pain.
- Massage—Massaging the affected limb can relax muscles and ease phantom limb pain.
- Physical Therapy—Physical therapy helps to build up new muscles and teach your body how to deal with the loss of a limb.
- Medication—Medication, such as painkillers, can help to relieve phantom limb pain. Be careful though, painkillers may result in dependency.
If you or a loved one has lost a limb and you find yourself in need of financial aid, please fill out a Disability Tax Credit for Amputees application today. It is guaranteed to help alleviate some of the financial burden.
Resources:
Canada Revenue Agency
Amputee Coalition of Canada