REFLECTIONS | KACIE CULSHAW

Title

What Kacie Culshaw Taught Me About Strength And Life Choices

The Story

Kacie spent years living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a condition often described as one of the most painful in the world. After multiple surgeries, countless treatments, and years of chronic pain, she made the life-changing decision to have her leg amputated.

As a prosthetist who spent her career helping amputees before becoming one herself, Kacie offers a unique perspective on disability, chronic pain, healthcare, rehabilitation, and what life is really like after limb loss. From battling the so-called “suicide disease” to competing internationally in deadlifting, her story is one of resilience, adaptation, and hope.

Opening

Before speaking with Kacie, I knew very little about CRPS. Like many people, I understood amputation as something that happens after an accident or illness, not as a decision someone might actively choose. I wanted to understand what life had been like for Kacie, what led her to that decision, and what she had learned through the process.

What Stayed With Me

What stayed with me most was discovering that Kacie worked in prosthetics before losing her leg. For years, she helped amputees adapt to life after limb loss, fitting and supporting people through a journey she never imagined she would one day experience herself.

There’s something incredibly powerful about that perspective. Kacie understood the realities of amputation better than most, yet when she found herself facing the decision, it became deeply personal. Hearing her talk about life from both sides of that experience gave a unique insight into disability, rehabilitation, and the resilience needed to adapt when life takes a real harsh turn.

The Bigger Reflection

Kacie’s story highlights how invisible suffering can be. We often make assumptions about disability, pain, and recovery without ever truly understanding what someone is living through behind closed doors.

It also challenged my own perception of resilience. Sometimes resilience isn’t about fighting harder. Sometimes it’s about adapting, accepting change, and making difficult decisions in pursuit of a better life.

A Line I Won’t Forget

“Amputation is not for everybody.”

A simple sentence, but one that perfectly captures the complexity of Kacie’s journey. There are no easy answers when it comes to chronic pain, only deeply personal decisions.

Closing Thought

What I admire most about Kacie is her perspective. Having experienced life both as a prosthetist and as an amputee, she brings a level of understanding that few people ever could.

Her story isn’t really about losing a limb. It’s about reclaiming a life. It’s about finding hope when options feel impossible, and proving that even after immense hardship, there is still strength, purpose, and joy to be found.