Charlene Whelan

“For example, someone has just had their amputation and really just wants to be alone,” Charlene Whelan, health educator for the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA), said. “That could look like depression and it could be a sign of depression, but for some people, it is their preferred way to deal with it.”

Whelan believes it is important for a patient to acknowledge their feelings. A patient’s emotional suffering will affect their future physical adjustment. Recognizing their grief as a process will provide a better adjustment for the patient.

“As long as they are reaffirming their own commitment to themselves through that process, then they are fine,” Whelan said.
...
Personality certainly plays a role in the emotional recovery of an amputee but there are other factors according to Whelan. She pointed to other health issues, financial concerns, family support systems, divorce and a death in the family as just some of the other issues that may leave an amputee patient vulnerable to depression if they are not properly prepared psychologically.

“There are a lot of things that can play into it but your best cue, if you are trying to assess at that standpoint, would be to understand how the patient handled major losses in the past,” Whelan said.
...
“[In] a major life event like this, the universe collapses around us,” Whelan said.
...
“At that level there is an understanding between the two,” Whelan explained. “It just cuts through so many barriers. It gives them a sense of hope that nobody else can understand,” Whelan said.

Despite the growing popularity and the recommendation of just about everyone in the psychology and medical community, people who are depressed generally do not attend these meetings according to Whelan, who has personal experience with patients that refuse or are not open to support.

“Or if they do go, they make a point to say that there is nothing anyone can do to help them,” Whelan said.

David has seen the microboard model used in many fields of human services, which Charlene Whelan, health educator for the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA), has also experienced.In her previous work with the Alzheimer's Association of East Tennessee, she discovered that a new community of support was needed for someone who was dealing with her husband's recent diagnosis of dementia."It continues to be an invaluable community of support, helping caregivers deal with both the things they're up against now and preparing for adversities they'll have to face in the future," she says.
...
Charlene Whelan believes that microboards can offer amputees a unique form of empowerment.

"It is empowerment within the context of a community, and that ties in beautifully with ACA's mission," she says.

Charlene Whelan, LCSW, MBA

Charlene Whelan is the new health educator; Matthew Brunger will serve as an information specialist with the National Limb Loss Information Center (NLLIC); and Donna Ogle is the new information services assistant with the NLLIC.

Charlene Whelan, LCSW, MBA Health Educator - Amputee Coalition of America

Susan Tipton, BSSW, ACA NPN Coordinator; Charlene Whelan, LCSW, ACA Health Educator/NPN Team Leader; National Peer Network Team; volunteers and invited guests
...
Derrick Stowell, CRT, ACA YAP Coordinator; Charlene Whelan, LCSW, MBA, ACA Health Educator/NPN Team Leader
...
Facilitators: Charlene Whelan; William Samuels, MSW

Charlene Whelan fills the new position of Health Educator for the ACA, preparing and delivering presentations across the country, and assisting in developing educational materials, working to make them more linguistically and culturally inclusive.Whelan earned three graduate degrees from the University of Tennessee, including an MS in geochemistry, an MSSW in clinical social work and an MBA from UT's executive MBA Program.

If you would like to register to participate in the Peer Visitors Discussion Board, please contact Charlene Whelan via email or call 888/AMP-KNOW extension 8136.

Charlene WhelanHealth EducatorAmputee Coalition of America900 E. Hill Avenue, Suite 205Knoxville, TN 37915cwhelan@amputee-coalition.org 1/888-267-5669 ext. 8126

David has seen the microboard model used in many fields of human services, which Charlene Whelan, health educator for the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA), has also experienced. In her previous work with the Alzheimer's Association of East Tennessee, she discovered that a new community of support was needed for someone who was dealing with her husband's recent diagnosis of dementia. "It continues to be an invaluable community of support, helping caregivers deal with both the things they're up against now and preparing for adversities they'll have to face in the future," she says.
...
Charlene Whelan believes that microboards can offer amputees a unique form of empowerment.

"It is empowerment within the context of a community, and that ties in beautifully with ACA's mission," she says.