Resilience and Recovery: Navigating Trauma, Healthcare, and Life After Amputation

By Heather MacLeod

Photos by Heather MacLeod and Melissa Rae Studios

It’s been nearly a year since a simple trip to a South Korean cafe ended in a catastrophic nightmare in the parking lot. It began as a dislocated leg which became a life-threatening injury when an overlooked severed artery led to compartment syndrome. Delayed care and refusal to transfer me to a specialized hospital resulted in the eventual loss of my leg above the knee. That night changed my life forever and exposed the challenges of navigating foreign healthcare systems. From delays in treatment and language barriers to financial pressures, it taught me critical lessons about self-advocacy, the importance of engaging with a patient advocate, and the critical need to inform leadership immediately after any emergency incident requiring medical treatment.

As an Air Force veteran and civilian employee, I navigated a medical system that, at times, felt like a series of roadblocks rather than a support structure. Now, looking back on this challenging journey, I can see not only the hurdles but also the gifts that have come from it.

Expatriates Navigating Foreign Healthcare Systems

Navigating healthcare in a country other than your own can sometimes result in harrowing experiences, as was the case when I had my leg reset in South Korea without the aid of painkillers. It was, without question, the most painful moment of my life. The process of resetting my leg not only caused excruciating pain but also led to my artery being severed—a life-threatening complication that drastically altered my future. The refusal to administer painkillers beforehand was a shock, rooted in a difference in medical practice or cultural norms that I was unprepared for, highlighting the stark contrast between the expectations I had based on U.S. healthcare practices and the reality of rural emergency treatment in South Korea.

Understanding that you will need a heightened level of advocacy in medical situations, using your medical evacuation benefits can be tied up in miles of red tape, and difficulties related to the time difference, which adds to the additional barriers, is important to note. One recommendation would be to use your chain of command including accessing the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) to ensure timely medical evacuation. Utilize your network of contacts both professional and personal. Having your network advocate for you on your behalf in areas they are capable of and write Congress representatives can make a huge difference if you are experiencing barriers to care.

The Long Road to a Prosthetic Limb

Obtaining a prosthetic leg was one of the most difficult parts of this process. Due to differences in the medical processes between my insurance, Aetna, and the Korean healthcare system, it took six long months of negotiations to finally receive a prosthetic leg. Physical therapy in Korea was an adjustment for me compared to physical therapy stateside. Communication barriers can impact the care you are used to, but if you know this ahead of time, you can ensure you are clear on the processes for your rehab and recovery. Ask questions, bring your translation apps, and know it can take time for both parties to understand.

Being wheelchair-bound during that time presented additional challenges. Physically, I began to develop issues with my stomach and liver. Emotionally, it was a living rollercoaster with many wins that did test my faith and peace. Logistically, I learned how difficult it can be to learn to navigate Korea with a wheelchair. It was a harsh reality to wake up and see a world that is not always inclusive of those with disabilities and mobility issues. The challenges ahead of me resonated loudly, yet I continued to live my life, travel, and build a new normal, embracing the strength that comes from adapting to “what life throws at you.”

A New Chapter with My Prosthetic

At the beginning of November 2024, Aetna finally sent funds for a prosthetic leg in the mail. Upon opening the letter, I just wanted to do a happy dance. Receiving my new leg brought a profound sense of freedom—and with it, a renewed determination to embrace each challenge. Just two days after getting the prosthetic, I took a flight to Malaysia. Initially in my wheelchair, I decided to attempt walking to my seat. Though I didn’t feel fully prepared, I reminded myself, “I’m not ready, but I’ll try.” This attitude has guided me through each step of this course, one uncertainty after another.

Returning to South Korea was a choice I made to find closure. I wanted to return to a life where I chose, a community I loved, and the career I worked hard for every day. I refused to let my accident define me, where I lived, or my future and overall independence. The choice to return was not just for myself but to also provide reassurance to those who had stood by me.

A Shift in Perspective

Now I see life through a lens I might never have looked through otherwise. In hardship, I found grit; in limitations, I found purpose. Friends and colleagues now reach out to me when they experience injuries abroad, asking about their options and resources. Though returning to the military treatment facility for care and follow-up treatment isn’t always possible, I’m grateful that my story has helped others think proactively about their healthcare options.

Writing as Healing and Purpose

Through this change in my life, I’ve found a new calling in writing, which has become both a therapeutic outlet and a way to share my story with others. I now have books on Amazon, writing employment-related topics under my real name and using my “creepy” pen name, Raven Atwood, for books that teach history through mystery. Writing allows me to channel the tenacity I’ve developed, turning my hardships into stories that educate and inspire. I plan to write a book detailing the full story of this accident. My book will not only help me to process my accident but to shed light on the unique facets of navigating foreign healthcare systems as expatriates.

Living with Purpose

People often ask me if I am secretly struggling, wondering if I am truly at peace as I appear. The truth is, I haven’t felt the weight of depression or long bouts of sorrow. I’ve had to acknowledge the reality that my accident might have shortened my lifespan. Yet, I want my children, family, and friends to know that my time here is spent helping others, encouraging those who are struggling, and showing what it means to prevail with courage and resolve.

In sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to find strength in the face of adversity. This journey has taught me to face each day with gratitude, knowing that my life, while different, is no less fulfilling or meaningful.

If you are reading this and want to support this cause, share your story, or give insight into policy changes and advocacy, please reach out. Check back next month for Part 2, A Life-Altering Journey: Advocating for Change in Civilian Employee Healthcare Overseas.