'We are all in the same boat': One Step Closer offers support to recovering amputees

Seig Marx lost a piece of herself about a year ago, but this night, she threw a strike.

Marx is 42, from Gibson, and lost her leg to a diabetic ulcer that turned worse on April 1, 2022. The bacteria turned flesh eating, and she had two options: give up her leg, or give up her life. As she shared her story, she showed an image of the aftermath of the surgery.

"You're meant to be here for a purpose in life," she said. "I'm still learning my purpose in life, and being a part of this group brings it out of me. 'Cuz you're dealing with everybody who has a different story, but we are all in the same boat. We might not have lost our legs the same way, but we are all in the same boat as being an amputee family."

She was at Creole Lanes, Wednesday, Aug. 8, bowling with a support group called One Step Closer, which was founded by Kenneth "KJ" Townsend, Marse' Walker and Dre Mostella.

Mostella is the owner of Orthotic and Prosthetic Solutions, and Walker is the patient care manager for the company. She said she wanted to found a support group in the area, so she reached out to Townsend.

Townsend was the head chef of Quizine Quarters, a soul food restaurant that closed after Hurricane Ida. Townsend, a double amputee, lost his leg in 2015 after an infection turned septic. When his other leg began aching in a similar fashion, he wasn't taking any chances. He had it removed in 2022.

He said forming the group and opening up to others who are facing similar situations has helped his healing process, too.

"Helping others makes the journey easier," he said.

One Step Closer has about 12 to 15 members, plus family and support members. Only three members showed up that night. Walker said some members called in for health-related issues.

The group originally gathered at Quizine Quarters, but it hasn't had a permanent home since Hurricane Ida. Members usually gather and discuss their lives, what's new and share any struggles they may have faced. This is the second time they gathered for bowling.

"It's not the end of the world. You might not be able to move and bend like the rest, but as long as you are trying," Townsend said, shrugging his shoulders and walking back to the lane to throw another ball.

He threw the bowling ball with a spin so it would hook right into the center of the pins. This time a single pin defied him.

As Townsend high-fived Mostella and walked back to the pizza, Marx watched him and said it was emotionally taxing after the surgery. Townsend helped pull her through the worst of it, and now the group acts as an extended family too.

"KJ is my guide, he's my mentor, he keeps me in a positive mind because it was at one point where I didn't want to be here anymore," she said, putting her phone away. "Talking to KJ, getting other amputees into this group, has really helped me a lot."

Michael Gaither, 42, of Dularge showed up a little late with his mother, Eva Gaither. He was a truck driver who lost his leg a year ago to an infection very similar what Townsend had. The whole experience, he said, made him feel like less of a man. The hardest moment, he said, was telling his 10-year-old he couldn't run around outside and play sports with him like he used to.

After a bit of coaxing, Gaither threw a frame, and traded a couple of jeers back-and-forth with Townsend. He smiled and sat down.

"People say they can relate to you, but they can't," he said. "They're not amputees, they can move around and you can't. It helps you seeing people with the same disabilities."

The group meets the second Tuesday of every month. Those interested can email Townsend at [email protected] or message him at https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.townsend.7393. One Step Closer can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/4468993499870561.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: One Step Closer assists amputees in recovery efforts