Bercovitch: Rehabilitation takes strength, motivation

Marlon Bercovitch was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes in 2016. Three years later, when a horse stepped on his foot and he felt no pain, he was rushed to the hospital. He had two toes amputated.

At age 61, it was determined that Bercovitch had diabetic peripheral neuropathy. According to Diabetes.ca, this involves nerve damage and poor blood flow to the legs and feet. People with diabetes are less likely to feel a foot injury, wounds can quickly become infected and are more difficult to heal.

Bercovitch’s medical roller coaster ride began after his initial surgery. His wound did not heal, he suffered a heart attack, had quadruple bypass surgery, and subsequently had both legs amputated below the knee. He spent 17 months in hospitals and rehabilitation centres, all during the pandemic.

In November 2020, Bercovitch received two carbon fiber prosthetic legs, built at the Montreal Gingras-Lindsay Rehabilitation Institute. Three months later, he went home, walking on his new legs. He continued out-patient rehab at the Constance-Lethbridge Rehabilitation Centre.

The greatest challenge Bercovitch faced in rehab was motivation. He drew strength from encouraging his fellow patients to try, to push harder.

Bercovitch is athletic and eager to get back to the things he loves to do, like riding horses and golfing. He will try adapted skiing and plans to join Quebec’s sledge hockey organization. For him, walking on prosthetics require strength, balance and rhythm, all abilities he garnered from skiing. “They told me it would take six months to a year to walk. At two in the morning when the lights were off, I walked the hallways. I got into trouble but I didn’t care. If they put the bar at six inches I put it at 12. It’s tiring, but if you’re determined you will do it,” he said.

Stairs remain difficult for him to manage, as well as finding pants that cover the prosthetics. While he says most people won’t notice his legs if he is wearing shorts, some do and it causes them discomfort. “Having a disability makes you different. I didn’t believe that but now I see it. People treat me differently every day. I’m not different than I was. I’m just walking with fake legs. If I can golf and walk, I’m okay. I’m alive and there’s nothing that I can’t take after going through all of this,” he said.

Bercovitch is grateful for his four sons and his brother who are there to support him every day. At the time of this writing, he had a setback and was unable to wear his legs for four weeks. He was looking forward to going back to his new job and his continued workouts so he is in top shape for sledge hockey season.