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Fred Forsman exercises on two prosthetic legs with Keri Dahlstrom, a physical therapist with Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital and Jon Erdmann of Anchor Orthotics & Prosthetics.
Fred Forsman may be 85 years old and on two prosthetic legs, but he still wants to walk his dogs, play golf, dance at parties and if possible get back to his longtime passion of acting on stage.
A thespian by hobby and a retired school teacher by profession, Forsman lost both his legs to circulation problems - one in 2004 and another this year. He's now getting used to being on two prosthetic limbs.
"I've been working on using the two prosthetic legs for the last four months," he said. "I've reached a point where I can walk with a walker. My desire is to get out of the walker and walk with a cane."
Living with one prosthetic leg since 2004 was not difficult for Forsman, he said. Two years ago, Forsman even went on a four-month international cruise to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan and Russia, he said.
A thespian by hobby and a retired school teacher by profession, Forsman lost both his legs to circulation problems - one in 2004 and another this year. He's now getting used to being on two prosthetic limbs.
"I've been working on using the two prosthetic legs for the last four months," he said. "I've reached a point where I can walk with a walker. My desire is to get out of the walker and walk with a cane."
Living with one prosthetic leg since 2004 was not difficult for Forsman, he said. Two years ago, Forsman even went on a four-month international cruise to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan and Russia, he said.
"But with two (prosthetic) legs, it's a problem getting up into the legs, to begin with," Forsman said. "I have to do a lot of exercises to strengthen my arms to lift my body up into the legs."
Forsman works with a therapist twice a week at the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, he said. He also spends an hour every day exercising at home - doing stretches, lifting weights, he said.
Forsman aims to "be more a part of local affairs and maybe get back on stage," he said.
Forsman has long been associated with the Community Players of Nevada County; the amphitheater at the Nevada County Fairgrounds is named after him. Forsman has a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama from Stanford University and a teaching credential from San Jose State University.
Forsman works with a therapist twice a week at the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, he said. He also spends an hour every day exercising at home - doing stretches, lifting weights, he said.
Forsman aims to "be more a part of local affairs and maybe get back on stage," he said.
Forsman has long been associated with the Community Players of Nevada County; the amphitheater at the Nevada County Fairgrounds is named after him. Forsman has a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama from Stanford University and a teaching credential from San Jose State University.
Forsman moved to Nevada County from southern California in 1953. He taught at the Nevada City Elementary School for 25 years.
Forsman now lives on Ridge Road in Nevada City with two dogs. He has two daughters and a son, who visit him on weekends.
"You have to be positive," Forsman said, on how he manages to keep his morale high despite undergoing two amputations. "There's no way I can be negative about anything. I just want to keep going with life."
To contact Soumitro Sen, e-mail ssen@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
Forsman now lives on Ridge Road in Nevada City with two dogs. He has two daughters and a son, who visit him on weekends.
"You have to be positive," Forsman said, on how he manages to keep his morale high despite undergoing two amputations. "There's no way I can be negative about anything. I just want to keep going with life."
To contact Soumitro Sen, e-mail ssen@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
