Amplitude Media Group

14/04/2024

This study is the first attempt since the George W. Bush administration to gauge how many Americans are living with limb loss/difference. It’s a huge step forward in building the data infrastructure necessary to achieve better amputee care:

https://livingwithamplitude.com/how-many-amputees-united-states-2024-prevalence-study/

13/04/2024

Theatre had always been Toner’s passion, and returning to the stage became the driving force in his recovery. In his own words, here’s how he did it:

12/04/2024

This we are celebrating 24 limb loss/limb difference "Aces" who have brought limb loss limb difference awareness to the forefront of the social conversation. Today we celebrate Eman Rimawi-Doster.

Known for establishing Diversity Includes Disability, a nonprofit that promotes inclusive employment, she's a forceful voice for people with disabilities in workplaces, public spaces, and everywhere else. She also forcefully advocates for New York City transit riders with disabilities and is launching one of the first inclusive fashion lines by an amputee.

“I want people with disabilities to build more of a united front and have a united message. We need to show how versatile and how complex we are. We should unite around that. That’s how we get progress.”

https://livingwithamplitude.com/article/eman-rimawi-doster-center-for-independent-living-amputees/

11/04/2024

This we are celebrating 24 limb loss/limb difference "Aces" who have brought limb loss limb difference awareness to the forefront of the social conversation. Today we celebrate Ezra Frech.

A public figure since elementary school, Frech sets lofty goals as an athlete and as an advocate for people with disabilities --- and he clears these high bars with grace. He also promotes sports for people with disabilities through his nonprofit, Angel City Sports, uses his platform as a world-champion athlete to normalize disability, and brings star power to the Paralympics.

“It’s not just about sports. It’s way more than sports. We’re bringing people together through sports. This is something where people can develop relationships that completely transform how they see themselves. There are so many positives. It helps people physically, psychologically, mentally.”

https://livingwithamplitude.com/amputee-athlete-ezra-frech-why-paralympics-matter/

10/04/2024

Planning ahead for summer camp? We've found some great options for kiddos with limb loss and limb difference all around the USA:

If you still haven’t signed your kid up for an amputee-themed summer camp, don’t wait much longer. Programs for kids with limb difference are already accepting applications.

10/04/2024

This we are celebrating 24 limb loss/limb difference "Aces" who have brought limb loss limb difference awareness to the forefront of the social conversation. Today we celebrate Ty Chiko.

A classically trained vocalist, Ty Chiko has a voice that lifts the limb-loss community literally and figuratively. He also mentors fellow amputees as a Certified Peer Visitor and youth counselor, encourages young artists through his nonprofit, Every Body Has a Song, and creates opportunities for stage performers with disabilities.

“Comparing ourselves to others can sometimes leave us feeling as if we aren’t enough or that we don’t have enough—because there is always someone who has more.... If we are not careful, comparing ourselves to others can rid us of our identity and eliminate our opportunities to learn and grow from one another.”

https://livingwithamplitude.com/ty-chiko-amputees-comparison-thief-of-joy/

09/04/2024

Disclaimer: we are NOT advocating for a name change for .

HOWEVER, we have decided to allow you, our readers, to rename Limb Loss Limb Difference Awareness Month just for fun. What would you call it instead?

There’s only one thing we’d change about Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month: the name. Members of the amputee community sent us some alternative ideas. Here are the best ones.

09/04/2024

This we are celebrating 24 limb loss/limb difference "Aces" who have brought limb loss limb difference awareness to the forefront of the social conversation. Today we celebrate Jordan Reeves.

At 18 years old, she’s already spent more than a decade changing how product manufacturers such as Mattel, Lego, Kids, Microsoft, and other companies address consumers with limb difference and create amputee-friendly products. Jordan also co-founded “Design With Us,” a nonprofit that supports young designers with disabilities.

Jordan also tells her story in magazines, TV appearances, TedX talks, and her memoir, “Born Just Right,” in which she says:

“Barbie is such an important piece of our culture, and it was great to be able to work with the Mattel
team to [design a doll with limb difference]. They really listened and wanted to get it right. That’s the
kind of inclusive work that’s needed everywhere.”

https://livingwithamplitude.com/article/just-like-me-people-and-products-pave-the-way-toward-representation/

09/04/2024

It makes all the sense in the world to consult actual disabled people on these projects:

08/04/2024

This we are celebrat24 limb loss/limb difference "Aces" who have brought limb loss limb difference awareness to the forefront of the social conversation. Today we celebrate Kirstie Ennis.

This former Marine and fierce advocate for disabled veterans has conquered the highest peak on six
continents. (Look out Everest, you’re next.) She also helps wounded warriors heal through outdoor recreation, creates opportunities for amputee veterans to hike, climb, snowboard, bicycle, and more, and has helped to normalize limb difference on the cover of ESPN’s Body Issue.

“You have to be strong, stubborn, and stupid to be a good mountaineer. You disassociate with how
much it hurts physically, mentally, and emotionally, and you look beyond it. If I remembered and
reflected on how miserable it was, I wouldn’t keep going back for more. You learn to focus on the
highs and fight through the lows.”

https://livingwithamplitude.com/article/amputee-climber-kirstie-ennis-mount-everest-2023/

07/04/2024

Thanks for the share, Amputee Coalition!

Reprinted with permission from Amplitude Magazine Your prosthetist has every right to fair compensation for his/her time, effort, and expertise. And you, the patient, have every right to a prosthetic solution that a) you can afford, and b) equips you for a healthy, happy life. Not many people would....

07/04/2024

Thanks for the share, American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists!

As one of the nation's top amputee kiteboarders, Frances Rivera is way more comfortable gliding over water than snow. But as long as there’s speed and sunshine involved, count her in.

07/04/2024

All of the important takeaways from this year's Nationals in Track and Field, and what the results mean for our favorite athletes:

Ezra Frech, Hunter Woodhall, and Noelle Lambert were among the amputee athletes who stood out at this weekend's US Paralympic Track and Field national championships.

06/04/2024

If you hadn't already noticed, we're celebrating in a whole new way!
We’re combing Amplitude’s print and digital archives for old articles about amputees who’ve raised awareness in unique ways. We’re calling them “Awareness Aces,” and we’ve chosen 24 of them for 2024:

To celebrate Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, we combed Amplitude’s print and digital archives to find amputees with unique ways of raising awareness about limb difference.

05/04/2024

This we are celebrating 24 limb loss/limb difference "Aces" who have brought limb loss limb difference awareness to the forefront of the social conversation. Today we celebrate Billy Brimblecom.

His star-studded annual “ThunderGong!” fundraiser (starring Jason Sudeikis) brings national attention to limb loss, raising money for the Steps of Faith Foundation. Billy uses this platform to highlight health disparities that harm uninsured and underinsured amputees.

https://livingwithamplitude.com/article/thundergong-concert-amputee-fundraiser-steps-of-faith-2021/

04/04/2024

This we are celebrating limb loss/limb difference "Aces" who have shown care and compassion and brought limb loss limb difference awareness to the forefront of the social conversation. Today we celebrate John Robinson.

This congenital quadruple amputee launched two major disability employment platforms, Our Ability
and Jobs Ability. John continues to press the economic case for disabled workers, promote entrepreneurship and career development for people with disabilities, and normalize disability in the workplace.

https://livingwithamplitude.com/five-amputees-2020-who-made-a-difference/

03/04/2024

Love the inclusion here! Well done, Scheels!

http://www.wiggleyourtoes.org Wiggle Your Toes is a 501 ( c) (3). It was created in May 2008 to help

03/04/2024

This we are celebrating limb loss/limb difference "Aces" who have shown care and compassion and brought limb loss limb difference awareness to the forefront of the social conversation. Today we celebrate Nicole Kelly.

Nicole was named Miss Iowa in 2013 and became the first amputee to compete in the Miss America
pageant. She tells her “bionic story” in K-12, university, and corporate settings nationwide; co-hosts the “Disarming Disability” podcast; and passionately advocates for children with limb difference.

Nicole has appeared in Amplitude twice:
 March 2017: “With Few Limitations”
 March 10, 2021: “Nicole Kelly Wears the Disability Crown Proudly”

https://livingwithamplitude.com/article/raising-amputees-parents-let-the-kids-be-kids/

02/04/2024

02/04/2024

"My friends joked that I was training for the Tour de France, and they weren’t far off. But I was determined to keep up with my able-bodied classmates and absorb all the class had to offer..."

After I became an amputee, getting back on the road took more than physical adaptations and logistical hacks. It required a whole new mindset, different objectives, and revised strategy.

02/04/2024

This we are celebrating limb loss/limb difference "Aces" who have shown care and compassion and brought attention and awareness about limb loss and limb difference to the forefront of the social conversation. Today we celebrate John Register.

This two-time Paralympian founded the Paralympic Military Sports Program, a precursor to the
Warrior Games and Invictus Games. John often appears as a corporate keynote speaker or on the TedX scene. He's also held multiple leadership roles at the Amputee Coalition.

John first graced the pages of Amplitude on September 30, 2020: “The Professional Value-Add of Limb Loss”

https://livingwithamplitude.com/amputee-careers-employment-john-register/

01/04/2024

This we are celebrating limb loss/limb difference "Aces" who have shown care and compassion and brought attention and awareness about limb loss and limb difference to the forefront of the social conversation. Our first "Ace" of April is Peggy Chenoweth.

The “Amputee Mommy” blogger launched “Show Your Mettle Day” during the first back in 2011. She also designed the ribbon, founded the Amp'd Life podcast and nonprofit, and has promoted on CNN and other mainstream media networks.

Peggy first appeared in Amplitude in July 2017:

https://livingwithamplitude.com/article/an-interview-with-the-founders-of-ampd/

30/03/2024

The CDMRP thoughtfully factors patients’ voices into its complex equations. All grant applications are reviewed by consumer advocates—people with lived experience as amputees, paraplegics, pain sufferers, cancer patients, transplant recipients, caregivers, and the like...

People like Phil Skiff.

When Phil Skiff evaluates federal grant applications, he’s typically the only reviewer without a PhD. But as a below-knee amputee, he's better qualified than his colleagues to assess how research impacts amputees.

28/03/2024

When Frances Rivera lost her leg in 2011, the sport she turned to for fun and fitness was her lifelong passion: kiteboarding…

https://loom.ly/XR85ng8

As one of the nation's top amputee kiteboarders, Frances Rivera is way more comfortable gliding over water than snow. But as long as there’s speed and sunshine involved, count her in.

27/03/2024

Everyone listed here stands a realistic shot at winning their first medal in 2024:

Team USA’s delegation in Paris later this summer will include a handful of amputees who’ve savored Paralympic competition before, but never tasted the sweet frosting of a podium finish.

26/03/2024

If the right prosthetist or the right prosthesis isn’t available nearby, it can make sense to take on the costs of commuting for care…

For some amputees, no distance is too great to travel for a prosthetist who makes their life work. Here's how they weigh the tradeoffs and manage the extra effort required to commute for care.

25/03/2024

RIO DE JANERIO – In his third world championship appearance, Paralympic hopeful Bryan Larsen (Windsor, California) ended the second day of the 2024 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships with a pair of personal bests and added fire to his quest for...

24/03/2024

No, we aren’t changing the name of the upcoming . But what if we could? What fun names or acronyms could we use instead?

There’s only one thing we’d change about Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month: the name. Members of the amputee community sent us some alternative ideas. Here are the best ones.

21/03/2024

Your prosthetist has every right to fair compensation for his/her time, effort, and expertise. And you, the patient, have every right to a prosthetic solution that a) you can afford, and b) equips you for a healthy, happy life...

https://livingwithamplitude.com/prosthetic-cost-amputee-how-to-bargain/

20/03/2024

Being approached in public by strangers who notice my giant birthmark has never been, and never will be, comfortable for me...

How should a congenital amputee react when a stranger offers an unsolicited "solution" to your limb difference? I'm learning to handle the situation with grace, but it's a big job.