Amputee Resources

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Inspiring Movies

Soul Surfer 

Released in 2011 

Based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a shark attack and become a surfer champion again through the love of her adoring family, determination, and faith. Watch the official trailer. 

Dolphin Tale 

Released in 2011 

Inspirational story of an injured dolphin, Winter, who is rescued by a boy named Sawyer and brought to a marine hospital in Clearwater, Florida. Although her tail had to be removed due to its serious injuries, Winter received a second chance at life when a brilliant prosthetist creates a new tail for her. Watch the official trailer. 

Men of Honor 

Released in 2000

Men of Honor is a film based on the life of Carl Brasher, an African American who’s dream was to become a Master Diver for the U.S. Navy. Despite a trying training officer and a tragic accident, Carl achieved his dream and become the first African American and amputee diver in the Navy.

127 Hours 

Released in 2010 

“127 HOURS is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston’s (James Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he is finally rescued.” -- Matt Goldberg, Collider

Terry Fox

Released in 1983

Movie that shows Terry Fox’s journey of battling cancer and adjusting to his amputation. This movie is very uplifting and motivational as he makes a difference after an unfortunate life event.
 

Uplifting Documentaries

OUT ON A LIMB 

Released in 2013

Out On A Limb is an award winning documentary that explores the evolution of the development of prostheses and how these developments are changing the everyday life of an amputee. It also covers the subject of the advancement of prostheses and the kind of effects it will have in the world. 

SOAR 

Released in 2014

This documentary explores the relationship between two sisters, Kiera and Uriah. Kiera is a quadruple amputee born with a rare disorder. Both sisters are dancers and this documentary depicts how each other relate through dance. It’s a beautiful and touching documentary that opens our eyes on what an amputee and their family experience due to this condition. 
 

Books

A Leg to Stand on: An Amputee's Walk Into Motherhood

By Colleen Haggerty 

“When Colleen Haggerty lost her leg in an accident during her senior year of high school, she could have retreated from life and let her disability become her defining quality and no one would have blamed her for it. Instead, she went the opposite way. In the years following her accident, Haggerty explored her physical world with vigor, testing the limits of her body by joining a ski team, playing with a co-ed soccer team, and taking up kayaking and backpacking. She also tested the limits of her heart, pursuing love and passion with restless men.in A Leg to Stand On, Haggerty recounts her life as a disabled woman, from redefining herself as a young woman after tragedy, fierce and able, but haunted by hard choices and suppressed grief to choosing marriage and motherhood. That choice comes at great cost to the physical freedom Haggerty has fought for, but ultimately she redemption, fulfillment, and self-acceptance in the bargain. No one will read this book without being inspired to accept their past and create the future they always wanted.”

Just Don't Fall: A Hilariously True Story of Childhood, Cancer, Amputation, Romantic Yearning, Truth, and Olympic Greatness

By John Sundquist 

“Josh Sundquist was an energetic and inquisitive nine-year-old when he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a virulent cancer that eventually claimed his left leg. His extraordinary journey takes him from his small southern town--with his father, an aspiring pastor questioning his faith, and his mother, a rigidly conservative homeschool teacher--through a dizzying array of hospitals, on to high school, and then to the mountains, where Josh learns to ski. On the slopes, Josh's world bursts wide open and he finds within him the drive to become a champion skier, despite his disability. While he navigates the dramas of high school and an unstable home life, Josh keeps his eyes on the prize--the 2006 Paralympics in Turin, Italy. Just Don't Fall isn't just the story of a boy becoming a man, but of a champion realizing his greatest aspiration."

No Excuses: The True Story of a Congential Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life 

By Kyle Maynard 

Kyle Maynard is a congenital amputee missing both his arms below the elbow and both his legs at his knees. Despite his circumstance, Maynard went on to become a champion wrestler. This autobiography tells of Maynard beating the odds and achieving his dreams with the support of his friends, family, coaches, and faith.

Handwriting for Heroes 

By Yancosek, Gulick, & Spears

“Handwriting For Heroes presents a 6 week long series of workbook pages similar to the ways we were taught in elementary school, but written and designed for adults. Through the lessons of loops and swirls, coloring and copying; the authors provide you with exercises that strengthen both the fine motor muscles as well as the hand eye coordination needed to write. Just like the McGuffey Readers of the old days the repetition is not idle, most of the sentences that you copy offer encouraging words to brighten your day and strengthen your resolve.”
 

Organizations

Amputee Coalition 

Saving limbs. Building lives. 

The Amputee Coalition is a donor-supported nonprofit for people with limb loss and is dedicated to enhancing quality of life among amputees and their families, improving patient care, and preventing limb loss. 

Heather Abbott Foundation 

Live your Life 

Heather Abbott Foundation is a non-profit organization who strives to provide custom prostheses who have suffered to limb loss caused by a traumatic accident. Donations to the foundation can be done easily through this website.

ActiveAmp Organization 

The On-Line Connection for Amps with an Active Lifestyle 

This website is a great resource for intramural sports for amputees. Links for locations and to find a location within your area are provided in each sport category.

Brooks Adaptive Sports 

Brooks Rehabilitation 

“Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation was created in 2007 as a resource for individuals living with physical disabilities to enjoy the benefits of social, physical, and emotional health and well being through ongoing activities. The program provides a variety of weekly activities as well as sponsoring educational clinics and sporting event competitions with athletes holding national and world champion titles and Paralympic status. Through this community health initiative, Brooks Rehabilitation is able to bring sport and recreation to people who may not otherwise have these activities available to them. Brooks recognizes that providing these opportunities is a key element of improving quality of life for the disabled members of our Jacksonville community.”

Terry Fox Foundation 

Dreams are made possible if you try 

“Terry Fox was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) in his right leg in 1977 and had his leg amputated 15 cm (six inches) above the knee.” This foundation demonstrates that an unfortunate traumatic accident/disorder that can cause a person to lose a limb can still make a huge difference. Terry Fox is a great role model for amputees, as he models how to accept his past and mold his future how he wants it."

Camp No Limits 

No Limits Foundation 

“Camp No Limits is the only camp for young people with limb loss & their families, creating a network of support for all the campers. Camp No Limits offers therapeutic programs with specialized professionals, including physical & occupational therapists, prosthetists & adult amputee role models. All activities incorporate family members as well, with specific group sessions for siblings & parents when appropriate to address the needs of families living with individuals with limb loss.”

Disabled Sports USA 

If I can do this, I can do anything! 

“Disabled Sports USA’s mission is to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs.”

Mending Limbs Organization 

Helping Amputees Live Life Without Limitations 

Mending Limbs is a website personally created by Michelle Prichard, an amputee who have struggled with her amputation and faced difficulty in getting her insurance to cover the prosthesis that she needs in order to improve her quality of life. This website is to raise awareness about the importance and necessity of prostheses for the amputee population. Donations are welcomed.

Crossroads Adaptive Athletic Alliance 

Support through Sport, Community, and Education 

“Crossroads Adaptive Athletic Alliance is the only US 501c3 nonprofit of its kind – building a stronger community for adaptive athletes and their coaches. We help athletes with permanent needs participate in life-changing fitness opportunities through education, grants, and competition.”

Nubility Athletics 

Because we can.

“Welcome to NubAbility Athletics Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to coaching kids with limb loss to get off the bench and into the game of MAINSTREAMED organized sports. Our team of high school, collegiate and professional athletes as coaches, who have played against the BEST with LESS and WON, instill courage and confidence through sport and in life as they prepare NubAbility kids to compete and conquer the sports they love. Our coaches mentor NubAbility Camp Athletes long after our events are over. We also provide custom sport instructional events or sessions, public speaking and anti-bullying programming.”

Paralympic Movement 

International Paralympic Committee (IPC)

Paralympic Movement provides in depth coverage and news of all paralympic events and athletes.

GO out on a Limb (GOoal) 

Helping children with limb loss overcome their limits! 

“GO out on a Limb (GOoaL) is dedicated to educate, support, & empower young people with limb loss to develop a GO attitude while living a healthy, happy, and independent lifestyle out on a Limb. GOoaL is a non-profit organization established to help children with limb loss and their families create a network of support, including mentorship, social skill development, education, peer support, and adult amputees role models. At the end of the day, all it takes is one child to GO out on a Limb and believe in themselves because the possibilities are endless!”

Helping Hands Foundation 

Connecting Families of Children with Upper Limb Loss 

“The philosophy of Helping Hands Foundation is to provide parent-to-parent support and information.  Often times, a phone call or email is all it takes to put parents at ease in those early days as they deal with their child's upper limb difference.  We are here to listen, answer questions and share our own experiences. Additionally, we offer two family outings each year for the entire family to enjoy. A special bond often develops between parents, affected children and their siblings when families get together to share ideas and experiences. These social events offer an informal atmosphere for parents to meet each other and for children to interact with one another. In addition, relevant topics and issues are addressed through our website and speakers.”

National Amputee Golf Association 

Helping Amputee Golfers Get Back in the Game 

“Incorporated in 1954, NAGA began as a small group of amputee golfers playing friendly games that quickly developed into regional tournament play in various cities across the United States. Today, NAGA has over 2,500 members worldwide.”

Limbs for Life Foundation 

Nonprofit Organization 

“The Limbs for Life Foundation is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to providing fully-functional prosthetic care for individuals who cannot otherwise afford it and raising awareness of the challenges facing amputees.”

International Child Amputee Network 

Do it my way. 

“International Child Amputee Network (I-CAN) a tax exempt, 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to promoting education, support, information, and empowerment to traumatic and congenital limb different children and their families. I-CAN is committed in bringing together these children and their families to enhance the quality of life for the children and young adults based on the concept of mentors helping families, parent helping parents, and kids helping kids.”
 

Magazines and News

New Mobility: Life Beyond Wheels 

The magazine for active wheelchair users

“A colorful, award-winning lifestyle magazine, New Mobility encourages the integration of active wheelchair users into mainstream society with articles on health, advocacy, travel, employment, relationships, recreation, media, products and more. Ninety percent of its writers live with with disabilities, creating a vibrant culture of disability journalism, philosophy and advocacy within each monthly edition. As the official publication of United Spinal Association, New Mobility advances the organization’s mission to improve quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders by highlighting member opportunities for further education, peer support and community involvement.”

InMotion Magazine

Brought to you by the Amputee Coalition 

InMotion is a free, bimonthly publication put out by the Amputee Coalition with the intentions of uniting the community. Each issue is packed with powerful stories, insights, and topics that will inspire and encourage you.

Amputee News

News about, for and by amputees 

Amputee News provides presents news and resources “about amputees, for amputees, and by amputees”. Here you can find topics ranging from support groups to pain and wellness to entertainment.

Amplitude Magazine

Amplitude Media Group 

“Amplitude magazine provides valuable and unbiased news, information, and resources for amputees who want to live more fully, as well as articles and information relevant to their families and their caregivers. It offers content on a wide variety of topics, including peer support, active living, emotional issues, health and wellness, mobility, and adaptive living—anything that will help amputees enjoy all that life has to offer.”
 

For Children 

American Girl Doll Customization 

A Step Ahead Prosthetics 

A Step Ahead Prosthetics can modify your child's American Girl Doll to match his or her limb loss. The online application and customization are free of charge because A Step Ahead Prosthetics feels it is crucial to build a child's self-esteem, self-image, and inclusion by providing dolls that look like the child. 


A Step Ahead Prosthetics offers prosthetics, skin tone options, and custom art. 



 

Blogs and Chatrooms 

/r/amputee

For all the stumpy goodness 

Reddit provides a platform where amputees can post social news, explore web content, and engage in communication with people who are on the same journey as them. This is an online community where amputees can seek guidance, understanding, and comfort.

The Amputee Network Blog 

The Amputee Network 

The Amputee Network Blog provides an online journal as a networking opportunity among the amputee community. Exchanging useful information for this population in a confidential manner. The main goal of this blog is to provide information to improve the quality life of amputees

Tales of an Amputee Mommy Blog 

The Official Blog of Amputeemommy.com

Tales of an Amputee Mommy Blog is a blog updated frequently by a bilateral below the knee amputee who is a mommy of 2 boys. She writes about her daily life and give her audience a perspective of what everyday looks for her. It gives great insight on how to be a mom while being an amputee and the challenges she faces and how she conquers them day by day.

A 6 Year Old Girls Journey of Becoming a Double Amputee  

Lilly Biagini - Blogspot 

Lilly Biagini is a 6 year old who became a double amputee. This blog chronicles her and her families journey and how they’ve managed to embrace Lilly’s new life.

Amazing Amputees

Wordpress

"This blog provides links to a variety of inspirational stories about amazing amputees.”
 

Youtube Videos and Channels

Elena Amputee

Blogger/Model 

Elena Amputee is a 28 year old model and YouTuber that chronicles her life with an above-knee amputation. She also has a website that includes more of her modeling work, videos, and a blog. 

How This Bikini Competitor & Amputee Found Confidence - The Happiness Stories 

Soul Pancake 

This YouTube Video is an interview with Devon Coffin who was born without an arm but was never discouraged by her condition. She trained to be a bikini model and aspires to be an Occupational Therapist!

Overcoming Hoplessness - Nick Vujicic - TEDxNoviSad

TEDx Talks 

In this YouTube Video, Nick Vujicic presents a powerful TedTalk video about overcoming hopelessness. He has a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs. Nick suffered from depression due to his condition and after an attempt at suicide decided to focus on what he has instead of what he didn’t have. This is an inspiring TedTalk subject that provide inspiration, motivation, and appreciation for all the good things we DO have in life.

That1legmonster 

Fitness blogger 

That1legmonster is a YouTube channel of a man with a right leg prosthesis. He is a crossfit athlete and records himself working out. This YouTube channel is a great resource for middle-aged amputees as a reminder that anything and everything is possible with a prosthesis!

No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!

FTC Methods Inc. 

Video of Nick Vujicic in action spreading motivation and inspiration throughout the world.

Motivational Speaker Nick Vujicic on the Power of Staying Positive 

Channel NewsAsia

Interview of Nick Vujicic to get to know him a little better. 

Marine Veteran Kirstie Ennis: Life After a Leg Amputation - Cosmopolitan 

Cosmopolitan.com 

This mini documentary by Cosmopolitan takes a look into the journey of Kirstie Ennis, a 24 year old marine veteran that elects to have her leg amputated because of chronic pain resulting from injuries sustained in a helicopter accident. This video follows her from before the amputation to learning to walk again with a prosthetic and navigating her new life.

Living with an Amputation  

Attitude 

This link shares videos of people who have become amputees from illnesses, accidents, or were just born that way. One thing they have in common is that they are all thriving without those missing limbs!
 

Instagram 

Kirsty Mason 

Kj1hand 

An instagram account of a young woman who survived a train accident. Unfortunately, due to that traumatic event, she lost a part of her right arm and is now an amputee. Her instagram depicts a normal life and how she lives and accepts her amputation. She is also a crossfitter and enjoys having fun with her friends!

Edgard John-Augustin 

bionic_body 

This is an instagram account of Edgard John-Augustin who is a bilateral below the knee amputee. He is a famous athlete and a body engineer famous across the European continent. He is also a bodybuilder who has one several competitions.
 

Support Groups and Mentor Programs 

The INSPIRE Program - Mentors Becoming Leaders 

No Limits Foundation 

“Beyond the three-five day Camp No Limits experience, campers, families, volunteers and mentors have the opportunity to inspire year-round by becoming participants in the INSPIRE Program. The INSPIRE Program, created by Camp No Limits’ leaders, aims to engage CNL attendees in activities that promote a lifetime of leadership and inspiration through personal development and community engagement. In the spirit of service to all, the INSPIRE Program fosters independence, teamwork and acceptance for all young people with diversabilities.”

AMPOWER Amputee Support Groups 

Hanger Clinic - Mentor Request Form 

“Hanger Clinic, a business unit of Hanger, Inc., specializes in orthotic and prosthetic services and products with one goal in mind: Empowering Human Potential.”

Family and Caregivers

Family/Caregiver of Amputees Resources 

Hanger Clinic: Empowering Human Potential 

Hanger Clinic provides resources to parents and caregivers about how to best serve their loved ones with amputations. They believe that as the family of an amputee, you play an important part in their healing. These resources include useful information that they hope will make this transition easier for your whole family.
 

Famous Amputees and Quotes 

Famous Amputees 

Disabled World: Towards Tomorrow 

Disabled World Towards Tomorrow shares uplifting information about amputees in many forms. On their website, you can find biographies of famous amputees, quotes about being disabled, and resources to help this community of people live life to the fullest.

Disability Quotes: Collection of Quotations Regarding Disabilities 

Disabled World: Towards Tomorrow 

See above
 

Traveling

Disabled Traveler's Companion

dtcompanion

“The Disabled Traveler's Companion is geared toward providing specific information for people with disabilities so they may go where everyone else has gone before.“
 

Additional Resource Guides 

COMPREHENSIVE Prosthetics & Orthotics 

Resources for amputees 

Comprehensive Prosthetics and Orthotics has compiled a list of resources for amputees. They cover everything from new terminology associated with amputations to resources to aid in traveling.

Driver Rehabilitation Specialist Directory 

The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists 

This website provides a directory of all driver rehabilitation specialists registered with the national association, and can assist in finding a provider near you.

The War Amps 

Charity 

“The War Amps provides amputees and their families with invaluable resources on living with amputation. These sheets and booklets are offered in an accessible format that is easy to comprehend. Our information is gathered at prosthetic conferences, through direct contact with manufacturing companies, prosthetic and orthotic professionals, and from medical journals and books.”