April is the time when we come together and show our shine! Brothers and sisters come together to celebrate and showcase the beauty of our limb difference.
This truly is our year to shine! The media world has noticed us, and amputees are getting featured roles in movies and television. The NBC show La Brea features actress Zyra Gorecki. She is an amazing young lady who lost her leg in an accident when she was 13. She has not let it stop her at all, you should take a look at how amazing she is in some of the scenes in the show. The 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing, China showcased amazing athletes going for the gold. Amy Purdy, paralympic snowboarder and medal winner, announced her retirement from the sport this year. Amy travels around the world giving motivational talks on overcoming limb loss and has a great podcast she began this year. You can hear her on her channel with Apple Podcasts, “Bouncing Forward with Amy Purdy”.
Then there were those great Super Bowl ads that featured amputees, as well as so many others that are hiring amputees to feature in their ads. I even did a great photoshoot for QVC Studios in West Chester, Pennsylvania in February, and I am featured on their website modeling the Seven Brand Adaptive Jeans as well as Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive clothing.
I hope this gives you hope that while limb loss is life changing, you do not have to lose the things important to you!
The Amputee Coalition has a lot of events going on this year, in person! So be sure and check these out.
Fun in the sun for this year’s Amputee Coalition Conference 2022
Amputee Coalition Conference Information
The Amputee Coalition is pleased to announce the 2022 National Conference will be held in person at the JW Marriott Desert Spring Resort & Spa, August 10-13, 2022. This year’s conference theme, “Growing Our Community to Shape the Future”, will highlight ways to expand our community in every way. The Amputee Coalition celebrates its diverse community and aims to fully engage all people living with limb loss and limb difference to build a collective voice on critical issues impacting the community and to elevate the organization’s mission. Conference offerings will have a special focus on health equity, diversity, equity and inclusion, and youth engagement.
Let your voice be heard! Your support is important! This is your call to action!
This year’s event is over, but this happens every year so keep it on your radar. And you can always be an advocate, no matter what the time of year. For more information about advocacy and how you can be heard, visit our new webpage ADVOCACY.
Once again, there is an event for children to look forward to, as the Amputee Coalition opened registration April 1, 2022 for in person summer youth camp. For more information and to register, click here.
These tips are informed suggestions. If you do not feel comfortable with them, please do not attempt them. Instead as always contact your medical professional or your prosthetist for help and advice.
Dawn Miranda joined Dankmeyer, Inc. over two years ago as a Prosthetist Assistant after relocating from San Antonio, TX. Dawn recently left Dankmeyer to return to nursing, but still lives in the area. This is her last guest blog. We thank her for continuing to inform and motivate with her positive energy and abounding enthusiasm! Best Wishes to Dawn as she continues her nursing and completes her education goals!