The loss of a limb or any bodily ability can be emotionally and physically devastating. There are many tools which can help patients recover and cope, but one of the most beneficial for regaining confidence and moving forward is talking with others who have had similar experiences.
Hanger’s vast experience working with every level of amputee and orthotic circumstance, along with a patient clientele made up of diverse age groups and a broad range of physical abilities, make us uniquely positioned to facilitate one-to-one peer counseling.
Hanger’s Peer Advocacy Program actively enlists the services of a diverse team of experienced patient advocates. Each of these unique individuals has come face-to-face with a significant trauma or disease that has brought new meaning and focus to his or her life. They are available to visit with any one of our patients. These patient advocates are well-known for their ability to empathize with, educate and motivate individuals and groups.
If you are interested in visiting with one of our patient advocates, talk to your Hanger prosthetist or orthotist. He or she will be able to put you in touch with someone willing to share their story, their ups and downs and their successes.
Below are additional resources that may be helpful.
Publications
Amputee Related Books
Organizations Online
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Publications
ACA Publications: First Step: A Guide for Adapting to Limb Loss (published biannually), inMotion Magazine (published biennially), Connections, Expectations: Parenting Children and Teens with Limb Differences, and Senior Step
Amputee Coalition of America
900 E. Hill Ave., Ste. 205
Knoxville, TN 37915-2566
888/AMP-KNOW (888/267-5669)
www.amputee-coalition.org
ActiveLiving A health, fitness and recreation magazine for people with disabilites.
Published bi-monthly.
Disability Today Publishing Group
2276 Rosedene Rd.
St. Ann’s, ON Canada, LOR1YO
(905) 957-6016
www.activeliving.com
Amputee Golfer Magazine Official publication of the
National Amputee Golf Association.
11 Walnut Hill Road
Amherst, NH 03031
(800) 633-NAGA (6242)
www.nagagolf.org
Challenge published quarterly by
Disabled Sports USA
451 Hungerford Dr. - Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 217-9841
www.dsusa.org
Limbs for Life Foundation
attn. Craig Gavras
5929 N. May, Ste 511
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
888-235-5462
405-843-5174
www.limbsforlife.org
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Amputee Related Books
Most of the books listed below may be found in bookstores or online.
On The Ragged Edge Of Drop Dead Gorgeous by Ivy Gunter & Paul Kartsonis
The courageous story of a New York model who lost her leg to cancer.
Coping With Limb Loss by Ellen Winchell, PhD
A practical guide to living with amputation for you and your family.
A Victory For Humanity by Dick Traum, PhD & Mike Celizic
The story of Dick Traum and the evolution of the Achilles track club for people with disabilities.
The Novel Approach to Sexuality and Disability by Georgie Maxfield
Entertaining, often funny, educational and interesting approach to disability and its effects on sexual relationships.
The following may be ordered directly from the provider.
Children With Limb Loss, A Handbook For Families
Three booklets based on three general phases of child development: birth to adolescence.
Center for Limb Differences
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
235 Wealthy SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-454-7988
Email: limbcenter@maryfreebed.com
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Organizations Online
Achilles Track Club Achilles is a worldwide organization, whose mission is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics.
Amputee Coalition of America A national, non-profit amputee consumer educational organization representing people who have experienced amputation or are born with limb differences.
Camp Barnabas A Christian camp for children and teens with medical, physical, or developmental disabilities.
Challenged Athletes Foundation The Challenged Athletes Foundation assists people with disabilities in pursuing an active lifestyle through physical fitness and competitive athletics.
Disabled Sports USA - DS/USA now offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent physical disability. Activities include winter skiing, water sports, summer and winter competitions, fitness and special sports events.
Eastern Amputee Golf Association - EAGA's prime purpose is to organize and conduct amputee golfing events and "Learn to Golf" clinics for any physically challenged individual, provide communication between its members and act as a bridge between its members and the National Association.
Ertl Reconstruction - The Ertl procedure is an amputation sugical procedure originally develped by Janos Ertl MD. The mission of ErtlReconstruction.com is to provide accurate information about the Ertl procedure and the resources that are available for both layperson and the medical community.
I-CAN (Child Amputee Network) - an Internet mailing list to provide information and support contacts to children with absent or underdeveloped limbs and their parents.
Limbs For Life Foundation - To benefit amputees by promoting advanced research and to provide comfortable and fully functional prosthetic care for individuals who cannot otherwise afford it.
National Amputee Golf Association - A not-for-profit organization that offers physical and mental therapy to amputees through involvement with golf.
O & P Athlete Assistance Fund - The Orthotic & Prosthetic Assistance Fund supports year-round fitness and education programs that enable persons with disabilities to enjoy the rewards of physical fitness, social interaction, and personal achievement.
O & P Online - The global resource for prosthetic and orthotic information.
Reach - Arm Deficient Children - Reach provides information and support for families with children who have hand or arm deficiencies, whether caused by trauma, disease or by congenital reasons.