PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jerrica Thurman, Director, Communications, jerrica@amputee-coalition.org
The Amputee Coalition will commence its 2022 Advocacy Forum on April 13th in honor of National Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. The Forum is focused on growing a vibrant network of advocates for the 2.1 million Americans living with limb loss and limb difference to ensure they have equitable access to medical care and coverage. With 28 million Americans at risk of experiencing limb loss, and the projection that this population will double by 2050, the work of advocacy volunteers is vital to providing the necessary policy, medical, and community support for these citizens.
“We are thrilled to introduce the newly re-designed grassroots advocacy program. The Amputee Coalition team has worked during the past several months to design and implement a program that will strengthen support for the needs of the community and ensure future growth. We are confident the grassroots advocates will be empowered to build community support at the local and state levels,” said Zachary Hearn, Government Relations Director for the Amputee Coalition.
This year’s Forum activities will be offered as three, one-hour virtual events that will address ways to become an expert advocate. The first session will take place at 2pm ET on April 13 and will highlight the new online lead advocacy training. The second session will be held at 2pm ET on April 20 and will spotlight ways to expand the grassroots advocacy program. The third session will occur at 7pm ET on May 3 and will feature diabetes-related prevention.
Guest speakers include:
- Amputee Coalition President & CEO Mary Richards
- Patty Young, MSPT, CP, Amputation System of Care, National Program Manager, National Telerehabilitation Lead, Department of Veterans Affairs
- Katherine Joseph, MPH, National Trauma Survivors Network Coordinator
- Kyle J. Nordrum, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, Clinical Development and Training Lead for VHA Diffusion of Excellence, PAVE Physical Therapist
- Amputee Coalition Director of Government Relations Zachary Hearn
- Amputee Coalition Government Relations Manager Dustin Perchal
- Amputee Coalition Government Relations Specialist Amanda Woodson
- Amputee Coalition Lead Advocate Volunteers
The annual signature event provides Amputee Coalition’s advocacy volunteers special training about the latest issues facing the limb loss and limb difference community, important policy priorities, and skills required to be effective advocates. The advocates play an integral role in advancing the Triple A Study Act, which helps to identify the best care practices for people living with limb loss or limb difference so they can be replicated across health systems, and improve health outcomes for this community. Additionally, the advocates’ efforts help to ensure funding for the National Limb Loss Resource Center, which provides comprehensive information and resources free of charge to people on their limb loss journey.
For more information about the 2022 Advocacy Forum, view the video summary, visit the Amputee Coalition website, or contact advocacy@amputee-coalition.org.
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Amputee Coalition: The Leading Voice on Limb Loss and Limb Difference
The Amputee Coalition is the only national nonprofit that serves all individuals who experience limb loss or limb difference. We are dedicated to ensuring that no one faces limb loss alone. Our mission is to reach out and empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential through support, education, advocacy, and prevention. We work to provide vital resources to people with limb loss and limb difference, as well as their families and caregivers. With these resources, they can recover, readjust, and live the life they most want to live. Learn more at www.amputee-coalition.org.