A lot of people look forward to April 1 for a different reason. At the Amputee Coalition, we celebrate today as the beginning of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, 30 days during which we hope to INSPIRE TO ELEVATE our community.
The truth is that the more than 2.7 million people in America living with limb loss or limb difference provide plenty of inspiration every day.
“Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month was my first introduction to the Amputee Coalition and limb difference community,” said Annika Hutsler, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who lost her leg because of complications from a tumor in April 2019. “I remember sitting in my hotel bed on Instagram being like, ‘Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, what is this?’
“And it just introduced me to all these people, sports, and organizations that show you that anything really is possible.”
That is a good description of the goal of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. This April, we want to INSPIRE TO ELEVATE in four ways: Elevate Your Story, Elevate Your Voice, Elevate Your Community, and Elevate Your Potential.
Throughout the month, you can read, see, and hear about people who have done those things and about how you can do them too.
“Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month is my favorite month because we finally get to draw attention on us,” said James Dixon, a community member who describes himself as an “absolute motivator.”
“It’s about what we’ve overcome. It’s what we deal with. It’s about the need for everyone to have access to prosthetics that can remove limitations on your mobility in your everyday life.”
Please join our monthlong celebration in April as we generate greater public awareness!
Get involved, help promote Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month and join the conversation on social media using #InspireToElevate #LLLDAM, #LLAM, #NoAmputeeAlone, and #WeThrive.
Are you connected? Become a community member by joining the Amputee Coalition today!