#WeTHRIVE Stories
These articles are featured in Amputee Coalition’s #WeTHRIVE story campaign to help raise awareness of the resilience, strength, and courage that people living with limb loss and limb difference have to transform their ordinary into extraordinary.
Abiodun Soniran
Losing Part of Original Design Human beings don't appreciate what we have until it's lost. Able-bodied men may not reference God until they see challenged people struggle to complete daily activities. I am African, from Nigeria. In 2020, I was involved in an accident...
Edward Lentz
First Five Months Just wanted to join for now. Iamanew9/22 raka
Barry Johnson
Life After Limb Loss Losing a limb is only comprehensible for those who have. It requires a mental and physical reacclimation of all of your faculties. At the beginning of this loss, you feel life is over. You realize all of the simple things you once took for...
Daniela “Dani” Diaz
Just the beginning On July 4, 2022, I was barely able to move, heavy chested, fatigued, sweating, heart was racing, and my body felt swollen. I was taken to the hospital. After getting things checked out, they told me I was positive for COVID-19. I had told them...
Rita Casey
L.A.K. I love my leg.
Jon Ketterling
Move! “High-grade chondrosarcoma of the right femur bone.” Was told that by a doctor three years ago. Got my prosthesis 2-1/2 years after the amputation. Told myself I’m gonna walk, hike, and see historical sites again. Life’s too short. I want to move!
Jennifer Tomaw
Our world changed forever in September 2020. Out of town with family … packing up our vehicle and behind came my nephew in his car. Instead of hitting the brake, he hit the accelerator and pinned…
Larry Wood
Find an Activity You Love Three years ago doctors found a blood clot in my right leg, which was a surprise to me since I had always been in good health. Even though I eventually lost the leg, I kept a good attitude and continued on. I thought my mobility was at an...
Keshia Pearman
Meningitis Survivor In 2008, I came home from studying abroad and the next day was airlifted to Riley Hospital for Children. I had meningitis and went into septic shock. I had a 50-50 chance. I lost my legs in January 2009, a few days before my 21st birthday. It's...
David Lehman
Stay in the Fight On Father's Day in 2018, my life changed drastically due to Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis which caused my family and team of doctors to make the decision of life over limbs. Therefore I have become a BATKA (Bilateral Above The Knees Amputee)....
David Brooks
Feel Helpless I’m an above-knee amputee. I’m homeless, staying in a nasty hotel that is not handicap accessible. I miss most appointments. I don’t have a license. Dealing with my amputation alone has been hell.
Edmund Sylvester
Growth of inclusion of the disabled in the fabric of society through the game of golf I'm a triple amputee, as a result of Sepsis causing me to lose both feet, one hand and several fingers on my right hand. Not knowing what to do with my new body after spending nine...