The Active Amputee

Guest post by Martin Yoxall⎮ July 18, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Bike life: A passion for motorcycles and a love for traveling

Martin got into motorbikes as a teenager. Quickly the bikes got bigger until December 1988 when he was involved in an accident that resulted in a traumatic through knee amputation of my right leg and near death due to blood loss. After years he is back on his bike, touring all over Europe. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser⎮ July 15, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Dealing with volume fluctuations in the residual limb

The newest high-tech prosthesis is of little use if it is not well connected to your body. Over and over again the socket proved to be the weakest link that can be the make it or break it point determining the activity level of an amputee. And as our bodies change over time, so do our demands towards this connections between our residual limb and our prosthetic device. Working with a liner system combined with a movable seal-ring is one of the options we have to create a well-fitting socket with a strong vacuum suction. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser⎮ July 08, 2018 ⎮ Inform

New logo for The Active Amputee

It has been more than a year since I started The Active Amputee. With the new page now being firmly placed out there as a trusted resource for people with limb differences, it was time for a new logo. After a lot of to and from, of designs being drawn up and binned, of font types being tried out, changed, ridiculed, praised and changed again, I have finally settled on my new logo. Et voilà: Here it is. read more

Guest post by Sanjay Arora⎮ July 04, 2018 ⎮ Inform

The World Amputee Fitness Festival 2018

Dreaming big - and making it happen. Imagine a time and place where many amputees, possibly hundreds of them, come together from different parts of the world. They come together for a common purpose. Simply to enjoy health & fitness activities including Sports, Yoga, Dance, all movement arts etc. There are no awards, no medals, no validation of your participation. The experience is its own reward. That is exactly what Sanjay Arora is working on. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser⎮ July 01, 2018 ⎮ Inspire

What makes you happy as an amputee?

I asked you all „What makes you happy as an amputee?“. And within minutes the answers came flowing in. Here they are. read more

Guest post by Aston Heath ⎮ June 27, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Lovely children's book: Mosha, the amputee elephant

"Having just finished my first kids book about elephants I discovered the story about Mosha, the elephant who lost her leg due to a land mine and was fitted with a prosthetic limb," recounts Aston. "Being an amputee myself this was something I had to see for myself." His visit to the elephant hospital in Thailand brought us this amazing children's book. read more

 Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ June 24, 2018 ⎮ Inform & inspire

12 amazing TED talks every amputee should listen to

I am a great fan of podcasts. No matter if I am in my car to pick up the kids, in the kitchen preparing dinner or working out in the evening, I normally listen to podcasts. And among my favorite ones are TED talks. TED talks are such a great combination of brilliant info, inspirational journeys and though provoking daring big picture thinking. Here are twelve TED talks every amputee should listen to. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ June 20, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Sitting volleyball: An action-packed team sport for amputees

It’s fast, it’s action-packed, it demands a high level of fitness, quick reactions combined with good ball-handling skills and a commitment to your team. And you can easily play it in mixed teams of pople with and without disabilities. What more could you ask for? read more

 Guest post by Sarah Stump ⎮ June 13, 2018 ⎮ Inspire

Embrace your differences, love being imperfectly you

As you all know, I have teamed up with yoocan to share stories of people with limb differences, increase the reach off these stories and inspire people all around the world to live an active, rewarding and fulfilling life. Today’s story is by Sarah Stump from Imperfectly Sarah. It's the story of a one armed girl in a two armed world; a beautiful story about faith an acceptance. read more

 Guest post by Pace Rehab ⎮ June 10, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Osseointegration: Being active without the need for a prosthetic socket

Pace Rehabilitation and The Active Amputee have teamed up to increase the reach of high quality information to amputees, enabling them to make well informed decisions in relation to their limb loss. Today’s article on osseointegration kicks of our collaboration. Over the coming months I will regularly share information provided by the experts from Pace Rehabilitation. read more

 Guest post by Monique Murphy ⎮ June 06, 2018 ⎮ Inspire

Monique's journey: From tragic accident to the Paralympic Games

Monday May 26, 2014. That was the day I truly knew, I was capable of living the life ahead of me-whatever I wanted that to be. It was the day I was fitted with my first prosthetic leg. It was the day I took my first steps on the leg. It was the day I got back into a pool. It was the day I took time to wear make up again. Needless to say, it was a busy day. read more

 Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ June 03, 2018 ⎮ Inspire & inform

Hiking as an above knee amputee

I love being outdoors. Always have. And this love for being physically active in the great outdoors did not change when I became an amputee. I regularly go hiking in the hills (and less regularly in the mountains). I know that being out in the hills far away from any assistance if the need arises can be a scary thought. At the same time and if done right it can be an immensely rewarding experience that helps to develop new skills and increase confidence to be an active and mobile able knee amputee. read more

Guest post by Erin Ball ⎮ May 30, 2018 ⎮ Inspire & inform

New course for aerial coaches of lower limb amputees 

Erin Ball has been studying and training in circus arts for over ten years. Several years later, she began coaching. In 2014, Erin became a double below knee amputee. Her circus practice changed, and eventually her teaching did as well. Erin has since worked with many amputees to achieve their dreams of exploring aerial arts. Eventually, Flying Footless, a course for aerial coaches of lower limb amputees, was born. read more

 Guest post by Kristy Wimberly ⎮ May 27, 2018 ⎮ Inspire

The female amputee lifted truck enthusiast from Missouri 

In the cooperation with yoocan, I regularly share inspiring stories from people with limb differences that have originally been published on the yoocan page. Today we hear from Kristy, am amputee from Missouri who is now a household name in the often male-dominated lifted truck scene. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ May 23, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Customized prosthetic covers add personality 

The age of the off-the-shelf look for artificial limbs is slowly coming to an end. With significant advancements in 3D printing technology in recent years a number of companies are now offering stylish prosthetic covers. Emelie Strömshed, co-founder of and designer at Anatomic Studios in Malmö/Sweden tells us more about the company and the team's approach to assisting amputees to find their personal style. read more

Guest post by Dave Klar ⎮ May 16, 2018 ⎮ Inspire

Accept an amputation that you cannot change 

„After all the highs and lows in the past four years I’ve learned to accept this amputation that I can’t change“, says Dave Klar. „I accept limitations but knock down perceived boundaries of people with a ‚disability‘!“ read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ May 13, 2018 ⎮ Inspire

Sea kayaking as an amputee rocks 

Up early, grabbing a quick breakfast while fixing some food for the trip. Getting all the gear ready, checking the weather forecast and Magic Seaweed to get an idea about the waves, the wind, and when the tidal times. It all looks perfect. So the Welsh coast it is, one of Europe’s most stunning coastal areas. read more

Guest post by Deise Nishimura ⎮ May 09, 2018 ⎮ Inspire

Surviving an alligator attack 

When you are living the life of your dreams in the middle of the Amazon rainforest and then the unimaginable happens. You are attacked by an alligator. That is what happened to Deise Nishimura. She fought for her life and survived. And after her having recovered she returned to the place she loved: The Amazon. Here is her amazing story. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ May 07, 2018 ⎮ Inform

People of Adventure 

What a nice surprise: I have been featured in Rob and Michelle’s Outdoor Adventure Blog as the Person of Adventure for the week starting April 30, 2018. „Thanks Rob & Michelle!“ read more

Guest post by Jasmin Lindenmaier ⎮ May 2, 2018 ⎮ Inform & inspire

Eine Amputation als Schritt in ein glückliches Leben (deutsche Version)

"Meine Geschichte beginnt als ich15 Jahre alt war. Auch wenn die damalige Diagnose keine große Relevanz mehr in meinem Leben hat, hat mich diese Zeit extrem geprägt und verändert – und das auch positiv – und hat einen großen Einfluss darauf, wer ich heute bin. Von einen auf den anderen Tag hat sich mein Leben komplett verändert. Plötzlich war nichts mehr wie es mal war." read more

Guest post by Jasmin Lindenmaier ⎮ May 2, 2018 ⎮ Inform & inspire

An amputation as a step into a happier life (English version)

"My story started when I was 15 years old," recounts Jasmin Lindenmaier. "And although the diagnosis from back then has little relevance for my life today, those days have had an immense impact on me - also in a positive way. Those days have shaped me and made me who I am today. From one day to the next my life changed completely. Suddenly nothing was as it used to be." read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ April 29, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Bomb blast survivor turned graphic novel heroine

Malvika Iyer lost both her hands in a bomb-blast when she was a teenager. Her road to recovery was tough. But then again Malvika is not someone to give up easily. She finished school top of her year, went on to study and recently got her Ph.D. degree. She is an outspoken disability rights activists, a model for accessible fashion and so much more and a recent recipient of the prestigious the Nari Shakti Puraskar Award, the highest award for women civil society actors from the President of India. Malvika's life has now been turned into a graphic novel: MAI - A Graphic Novel by Sriram Jagannathan. read more

Guest post by Anoushé Husain ⎮ April 25, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Are people with disabilities truly inspirational?

"I'm not sure how many times I have been called inspirational in my life. If I was given a penny for every time, I'd have a mansion by now. The word makes me hugely uncomfortable and I know I'm not the only one who is differently-abled or different that feels this. For this article, I decided to dig a bit deeper and work out why I feel the way I do. " says Anoushé Husain. read more

Guest post by Audrey Cakin ⎮ April 11, 2018 ⎮ Inform & Inspire

How an amputee changed things in Martinique

The Active Amputee recently engaged in a new partnership with yoocan, a global collaborative community for and by people with disabilities. We join hands to share more inspiring stories by amazing people with a wider audience. And I am very happy to open this collaboration with the story of Audrey Cakin, a double amputee from the Caribbean. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ April 8, 2018 ⎮ Inform

CAF funding to develop my climbing skills further

April is Limb Loss Awareness Month. And it started well for me. Very well, indeed. Earlier this month I received notice that I am part of this year’s team of athletes of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). I am very thankful for the CAF support as it will enable me to to further develop my climbing skills, both indoors and outdoors. I will keep you posted about the developments in this regard. read more

Guest post by by Aristotle Todd Domingo ⎮ April 4, 2018 ⎮ Inform

The Amputee Coalition of Toronto

Limb loss is a traumatic experience, regardless of the reason for amputation, and can impact different areas of the amputee’s life. After amputation, there are many things amputees cannot control - when to get the first socket, triggers of phantom pain, the number of ply socks required for comfort, and so on. But feeling alone in the journey should not be one of them. For me, this is something I can control and I choose to do something about. read more