The Active Amputee

Guest post by Suranjana Ghosh ⎮ September 9, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire

Limb loss, not life loss 

I am here on The Active Amputee, to share some of my experiences and perspectives from being a South Asian, brown woman with an acquired disability. For this first post, I’d like to start by telling you a bit of my story. read more

Guest post by Chris Olivier ⎮ September 6, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire

Meet the team: Chris 

I have joined hands with Chris from South Africa so that together we will be able to offer even more information and inspiration to an even wide variety of people with limb differences. As you will hear more from Chris over the coming months, I thought it's time I introduce him to you officially. read more

Guest post by Chris Olivier ⎮ September 2, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire

Amped Life with Chris 

Today I would like to introduce you to Chris from South Africa. You will hear more from him over the coming monhts. Chris and I joined hands to be able to offer more information and inspiration to a wide variety of people with limb differences. From now on Chris will be a regular contributor to The Active Amputee. I will tell you a bit more a bout him and his story in a few days' time. But for now, let's start with the first guest post by Chris. An article about how finding the right prosthetist made all the difference for him to be able to live a painfree, active, and fulfilling life as an amputee. read more

Guest post by Lisa Ludwig ⎮ August 26, 2020 ⎮ Inspire

Thriving after an osteosarcoma 

Lisa was diagnosed with cancer at an early age. While the osteosarcoma took her leg, it never took her spirit and positive attitude. Several years later she is an active mentor to other cancer patients and amputees and - for some time - had taken up the role as brand ambassador for a company that produces prosthetic covers. read more

Guest post by Jasmin Lindenmaier ⎮ August 19, 2020 ⎮ Inspire

An elective amputation can be a viable optipon

The Active Amputee is back from its summer break. After six weeks, there are plenty of amazing posts waiting for you. And here is the first one: The story from Jasmin. Her story started whenshe was 15 years old. And although the diagnosis from back then has little relevance for her life today, those days have had an immense impact on her - also in a positive way. Those days have shaped her and made Jasmin who she is today. From one day to the next her life changed completely. Suddenly nothing was as it used to be.  read more

Guest post by Shelley Brook ⎮ July 1, 2020 ⎮ Inform & engage

Breaking down barriers and getting people out into mother nature 

I have been teaming up with the folks from Paradox Sports in the US to bring the amazing sport of paraclimbing to the attention of more poeple with disabilities. Paradox Sports is breaking down barriers by making climbing - and the climbing community - accessible to all. Since 2007, Paradox has run transformative adaptive climbing weekend trips in the most iconic climbing destinations in the United States – Yosemite Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, Red River Gorge, The Tetons, Ouray Ice Park, and more. These trips have been a place to connect, push limits, and change beliefs about what is possible for people living with a disability. read more 

Guest post by Adenike Oyetunde ⎮ June 24, 2020 ⎮ Inform & engage

Amputees United - Creating a supportive environment in Nigeria 

Adenike Oyetunde is a lawyer and radio presenter from Nigeria‘s economic and cultural powerhouse Lagos. She lost one of her legs due to bone cancer when she was in her early twenties. Adenike, always full of ideas, recently founded Amputees United, an initiative to assist cancer patients and amputees. "I want to help them wade through the storm, because honestly, I went through this, that I may help them on their journey. We at the Amputees United Initiative would love to help them come to terms with their new reality." read more 

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ June 17, 2020 ⎮ Inform

A simple guide to making informed decisions 

Most above knee amputees know this problem: Finding the right prosthetic knee is not an easy task. For most of us it means working out the right compromise between our day-to-day needs, our spare time interests, and our ambitions for the next couple of years on the one hand and our health insurance plan or financial means on the other hand. This in itself is already rather complex. Things get even more complicated if we take into account that even the best of knees can only unfold its full potential if mounted under a well-fitting socket, combined with a good foot that suits our activity level.  But what does this actually mean in practice? read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ June 10, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire

Podcasts for people with a limb difference 

As many of you already know: I am a huge fan of podcasts and audiobooks. So for me its's great news that there is an ever-increasing number of high quality, very informative, pioneering shows out there. And most of them are completely free. I guess many of you are also avid podcats listeners. And if you are not yet hooked, maybe you are willing to give it a try. Back in September 2018 I introduced you to some of my favorite shows of the time. Since then, more shows are up and running and I think it's time for an update on great podcasts for people with a limb difference. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ June 3, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire

Going global: CoRSU in Uganda part V 

Her life led her to Uganda. Here is the moving story of Angela, who lead a humble life in London. She trained as a nurse in 1970 to 1974 majoring in Adult and Pediatrics and always had a passion to work in a ward majorly for children with disability. After having spent years in private practice, working with a general practitioner, and a series of years in the non-profit space she then took a drastic detour and trained to be a priest in the Church of England. Recently she joined the team of volunteers at CoRSU. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ June 1, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire

New podcast episode out now: Josh Senior, adaptive athlete 

Following a life-changing accident in 2010 resulting in a spinal cord injury and the amputation of his right leg below the knee, Josh has been coming back strongly. Since the very beginning, his aim has been to be rehabbing until he reaches a stage where Josh can do everything he was able to do prior to his injuries. "My goal is to make myself a better, and more capable version of myself every day." read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ May 27, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire

Going global: CoRSU in Uganda part IV 

Welcome to part IV of our mini-series. The physical limitations that often go hand in hand with an amputation are only one aspect of living with a disability. Stigmatization and social exclusion are other aspects that need to be overcome. CoRSU is working with a wholistic approach to assist people with disabilities to fully participate in all the activities of their communities and live a life in dignity. Providing amputees with a prosthetic device is often only the first step in a long rehabilitation process. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ May 20, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire

Going global: CoRSU in Uganda part III 

Welcome to part III of this special mini series. While last time you got to know Miracle, one of the many people whose life was changed by CoRSU, I would like you meet Moses today, the head of the prosthetic unit at the centre. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ May 13, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire

Going global: CoRSU in Uganda part II 

Welcome to part II of our special mini series on the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services in Uganda (CoRSU) Hospital in Entebbe. Today you meet a little boy named Miracle. One of the many patients who benefited from the great services that the CoRSU team offers. Having access to a police like CoRSU is often the deciding factor between a life in dignity, fully integrated into society and a life on the margins of the community, excluded and dependent on others. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ May 11, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire

Another podcast episode is out now 

After a very hectic two months in which adjusting to the special Corona situation dominated my daily routines - moving my business online, getting used to home schooling three kids, organising the weekly supply runs for a family of six withour a car etc. - things are slowly returning to a more manageble pace. And with this new pace, it's time for a new episode of The Active Amputee Podcast. read more