The Active Amputee

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

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ March 25, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Behind the scenes at the Paralympic Games

While the games are on and all the attention is on the competitions, there is a lot going on behind the scenes to enable athletes to give their best. Here is a behind the scenes video from the Ottobock PyeongChang2018 repair Service Center. In this centre Ottobock technicians and welders do anything from building prostheses to repairing ice sledges, from sewing clothes to forming new covers to support all athletes during the Paralympic Games. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ March 21, 2018 ⎮ Inspire & Inform

Jamie the unlikely superhero plans another mind-boggling adventure

Three years after the end of a 5,000-mile solo run across Canada, during which real-life superhero Jamie McDonald raised more than £250,000 for children’s charities, the fundraiser has announced that he will be running across the United States of America, again dressed as a superhero. Due to his year-long visa, he is in a race against time to complete the challenge, and will be running a marathon most days to complete it. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ March 18, 2018 ⎮ Inspire

Malvika Iyer receives prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar Award

On International Women’s Day Malviky was one of only 39 people who received the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar Award by the Indian Ministry of Women and Child Development. The award is given to women, organisations and institutions for their distinguished services for the cause of women, especially those vulnerable and marginalised. read more

Guest post by Sebastiana Lopez ⎮ March 14, 2018 ⎮ Inspire

Who cares of the odds are stacked against you

In early 2015, the life of Sebastiana Lopez almost ended. A horrible motorcycle accident left her severely injured and resulted in the amputation of her right leg. After weeks in a medical induced coma, after depending on others for her daily routine, Sebastiana decided to use this life-altering experience as an opportunity to start anew. And she came back stronger than ever. „Who cares if the odds are stacked up against us, bring it on. We will not be defeated and when we fail. We will learn and emerge stronger, faster, well informed.“ Here is her amazing story. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ March 11, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Rewarding days in Kathmandu

I am a regular visitor to Nepal and just came back from my 13th journey in the last eight years. And I still can’t get enough of this country, its people, its culture. As an amputee Nepal isn’t the easiest country to travel. But it isn’t the hardest either. And if you are willing to give it a go you will be rewarded with an amazing time. Even if you only stay within the Kathmandu valley, you can easily fill a week’s itinerary with an exciting mixture of world heritage sites and stunning nature. Nepalis are immensely friendly. Hospitality is genuine and you are welcome with open arms. Yes, Kathmandu is touristy, but at the same time Nepal’s capital is an authentic city with its very own culture and charm. Here are some impressions form this amazing city. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ March 7, 2018 ⎮ Inspire

Hiking in the Himalayas as an amputee

Covering a 1,300 meters difference in altitude in a day - first up and then down again - is a demanding task, even if you have two legs. Trying to do so as an above-the-knee amputee is even more of a challenge. Adding the fact that the hike between Budhanilkantha and the peak of Shivapuri is mainly made up of several very long sets of steps and you know that your remaining leg is in for an XXL workout. And that is just what I wanted. read more

Guest post by Richard Lamb ⎮ February 14, 2018 ⎮ Inform

Life coaching and hypnotherapy

Richard's journey really began on February 24, 2001, on the icy slopes of Ben Nevis in Scotland. He luckily survived a winter mountaineering fall from an exposed route called Tower Ridge, which tragically killed his climbing partner. After a night out in the cold Richard was left with significantly disabling, and life-long, injuries. This experience and the physical injuries set him on a new path forward based on an awareness of these imposed limitations and the opportunities for growth. And that's when his journey began. read more

Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ February 11, 2018 ⎮ Inform

First Paraclimbing Club in the UK opens in Edinburgh

Good news from Edinburgh. Below the knee amputee Keith Lynch has set up a climbing club especially for people with disabilities. The Scottish Paraclimbing Club is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom providing opportunities for people with additional support needs to get involved in climbing and progress in the sport. read more