Welcome to
The Active Amputee
I am Bjoern Eser, the creator of The Active Amputee. I am a father of three amazing children, a husband to an equally amazing wife, a thankful cancer survivor, an outdoor enthusiast, a passionate development practitioner and a very active above-the-knee amputee.
I have set up The Active Amputee as a resource page from amputees for amputees. It aims to inform, it aims to inspire and it aims to engage. Nothing more and nothing less. It‘s as simple as that.
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The Active Amputee Podcast - Your Monthly Show About Amputee Issues
What Else Is New?
Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ November 18, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire
No need for legs in a kayak
Throw back to the summer days: Summer comes along with endless opportunities for being active in, on and around the water. While water sports are generally great fun, they are especially well suited for lower limb amputees: They offer the added advantage of the water carrying most of our weight. An advantage not to be underestimated for many amputees. read more
Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ November 11, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire
A new book to look forward to
I recently stumbled across an Instagram post by Steve aka @real.macksteve letting is know that his book is now at a stage where it is ready to hit the printing press and be available to the public. As I am always on the lookout for good stories and new additions to me book shelf, I reached out to Steve and asked him a bit more about what we can expect from his book. And this is what I learned. read more
Guest post by Pace Rehabilitation ⎮ November 4, 2020 ⎮ Inform
Osseointegration: Being active without a prosthetic socket
The procedure involves insertion of a titanium implant into the bone, as a part of one or two stage surgery. A period of gradual and increased loading through the implant then takes place which can be as little as two to three weeks before the patient is able to walk without the need of a prosthetic socket. As a result, the unavoidable long term challenges associated with the use of a socket and pain free loading of the prosthesis, new levels of function can be achieved. read more
Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ November 1, 2020 ⎮ Inform, inspire & engage
We can all be philanthropists
In anticipation of my upcoming interview with Adenike Oyetunde, I would like to share another inspiring TEDx Talk by her. Do yourself a favor and please watch this short video. It's a real treat and full of simple but powerful insights. It's a timely reminder that helping others is not only about money. read more
Guest post by Michael-Robbert Brans ⎮ October 7, 2020 ⎮ Inform, inspire & engage
Dealing with your obstacles
You want to make yourself stronger, improve your adaptability and raise your stress threshold? Yes, but how can that be done in a safe and dosed manner? Who has the right expertise and experience to help you with this? Not only physically, but especially mentally and emotionally? Three time cancer survivor Michael Robbert Brans found the right challenge for himself: The Unbreakable. read more
Post by Bjoern Eser ⎮ September 23, 2020 ⎮ Inform, inspire & engage
Vertical feet for prosthetic feet
"We still climb!" reads this year's motto from the Range of Motion Project (ROMP). Each year, the non-profit organizes a mountaineering expedition to raise awareness and funds for amputees in need of prosthetic care. This year it's adaptive team is faced with an additional challenge: The current Covid19-related limitations ask for new ideas when it comes to climbing 19,347 feet in 48-hours to help amputee patients in need of prosthetic care. But ROMP is never short of creative ideas. read more
Guest post by Suranjana Ghosh ⎮ September 9, 2020 ⎮ Inform & inspire
Limb loss, not life loss
Hi, everyone! I am Suranjana Ghosh, an Osteosarcoma survivor and above knee amputee from Mumbai, India. Most people mangle my name, so I go by an abbreviated version of it, which is Su.
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
Inform
In the inform section, you will find information about a range of issues amputees regularly have to deal with. Expect issues ranging from handling phantom pain to new developments in the prosthetic sector, from being an amputee parent to finding the right prosthetic cover etc. Anything that helps to make informed choices and make life as an amputee easier.
Inspire
In the inspire section, you will find exciting stories from other amputees. Expect travel reports and biographies from amputee adventurers, interviews with people who took on special challenges and stories about creative approaches to live a rewarding life as an amputee.
Engage
In the engage section, you will find information about special events for amputees, opportunities to try out something new, links to other organisations, information about support options and funding - and invitations to take part in one of the regular The Active Amputee challenges.
The Active Amputee
This page is made by amputees. And it is made for amputees and their families. The Active Amputee wants to enable you to make informed decisions by providing unbiased information. The Active Amputee wants to inspire action through the sharing of stories. And the Active Amputee wants to build a community of active amputees by encouraging engagement and mutual support. Nothing more, nothing less. It‘s as easy and simple as that.
Contact Us
The people involved in The Active Amputee love to hear from you. Give us feedback about this page, send in your stories so that we can share them with others, let us know about events that are of interest for amputees, suggest topics you would like to read more about, ask questions. Really, anything that relates to amputee issues is of interest for The Active Amputee and could be featured on this side. Here is the contact form.
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