By: Cass Isidro, President and Chief Executive Officer, Amputee Coalition  

The Amputee Coalition is dedicated to a vision: a world where our community thrives with equity and inclusion and a focused mission to support, educate, and advocate for people impacted by limb loss and limb difference, fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work. From the Board of Directors, staff, and our volunteers, collectively we all continue to uplift the Limb Loss and Limb Difference community, and April serves as a time to reflect and celebrate the powerful movement that has spread globally. April is a time when our board, staff, and community utilize momentum to share our vision, mission, and values that lead a community that represents over 5.6 million people living with limb loss and limb difference. 

The Amputee Coalition is committed to partnering with diverse companies, as we know there are intersectional issues that align with limb loss and limb difference. We are in this together to make a world where all can thrive and we see our platforms, partners, and awareness continue to grow to reach those who need us the most, and we do that with support from thousands of partners including the National Health Council (NHC) that help make the work we do through the National Limb Loss Resource Center possible. The Amputee Coalition knows that the limb loss and limb difference community has unique perspectives, experiences, and abilities that each individual brings to the world. As we celebrate Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLDAM), we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued to contribute. 

LLLDAM offers continued opportunities to share journeys of life from our community living with limb loss and limb difference. Throughout the campaign and year, we are dedicated to sharing community stories that include hardship, the authentic and varied experiences and emotions community members faced with amputation, pregnancy of children with limb difference, and other similar journeys. LLLDAM grows the awareness of a community that represents over 5.6 million people living with limb loss and limb difference. LLLDAM offers support and a new entry for those new to the community and continued support throughout everyone’s journey. LLLDAM is truly a time to also educate ourselves, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for equal opportunities for all in the work we do daily. This year we celebrated several landmarks that have been lit up in orange including Niagara Falls, Philadelphia’s City Center, 35W bridge in Minneapolis, and Story Bridge in Brisbane, QLD — all coordinated by local partner organizations and companies. 

Each year the Amputee Coalition offers the community a comprehensive toolkit to support LLLDAM and a full list of resources to support from apparel, the #WeTHRIVE campaign that shares personal stories, wear orange Wednesday, advocacy, and awareness, support groups, and closing the campaign on the last Saturday of the month “Show Your Mettle Day.” Throughout April, we spearheaded the promotion of various community engagement initiatives. These ranged from promoting events like the Airport Security Screening Public Forum and Survey, Workforce Development Program and Youth Engagement Program webinar, 2024 Youth Engagement Program (YEP) Youth Camp registration, and National Conference scholarship applications and registration, and even introducing the new virtual Young Adult Support Group. Through the Amputee Coalition digital initiatives, we participated in significant events such as the annual Easter Egg Roll hosted by the White House and the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association’s Policy Forum for a Coalition-sponsored panel on ‘The Importance of Humanizing Advocacy: Perspective from Community Advocates’ where three of our community members served as panelists to share their self-advocacy journeys. Through collaborative efforts and meaningful engagement, we have continued to amplify our message and advocate increased awareness of people who have limb loss and limb difference. These activities are part of a broader effort to raise awareness and support for individuals living with limb loss or limb difference. 

We encourage people to learn more about Limb Loss and Limb Difference, receive free resources ranging from mental health and wellness, workforce development, and so much more, connect with a live resource center specialist, attend our annual national conference, and get connected with peers on AC Connect a platform dedicated to the limb loss and limb different community. For more information, anyone can visit the National Limb Loss Resource Center, call us at 1-888-267-5669 x 1, or reach out via our web form. For more information, visit the Amputee Coalition’s LLLDAM webpage available visit Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLDAM) – Amputee Coalition (amputee-coalition.org). 

The Amputee Coalition is a member of the National Health Council. For more information on NHC membership, please email membership@nhcouncil.org.