JR, a bi-lateral above knee amputee who traveled to Orlando from Guam, is a true example of what can be accomplished with a lot of hard work and determination. The following video shows JR in various stages of gait, strength, and exercise training. He also learned how to climb up and down stairs and walk smoothly and with confidence on inclines and uneven terrain. JR’s Formula for Success
The Golf Channel recently interviewed POA’s Jordan Thomas (bi-lateral amputee). At age 22, Jordan is a scratch golfer, high-achieving college student, and President of his own Foundation which benefits child amputees.
Look for POA’s Amy Purdy on the CBS Reality Show The Amazing Race Season 21 which will premiere on September 30th! She and her boyfriend of many years, Daniel, are competing together as a team. Following link contains team photos and video introduc
Amy Purdy, World Cup Champion snowboarder, skateboarder, wakeboarder and inspirational speaker, is learning to run for the first time on her prosthetic legs! She lives in Colorado and will be running on mountain trails, but since there are no mountains in flat Florida, we tested the legs on “Mount POA” – the steep ramp behind our facility. 😉
Tanya Khvisko, a “child of Chernobyl,” was born with limb deficiencies 4 years after the devastating nuclear power plant accident. She is currently living in Kansas City with host families while attending school. POA patient Maggi Pivovar and Tanya met at a local church where Tanya admired Maggi’s high tech legs, and the two of them formed an instant bond. Maggi noticed that Tanya was in need of new prosthetic limbs. With the help of the Amputees Active Again Foundation (a3foundation.org), she arranged for Tanya to fly to POA this summer. The following Fox news segment was aired after Tanya’s return to Kansas City with her state-of-the-art prosthetic legs and new dreams for the future. Click here to view Fox News segment.
POA patient Jordan Thomas (a bilateral below knee amputee) was interviewed by “Parade” magazine. The article appeared in their June 5, 2011 issue. Click here to read the Parade Magazine article >>
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that can prove fatal within 24 hours of a persons first symptoms. POA patient Maggi Pivovar knows the dangers of meningitis very well. Three years ago she lost both her legs below the knee after contracting the disease. She now works to increase awareness of the availability of a vaccine that could have protected her against it.
click on the following link to view Nursing News article
This article is a couple years old; Anthony is now attending Dr. Phillips High School and a pitcher on their baseball team, but the story is just as inspiring today as it was then, which is why I’m sharing it now. You’ll also read about and see photos of other athletes who, like Anthony, are competing in non-disabled sports.
Amputee Aimee Mullins talks about her 12 pairs of legs. click here to read the full story