Limbs of Love Patients Revisted--TONIGHT on CH.45 @ 10PM

During the Thanksgiving Holidays, Univision documented the lives of three amputees, who, despite missing their limbs, were grateful for the lives they had been blessed with. We watched these three amputees struggle performing simple daily activities that most people take for granted due to the lack of or ill-fitting prosthetic devices.








Tonight and tomorrow at 10:00pm, Univision will be revisiting these three amputees’ stories, showing how their lives have been changed for the better through the donation of prosthetic devices from Limbs of Love.

Wounded Warriors Guest of Honor at 3rd Annual Amputee Skydive

I just returned from a visit at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical base in San Antonio where I went to invite the Wounded Warriors that had lost their limbs in their service to our country to be the guests of honor at the 3rd Annual Airborne Amputee Jump.

Upon arriving there was a group of 15 or so Wounded Warrior amputees participating in a game of sitting volleyball—a sport played just like the standing game except for a lower net, smaller court and sitting players. Just watching these guys play this game was a true testament to the spirit and fortitude of our Wounded Warriors.

As I approached the group of young men, primarily in their early 20s, I noticed that they were all missing limbs—some missing one leg, some missing both, and others missing an arm. After a few moments in their presence, surrounded by competitive jeers and trash talking, I quickly forgot that these athletes were amputees or even Wounded Warriors. They were just a group of competitive guys playing a so called “meaningless” game of volleyball. I couldn’t imagine a different atmosphere in the locker room at half time during a NFL Super Bowl Game.

These guys have given their limbs for our country and they will be forced to live the rest of their lives as an amputee. But you’d never know it in their attitude. It is fitting that we do what we can to ease their pain and aid in their rehabilitation. Entertaining them and allowing them to go out of town with their families will be a well deserved break for them. Jumping our of an airplane will allow these guys to make a statement to the world that life as an amputee is OK and they are capable of doing incredible feats.


I am invigorated after watching these guys. The hard work that you put into the upcoming months with likely affect these American heroes for the rest of their lives—some will leave with unforgettable memories and for others, it will be a truly life-changing event that will give them the confidence to live the life they always dreamed of, despite the cards they have been dealt. It is an honor to have these young men join us for this event, and I want to thank you again for helping Limbs of Love give back to those that have sacrificed so much for all of us.

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For more information on Airborne Amputees, please visit http://www.airborneamputee.com/ or email mbonham@tmcortho.com

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Limbs of Love to provide care to Haiti earthquake victims

In the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake, TAPC and Limbs of Love are reaching out to the over 200,000 earthquake victims who have suffered the loss of a limb in this tragedy. We are busy gathering hundreds of prosthetic components and planning a mission trip to fit those in need with limbs in the upcoming months. For those of you who missed the news coverage last week, be sure to check out the stories below:

The Spring Observer

ABC

KHOU


ABC



FOX

HOUSTON COMPANY TO PROVIDE PROSHTETIC CARE TO HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

In the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake, the Amputee & Prosthetic Center (TAPC) in Houston, TX is reaching out to earthquake victims who have suffered the loss of a limb in this tragedy. The Houston company and the charity Limbs of Love are sending hundreds of prosthetic components and supplies as well as volunteering its prosthetic professionals to fit limbs on Haitian amputees in the upcoming months.

Unfortunately, due to the circumstances and lack of immediate aid, medical care has returned to that of the Civil War era. The large volume of crush injuries and fractures are oftentimes accompanied by open wounds. Lacking medical supplies and antibiotics, medical teams are forced to resort to 19th century medicine, leaving their patients with an unfortunate choice—amputation or death.

In a developing country such as Haiti, survival is difficult, and even more so for amputees. The Amputee & Prosthetic Center is committed to providing ongoing prosthetic care to amputees in hopes of giving victims a second chance.

To make donations to help provide limbs to Haitian amputees, please visit our website at http://www.myamputee.com/ or http://www.limbsoflove.com/

METAL & MUSCLE EXPO PROVIDES FUN FOR ALL

Despite the less than favorable weather Saturday, TAPC patients and employees found entertainment indoors at the Metal & Muscle Expo. The Expo introduced our wounded service men and women as well as the general public to Paralympic sports including sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, air gun shooting and judo for the blind. The event also featured activities such as a challenge slalom course, power soccer, amputee walking/running clinic, and much more.

TAPC patients and employees had a blast as they challenged themselves in various activities—the most popular being rock climbing. Also in attendance were a group of Wounded Warriors from Brook Army Medical Center who are looking forward to joining us as the guests of honor at our Airborne Amputee Skydive April 17th!

The event proved to be a great success and a big “Thank You” goes out to all our wonderful volunteers—for those of you unable to make it be sure to check out the pictures on the TAPC website (and mark your calendars for next year!!)

AMPUTEE SKYDIVE: AIRBORNE AMPUTEES 2010

I hope everyone is ready, because it's time for Airborne Amputees 2010 skydive in Houston, TX sponsored by Amputees in Action! Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, April 17th, you don't want to miss out on this awesome event benefitting Limbs of Love! If you were not able to make it in years past, be sure to check out our website Airborne Amputees and view the video below.

2009 Airborne Amputees

For more information contact Margaret Bonham at mbonham@tmcortho.com or 713-669-1800

Limbs of Love Provides the Best Gift of All

The holiday season is a time for giving, and that is just what we are doing at TAPC through our charity, Limbs of Love.

Last week, Univision ran Part I of a two part series on Limbs of Love, starring three of our very own Limbs of Love recipients. These are three truly amazing people, who share with viewers why they are thankful this holiday season, despite the cards they have been dealt. For all of you who missed it (or would like to watch it again with English subtitles)….now’s your chance!

Segment I: Jorge Hernandez

Segment II: Alejandro Osorio & Victor Miramon

Segment III: The Prosthetic Fabrication Process, starring Rebeca Guajardo, Tony Caballero & the Prosthetic Fab Shop!