Wounded Warriors Skydive to Prove that 'life is not over after amputation'

Although cloud cover may have stopped a few of us from jumping at the third annual Airborne Amputee skydive, it didn't stop a group of Wounded Warriors who had traveled from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, to serve as the guests of honor at the event. The Wounded Warriors made their jump the following day, and FOX 26 was there to witness it.

Today, Joe Sansone, founder of Limbs of Love, and Jody Graham, founder of Airborne Amputees, joined Melissa Wilson on the FOX 26 morning show to discuss the Limbs of Love program and it's unique skydiving fundraiser. While many people think we've lost our minds for bringing these American Heroes to Houston to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, it's clear from the clip above that there's nothing they would rather do more.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Airborne Amputees moved to 5/1/10

I'm sad to report that the 3rd annual Airborne Amputee skydive hosted by Limbs of Love was postponed due to inclement weather....however; the good news is the event has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 1st and according to the weather man it's going to be a BEAUTIFUL day!

It was a tough decision on whether or not we should put the brakes on all of our hard work, however we are extremely grateful to have an incredible team of volunteers, sponsors and vendors who have altered their plans to ensure the event is everything it was going to be (and more!) on May 1st!

We have an amazing day in store for our Wounded Warriors and the amputee community, and we hope you can all join us for a day full of music, friends, food and fun as over 150 amputees leap out of a plane at 16,000 feet to prove that life goes on after amputation!

Need more information on the event? Check out http://www.airborneamputee.com/ The event is free of charge so be sure to come enjoy the day with us!

Skydiving is free for amputees and $150 for non-amputees. Sign-up today!

We hope to see you there!

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It's Oreo Cookie Dunk-Off time!

In preparation for the DARS Oreo Cookie Dunk-Off on Saturday, TMC held a "Dunk-Off" of their own! With six teams competing, each hoping to win $50 towards their teams raffle ticket sales, the competition got intense.

The final two teams were Sales, representented by Eric Chiboroski, Mike Scholotzhauer and Ryan Fisher, and Aggies 4 Amputees, represented by Garrett Scanlan, Alex Drake and Josh Barnett.

The Sales Reps put up a good fight, but they were no match for Aggies 4 Amputees!

Don't miss the official Oreo Cookie Dunk-Off between DARS offices at the 3rd Annual Airborne Amputee Skydive next Saturday, April 17th! DARS offices won't ben the only ones competing; rehab facilities will be competiing in the Rehab Games to display their rehab skills and fight for the title of the Best Rehab Facility in Houston!

These are two competitions you won't want to miss; it's sure to be a great show! So bring your friends and family (we will have miniature horse rides, live music, BBQ, moonwalks and more) so there is sure to be fun for all! View the complete schedule of events here.

Airborne Amputees is sure to be the TMC event of the year; we hope to see you there!

Don’t Miss Airborne Amputees 2010!

The 3rd annual Airborne Amputee Skydive is quickly approaching and it is an event that you don't want to miss! The event is open to the entire community and we have some great things in store!

AIRBORNE AMPUTEE EVENT SCHEDULE

APRIL 17, 2010

9:00 AM: Opening Ceremonies

9:00 AM: DJ Mike Kuvet, Hi Fidelity Mobile DJ Service

10:00 AM: Amputee celebrity speaker Todd Huston

10:30 AM: Wounded Warriors Jump

10:30 AM: Blue's Brothers Tribute Band

11:00 AM: Commemorative Air Force Flyover

12:00 PM: Lunch provided by In-Laws and Outlaws Barbeque

12:30 PM: Rehab Games

1:00 PM: Live music by "The Keepers"

1:30 PM: DARS Oreo Cookie Dunk-Off

5:00 PM: Thanks, see you next year!

Be sure to check out the Airborne Amputee website for more information (and to enter to win a 47" Plasma HDTV!)

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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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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!!)