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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Amputees in Action: Another Success!

If you had asked me what sled hockey was two weeks ago, I probably would have given you a funny look and wondered what the heck you were talking about. OK, well not exactly, I have to give myself a little more credit than that, but you get my drift.

Today if you even mentioned sled hockey, I'd say "Just tell me when and where!"

If you're wondering what changed between then and now I'll tell you: it was the Amputees on Ice event hosted by Amputees in Action!

Last Saturday, Amputees in Action joined STAR Skaters for a brief support group meeting and an afternoon of sled hockey. I know we often cringe at the term "support group" due to the negative connotations associated with the term, but this was anything but your typical "support group."

Joe Sansone started off the meeting informing attendees about prosthetic parity and how amputees will be affected in the upcoming months. Peer Visitor Jody Graham then spoke on facing fears and overcoming challenges as an amputee. She shared her story of triumph and encouraged the group to push themselves to see what their bodies are capable of.

Now I have to be honest, when I first saw the STAR Skaters, they looked a little more experienced at playing ice hockey, than, oh, I don't know, say our group (minus Ryan Stelck). I was somewhat hesitant about getting on the ice with them and had a feeling a few others in attendance might have been feeling the same way I was.

After Jody finished her speech, challenging each individual to push themselves instead of sitting back and coasting through life, everyone in the room was inspired to put their bodies to the test. One of our patients, Kevin, spoke out saying he had no intentions of getting on the ice that day, but after hearing Jody's talking "how could [he] not."

Ten minutes later Kevin was on the ice, challenging himself and having the time of his life. In fact, he plans on joining the sled hockey team so he can play every weekend!

It was truly amazing to look out on the ice, seeing our patients (who were merely strangers the hour before) smiling and laughing as they overcame their fears and experienced a new found freedom on the ice with their friends they made through Amputees in Action.

As for our employees and their families, they too had a blast--just wait until you see the pictures!