The Amputee Coalition National Conference 2021 is now in the books! Dawn Miranda attended information packed sessions and is here to report.

September 29th to October 2, 2021 brought a virtual conference again packed with great speakers and informative topics. One of the biggest rewards is when amputees connect with amputees! Through networking lounges and chat boxes during the general sessions, people from all over the country were able to connect and share their stories. It was great seeing old friends and getting to put a face with a name for new ones.

This year the AC was using a platform called Remo to host the virtual event. It was a little bumpy in the beginning, but seemed to smooth out once the conference started. Mary Richards, CEO and President of the Amputee Coalition, gave a great welcome talk in the opening general session. Jeffrey J. Cain, MD, Chair, Amputee Coalition National Board of Directors; The Honorable Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Senator, Illinois; The Honorable Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator, Tennessee; The Honorable Brett Guthrie, U.S. Congressman, Kentucky were speakers they chose for the event. These were all engaging as well as informative, and so helpful with responses during the open chat, where you could ask and receive answers on the spot to your questions.

The topics this year were focused towards advocacy and pain management, with some alternative methods to help patients reduce their stress with standing or sitting - Tai Chi and yoga!  Dawn Contreras, Health Specialist, and Anita Carter, Program Instructor, (both from Michigan State University Extension) did a great talk plus demonstrations. They focused on how to help to maintain overall wellness through Tai Chi. 

Yoga for Phantom Pain: A Non-Opioid Alternative was presented by Marsha Danzig, Founder, Yoga for Amputees. I found the phantom pain management talk to have some great options for amputees to talk with their physicians about what may work for them. She is engaging and so talented you cannot help but want to try her yoga methods that all can do - either sitting or standing.

Friday brought the general session topic, Pain Management & Innovation. Presented by a the panel of Linda Porter, NIH; Justin Moore, APTA CEO and AC Board Member; Denise Hoffman, RN and SCIMAC member; Sharon Lamberton, Deputy VP at PhR, they all discussed various treatments available and upcoming options that will help amputees deal safely with pain.

Saturday closing general sessions brought us powerful speakers, Mary Richards, President & CEO, Amputee Coalition; Dan Ignaszewski, Chief Policy & Programs Officer, Amputee Coalition; Mahesh Mansukhani, CEO, Willow Wood; Posie Mansfield; William (Bill) Perno, AC Board member; Steve Wegener, Johns Hopkins University; Reggie Showers, Advocate & motivational speaker. 

At the closing, they shared an important talk about ”Body, Mind, & Wellness: Emerging Issues in Mental Health and Wellness”. We all have to be mindful how the pandemic has added stress to new and existing amputees’ lives. Limited transportation options, increased cost of food and major living expenses can all lead to depression and an increase in declining mental health. For new patients, due to pandemic guidelines, at one time loved ones could not visit patients nor could advocates - leaving new amputee patients to wonder who will answer my questions?

The new Amputee Coalition Peer Visitor App can help with that. The Amputee Coalition Support App is a free app designed for those living with limb loss, limb difference, and caregivers. This app is able to reach out with the power of connection to peer support and as well as valuable resources. It  is HIPAA compliant, and available via Apple App Store, Google Play, and web browser link. Click here for more information about Peer Visitors. Check out this app and reach out today to find someone you can connect with and find support!

This year’s conference, like last year’s, has kept us from meeting in person. I hope that one day in the future we can get together in person while keeping this virtual platform as not all can afford to travel to an in person conference - but they surely can reach out across the internet and join in for such a reasonable amount. Great job Amputee Coalition! - Dawn Miranda