Each year, the Amputee Coalition (AC) designates April as Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLAM). Throughout the month, amputee support groups across America hold events to “Show Your Mettle”. They hold walk/run/roll events in their cities to help educate and empower people with limb loss differences to rise up and reach their potential.
We were very fortunate that Governor Larry Hogan was able to sign the petition we made to make April Limb Loss Awareness Month in Maryland.
Dawn Miranda, our Prosthetist Assistant, who is an amputee herself, created a campaign for patients who wanted to share their amputee experience as part of the AC “Show Your Mettle” specified day on April 25, 2020. You can see those stories by visiting our Patient Stories page, by clicking here.
Dawn and CPO Marlies Beerli-Cabell have also attended a number of webinars this week hosted by the AC featuring Advocacy issues. If you are interested in the AC Advocacy program, click here for more information.
Limb loss is much more common than many people realize, and sadly the numbers are growing. By educating yourself, family and friends - you can have a meaningful, fact-based discussion if this touches your life. The Amputee Coalition is a great resource for anyone with limb loss and limb difference. Did you know:
•There are currently 2.1 million people living with limb loss in the USA, and the number is expected to double by 2050.
•185,000 people have an amputation each year. This means that 300-500 amputations are performed every day.
•There are more than 1 million annual limb amputations globally- one every 30 seconds.
•1,588 military personnel lost a limb as a result of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
•Approximately 30% of people with limb loss experience depression or anxiety.
If you want more information about limb loss and the health conditions that can lead to limb loss, you can visit their website by clicking on this link. Here is a great graphic:
Dankmeyer hosted We Wear Orange Wednesdays at Dankmeyer, encouraging Dankmeyer team members to wear items of orange clothing, ribbons and in these days of COVID-19 - orange face coverings. Whether we were telecommuting, at the office, or outside, we did it! Here is a gallery of Orange Wednesdays!
And outside, with appropriate social distancing for COVID-19, we support Limb Loss Awareness Month!