Portrait of a Prosthetic Parity Activist: Dennis O’Donnell

By: Morgan Sheets

With twenty-eight states in play and a federal bill on the horizon, the ACA is working hard to ensure access to prosthetic care.  But they are not doing this work on their own.  In each state, there are committees of activists who are helping to run the day to day operations of the parity campaigns. 

Dennis O’Donnell has had firsthand experience with insurance issues. A bilateral above knee amputee, Dennis spent the first two years after his amputations in a wheelchair. The private insurance that he had at the time did not have sufficient prosthetic coverage to provide him with the prostheses that would allow him to walk. When Dennis became eligible for Medicare he was fitted with appropriate prostheses and has now returned to work.

These experiences motivated Dennis to get involved in the work being done to advance legislation for prosthetic coverage in his state of New Jersey.  He has worked tirelessly ever since.  

As a very active member of the Amps in Action support group and developer of the group’s web site, Dennis has enabled and encouraged other amputees and their family members to get involved with the fight for parity. He has initiated letter-writing campaigns, started an online petition and single-handedly collected over 2,000 signatures for the Amputee Coalition of America’s "10 in 10 campaign" this past spring.

Dennis spoke at the Assembly and the Senate hearings for the bill in front of the state legislature.  His testimony was both moving and informative.  He also spread the word throughout his state to try to get other amputees to attend the hearings.  His efforts really helped to push the bill out of committee in both chambers. 

Dennis has helped to raise awareness, build support and has been an incredible advocate on behalf of the NJ campaign.  He has also inspired other amputees and allies to get involved.  Dennis has truly demonstrated the difference that one person can make!

Morgan Sheets is the National Advocacy Director (202/742-1885 or state@amputee-coalion.org).