Portrait of a Prosthetic Parity Activist: Sean Brame

By: Morgan Sheets

The ACA has made a great deal of progress over the past year in the fight for prosthetic parity.  Seven states now have laws in place, including Oregon.  There are twenty-eight additional states that are now at some stage in the process of advancing a bill. 

There is a lot of work involved in a national campaign.  We could not do any of this without the hard work of state parity activists like Sean Brame of Pennsylvania.

In May 2005, at age nine, Sean became a quadrilateral amputee from septic shock, following an ankle injury while playing soccer.   But nothing could keep Sean down.  Less than a year after losing his limbs, Sean rejoined his soccer team

Sean has also been a very big part of the effort to advance prosthetic parity in the state of Pennsylvania. He testified at a hearing before the Health & Human Services Committee in the fall. He spoke at a press conference and rally at the Capitol in April.  And he has acted as a spokesperson for prosthetic parity at many events. 

Sean and his family have also worked with their local support group to help collect petitions, send out letters and provide support for the campaign.

While Sean is a truly remarkable individual, the work that he is done is something that anyone can do.  People who wish to support the parity campaign in their state can follow his lead by helping to spread the word and by taking action when letters need to be written or phone calls need to be made. 

Sean demonstrates a strong will and amazing determination each and every day. He has many times told others what his second grade teacher told him, "You can do anything as long as you put your mind to it," and that is a motto he follows. 

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