inMotion Magazine

Learn 3 When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, like everyone, we had to rapidly change our operations to keep our community and staff safe. Now that we have a clearer understanding of how things will need to operate for the foreseeable future, we’re hopeful about how we’ll be able to serve even more people living with limb loss and limb difference. The theme of this issue of inMotion is LEARN. This is a period of learning for all of us. We are learning how to adapt to new ways of conducting our everyday life. And we are learning that, with moving in-person events and meetings online, we’re able to reach so many more people, now that certain economic barriers have been lifted. First, we transitioned our Advocacy Forum from an in-person meeting to an online event and campaign that’s generated nearly 700 outreach messages to Members of Congress about issues important to people living with limb loss and limb difference — our largest impact ever. Newcomers to advocacy were able to participate from home and learn about policy issues without having to invest in a plane ticket and other travel costs to Washington, D.C. Then, we changed our plans to move both our Youth Camp and our National Conference to virtual experiences. Yes, there is magic and connectedness when we all get together in person … but, virtual and online meetings and programs remove barriers — both physical and financial — and allow more people to participate, feel included, learn more, and make long-lasting connections. This increased access helps psychological and physical health, too. Isolation and loneliness are very real issues that have an impact on an individual’s health and well‑being. This is another area where we’re helping people learn new ways in which they can connect and feel community with people who have a similar lived experience. When it comes to peer support, our volunteers are reaching out and connecting in new ways to help people feel less alone and more connected to others: • Our Certified Peer Visitors can meet with amputees and caregivers by phone, email, text, or videoconference. The Amputee Coalition Support App allows for smooth connections, and opens up access to those who might not have a Certified Peer Visitor in their local geographic area. Now, Peer Visitors can be that supportive friend and counsel for anyone in our community who needs to talk anywhere in the U.S. It’s also important to note that you don’t have to be new to the community to request a visit. • Now that we’re meeting online, by video, or using a phone tree or phone call network to stay in touch, Support Group Leaders have been able to open their groups to individuals who didn’t have an in-person support group in their area. This means more people get the chance to check in on one another and talk about how they’re feeling, and share resources and ideas with one another. We have been working very closely with our Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee, our Education and Conference Committee, our Board of Directors, and community members on all our programs so that we can ensure we’re meeting the needs of our community in the best, most inclusive ways possible as we all adapt. Change is hard. And, just when you think you’ve had enough challenges, more find their way into our lives and require us to learn to alter the way we thought things were supposed to be. But this is a community that not only rises to the challenge, we use it to find new ways to be even more connected and to support one another. I have talked with so many people in our community about the challenges the pandemic health and safety guidelines have presented them and how their resilience has been tested. If you’ve felt that way, you’re not alone. With encouragement and support, we want to help you thrive. Our National Limb Loss Resource Center® staff is here for you: it’s a free call to 888-267-5669 extension 1. I hope you’ll join us online for our National Conference August 20 – 22. Check the Amputee Coalition website (amputee-coalition.org) for registration details. This year’s theme is “The Power of You”. There’s no one who knows your experience better than you do. And there’s no one with more power to rise to the challenges and changes before us and lift up our community in support and encouragement of one another. As we are all experiencing change and challenge, we want to share with you these new opportunities for access and connection. There’s always room to learn and grow, adapt and change, and create opportunity out of adversity. As you continue to learn along your life’s path, please reach out to let us know how we can support you. Warmly, Mary Richards President and CEO Amputee Coalition By Mary Richards, President and CEO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO