inMotion Magazine

November | December 2021 4 MESSAGE FROM THE As we near the end of the year, I reflect on 2021 and how the Amputee Coalition has continued to let our light shine through unprecedented times in our society. While “socially distancing,” we discovered new ways to stay connected, and to ensure no amputee is “alone.” In this issue, we focus on the theme of “Shine,” telling stories of just few of the members of the limb loss and limb different community that shine, in their acts of service, and in their positive attitudes. We hope their stories will inspire and encourage you to think about your interests, talents, and experiences and use them to find a way that you too can shine. Our mission is to reach out to and empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential through education, support, and advocacy, and to promote limb loss prevention. As the only national nonprofit serving the limb loss and limb difference community, we are focused on you. We are here for you. We have the resources, information, and programs that can help you live the life you want to live. We want to meet you where you are. The Amputee Coalition has worked to ensure that the community has access to new and safe ways to meet; to receive and provide peer support. We have hosted and supported group peer support activities, as well as matched certified peer support visitors who have provided virtual visits to community members at various stages of their journey. We have also seen an increased usage of our virtual resources, including our Community Connections portal. During 2021, the Amputee Coalition met the demand to serve our community in new ways when many in-person communities continue to be socially distant. • We again pivoted our Advocacy Forum in April to an online experience, which meant more people were able to attend, learn about the role government plays in the lives of people living with limb loss and limb difference, and reach out to their Members of Congress on the issues that matter. • Our youth camp this summer, unfortunately could not meet in person because of COVID restrictions, and we got to witness the resilience of the kids and counselors in our community as they adapted to the camp experience online. • Our National Conference in October was again fully online. Removing the barriers of travel and hotel costs, we got to introduce so many new people to one other so they could expand their own community. • We continue to host four online support group meetings every Thursday — that’s 16 a month — to fill the hole caused by the cancellation of many in-person support groups across the U.S. Nonprofits conduct their biggest fundraising push of the year in November and December. As we talk with our corporate and foundation donors and sponsors, and reach out to our individual donors, we share our successes. We communicate about our programs that serve people living with limb loss and limb difference. inMotion will continue its legacy as the premier publication serving the limb loss and limb different community, and will continue to highlight education, support, and advocacy with a focus on the latest innovations, information, and anecdotes on how to live well and thrive with limb loss and limb difference. Wishing you a safe and joyous holiday season, Mary Richards President and CEO Amputee Coalition