By Kim Ousley
“No matter how advanced technology is in supporting amputees, we cannot heal without bringing in the community together.”
That message, shared by keynote speaker Francis Agyakwa, MSW, set the tone for the Limb Preservation Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala and Hope Beyond Limits Symposium.
Last week in Westminster, I had the honor of attending the event for the second year through a scholarship—an experience that continues to remind me that while innovation is transforming limb care, it is connection that carries us through it.
Guests were invited to wear red to Thursday evening’s Ruby Gala, in celebration of the foundation’s 40-year milestone. The night honored healthcare professionals whose work has helped restore mobility, independence, and quality of life for so many in the limb loss community.
Throughout the event, conference rooms were filled with tables showcasing services and organizations that support amputees’ physical and emotional well-being. From yoga and hiking to parafencing, these offerings highlighted the many ways individuals can stay active, connected, and engaged in community.
Agyakwa’s keynote expanded on the connection between tradition and innovation, emphasizing that while advancements in technology continue to transform care, healing cannot happen without community. He also noted that individuals are more likely to engage with services when they feel seen and supported exactly where they are in their journey.
Following the keynote, attendees chose from a range of breakout sessions, including:
- Then to Now: Milestones Across 40 Years
- The Road Back to Work: Tools, Support, and Next Steps
- The Power of Communal Drumming
- The Future: Innovations in Transforming Care
- Movement and Medicine: Healing the Mind and Body
- Collaborative Care for the Whole Client
- Caring for the Caregiver
I attended a session focused on advances in cancer treatment, particularly for those facing limb loss due to sarcoma. As a lower left leg amputee since 2010 due to synovial sarcoma—a rare form of cancer—I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of care. What was once limited to a single chemotherapy option has expanded into multiple treatment pathways, including newer chemotherapies and immunotherapies.
Over the past 40 years, limb salvage and limb loss care have undergone a steady transformation. A multidisciplinary approach—bringing together physicians, physical therapists, prosthetists, and other specialists—has become essential to supporting both recovery and long-term well-being.
The closing keynote, delivered by Matthew J. Carty, MD, explored emerging innovations in limb restoration. New surgical techniques addressing phantom limb pain, along with advancements in osseointegration, are offering promising outcomes that were not possible in the past.
What stood out most to me was how deeply personal this progress feels. As an amputee, I found myself genuinely excited by these medical advancements—perhaps in a way I wouldn’t have been otherwise.
But beyond the science and innovation, the message that resonated most was simple: no one moves through limb loss alone. Healing is not just clinical—it’s communal. It happens when people come together to support, uplift, and walk alongside one another in the journey.
