There are so many nonprofits doing good work on behalf of amputees that it seems impossible to keep track of them all. But we’re going to try anyway. Every week (or so) we’ll highlight one organization or person that’s out there trying to make life better for amputees. This week’s Worthy Cause: Amputee Blade Runners.
Name: Amputee Blade Runners
Founders: Ryan Fann received a free running prosthesis after high school, and he turned that gift into a collegiate track career and two Paralympic medals (a gold and a bronze at Athens in 2004). Wanting to give other young adaptive athletes similar opportunities, he became a certified prosthetist and established ABR with fellow CP Aaron Fitzsimmons in 2011.
What they do: Provide free running prostheses to individuals (especially kids and adolescents) who would otherwise lack access to one.
Who they serve: Active, athletic amputees all over the country. Since its founding, ABR has provided running blades to individuals in 31 of the 50 states.
In Ryan’s own words: “To me, ABR isn’t just about running. It’s about opportunity and achievement . . . . [and] to promote awareness about what individuals with disability can achieve with the right mindset and technology.”
Get involved: ABR relies on volunteers for outreach, publicity, event hosting, fundraising, and more. You can also participate in a local running event (especially during the annual Run Your City campaign each May).
Make a donation: https://amputeebladerunners.com/ and hit the “donate” button.
Connect with Amputee Blade Runners: On Facebook.
Other Worthy Causes:
Limbs for Life
Victoria Hand Project
Heather Abbott Foundation
LN4 Hand Project
Abled Amputees Foundation
Range of Motion Project
Right to Walk Foundation
Steps of Faith Foundation
Born to Run Foundation
Move for Jenn Foundation
Jordan Thomas Foundation
Limbitless Solutions
Forrest Stump
Penta Prosthetics
Ayúdame3D
Less Leg More Heart
Looking for the Helpers (July/August 2020 issue of Amplitude)