To celebrate Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, we’re combing Amplitude’s print and digital archives for old articles about amputees who’ve raised awareness in unique ways. We’re calling them “Awareness Aces,” and we’ve chosen 24 of them for 2024.
We’ll be highlighting the Awareness Aces throughout the month, with the disclaimer that these aren’t the only 24 people who deserve recognition. They are just a representative sample of the countless amputees who are helping to normalize limb difference and teach the Muggles what’s what. Our goal isn’t to name the “best” or “most impactful” advocates; we simply want to celebrate the diverse narratives, identities, and experiences that we’re privileged to share in our pages.
In addition to featuring Awareness Aces in the newsletter, we’ll be revealing a new Awareness Ace every weekday this month on our social media platforms. If you’re not already following us, here’s where to connect:
April 1: Peggy Chenoweth
The “Amputee Mommy” blogger launched “Show Your Mettle Day” during first LLLDAM in 2011.
Amplitude appearances: July 2017, “An Interview With the Founders of Amp’d”
Also an Awareness Ace for:
- Designing the LLLDAM awareness ribbon
- Founding the Amp’d Life podcast and nonprofit
- Developing a crowd-sourced Amputee Bill of Rights
April 2: John Register
This two-time Paralympian founded the Paralympic Military Sports Program, a precursor to the Warrior Games and Invictus Games
Amplitude appearances: September 30, 2020: “The Professional Value-Add of Limb Loss“
Excerpt: “The first thing I had to overcome was my own personal fear of how people were going to perceive me. The second was other people’s beliefs about what I can or can’t do, which is based upon what they believe they could or could not do if they were in my situation. I chose to amputate the fear of how other people saw me, or how society saw me.”
Also an Awareness Ace for:
- Corporate keynotes and TedX speeches
- Multiple leadership roles at the Amputee Coalition
- Media-savvy storytelling
April 3: Nicole Kelly
She was named Miss Iowa in 2013 and became the first amputee to compete in the Miss America pageant.
Amplitude appearances: March 2017, “With Few Limitations“; March 10, 2021, “Nicole Kelly Wears the Disability Crown Proudly”
Excerpt: “I was taught that I should never be associated with the word ‘disability,’ and that it was evil and bad. And my generation is really trying to get rid of that stigma and instill pride. This is an identity we can claim. And in fact, our lives make a lot more sense if we can claim it and understand it.”
Also an Awareness Ace for:
- Telling her “bionic story” in K-12, university, and corporate settings nationwide
- Co-hosting “Disarming Disability” podcast
- Advocating passionately for children with limb difference
April 4: John Robinson
This congenital quadruple amputee launched two major disability employment platforms, Our Ability and Jobs Ability.
Amplitude appearances: April 14, 2020: “How Will the Pandemic Affect Employment for Amputees?”
Excerpt: “Ironically, [COVID] may be moving employment in our direction. A lot of disabled workers are already used to remote technologies like Zoom and WebEx. Depending how things play out, we could end up in a good position. We have to make that connection with the business community.”
Also an Awareness Ace for:
- Persuasively articulating the economic case for disabled workers
- Promoting entrepreneurship and career development among people with disabilities
- Normalizing disability in the workplace
April 5: Billy Brimblecom
His star-studded “ThunderGong!” fundraiser each November brings national attention to limb loss.
Amplitude appearances: November 2021, “The Year’s Biggest Amputee Fundraiser”; November 9, 2022, “The Gong! Remains the Same”
Excerpt: “My original idea for ThunderGong! was an Elton John tribute with a huge house band and all these guest singers. . . . The musician in me just wanted to put on this really excellent, fun show. The nonprofit director in me hoped we could raise $100,000.” (ThunderGong! raised more than $800,000 last year.)
Also an Awareness Ace for:
- Helping amputees get prosthetics via his Steps of Faith Foundation
- Highlighting health disparities that harm uninsured and underinsured amputees
- Getting Grammy, Emmy, and Oscar winners involved in amputee awareness and fundraising
