The Pennsylvania State Senate approved a resolution on April 15, sponsored by Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-10), to recognize April 2015 as Limb Loss Awareness Month, reported the Amputee Coalition. The designation is part of a nationwide movement to raise awareness of the struggles faced by people affected by limb loss.
“The difficulties faced by amputees are not only physical, but emotional, mental, and financial as well,” McIlhinney said. “The general public is often unaware of the challenges faced by the amputee community. Raising awareness of these issues is the best way to honor their struggle. “This issue has touched our Senate family on a personal level, as Brett Waple, son of my executive director Gail Reinard, had a partial amputation of his foot several years ago, and John Platek, husband of my chief of staff Heather Cevasco, had his left leg amputated below the knee two years ago this month,” McIlhinney said.