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 we’ll highlight one organization or person that’s out there trying to make life better for amputees. This week’s Worthy Cause: the Right to Walk Foundation.
Name: Right to Walk Foundation
Founders: Just launched a month ago, this San Diego-based organization was formed by a supergroup of high-profile, high-powered amputees and prosthetic industry leaders. They include world champion paratriathlete Jon Beeson, the new foundation’s president; Shellie Plasch, a former Ottobock and Peter Harsch sales guru who will serve as Right to Walk’s executive director; 10-time Paralympic medalist (and quadruple amputee) Roy Perkins, Jr.; Össur global marketing exec Tabi King; and National Geographic Channel explorer Albert Lin.
What they do: Increase access to prosthetic devices and care for amputees who can’t afford them, and raise global awareness about the medical and mental health needs of people living with limb loss.
In Lin’s own words: “When we as a society have access to technology that can improve people’s lives, we should do our best to distribute that around the world and get it into the hands of people who can’t afford it. That’s what the Right to Walk Foundation is about. It’s this idea that if we can give someone their mobility back, we should try. We should try to give them their life back. For me, when I put this [prosthetic] on in the morning, it makes all the difference. It gives me the right to walk.”
Get involved: Right to Walk is actively seeking corporate partners and fundraising supporters, so contact them to explore possibilities. You can also help by making a donation, following on social media, and helping to spread the word.
Connect with the Right to Walk Foundation: On Facebook and Instagram.
Other Worthy Causes:
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)