Nationwide Peer Mentorship Network Helps People Thrive After Limb Loss
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For many individuals experiencing limb loss or living with limb differences, adjusting to life can feel overwhelming. The good news is that a powerful source of support is available: AMPOWER, a nationwide peer mentorship network dedicated to empowering individuals through shared experiences, guidance, and community connection.
What is AMPOWER?
Supported by Hanger Clinic and grounded in the firsthand experience of amputees, AMPOWER is a national program that connects peers for mentorship. Through this organization, certified mentors who have personally adapted to using prosthetic limbs can offer compassionate guidance, along with real-world insights, to facilitate others in their transition after limb loss.
These mentors are accessible through in-person meetings, phone conversations, or online chats, and can assist with a variety of needs, such as navigating rehabilitation and prosthetic options, managing daily life challenges, coping with emotional changes like grief and shifting identity, and providing practical advice on resources, insurance, and adaptive tools.
AMPOWER Leadership
In Southeast Florida, 50-year-old Lizbeth Uzcategui leads as a regional coordinator and peer mentor for AMPOWER. Born with a congenital limb difference—having part of her right arm and fingers on her left missing—she has relied on prosthetics since she was three years old.
Uzcategui’s personal journey fuels her dedication to empowering others. She organizes in-person visits, offers emotional support, and leads monthly activities across the region. These activities include educational sessions, group discussions, and social gatherings aimed at building camaraderie.
Fostering Community and Empowerment
AMPOWER’s mission centers on community connection. Whether participants are newly adjusting to limb loss or have been living with a limb difference for years, having a mentor who understands their experience can be transformative. Many participants report not only physical and medical benefits but also significant psychological and motivational growth.
Regular support groups and events, especially the monthly meetings in Southeast Florida, create a space for shared understanding and friendship. According to Uzcategui, “Education and awareness are critical,” emphasizing the importance of collective learning and emotional support following amputation.
Why Peer Mentorship Matters
Emotional Well-Being
Losing a limb often involves grief, uncertainty, and shifting self-identity. Peer mentors provide a safe space to share emotions, validate feelings, and help “right-size” expectations. Hearing “you’re not alone” firsthand is transformative.
Practical Guidance
Mastering prosthesis use, selecting accessories, navigating insurance, and finding assistive technology require insider knowledge. Mentors offer timely tips that ease transitions and accelerate adaptation.
Sense of Belonging
AMPOWER’s monthly meet-ups, workshops, and social gatherings create a sense of kinship. Many participants share how these connections reduce isolation and spark friendships.
Role Modeling and Inspiration
Mentors demonstrate that thriving is possible. Seeing someone like Uzcategui independently living, working, and giving back can ignite hope and aspiration.
Lifelong Support
Unlike one-off clinic visits, AMPOWER offers ongoing access to mentors—be it in-person, digital, or via phone. This continuity builds trust, encourages resilience, and eases new challenges.
Getting Involved with AMPOWER
For individuals with limb loss or their loved ones:
Request a peer visit: Hanger Clinic and AMPOWER provide certified mentors who can guide you through recovery.
Join a support group or event: Look for local meet-ups and educational sessions, such as the monthly AMPOWER events in Southeast Florida.
Engage online: Connect through virtual communities like AC Connect (run by the Amputee Coalition), where members share stories and resources.
For those interested in giving back:
Become a certified peer mentor: If you’ve been living with limb loss and want to support others, AMPOWER offers training and certification.
Volunteer at events: Help facilitate meetings, educational sessions, or online forums.
Share your story: Serve as inspiration and guidance for someone newly facing limb loss.
The bottom line
Adjusting to life after limb loss is a personal journey, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. Through peer mentorship, camaraderie, and guided support, AMPOWER offers a lifeline. Participants gain more than physical assistance—they gain hope, confidence, and the belief that thriving is entirely possible.
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