Amputee Life

A recent study found that more veterans are more likely to lose a limb to disease postservice than in conflict. The researchers perused data on 253,000 nonveterans and 78,000 veterans born between 1945 and 1995. The study is published in the BMJ Journals.

This April, we celebrate the 10th Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLAM). It has been a decade since the Amputee Coalition first sought to raise awareness on limb loss through a 30-second video shown in a Times Square billboard. And a lot has happened that improved limb loss awareness in that decade.

More people can now enjoy Manhattan Beach in Southern California as officials from the Department of Beaches and Harbors installed a Mobi-Mat across the sand. It has made the beach more accessible to people who use prosthetic legs, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices.

The sense of proprioception refers to a person's ability to determine where their limbs are positioned in space without needing to look. This enables you to point where your nose is even when your eyes are closed. Having this sense also makes it easier to balance, move, and manipulate objects.

Maj. Christy Wise, a United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) graduate, is the first woman amputee to return to flying duty. Wise lost her leg about five years ago in a boating accident while on vacation after coming home from deployment to Afghanistan.