Limb Loss Awareness Month: Let Your Voice Be Heard
There are approximately 185,000 amputations in the US alone every year. In 2013, there were around 2.1 million amputees in the US, and by 2050, this figure is projected to increase to 3.6 million. Despite this number, it's still easy to feel alone, making it even more important to become active within the community and fight for your health care rights. This is why this April, we at Amputee Store are celebrating Limb Loss Awareness Month 2019, and we invite you to join us and be your own advocate.
Hill Day
One way that you can get your voice heard is by joining Amputee Coalition’s Hill Day. This event is slated on April 8-9 in Washington, D.C. If you can’t make it, you can still email or call your legislature to let them know about your concerns and the care you need.
Support Group Appreciation Day
On April 14, various amputee communities will mark the importance of amputee support groups by celebrating Support Group Appreciation Day.
Amputee support groups are crucial to helping numerous amputees cope with limb loss and the psychological issues that may arise after amputation. You can celebrate this day by getting together with your own support group or by simply interacting with other amputees who may feel alone in their new amputee life.
Certified Peer Visitor Day
Losing a limb is a life-changing event. New amputees are especially vulnerable to experiencing anxiety, anger, depression, and stress, among others. And an effective way to cope with life-changing events like this is to have someone who has a similar history to talk to.
April 19 is Certified Peer Visitor Day. Take this day as an opportunity to thank your peer visitor for their invaluable insights or for lending an ear. You may also take this time to reflect whether you’d like to sign up as a peer visitor yourself and lend a helping hand to those who need you the most.
Spread the Message
Around 36 percent of people with limb loss experience depression and more than 600 children undergo an amputation relating to a lawn-mower incident. One of the simplest and best ways to celebrate Limb Loss Awareness Month is to spread awareness. Use any of the channels available to you, such as social media. Let others know what a day in an amputee’s life is like. You just might gain an additional voice that can help amputees around the world be heard and empowered.
Share with us in the comments section below how you are planning to celebrate Limb Loss Awareness Month. We’d love to hear from you.
