Be-YOU-tiful Adaptive Warrior

Your Mindset is Your Greatest Asset   When it comes to getting it done, or being challenged to push through something tough in life, how do you fair? Do you struggle to feel accomplished? Do you feel like you are drowning and there is no way out? Or how about giving up because the going got tough?     If this sounds like something you have been through before, or are going through c...

The New Age of Bionics     What happens to you when you find yourself in a do or die situation? Hugh Herr was in that position as a teenager, barely making it out alive while doing something he loved and excelled at, a savant at his young age. But he didn’t make it out unscathed, he lost both of his legs below the knee. What would you do? At that young age would you have given up,...

From Athlete to Inventor: Making the World Better one Prosthetic At a Time   An incredible story today of a young man’s hard fought journey from super competitive athlete to amputee, to inventor who regained his competitive edge and is helping others do this as well. Mike’s story is one for the books, and write one he did- “Driven to Ride”. His story began with huge ho...

Adaptive Surfing with Swell Surf Foot     The Ocean is healing. The Mana (power) of the ocean has a way of grounding you and setting you free so you can soar. It’s an unbelievable feeling! Just before my 1 year anniversary of my amputation I traveled to Kauai and tried my hand at surfing. I hadn’t been able to get in the ocean, or really any water, for over 5 years due to sur...

TheraV Founder and CEO Amira Radovic We are kicking off Limb Loss/Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLD) with the founder and CEO of TheraV. Amira found her passion to help people by creating a non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical device that helps soften phantom pains through the use of vibration therapy. Phantom pains are a very real, very painful, and often times disabling reaction after losing a l...

The Truth About Being An Amputee   Not everyday is a picnic. This is true for everyone around the world, but when you talk to amputees who lost their limb because of an accident, disease, war, or electively, the operation is just the beginning, not the finale. Once we heal and begin to transition into a prosthetic- wearing person we are just then beginning to experience what amputee life is l...

Skiing as an Amputee   The Canyons, Park City, Utah 2024   I don’t know about you but, sitting in a lodge, sipping a drink in front of a fire sounds wonderful. Doesn’t it? However, I did that for 5 years, while my family all skied and I sat there with tears in my eyes, missing those special moments I knew I’d never get back. My husband taught me to ski when we were teenagers. We had drea...

Don’t Be Normal, Just Be YOU!   A word I try very hard to stay away from using in dialogue is “Normal”, as in, “Is it normal that I haven’t healed yet?” or “Is it normal to feel this way?”, or even “Does my limb look normal to you?”   The reason I stay away from it is because we are all so very different that there cannot be a N...

Stepping Up For Yourself   Last week I stepped up to rescue two horses and help out a family. This family was in search of a good loving home for their gelding and Shetland pony but wanted a place where they would be loved and given a purpose. Too old to be ridden but too useful to be forgotten and left behind. They are perfect for what I’m all about: equine therapy. Horses have such healing...

How Connecting Helps Everyone   It can be so easy to get lost in our own world. We can be so focused on our problems and issues that we can feel isolated and alone in a crowded room. The problem is, even when we aren’t really alone, we get lost in the darkness and can’t find our way out. We forget that as humans we need connections to survive in the world. We need to be heard, see...

Self-Love for the Win “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.”                                                                                                           -Lucille Ball     This Valentine’s Day start with YOU!! To love oneself isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. It’s necessary for your mental health. It’s necessary for...

Playing To Win; Playing For Your Future   Dealing with insurance can be tricky and often frustrating. I speak from experience. It’s unfortunate that insurance companies make it so hard to understand the ins and outs of their policies as well as getting approvals especially since those who are trying to get covered are often going through really tough emotional times. As I got myself pre...

Finding Hope after Amputation   No one really tells you what to expect after amputation, and quite frankly, even if they did, each journey is different. The reality is that the first couple of years are filled with bumps, bruises, ups and downs. You will have highs and some of your lowest lows. There will be enormous changes, in your life, and in your body. And even when you finally get throu...

Stay the Course and Press On   This is the year. Embrace the journey and get your mindset right! We started our year with a new puppy. I had forgotten how hard potty training was as an amputee. What does that mean, you might ask?  Night time wake up calls are very difficult when you don’t have a leg on, grabbing an energetic puppy, and crutching outside and down a step…all before...

The Power of Words, Mightier Than Resolutions     Happy New Year!! A New Year’s upon us, a fresh start is here There’s a feeling of renewal and excitement for what’s to come and an urgency to make changes in our lives and in our habits as a new year begins, however, we know how setting New Year’s resolutions can fall short after just a month of setting those goals. Every year I share how...

Cheers to the End of Another Year!   As 2023 comes to a close and the holidays are now upon I want to wish you all a blessed and happy new year! As I celebrate my 5th year anniversary of my amputation today I am realizing how blessed I have been with how much I have experienced, accomplished, and the people I have met through this journey. I also know that the vibes you put out into the world...

Winter Wonders and Woes for Amputees   Wintertime brings colder weather, holidays and family time, ice and snow, along with new outdoor activities. It also brings with it challenges for getting around if you are an amputee (or anyone who struggles with balance). Crutching on snow and ice should be an Olympic Sport   I am fortunate enough to live in Arizona but as a family, we love to get...

Change Is in the Air     I had the distinct honor of being a part of a gait study at MIT in their Media Lab in Boston. It was the final project of a PhD student’s program and it was amazing! To see what the future of prosthetics is heading toward and being able to test something that is still a ways out from being on the commercial market was such a blast and a lot of work. Testing...

  There are many facets to being an amputee, a lot revolves around the fit of prosthetics, dealing with phantom pains, and relearning to walk. However there are other obstacles to overcome, goals to achieve, finding your independence is usually on the top of the list! This was a huge goal for me (and also for others I have talked to over the past few years). Independence looks different for e...

Staying Healthy in the Hustle and Bustle of the Holidays   I had the distinct pleasure of getting sick recently. I haven’t been sick in so long, and not once since becoming an amputee. I was on a vacation and burning the candle at both ends. I’m sure, between being around a lot of people and lack of sleep my immune system became compromised, leading me to having tingly skin, sore...

Creating Positive Momentum Through Challenges   This week let’s challenge ourselves! Let’s face the mountain head on and not veer out of fear. It’s time to unleash the warrior within you, are you ready?? Well it doesn’t matter, now is the time! If you wait until you are “ready” then the time will never come.   SO how did I start my amputee journey, you...

Learning To Listen To Your Gut When you are going through something have you noticed how many people have advice? The questions of: Have you tried this? Did you see Dr. So and So? This is the only prosthetic that works…. etc, etc. I have had the opportunity to see many doctors throughout my injury, been to an amazing plastic surgeon, and have great prosthetists. I tell new amputees all about...

How Grief Plays a Role In Your Health   Today’s podcast I will let speak for itself. I am dealing with grief and last several weeks the stressors in my life were so high that my phantom pains were intense.   Taking care of yourself in the midst of pain, sorrow, grief, and anxiety ridden situations is very important for your overall health. Listen in as I tell you about my past week...

  You have made it through a HUGE surgery. Maybe because of an accident or a sickness. Maybe you made the decision to amputate so you could live a better, healthier life. Whatever the reason, you have made it through that emotional decision, and come to terms with your new reality. Unfortunately, your journey has just begun, but have no fear, you can shine and move forward with your new lifes...

Mindset Matters   So you’re an amputee now. You’ve gotten through your surgery, and you’re home. Now what? The road is long, my friend, but doable. You can and will survive, dare I say, you can even thrive as an amputee. How you see your circumstance and adapt to your new way of living is up to you and based on your own mindset. After I elected to amputate my leg, above knee...