A Family of Amputees Honor One Another

On May 18th, Redlands' Community Hospital's Weisser Education Pavilion hosted what resembled a loving family reunion, but what was actually an open house in celebration of Limb Loss Awareness. Dozens of of Redlands' Amputee Connection members gathered together to share stories and honor one another. The event welcomed anyone to attend, amputee or not. Families joined their loved ones living with limb loss, and together a community of support was created. The hall at Weisser Pavilion was decorated for the event which also displayed a buffet table with a wide assortment of food donated by the group members. Virtually everyone in attendance was on a first-name basis, but first-time attendees who came out to support the group were welcomed in with open arms. The group members ranged in age anywhere from 8-80, but all were able to find common ground with their shared experiences and struggles. Jamie Woodford has been a member of the group for the last five years after becoming an above-the-knee amputee in a motorcycle accident. Her life since the accident has been incredibly different and extremely productive. Woodford explains that she has done more in the last five years than she did in the first thirty, graduating as class president of her nursing school. Upon joining the group, Woodford realized how amputees differ in reality from how they are perceived through the media. "This is not a typical support group," states Woodford,"We are active and outgoing, breaking away from the stereotype that amputees are helpless and crippled. We want amputees to have a large voice in society and to show them that they can be comfortable in their bodies." Veronica Diaz attends the meeting every month in support of her seventeen-year-old son Jason who is a below-the-knee amputee. The mother and son duo have been members of the group for over three years, referred to the group through a rock climbing clinic. The group meetings have changed Diez's outlook on life, and made her more appreciative. "Thinking about the struggles the members of the group go through everyday has really makes me put things in perspective when I have a rough day. I feel very blessed to be apart of this community of people." Twenty-year-old group member Ely Colmenares explained the value the group has in her life, stating that this group of individuals can relate to one another in ways that no one else can. Like Woodford, Colmenares wants society to understand how strong amputee and those affected by limb loss are, explaining that, "people always think that we cannot do thing for ourselves, but we can, we find ways to adapt." The Amputee Connection meets the 3rd Sunday of every month at Weisser Pavilion.