Spotlight on Nonprofits
Amputee Blade Runners organization strives to help amputees get the proper prosthetic devices for running
An Interview With Founders Aaron Fitzsimmons, CP, OT , and Ryan Fann, CP Amp It Up! (AIU): How and why was the Amputee Blade Runners organization founded? Ryan: I am a below-knee amputee and have been since age 3. I was provided a free running leg by a prosthetics company as I finished high school, and that leg made a huge difference in my athletic ability. As a result of that specially designed running leg, I was able to make the U.S. Paralympic track team, to remain a member of the team for five years, and to make the track team for Tennessee State University. Getting a running prosthesis didn’t just make me faster, however. It also created numerous opportunities in life that I might not have come across. For me, it was life-changing. Once Aaron and I connected, it didn’t take long for him to understand what a difference getting a free running prosthesis made for me. The question we both continued to think about was why it took so long for it to happen. Although I lost my leg when I was 3 years old, I did not receive a running blade until my last year of high school. All of my prosthetic providers knew how active I was growing up, but not once did any of them educate me about a running prosthesis or even the Paralympics. So Aaron and I decided to create an organization that would do both so that other amputees would not have to wait so many years to get the opportunity to run and participate in athletic activities.
6
Amp it up! magazine MAY/JUNE/JULY 2012
The Amputee Blade Runners provide running prostheses at NO COST to qualifying individuals. Unfortunately, Medical insurance deems a running leg as “Not Medically Necessary,“ although amputees cannot run on a standard “walking prosthesis” without significant pain. We also provide specialized training and sponsorship opportunities for our runners to participate in national events. AIU: What is the goal of the organization? Ryan: We want to reach as many young amputees as possible so they do not begin to set limits on what they can achieve due to missing a limb. Once we begin setting limits, it begins to become a lifestyle. Humans are very adaptable so amputees adapt and adopt a less-active lifestyle. We want to stop that. AIU: How can amputees request assistance from the organization, and what are the criteria for approval? Aaron: There is a brief online application at http://amputeebladerunners.com/wp-content/ uploads/2012/04/Copy-of-2012_GAPP.pdf. It involves answering basic health questions, providing a letter from a medical professional, and writing a personal essay about why a running leg is important to you personally. AIU: How many amputees have the Amputee Blade Runners been able to help so far? Aaron: 12 AIU: What is the best thing that anyone has told you after the organization has helped him or her? Ryan: “I can run like the other kids now, and it does not hurt!” And then one month later: “I run faster than most of the other kids now!” This was from a 12-year-old named Andrew - a future Paralympian! AIU: How does it feel to make such a great difference in someone’s life? Ryan: It is an honor very dear to my heart. That is why we are so passionate about providing this lifechanging opportunity to as many people as we can. AIU: What can people do to help the Amputee