In 2006, at the age of 11, Victoria Arlen developed a strong pain in her side. It turned into a fight for survival – she was diagnosed with 2 extremely rare neurological conditions which attacked her spine and brain, leaving her in a vegetative state. Doctors said it was a hopeless situation and told her parents if she survived (and it was likely she wouldn’t), she would never walk or talk or function normally. The diseases would leave her with severe neurological deficits. In Victoria’s own words: “In the experts’ eyes there was nothing that could be done. Except they failed to realize one thing….
“I was still here.”
She was locked inside a body that was unable to speak or move, unable to tell the doctors or her family that she could still think and hear.
During the month of April across the United States, amputee support groups, veterans, prosthetists, rehabilitation centers and those with limb loss will be participating in a number of activities in their local areas to raise awareness.
Rich Romaine was a professional carpenter, having a passion for shaping and fitting wood for functional and practical purposes. After graduating from Cedar Grove High School, he continued his education at the County College, taking classes in building and carpenter architecture. In 1991 he and his brother started their own carpentry business.
In 1965, Dick Traum, 24, was filling his gas tank at a gas station when the car behind him jumped forward and crushed him between the 2 cars. As a result of his injuries, his right leg had to be amputated. In 1976, Dick found himself out of shape and approaching middle age. He decided to do something about it – he joined a YMCA and began running, small distances at first and building up to miles. By the end of the year, he became the first amputee to successfully complete the New York City Marathon.