INSPIRATIONS BLOG

UPDATE: Brian Reynolds – Runner, Hiker, Fundraiser – Bilateral Amputee

Brian-Reynolds-Tanzania-Australia-2013-Sunshine-Prosthetics-and-Orthotics-wayne-njLast August we blogged about Brian Reynolds, a bilateral amputee since the age of 4, due to meningococcemia. He grew up with a drive to constantly exceed his last accomplishment – an avid endurance hiker, mountain climber and runner and strong charity fundraiser. (read that post here)
“I feel like I am flying when I am out on the roads or trails, every time I pull on my running legs is a reminder of what I never thought I could do. It is and it exhilarating and it provides a challenge every time, not only is it a physical sport it is a mental one. You have to be able to push through physical barriers and mental to achieve your best and I really like this dynamic.”

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Matt Stutzman – Inspirational Archer

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Matt Stutzman was born without arms and given up for adoption by his overwhelmed birth parents when he was 4 months old. Less than a year later, he was adopted by Leon and Jean Stutzman. And his life of “try anything as long as you can do it under your own steam” began.

Jean Stutzman took him to the Shriner’s hospital in St. Louis for his first prosthetic arms and his can-do spirit rose up to the occasion. He was using them in two days, much earlier than the 7 days which the doctors predicted. And the precocious toddler was scooting around the wooden floors of the farmhouse in no time. By 18 months, he was walking and feeding himself.

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Scout Bassett – empowering athlete, spokesperson and mentor

Scout Bassett - now and then
At the age of 1, Scout was abandoned at an government orphanage in Nanjing China.  She had been badly burned in a chemical fire and as a result, had to have her right leg amputated up to mid thigh.  The prosthetic she was given was a rudimentary one, made from wood, masking tape and leather straps.  She spent seven years mopping floors, tending children and washing dishes.  “There was illegal child labor, physical abuse and starvation.  It was really brutal. Then a miracle happened,” remembers Scout. In retrospect, she now believes the dark conditions were not the result of maliciousness but rather the Chinese culture of the time and lack of resources.

Turning point

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Marsha Danzig Update – Yoga for Amputees

Marsha Danzig Yoga for Amputees - Sunshine Prosthetics and Orthotics, Wayne NJIt’s been a while since we first wrote about Marsha Danzig, yoga instructor, trainer, dancer, choreographer and total inspiration.   Facing personal hardships such as a below the knee amputation at age 13 due to cancer and chemotherapy-caused kidney damage and eventual transplant, yoga became her bridge to connecting her physical and spiritual self and reach out to others who need to discover and reach their potential. You can read that entire post here.

Since that time, a LOT of exciting happenings have occurred.

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Amplitude Magazine – an inspirational resource

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What is inspiration?  

Merriam-Webster defines inspiration asthe action or power of moving the intellect or emotions.”

Those with limb loss, and their families and friends have an ever-growing network of resources and support there to encourage and educate.  We’ve listed some of them on our Resource page and from time to time we will highlight them as inspirations.

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“Anything that will help amputees enjoy all that life has to offer”

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