For more than 100 years, The War Amps has been making a difference in the lives of amputees like Grace Johnson, 7, of Chemainus, Jaxson Linn, 7, of Mission, and Julianna Brohman, 6, of Sooke.
Johnson, born a double arm amputee, Jaxson, a right hand amputee, and Julianna, born a right arm amputee, are members of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program. The trio formed a special bond at an earlier CHAMP seminar and recently reunited at the 2019 B.C. seminar in Richmond.
“We learn so much at the seminars, but one of the best parts is watching Grace form friendships with other kids she can really relate to,” noted her mom, Sara Anderson. “These three CHAMPs have known each other for several years now and they always look forward to seeing each other. I know these special bonds will continue as they get older.”
At CHAMP seminars, young amputees and their parents learn about the latest in artificial limbs, dealing with teasing and staring and parenting an amputee child. The seminar is also an opportunity for child amputees and their families to connect and share similar experiences about living with amputation.
“Seminars are a powerful experience, as CHAMPs and parents learn they are not alone,” added Danita Chisholm, executive director of the CHAMP Program. “Thanks to the public’s support of the key tag and address label service, we are able to bring young amputees like Grace, Jaxson and Julianna together, as well as provide financial assistance for the cost of artificial limbs.”