War Amps PLAYSAFE and amputation awareness presentations
Young Toronto amputees help mark 30 years of champ seminars
 | By Guest Column (Bio and Archives) Saturday, August 13, 2011 | Print friendly | Subscribe | Email Us |
AUGUST 2011 – Local residents William Goessaert, 20, David Li, 14, Riley Stefan, 8, Tiffany Ross, 4, and Claire Johnson, 4, recently attended The War Amps annual Ontario Child Amputee (CHAMP) Seminar in Ottawa. This year is a special one, marking the 30th anniversary of CHAMP Seminars.
William was a Junior Counsellor, through which he was able to “give back” by answering questions and offering advice to young Champs. They took part in a “show and tell” session, showing their standard and recreational artificial limbs to the group. William showed his ski legs, and Riley showed his bike attachment.
At the seminar, William received a CHAMP Ambassador Certificate for conducting War Amps PLAYSAFE and amputation awareness presentations and hosting a safety display, and Riley received a certificate for assisting with a PLAYSAFE presentation to his classmates.
The seminar covered subjects of interest for all age groups, including the latest developments in artificial limbs, parenting an amputee child, dealing with teasing and bullying, learning to drive and the importance for amputees of staying active.
Seminars are life-changing events, particularly for first-time attendees. “Meeting others with exactly the same concerns, and seeing how they have overcome them, has a profound effect on how they regard their amputation,” says CHAMP Director Lucie Waddell.
CHAMP and all its programs are funded solely through public support of The War Amps Key Tag and Address Label Service. For more information, call 1 800 250-3030 or visit Link .
Items of notes and interest from the web.