Our patient Angie, pictured above with her husband, was injured in February of 2020 during an accident in a side-by-side, also known as a UTV, similar to an ATV. Her pinky, ring and middle fingers on her dominant right hand were amputated. After three surgeries and months of wound care and occupational therapy, she visited our Portland, OR, center to learn about prosthetic finger options. During her visit, our clinical team was impressed with her positive outlook and knew that Point Designs, the manufacturer of the prosthetic fingers she was being fit with, was looking for ambassadors. So, they recommended Angie for that role, and soon she was traveling the country, and sometimes the globe, speaking to fellow amputees. We asked her to write the article below to celebrate Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month we wanted to know what she thought was missing from the narrative about people who have experienced limb loss, or in her case, finger loss.

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After I lost the majority of my dominant hand in a traumatic off-roading accident five years ago, everything in my world shifted. In those early days sitting in the hospital, all I could think about were the things I wouldn’t be able to do anymore. The fear was heavy, the anxiety overwhelming, and I felt completely lost. I was confused, heartbroken, and unsure of what my life would look like moving forward. 

But even in that darkness, I knew I had two choices: I could let this loss define me, stop me from living fully, and keep me in fear … or I could push through the pain and uncertainty, adapt, and find strength in a new version of myself. I could either hide from the world or show it what I’m capable of. 

I chose strength.
I chose resilience.
I chose to love myself completely and unconditionally, even through the hardest parts of my healing. 

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It hasn’t always been easy. There have been setbacks, hard days, and moments of doubt. But with determination and the incredible support of my family, friends, and even strangers who became part of my journey, I’ve found my way forward. I proudly wear my prosthesis, not just as a tool, but as a reminder of how far I’ve come.

Today, I am an ambassador for Point Designs, and that role means the world to me. Sharing my story helps others, and helping others helps me. I get to connect to people who are just beginning their own journey with limb loss, and I get to be the encouragement, the hope, and the reminder that life doesn’t end after limb loss. It just changes, and sometimes, it changes in ways that bring new strength and purpose.

Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month matters because our stories matter. Our struggles, our victories, our growth  they all deserve to be seen and heard. This month is about honoring that journey, building community, and showing the world that we are more than what we’ve lost. We are strong, capable, resilient, and can thrive every single day!

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Angie climbing Via Ferrata in Colorado.

If you’d like to leave a comment for us to pass along to Angie, please do so below. You can also read more from Angie in our article, How Old Were You When You Experienced Finger, Hand or Limb Loss? : Our Patients’ Thoughts. Our past Limb Loss and Limb Difference articles are available to read and you can watch our Patient Success Story videos.

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