Life and Limb

Champions of Fair Funding for Prostheses

Presented by Ottobock Healthcare, this episode welcomes Prince Edward Island’s Lucas Arsenault, a former professional kiteboarder and national champion. Making a living in the ocean as a kiteboarder has its risks, but Arsenault never imagined losing his leg while snorkeling between competitions. A shark attack just two years ago in Turks and Caicos left him an above-knee amputee. Now as a keynote speaker, he shares his perspectives around gratitude and life-change with audiences across the country. He’s joined on the podcast by Aaron Holm, a 20-year-amputee (bilateral above-the-knee) and Head of Consumer Engagement at Ottobock, a global leader in prosthetics, medical technology and clinical care.

Angie Sandow: Born Different. Built Strong.

Angie Sandow is an inspirational speaker, humourist and musician who captivates audiences of all ages with her powerful performances and story of resilience. She shares insights on responding to challenges related to her limb difference, primarily others’ attitudes toward her. Finding strength in adversity, and in her love for music, football and motorcycles, she’s a big proponent of “getting out of our comfort zones”. The subject of a documentary film and the author of “From Chemo to Throttle”, Angie emphasizes that “accountability resides within.”

Coaching Amputees to Our Best Lives - Lynn DeCola

Lynn DeCola is a retired prosthetist, orthotist and technician, and now an amputee coach with clients across Canada and the U.S. through her Florida-based company Lifelong Prosthetics. She’s a Mental Health First Aider, a writer, and an international online amputee support group host, which she founded, called Amputees Preparing Amputees for Life. Lynn truly understands the unique challenges that we face as amputees, because she is one herself, an above-the-knee amputee of over 30 years. Lynn DeCola is all about getting her clients back to living their best life after amputation by bridging gaps in information and care... great advice for amputees of all ages and stages.

Kevin Gray's "Connection" to Limb Loss

After experiencing life-changing amputations several years ago, Kevin Gray quickly discovered the power of connection. During his rehab and recovery he met others who were searching for the same thing — honest conversation, guidance, and hope from people who had been there. Those early conversations became the foundation for something much greater. Today, Kevin is the founder and CEO of Limb Loss Connection (LLC), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting and supporting individuals living with limb loss and limb difference. Kevin shares his vision for LLC and Canada’s amputee community.

Andrea Swallow - Amputee Advice for Her Future Self

Growing up in Victoria, British Columbia, possibilities in life were boundless for teenaged Andrea Swallow. Her teenage years were good, with social, athletic and academic endeavours accompanied by no more angst and pressures than that of other typical youth around her. Then she became an amputee, a survivor of a motorcycle accident. In a thrive magazine feature several years ago, Andrea shared what she would say to her younger self, equipped with what she knows now about acceptance, joy, self-care, peer support, emotional health and the impact of trauma. Now an amputee of 38 years, she ponders her future self, and shares how she is harking back to the advice she had for her younger self as she adapts to her life’s next uncharted stage.