Momentum’s 30th Jubilee: celebrating community in Norway
Published on June 30, 2026
I was honoured to be invited by our very own Norwegian Movao member Petter Thime to speak at the Momentum weekend — the Norwegian association for amputees, people with dysmelia, and orthotic users. This year was extra memorable, as Momentum celebrated its 30th Jubilee at Fornebu, just on the outskirts of Oslo.
It was my first visit to Norway, and I immediately fell in love with its breathtaking scenery. The fjord by the hotel was such a peaceful place to take a walk and relax, with calm waters, families out on their boats, and people barbecuing and enjoying time together outdoors.
It felt grounding, and with the daylight stretching so late into the evening, the days seemed to carry on endlessly, adding a quiet kind of magic to everything.
Many of the attendees spoke about their love of nature, lakeside cabins and a lifestyle that so naturally includes the outdoors. I must admit, I left feeling slightly envious of the Norwegian way of life.
But as beautiful as Norway is, it wasn't only the scenery that made the weekend so memorable. It was the warmth and hospitality of the people.
With around 250 attendees, mostly amputees and those with limb differences, alongside 31 companies and guest speakers, the event brought together so many important conversations about life with limb loss and limb difference. Presentations shared real-life experiences, developments in prosthetics and orthotics, and innovations helping our community thrive and live life as fully as possible.
My journey to Oslo had a slightly rocky start, with delays at Gatwick Airport, but thankfully I made it in time for the Friday evening pirate-themed fancy-dress dinner. It was a brilliant way to begin the weekend, with attendees arriving in fantastic costumes.
Some even swapped their prosthetic legs for wooden peg legs, which definitely added to the pirate spirit.
Throughout the weekend, the atmosphere was full of humour, connection and camaraderie. People mingled in the hotel bar, shared conversations late into the night, and enjoyed being together.
Having attended many amputee events over the years, I felt this gathering had a unique charm. It was relaxed, open and genuinely welcoming — a reminder that we are not just attendees at events like this, but part of a wider, like-minded family.
The reason I had been invited to Momentum was to share my own life story. This was the first time I had given this particular talk in such an open and personal way.
I have always naturally focused on the positive parts of my life. That comes quite easily to me. But this presentation gave me the chance to speak more honestly about some of the harder moments too, especially the struggles I had with confidence when I was younger, growing up with a limb difference and not always seeing anyone like me represented.
It felt vulnerable, but also important.
What I did not expect was how many people came up to me afterwards to say they had connected with what I had shared. Some spoke about their own experiences, some recognised similar challenges in their own lives, and some simply wanted to say that something I had said had stayed with them.
That meant everything to me.
It reminded me that when we speak honestly, we often give other people permission to feel seen, too. Sometimes the parts of our story we feel most nervous to share are the very parts that connect us most deeply to others who have carried similar feelings.
After my presentation, I couldn't wait to immerse myself in the activities. One of the highlights was a team-building exercise that had everyone buzzing with excitement: building and racing wooden go-karts.
It was simple, playful, and so much fun. Despite the intense heat, teams poured their energy into designing, building and racing their go-karts, all competing for the fastest time.
There was something very special about seeing a group of adults fully commit to making and racing go-karts. It turns out a bit of wood, wheels and competitive spirit still has the power to bring out everyone's inner child.
Later that evening, Momentum hosted a beautiful celebration gala dinner. The hall was set up beautifully, and the evening was a real tribute to Momentum's 30-year history.
There were reflections on the organisation's work, its members, its magazine and the many people who have helped shape it over the years. Hearing the presentations and memories from those involved gave a real sense of how much Momentum has meant to people across Norway.
Thirty years is a huge achievement, and the pride in the room was easy to feel.
Throughout the weekend, I had conversations with people from so many different backgrounds — investors, singers, motorcar enthusiasts, former Paralympians, farmers and many more.
That is one of the things I love most about our community. We all have different stories connected to amputation or limb difference, but the emotions surrounding these life-changing experiences can be very similar, creating a mutual and often instant connection. Our limb loss does not define us; we are so much more than our trauma.
We are people with full lives, different passions, careers, families, hobbies, challenges and stories worth celebrating.
For me, Momentum's 30th Jubilee was not only a celebration of an organisation, but of the people who have built it, shaped it and kept it going for three decades.
Yes, there was innovation, new technology and important conversations about prosthetics, orthotics and support. But the real magic of the weekend was found in the laughter, the late-night chats, the shared experiences, the wooden go-karts, the pirate peg legs and the feeling of being in a room full of people who understood one another.
I left Norway feeling inspired, grateful and very proud to have been part of such a memorable weekend.
A huge thank you to Petter Thime for inviting me, and to everyone at Momentum for such a warm welcome.
A special thank you also to Anna-Karin and Helge from Ottobock, and to John for so kindly driving me to and from the airport.
Congratulations on 30 years of such a wonderful and vibrant community. And Norway, I really hope this is not goodbye. I have a feeling I will be back.
