Champion Kim: When we became the majority

I just flew back from outer space, so to speak, to attend the annual Hanger Clinic event called Empowerfest.  The theme was a space one as in “BOLD MOVES.” I was excited to be in the same place as almost 160 other amputees and those with limb difference.  We didn’t have to explain ourselves to non-disabled persons nor feel like the only person with a disability in the room.

Empowerfest is a three day event to encourage those with limb loss or limb difference to try new things and learn new adaptive skills.  Last year, I wrote about getting up on a horse.  This year, I did yoga, drumming, and pool exercises.  Every year is slightly different and in a different city and state.  To be around those who get it and also uplift and encourage each other builds strength both mentally and physically. 

Some folks did an adaptive obstacle course to learn how to walk and balance in a new or existing prosthetic leg. Upper amputees learned how to improvise and adapt in the kitchen while cooking meals.  Yet others got on different types of bicycles like hand bikes, stationary bikes, and regular two wheeled bikes to try a new activity they could go home and do on their own.

“The Room Looked Different.” – Yes! For once we didn’t have to explain our legs or arms that were missing and replaced by robot parts. We instead discussed things like prosthetic discomfort, getting around, adaptive equipment, staring, fatigue, figuring out bathrooms, traveling—and all of this was shared knowledge from each of our individual experiences.

“We Came As Amputees. We left As…,” travelers, explorers, athletes, artists, advocates, professionals, friends, adventurers, comedians, writers and dreamers.  WE were part of a MAJORITY!

Some of the things I noticed is how everyone in that ballroom and classes ‘gets it.”

• Someone automatically helps another person with equipment.
• Nobody stares at a prosthesis.
• People casually compare sockets and feet.
• Someone talks about phantom pain without needing to explain what it means.
• A person with a new amputation watches someone else confidently walk into the room.
• People laugh about things outsiders might not understand.

Even though I attended for the first time last year, I was still excited about what might take place knowing it wasn’t the same every year.  Enduring a three hour time change both ways between Indiana and San Jose, California took a toll on me. But I looked forward to the trip.  I did want to try cycling but time got away from me, and it was really hard to chose between all of the cool activities that we were given on the schedule.

I belong to several online amputee support zoom groups.  Seeing some of those people in person and hugging and getting to spend quality time with each one made my heart swell and my eyes water up a bit.  We are family even when we have family and friends back home.  However, this is more like a special family—a band of diversity and commonality that brings us together.

Riding around on my electric scooter throughout the hotel and outside I realized I was actually saving my energy rather than wearing myself out too quickly. It is perfectly ok to use whatever you need to conserve energy and keep you upright.  We had a dance on the last night. This girl, who’s turning 60 in November, hasn’t danced in many years.  I did attempt it. I think I looked like I was breakdancing in one spot.  The space costumes, the folks in wheelchairs being spun around by those of us standing, everyone was having a blast.  Of course, some of us will be needing physical therapy just to recover from that dance! Ha!

I never imagined this awesome life I have now the day I heard those words “you have cancer in your foot and ankle, and we may need to amputate.” I thought I had lost everything I had worked toward as a single divorced mom of a young boy to seeing him off to college to finally start a career I only dreamed of for years.  But I didn’t, not really. I learned sometimes dreams will fade and new ones will appear that are even better than before.  I’m a peer support visitor, an advocate for So Every BODY Can Move in Indiana, a writer/blogger/speaker and love sharing all the free information with my amputee friends. 

Next year, rumor has it, that this event will be moving to the other side of the United States somewhere on the East Coast.  This might be more obtainable for those who might not be able to travel so far west.  And it might be in a different season.  So, keep watching online at the hanger clinic social media pages. 

Make your bold move and be proud of who you are despite what has been given to you.  To “infinity and beyond!”