Kendra Blakely, 14, of Revelstoke, is back from The War Amps annual BC Child Amputee (CHAMP)
Seminar in Vancouver. This year is a special one, marking the 30th anniversary of CHAMP Seminars, which are held regionally across Canada.
Kendra, who was born a left arm amputee, was a Junior Counsellor, through which she was able to “give back” by answering questions and offering advice to young Champs. She took part in a “show and tell” session, where Champs demonstrated their standard and recreational artificial limbs. Kendra showed her guitar and sports arms. She was also presented with a CHAMP Ambassador Certificate for donating a copy of the Canadian Army Newsreels to her local library as part of The War Amps Operation Legacy, which passes on the remembrance message from war amputee veterans to the younger generation.
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 waramps.ca.
~Article contributed by War Amps BC Child Amputee program