The Active Amputee - English Edition

TAA 047: Meet Chris Rains, talking about sports as a key element in his rehabilitation, being a peer mentor, and a ROMP climbing team memberThis month's guest is Chris Rains, who lost one of his legs during a horrible car crash. Chris and I talk about the role sports played in his recovery, the organisations that allowed him to try out various outdoor activities, and his participation in one of the Range of Motion Project's climbs to raise funds and awareness for others people affected by limb loss and limb difference.   To learn more about Chris, follow him on Instagram.Organisations mentioned during the podcast:ClickMedical - for more information click here of follow them on Instagram.The Beautifully Flawed Foundation  - for more information click here of follow them on Instagram.The Range of Motion Project - for more information click here of follow them on Instagram.The Challenged Athletes Foundation - for more information click here of follow them on Instagram.The Kirstie Ennis Foundation - for more information click here of follow them on Instagram.

TAA 046: Five take-aways from the January Walking ChallengeLearning from my January Walking Challenge. The idea was simple. I walked each and every day during the month of January. I started gently with one kilometre on January 1st. Two kilometre on January 2nd. Three on January 3rd and so on. You get the idea. I did this until the middle of the month. January 16th was the pivoting point with a whopping sixteen kilometres. And then I slowly decreased the daily dose of walking. One kilometre at a time. So January 17th I walked fifteen kilometres. And so on. So by the end of the month I was back to a leisurely one kilometre. January is over. The challenge is completed. And here is what I learned.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on 

TAA 045: Join me for the January Walking ChallengeHere is my end of the year call to action. Join me for the January Walking Challenge. The idea is simple. We walk each and every day during the month of January. We start gently with one kilometre on January 1st. Two kilometre on January 2nd. Three on January 3rd and so on. You get the idea. We do this until the middle of the month. January 16th is the pivoting point with a whopping sixteen kilometres. And then we slowly decrease the daily dose of walking. One kilometre at a time. So January 17th we walk fifteen kilometres. And so on. So by the end of the month we are back ton a leisurely one kilometre. If this is too much, there is a second option: You chose you own daily goal. Let's say three kilometres. And then you make sure you take a three-kilometre walk each and every day. Are you in? I am looking forward to hearing from you. And if you feel like it, follow me on Instagram for updates on my January Walking Challenge. ------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on 

TAA 044: Staying safe outdoors in winter - despite an amputationSo, today is November 15th. And that means it's less than two weeks until the beginning of Advent on the one hand and the official start of winter on the other (at least meteorologically, if not yet in terms of the calendar). Winter is - in my eyes - a great time. I enjoy it every year anew: The long evenings, the cozy hours at home, and the quality time with family and friends. And as you all know, I'm also someone who likes to spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in winter. Something that is not always easy after a transfemoral amputation. I can well imagine that many of you who are struggling with various limitations in your lower limbs are hesitant - maybe even fearful - when it comes to being active outdoors in winter. To help you overcome some of these fears and to encourage you to enjoy the winer season with confidence, here are a few tips from me. But before we get started, a quick disclaimer up front: I have been an above-knee amputee since 2005. And I  get on very well with my prosthesis - a Genium X3 from Ottobock. I walk a lot and feel comfortable, especially off the beaten track. And as I'm otherwise relatively fit, I'm not afraid of falling. If I slip and fall, well, so be it.So the following tips and tricks are things that work for me. Of course, this may be completely different for one or the other of you. Please keep this in mind when you hear my tips.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on 

TAA 043: Meet Peter Franzel, Head of Events & Exhibitions at OttobockToday's guest is Peter Franzel, who can look back at a decade and a half of being involved in the Ottobock's technical support services for para-sport events. If you want to learn more about Ottobock's support for big sport events or if you want to find out where the next running clinic takes place and how to get involved, please check out the Ottobock homepage.  Additional information can be found on a variate of social media platforms.Ottobock on Instagram.Ottobock on LinkedIn.Ottobock on Youtube.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex Beroza

TAA 042: Meet Sydney Marshburn, Events & Outreach Manager for ROMPToday's guest is Sydney Marshburn, an above-knee amputee from the US. Sydney is passionate about advocating for people with disabilities, she openly shares her story with the world through social media, and is a mentor to those facing chronic illness/limb loss. She is an events and outreach manager for the Range of Motion Project, an adjustability mentor for Click Medical, and an ambassador for Lindhextend. Sydney dreams of representing Team USA at the LA2028 Paralympic Games.Follow Sydney’s journey on Instagram.For more information about ROMP, please visit their website.For more information about Linda Extend, please visit their website.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex Beroza

TAA 041: Meet Jennifer Howland, the VP Marketing, Sales and Product at Click MedicalI had the chance to catch up with the Click Medical team during its visit to Germany. So I used the opportunity to talk with Jen about the importance of adjustability in general and about the approach Click Medical has taken to enable people affected by limb loss and limb differences to live an active and exciting life style. Learn more about Joe, Click Medical, and devices to adjust a socket, please visit the Click Medical homepage. You can also take this quiz to find out if RevoFit® is right for you.

TAA 040: Meet Jimmy Capra, co-founder and CEO of Click MedicalI had the chance to catch up with the Click Medical team during its visit to Germany. So I used the opportunity to talk with Jimmy about the importance of adjustability in general and about three exciting new products more specifically. Learn more about Joe, Click Medical, and devices to adjust a socket, please visit the Click Medical homepage. You can also take this quiz to find out if RevoFit® is right for you.

TAA 039: Meet Kyle Stepp, para triathlete, community organizer, and activistWe kick off 2023 with an interview with Kyle Stepp. Kyle is a para-athlete, a community organizer, and disability rights activist. In today's show, he talks about dedicating your life to using your pain for a bigger purpose and turning a privilege into a responsibility to give back. Learn more about Kyle and his initiatives, please visit him on Instagram.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex Beroza

TAA 038: Meet Joe Mahon, the founder of Click MedicalToday I have Joe Mahon on the show. Joe is an experienced prosthetist, the co-founder of Click Medical, and the inventor of Click Medical’s RevoFit® dial that allows prosthetic users to adjust their sockets on the go. Learn more about Joe, Click Medical, and devices to adjust a socket, please visit the Click Medical homepage. You can also take this quiz to find out if RevoFit® is right for you.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex Beroza

TAA 037: Phantom pain after limb lossPhantom pain is unfortunately something that many amputees know well and experience more or less regularly. And that's why I want to deal a little bit more with this phenomenon today. In this article, you will find a first overview of theories about the development of phantom limb pain on the one hand and various treatment approaches on the other hand. If you want to delve deeper into the matter, you can find some links to further articles in the text below.References and Further ReadingThieme connect, Th. Weiss,W. H. R. Miltner – Phantomschmerz: https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ebooks/lookinside/10.1055/b-0034-86301 (last accessed on 31.07.2022)Cleveland Clinic – Phantom Limb Pain: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12092-phantom-limb-pain (last accessed on 31.07.2022)Healtline, Kirsten Nunez – What Causes Phantom Pain, and How Is it Treated: https://www.healthline.com/health/phantom-pain (last accessed on 31.07.2022)Mayo Clinic – Phantom pain: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/phantom-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20376272 (last accessed on 31.07.2022)Gesundheit.gv.at – Phantomschmerz: https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/krankheiten/gehirn-nerven/schmerz/phantomschmerz.html (last accessed on 31.07.2022)Österreichische Ärztezeitung – Phantomschmerz: Schmerz-Abgrenzung im Vorfeld: https://aerztezeitung.at/2019/oaz-artikel/medizin/phantomschmerz-schmerzabgrenzung-stumpfschmerz/ (last accessed on 31.07.2022)Inselspital Bern – Phantom- und Stumpfschmerzen: https://neurochirurgie.insel.ch/funktionell-schmerz/schmerz/phantom-und-stumpfschmerzen (last accessed on 31.07.2022)Deutsche Schmerzgesellschaft e.V. – Spiegeltherapie: https://www.schmerzgesellschaft.de/patienteninformationen/ergaenzende-verfahren/spiegeltherapie (last accessed on 31.07.2022)NDR – Cannabis: Wirksames Medikament bei chronischen Schmerzen?: https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/gesundheit/Cannabis-Wirksames-Medikament-bei-chronischen-Schmerzen,cannabis212.html (last accessed on 31.07.2022) ------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on

TAA 036: Meet Jodie St. Clair from Learners and MakersToday I chat with Jodie from Learners and Makers. Jodie and her family are juszt about to start their next big adventure: A journey that will take them all around the globe. And as always, Jodie and her family combine their passion for travel with homeschool, and more into their everyday adventures of lifelong learning and joyful making. Learn more about Learners and Makers......on the Learners and Makers blog....on Instagram.on Youtube.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on LinkedInThe Active Amputee on Pinterest

TAA 035: What's in my amputee emergency repair kit?I love traveling. Full stop. And while the last two years weren't much in terms of spending time away from the safety and comfort of my home, I used to travel a lot. Often in far flung places, off the beaten track, and far away from any prosthetist. As I never take crutches on oversee trips (and hardly on any of the trips around Europe) my prosthesis is the key to my mobility. If it fails, I am stuffed. So I like to be prepared for a range of situations in which I might have to fix my prosthetic leg or foot or socket myself. At the same time I like to travel light; i.e. everything needs to fit into my backpack.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on LinkedInThe Active Amputee on Pinterest

TAA 034: Hiking up East Timor's highest mountain to raise funds for people with disabilitiesCombining my passion for the outdoors with a good cause. My work often brings me to countries in the tropics. Sometimes just for a few weeks. Sometimes for years. And while a high-tech knee is a great plus when it comes to being active and mobile, they soon hit their limits when water, sand, mud and rice paddies are involved. A simple backup option is needed. And often this can be done locally. As it was in my case, in Timor Leste back in 2009. Here is my story of how building a new prosthesis led to an amazing fundraising hike, that brought in enough money to support three local charities that support people with disabilities in Timor Leste. ------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on LinkedInThe Active Amputee on Pinterest

TAA 033: Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month Special - Did you know that...April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. In its eleventh year, this month is a fixed feature in our calendars. A month to celebrate the limb loss and limb difference community, tell the world more about us, further work towards real inclusion and increased participation, and be proud of how far we have come. As Amplitude Magazin put it nicely last year:  "When the Amputee Coalition organized the first Limb Loss Awareness Month in April 2011, Oscar Pistorius hadn’t yet made the running blade an instantly recognizable piece of athletic gear. No amputee veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars had been elected to Congress. Social media, still in its infancy, hadn’t yet given amputees a platform to tell their own stories." Here are 30 little audio snippets with insights into my life as an amputee. ------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on LinkedInThe Active Amputee on Pinterest

TAA 032: Meet Nate Denofre, a double amputee who canoed the length of the MississippiNate is a double amputee from Michigan. In 2020, just when the Covid19 pandemic put an end to many adventures all around the globe he canoed the length of the Mississippi River, source to sea. "You cannot prepare for such a trip. o you learn while you are already on the water!" Listen to his story, learn more about his support work for veterans and other amputees, and see why Nate thinks the only disability is fear.To learn more about StormPort, the charity mentioned in the interview, please check Facebook.To learn more about Nate, check out his Instagram profile.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on LinkedInThe Active Amputee on Pinterest

TAA 031: Meet Lasse Madsen from the sports tech startup LevitateToday I talk with Lasse W. Madsen,  the CEO and Co-founder of the sports tech startup Levitate. Lasse is an amputated runner himself and his mission is to give people with disabilities simple access to affordable sports equipment they need to live an active life. His company Levitate produces running blades that amputees can install themselves.To learn more about Levitate, check out the homepage and follow Lasse on Instagram.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on LinkedInThe Active Amputee on Pinterest

TAA 030: Lifehacks for a good fit of your socketMost amputees know that the key to an active lifestyle is a well-fitting socket. Most amputees also know that the process to get a well-fitting socket can be long, tedious, and often frustrating. And to make things even more complicated, even if you manage to bring this process to a successful end - read: If you have a socket that feels good, is comfortable to wear all day long while being snug enough to be active and use the leg in all kinds of situations - your residual limb can change and - as a result - your overall situation changes. Either over the course of a day, from one week to the next, or over a longer period of time. This can be a change along a trajectory, a trend in a given direction. Or it can be oscillating. So changes without a clear direction to where the journey is leading to. And while more significant changes need to be addressed together with your prosthetist, there are some options you have to fix things yourself. This can be handy if you feel the need for adjustments over the course of the day, for example, while on a walk or when away on holidays with no access to a prosthetist.  So here are a few lifehacks you might want to try. But before you do so, let me state one thing clearly. The following approaches to deal with an ill-fitting socket have been tried by me. They worked for me. And they might work for you. But if you try them, you do so at your own risk.------------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on LinkedInThe Active Amputee on Pinterest

TAA 029: Meet Enock Glidden: Developing  a can-do attitude and achieving your goalsToday I am talking with the always amazing Enock Glidden. Born with Spina Bifida, Enock is no one to shy away from a challenge. This lead him to climb big wall mountains volunteer as an ambassador for Paradox Sports, and make outdoor activities more accessible through his collaboration with Maine Trail Finder.Watch bis video on YouTube.Visit the Maine Trail Finder.Visit Paradox Sports.Learn more about Enock on his homepage. --------For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on LinkedInThe Active Amputee on Pinterest

For more information, visit The Active Amputee.The music - as always - is Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/jlbrock44/33345 Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex BerozaTo learn more about The Active Amputee, check out the following linksThe Active Amputee BlogThe Active Amputee on InstagramThe Active Amputee on YouTubeThe Active Amputee on TwitterThe Active Amputee on LinkedInThe Active Amputee on Pinterest