Buying a prosthesis isn’t cheap. That price doubles if you need a second one, or is slightly more if you want a running blade. For a below the knee amputee, a single running blade can cost nearly $3,500. Go above the knee—requiring a knee socket—that cost goes up to $8,000 to $9,000. And if you’re a family with a child who seeks a prosthesis, those costs become almost annual as you regularly have to re-fit and re-size as the kid grows.
For those without the financial means to prosthetics, this becomes a huge barrier to leading an active lifestyle, which can be detrimental for an amputee’s mental health. For that reason, Aaron Fitzsimmons and Ryan Fann, two men who both grew up with an amputated leg, created a nonprofit in Nashville known as Amputee Blade Runners (ABR). What ABR does it helps people who need prosthetics by fitting, teaching how to use, and giving prosthetics to people who might not be able to afford them.
Anyone in need of a prosthesis, whether that’s a running blade for track and other sports or a prosthesis for more stability or a foot for basketball, is able to apply for one through ABR. It doesn’t have to be for athletic purposes, but they most often handle athletes like runners to basketball players who compete at amateur and even Paralympic levels. Once accepted, you are asked to come to Nashville for about a week to be fitted and test out what you might want to do with your prosthesis.
Despite working with amputees around the country, most funding comes from the Nashville area. That’s why ABR is working hard to grow the nonprofit nationally and get additional funds through fundraising and grant programs. Maybe you can help ABR out too.
