Jen Brigham S 2014 Turkey Trot Experience

socket is currently too big but once adjusted I plan to train and schedule more 5 or 10Ks in the future.

Newsletter Volume 10 Issue 1 January 2015 The January 12th meeting was held at Spring Creek BBQ in Richardson and there were 38 attendees. Jeanna Scott welcomed everyone at the sign-in table with name badges and a dinner coupon. After dinner Steve Kerper welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially amputees who were there for the first time: w ww.dallasamputeenetwork.org William Boyd III, May Shane and Cynthia Blakely. (972) 470-0505 Bill Sweeney has been a Certified Peer Visitor for a Our next meeting will be on Monday, February 9th, long time and he spends much of his time at the VA from 6-9 p.m. at Spring Creek BBQ in Richardson. Our Hospital in Dallas, helping amputees cope with their main speaker will be David Norcott who has been problems and offering encouragement. He told us about organizing and participating in 5K/10K Walk-A-Thons the work he does and how it improves rehabilitation, for the past few years, primarily to benefit the Ft. Worth both mentally and emotionally. We appreciate Bill! YMCA. He will discuss “Dreams, Goals, and Physical Fitness.” An open forum with a group discussion will James Mercier is starting a new amputee support group follow. Your participation will benefit everyone! in the Greenville area, and his first meeting is planned for Tuesday, February 10, 2015, from 6-8 p.m. at the Also, DAN’s own Travis White is a licensed Massage Collin Street Bakery on the NE corner of Business 69 Therapist and has offered to give massages at the and I-30. (Address is 1220 I-30.) If you know anyone in meeting, before or after the program. the Hunt\Fannin\Delta\Hopkins County area that might be interested, please contact him. His mobile phone is (214) 683-7126 and his email is [email protected]. Legapalooza XXXIV will be held on June 7th next year Anyone from DAN is welcome to attend. at Milo Butterfingers and Tommy Donahue is already working on the event and will bring Legapalooza shirts Jen Brigham’s 2014 Turkey Trot Experience with the new logo, selling them for $20. We look forward to this huge annual fundraiser, a day-long party As most of you know my name is Jen Brigham and I of music, food, games, prizes, and loads of fun for have been an above-the-knee amputee since birth. I everyone. There are many fantastic items for the silent always heard about 5K walks and always thought auction as well. For more info, or to help with sponsors everyone was crazy who was willing to do these walks. and prizes, contact Tommy at (214) 641-6833 or leave Over the last few years I have become more active in a message on his email, [email protected]. the gym and have lost several pounds and have felt my all-time best. Through the years I struggled with depression and anxiety and the best medication for me I At the last meeting many people (mostly certified Peer learned was staying physically fit and active. Fast Visitors) received personalized name badges and forward to several meetings with the Dallas Amputee agreed that they would take brochures and other DAN Network and hearing David Norcott speak about his information to hospitals and rehabs in their area of 10Ks. I really was inspired by so many of you that I town, with an offer to visit with new amputees. Packets thought to myself ... “Why not?” were distributed with materials to give to medical personnel most likely to work with new amputees. It’s The day of the walk was an extremely special day to me. important that people facing amputation also know that Not only was the walk fun and energized me but I got to we are here to help them through the transition into support some amazing fellow amputees and watch them amputee life, with encouragement and information that finish the race together. Not to mention during my walk I would ease their minds about “what comes next” and met a new amputee friend that had never heard of DAN, coping with day-to-day activities. If you are interested in and we exchanged stories and walked the finish line. We taking the next free Peer Visitation class to become a still keep in contact today; this gentleman works all over Certified Peer Visitor, please contact David Ahrens at the world with his career but he plans to keep in touch. [email protected], or call him at Right after the walk I made a conscious choice to do (214) 287-4931 to get on the list. more walks and maybe a run in the future. Sadly, my Ronald Barnes’ announcement M-Power Prosthetics and Orthotics Dallas (214) 265- 5060 I'm inviting all amputees to come out and have Synergy Orthotics & Prosthetics some fun every third Saturday of the month at Plano (972) 769-8344 Tommy Donahue’s place, Milo Butterfingers, at Lake Prosthetics & Research Euless (817) 358-1500 5645 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75206. Scott Sabolich Prosthetics & Research If you’re interested call me at 972 -342-0892 --- Dallas, Oklahoma City (214) 382-9270 come on out and let’s have some fun! Advanced Prosthetics Research, Inc. Plano (469) 241-1477 Lift-Aids, Inc. Euless (817) 835-0035 AllTech Prosthetics Burleson (817) 706-4976 PROGRAM: “ Why do I run / walk?” by David Norcott Craig Till was our main speaker. After many months of camps, testing and eliminations, he succeeded in I was invited to participate with a team from work in becoming an elite member of the U.S. Amputee Soccer January 2013 for the Fort Worth Zoo 5K in April of Team, and has been in Mexico competing with the 2013. I laughed in surprise and shock that my co- teams from other countries. He had a lot to tell us and worker would even ask me, because I am an amputee, brought pictures of his experience. Gary Scott showed a double above-the-knee amputee, to boot. Craig’s pictures, as well as other group events during the Well, after a week, the invitation got louder and louder presentation. Craig described his training, the team so I agreed to do it. I had no idea what to expect or practice sessions, as well as the ways that amputee even how to begin to prepare for such an event. soccer differs from regular soccer. Rules are quite different, and the amputees play using forearm crutches After making the decision to commit and enter the (no prosthetic devices), except for the goalie. The size of event, I then called my prosthetist and explained my the field and number of team players is also different decision and he shouted, “Great! Get started training!” from regular soccer. When the newly formed U.S. team and he helped, leading me through the process of went to Mexico to compete with other countries, they preparing for this challenge. were unranked, but after the tournament they were ranked twelfth out of 18 teams. Some countries have Over the few months before the race I went through many amputee soccer teams, and the sport is much many emotions, thoughts, and experiences. But when I more a part of their culture than in America. We’re very invested in myself the return was enormous. The first happy and proud of Craig’s skill and persistence in his hurdle out of the way of committing to the race brought accomplishment being on the U.S. Amputee Soccer another, and then another and yet another, -- the result Team. We look forward to further reports on the team’s was experiential confidence, that no one, I repeat no success in this very challenging sport. one, could ever take away from me.

Debra Kerper of Easy Access Travel talked about the I earned them and experienced them, fear and all, so fully handicap-accessible cruises coming up in 2015, now--- some of the barriers I broke while preparing or and encouraged those who love to travel to join her and training for my first 5K: I no longer use the scooter at Steve on their adventures. Coming up are: Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club or other stores. Shopping there now is the reward for me. I shopped, bought gas and Alaska- June 5-12 went home, put my groceries away, and was sitting at Canada- August 27-September 5 my desk having a glass of water, in an amount of time Israel- November 4-16 less than using the scooter. (I would only be getting back to the car to load my purchases in the car.) Also, Please go to [email protected] or call her at now I choose to not park in the Handicap Parking. (951) 202-2208 for more information on these cruises. So now, in conclusion--- why do I race? It began with an invitation to participate in a team event by someone Thanks to Our 2014 Sponsors who wanted me to be included. Thank you, Brad! I was led by the Holy Spirit to agree and commit, and the Tommy Donahue’s Legapalooza Benefit harvest still continues; this year with a little help from Strobel & Associates Prosthetics, Inc. my friends I have now completed 5 5K’s and 1 10K. I Plano (972) 516-9538 completed two races in a month, and then two races in Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc. a week! My goal now is to do a Marathon in 2016. Dallas, Garland, Plano (972) 226-6496 Excell Orthotics & Prosthetics Great thanks to all who helped me with my commitment Denton (940) 243-4198 to enter into something that would change my life and Doug Brooks, Limbs for Life Board Member provide me the skills and experiences to embrace my 2 life and future head-on and not shrink in the Face of a Challenge, and yet with the added adversity of being an bilateral above-knee amputee!!! I ask you--- what have you been invited to do?? What is it that you want to do and think you can't do?

Who put the apostrophe “T” on your “CAN”?

David Norcott will speak at the February 9th meeting! (For more information, call David at (817) 691-7511, or email him at [email protected].)