Ryan
Blanck-LCPO, Director Of Clinical Operations
Northwest Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinic
Seattle,
WA
"The
amputee teddy program organized by Jean Boelter has had a great impact on many
of our new amputees. Both young and old have found comfort in this simple but
incredible idea. Undergoing an amputation can bring on so many different
feelings. This simple concept of an amputee teddy bear may bring an unexpected
smile for someone following the overwhelming experience of an amputation.
---
"I
am hoping that we can eventually provide every new amputee and their families
with amputee teddy bears."
A
heartfelt thanks
from all of us at Amputeddy, to Ryan and NWPOC for sponsoring
Amputeddy's exhibit at the
ACA 2004
and 2005 Annual Education Conference and Exposition
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Francis attended the 2004 ACA Convention in Nashville and fell
in love with Amputeddy.
He wanted an "Italian" bear with a mustache to
introduce his new leg to the kids he meets. A cuddly bear makes it easier to
understand. He stopped by our booth the next day and said the kids love it and
he can hardly take it away from them when its time to leave.
|
|
Dave
Dunville
National Director
Amputee
Fire Fighters Association
First
off, who doesn't love a teddy bear!? I came across Amputeddy at
the 2004 ACA Conference, in Nashville. My 6-year-old son begged for one, so on
the last day, we got him one. ( Hey it was a 12-hour drive home.)
Since then, that Amputeddy has visited 12 classrooms in four school districts!
I started to use my son's Amputeddy as an ice breaker while talking to schools
kids. After they see and hear about "Teddy", (as my son calls him), I
show them my prosthetic leg, with Mickey Mouse on the socket.
The questions start to fly, and the kids have to see my leg. The
hard part, after spending about an hour with the kids, is getting the Amputeddy
back. All the kids want to take it home.
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To:
"Jean A Boelter" <jboelter1@juno.com>
From:
"Joanie Santucci" <jsantucc@u.washington.edu>
Date:
Thu, 16 Sep 2004 12:29:51 -0700
Subject:
Re: Amputeddys for kids
Thanks
Jean,
The
boy we talked about has his right foot missing, so I gave him the bear I had in
my
office
since it was a right foot teddy.
I
wish you could have been there to see his reaction this morning when I brought
the bear in. He just lit up & held out his arms & said "I WUV this
bear". He kept taking off the foot & giggling. This kid is cute as a
button anyway, but what fun he had with the bear. He just "wuvs" it!
Even though his bed is full of pokemon toys, they were forgotten after the bear.
Thanks
so much for making these available. I'm going to try & promote these as best
I can - this little guy gave me renewed energy to get these funded.
You're
such an inspiration, Jean. Thanks for all you do.
-Joanie
Joanie
Santucci, RN, MN, ONC
Clinical
Nurse Specialist
Limb
Viability/Trauma Orthopaedics
Harborview
Medical Center
Box
359733
325
Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104
|
|
Hailey
Shinn, Seattle, WA
Hailey
was in a car wreck. In
addition to multiple life-threatening injuries, she lost part of her left
arm.
Hailey
had always been the loving, playful aunt. But at family gatherings the little
children stayed well away from the woman with the scary arm sitting quietly in
the wheel chair. When Hailey got her new Amputeddy
the kids gathered around, fascinated, and climbed back up on their favorite lap.
There they learned about Hailey's injury by experimenting with the prosthesis of
little bear who also had lost her left arm.
|
Dear Jean:
Thank you so much for the prompt shipment of Joel's
amputeddy. It arrived very quickly after our correspondence. Joel fell in love
with him immediately. The teddy (named John-John) helped us discuss Joel's
upcoming surgery with him. And, it helped Joel discuss it with us! Joel even
took John-John to pre-school with him the first day back after the amputation to
help explain to his classmates about his surgery. When I was talking to Joel
the other day about his stump and the prosthesis he will be getting,
he asked/stated "Like John-John?" It even helped his two brothers initiate
conversation about the surgery and prosthesis! Thanks again!
Rebecca |
