In May 2023, Carolyn Buffington’s life took an unexpected turn. After a routine 3-mile hike, she was faced with a diagnosis that would forever change her path, leiomyosarcoma of the distal femur. Within weeks, Carolyn underwent a groundbreaking procedure: her cancerous femur, along with the top of her tibia, was replaced with 18 inches of…
Rick Bontkowski is a beacon of hope and resilience for the amputee community. As the host of the Amp’d Up211 Podcast, Rick has created a platform that uplifts, inspires, and educates listeners about the realities of living with limb loss. His journey from being a right below-the-knee amputee to a passionate advocate showcases the power…
Location: Basalt, Colorado Job: Medically retired Deputy Sheriff Limb Preservation Foundation (LPF): Tell us about the limb challenge you faced? Assaf: I couldn’t really wear a prosthetic due to severe complex regional pain syndrome. For the first few years after my amputation, the pain was severe. I couldn’t at all have a prosthetic and I was on crutches…
On an otherwise unremarkable evening, in April of 2022, Desiree Duran’s dog Cooper saved her life. Desiree was 23 years old at the time and studying Early Childhood Education. She had just turned out the lights and with Cooper right on her heels, she tripped over the dog and fell. She knew right away she…
As a rising star in the world of freestyle skiing, David was a young athlete with boundless energy. Every day was a chance to push the boundaries of what was possible on skis. But in June of 2021, his life took a heart-wrenching turn. David had been honing his skills at the Utah Olympic Park,…
Location: Aurora, Colorado Please tell us about the limb challenge that you faced. Torie: I am a mother, wife, and avid athlete. I was born and raised in Nairobi-Kenya and traveled to the United States at the age of 19 to pursue further studies. After graduating with a degree in International Business, my husband and I started…
Location: Denver, Colorado Work title and company: Project Manager at PCL Construction Services, Inc. Overcoming a limb challenge Please tell us about the limb challenge that you faced. Peter: I was involved in a motorcycle accident in May of 2001, which caused severe internal injuries along with Brachial Plexus Avulsions on the left sides of my…
Location: Aurora, CO Job: Licensed Clinical Social Worker at UCHealth Tell us about your work with patients facing limb loss or limb challenges. Why did you choose this line of work? Kristine: My name is Kristine McGuire and I am a licensed clinical social worker at the University of Colorado Hospital Orthopedics clinics. I have been in…
Dan Schilke always tried to make the world a better place, and his friends are doing the same in his honor. Dan passed away in 2017 after a courageous battle with Ewing’s sarcoma. He was just a month away from turning 28 years young, but his impact on his friends, family, and the world around…
We want you to join us for our upcoming symposium – and we have scholarships available! LPF’s symposium is an immersive experience to educate, empower, and envision the future of limb health and well-being. This is your chance to connect with the limb loss and limb difference community, medical professionals, and industry experts, learn about the…