The Active Amputee - English Edition

TAA 058: Closing thoughts on Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month 2026

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 058: Closing thoughts on Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month 2026

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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

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TAA 057: Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month Special

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 057: Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month Special

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TAA 056: Meet Hari Budha Magar, first double above-knee amputee completing the Seven Summits

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 056: Meet Hari Budha Magar, first double above-knee amputee completing the Seven Summits

On today's show I talk with Hari Budha Magar, former Gurkha, double above-knee amputee, accomplished mountaineer, and since yesterday the first person to stand on the highest peak on each continent. 'Congratulations, Hari!'.

Hari and I had the chance to talk about his life, his way into mountaineering and his current push to be the first couple above-knee amputee to complete the Seven Summits just before he left to Antarctica in late 2025.

To learn more about Hari, follow him on Instagram and visit his website.

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TAA 055: Meet Sydney Marshburn and enjoy her end of the year reflections about living with a disability

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

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TAA 054: Meet Juliette Janssen, coffee-loving mom, skydiver, paraclimber

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 054: Meet Juliette Janssen, coffee-loving mom, skydiver, paraclimber

Today I am talking with Juliette Janssen from the Netherlands. After a surgery went horribly wrong, Juliette opted for an amputation to get back to an active lifestyle. Less than a year later, she is more active than ever before. Climbing, cross fitting, skydiving while also being a working mom.

For more information about Juliette follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliettedeijkersjanssen/

For more information about skydiving or tandem jumps, even with a disability, contact Funjump Skydiving in Fehrbellin: https://www.funjump.de

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TAA 053: Meet Desirée Vila Bargiela, Paralympic athlete

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 053: Meet Desirée Vila Bargiela, Paralympic athlete

Today with me in the interview is Desirée Vila Bargiela. Desirée lost her leg after a training as an acrobatic gymnast. After her recovery, she started a new career and is now an accomplished Paralympic athlete.

To learn more about Desirée, visit her Instagram profile, on TikTok, or on LinkedIn.

To watch the Youtube Live Show to celebrate the first anniversary of Ottobock's Genium X4, click here.

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TAA 052: Meet Sydney Marshburn, your special host for Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 052: Meet Sydney Marshburn, your special host for Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month

Here is your special Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month episode by Sydney Marshburn from The United States of America. Sydney is a sepsis survivor, an above knee amputee, a disability rights activist, a ClickMedical mentor and peer support visitor, and a potential participant for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

To learn more about Sydney, visit her Instagram profile, on LinkedIn, or via the ClickMedical homepage.

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TAA 051: Meet Larry Borowsky from Amplitude Magazine

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 051: Meet Larry Borowsky from Amplitude Magazine

This month's guest is Larry Borowsky, the editor in chief of Amplitude Magazine, a lifestyle publication for people with limb loss and limb differences.

To learn more about Amplitude, visit the Amplitude homepage or follow them on Instagram.

Additional people, organisations, and other resources mentioned during the podcast:

---still needs to be done---

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TAA 050: Christmas special: Shopping guide: Ten great gift for those living with limb loss

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 050: Christmas special: Shopping guide: Ten great gift for those living with limb loss
Christmas is just around the corner. Less than three weeks (by the time of recording), to be precise. If you haven’t done so, it is high time to think about presents for your loved ones. To make things easier, here are ten great ideas for your amputee friends and family members. Ranging from little ideas for a few bucks to big monster presents that blow a similarly big monster hole into your budget. We are talking from roughly 15.00 US$ to around 20,000.00 US$. Yes, I know, that is a very steep - almost obscene - price tag. But don't worry: seven of the ten gift ideas listed below are below 200.00 US$. So I am sure there is something for everybody.

My top ten tips
For more information, please visit the Amplitude Magazine website.
For more information, please visit the Grivel website.
For more information, please visit the Liberare website.
For more information, please visit the Restube website.
For more information, please visit the Leki website.
For more information, please visit the Boho Boards website.
For more information, please visit the ANATOMIC STUDIOS website.
For more information, please visit the OPEN OCEAN website.
For more information, please visit the Hasebikes website.
For more information, please visit the Lashersports website.

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TAA 049: Click Medical's RevoFit System: The Adventure Enabler

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200

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TAA 048: Meet Christofferr Lindhe, Triple-Amputee, Inventor, Entrepreneur, and Paralympian

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 048: Meet Christofferr Lindhe, Triple-Amputee, Inventor, Entrepreneur, and Paralympian

This month's guest is Christoffer Lindhe from Lindhe Xtend. Christoffer lost both legs and one arm in a horrible train accident. But with his can-do attitude and a positive mindset he embraced his new life, developed his own prosthetic feet and other devices, became an accomplished Paralympian, and entrepreneur.

To learn more about Christoffer, follow him on Instagram.

Organisations mentioned during the podcast:

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TAA 047: Meet Chris Rains, talking about sports as a key element in his rehabilitation, being a peer mentor, and a ROMP climbing team member

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 047: Meet Chris Rains, talking about sports as a key element in his rehabilitation, being a peer mentor, and a ROMP climbing team member

This 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.

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TAA 046: Five take-aways from the January Walking Challenge

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0100

TAA 046: Five take-aways from the January Walking Challenge

Learning 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.

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TAA 045: Join me for the January Walking Challenge

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 045: Join me for the January Walking Challenge

Here 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.

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TAA 044: Staying safe outdoors in winter - despite an amputation

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 044: Staying safe outdoors in winter - despite an amputation

So, 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.

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TAA 043: Meet Peter Franzel, Head of Events & Exhibitions at Ottobock

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 043: Meet Peter Franzel, Head of Events & Exhibitions at Ottobock
Today'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.

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TAA 042: Meet Sydney Marshburn, Events & Outreach Manager for ROMP

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 042: Meet Sydney Marshburn, Events & Outreach Manager for ROMP
Today'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.

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TAA 041: Meet Jennifer Howland, the VP Marketing, Sales and Product at Click Medical

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 041: Meet Jennifer Howland, the VP Marketing, Sales and Product at Click Medical
I 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.

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TAA 040: Meet Jimmy Capra, co-founder and CEO of Click Medical

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 040: Meet Jimmy Capra, co-founder and CEO of Click Medical
I 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.

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TAA 039: Meet Kyle Stepp, para triathlete, community organizer, and activist

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 039: Meet Kyle Stepp, para triathlete, community organizer, and activist
We 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.

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TAA 038: Meet Joe Mahon, the founder of Click Medical

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 038: Meet Joe Mahon, the founder of Click Medical
Today 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.

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TAA 037: Phantom pain after limb loss

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 037: Phantom pain after limb loss
Phantom 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 Reading

Thieme 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/Can

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TAA 036: Meet Jodie St. Clair from Learners and Makers

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 036: Meet Jodie St. Clair from Learners and Makers
Today 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.

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TAA 035: What's in my amputee emergency repair kit?

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0200

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.

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TAA 034: Hiking up East Timor's highest mountain to raise funds for people with disabilities

Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 034: Hiking up East Timor's highest mountain to raise funds for people with disabilities
Combining 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.

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TAA 033: Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month Special - Did you know that...?

Sat, 30 Apr 2022 23:00:00 +0200

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.

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TAA 032: Meet Nate Denofre, a double amputee who canoed the length of the Mississippi

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 032: Meet Nate Denofre, a double amputee who canoed the length of the Mississippi
Nate 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.

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TAA 031: Meet Lasse Madsen from the sports tech startup Levitate

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 031: Meet Lasse Madsen from the sports tech startup Levitate
Today 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.

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TAA 030: Lifehacks for a good fit of your socket

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 030: Lifehacks for a good fit of your socket
Most 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.

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TAA 029: Meet Enock Glidden: Developing a can-do attitude and achieving your goals

Sat, 15 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 029: Meet Enock Glidden: Developing a can-do attitude and achieving your goals
Today 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.

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TAA 028: Flying as an above-knee amputee

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0100

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TAA 027: Hiking in the Himalayas

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 027: Hiking in the Himalayas

After a week in Kathmandu, mostly in meetings and with little to no exercise, I decided to use my day off to walk up to Shivapuri Peak, a few kilometers north of Nepal’s capital. With 2,725 meters the peak offers amazing views over the Kathmandu valley and - if you are lucky and you have a clear day - over the Langtang mountains, a range of 6,000 and 7,000 meters peaks towards the Tibetan border. but even if the Langtang range is covered in clouds, the walk through the Shivapuri national park is always a nice change to the hullaballoo of Kathmandu. And a treat for your lungs as Nepal’s capital is known for its bad air quality. As my prosthesis had been playing up in recent months, I took plenty of repair kit with me. The obligatory Allen key, ducked tape, additional seal tape normally used around windows, udder cream, blister patches, and the like. I wanted to make sure I can get myself safely off the mountain if the need arises. But as it turned out, it wasn’t the prosthesis that needed attention, but my other knee. And that was something I was not prepared for. This knee has been with me through the good times and the bad times. It sometimes complained and screamed abuse, when we returned from a long day out in the hills. But so far it had never given up, no matter what I threw at it. So when severe pain set in only minutes after starting my descent, I knew I was in trouble and needed to come up with a creative solution that gets me back to the valley safely and before nightfall. And I did. Here is the full story

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TAA 026: Four seasons - four regions of Germany - four long-distance hikes as an amputee

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 14:00:00 +0200

TAA 026: Four seasons - four regions - four hikes as an amputee

Here is an update on a project of mine that has been in the making for long. Far too long actually, if you ask me. I am talking about this year's walking project. A project I have been playing around with for some time. A project I have been changing over and over again until it finally felt right. A project that might take up to two years to complete.
As many of you know, I love walking. Just love it. Full stop. For me walking is the perfect mode of getting from one place to another. I enjoy the slow pace that allows me to fully immerse myself in whatever region I find myself in. Being out on foot provides plenty of opportunities to observe all the wonders nature has to offer; the big and obvious ones that stand out and catch your attention as well as the small and easy-to-miss ones along the untrodden path. I love the fact that I have everything a need with me, stacked away in my backpack, without depending on anyone else. And I adore the freedom it gives me to move independently and set up camp where it feels right.
So it comes as no surprise that I have been dreaming about longer hikes for some time. Something special. Something I haven’t done before. And something that would take me to new places. After countless hours of playing around with a wide range of more or less convincing ideas, after burying myself in guidebooks, after chatting with friends and other outdoor enthusiasts, and after putting wild ideas through a bit of a reality check I finally found my new project. One that looked like it's offering the right balance between a good challenge on the one hand while being possible and enjoyable on the other hand. In short: One that felt right.

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TAA 025: Review of the 3R80 from OttoBock

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 025: Review of the 3R80 from OttoBock
Looking through my analytics from the blog I noticed that a review I did of OttoBock's 3R80 some time back still attracts loads of interest from the audience. So I thought I re-publish this article as a podcast, make it easier to find, and thus bring it back to people's attention.

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TAA 024: Meet Josephine Bridges, the chair and trustee of Positive Bones

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 024: Meet Josephine Bridges, the chair and trustee of Positive Bones
Josephine just completed the three peaks challenge - that is summitting the three highest peaks in England, Wales, and Scotland - to raise money for her charity Positive Bones. She tells us about this adventure, the motivation that drove her to set up her own charity, and other issues of the wider limb difference community.

To learn more about the organization, check out the Positive Bones homepage.

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TAA 023: Meet Hope Gordon, who crowdfunded the costs of her amputation

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 023: Meet Hope Gordon, who crowdfunded the costs of her amputation
Hope was suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrom for years when she decided to have her leg amputated. As an amputation was against the guidelines of the National Health System, she needed to cover the costs by herself. That's when she decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign. Five years later, Hope is a happy young woman living a life free from pain. She is a member of the British National Canoe Team and has her eyes on this years' world championship.

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TAA 022: The START Foundation - Empowering amputees in life through sports

Sat, 15 May 2021 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 022: The START Foundation - Empowering amputees in life through sports
The START Foundation empowers amputees in life through sports, by providing grants to purchase sports prostheses or adaptive equipment to help people with a limb difference achieve their sporting dreams and live a rewarding, active, and fulfilled life.

Learn more about the START Foundation, support their work, or apply for grants under https://www.startfoundation.org.au

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TAA 021: The Range of Motion Project's components for a cause

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

TAA 021: Recycle for mobility - ROMP's components for a cause initiative

There is great inequality in the worldwide distribution of prosthetic components: The supply is worst in populations with the highest need. It’s tragic that so many components are oversupplied in higher-income countries while countless people in lower- and middle-income countries remain immobilized by the lack of components. The solution to improving supply doesn’t lie in catchy ‘appropriate technology for the poor’. Instead it lies in improved access to components that already exist. To achieve this we must all be part of the solution: We must all choose to recycle for mobility.

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For more information about ROMP and the Component for a Cause initiative, visit ROMP Global.

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TAA 020: Why it's cool to have an amputee dad

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 18:00:00 +0100

TAA 020: Why it's cool to have an amputee dad
Yes, there are times when I think that it just sucks being an above-knee amputee. Obviously. And often this feeling creeps up on me when I am around my kids. When I want to do things with them and have the feeling that my amputation sets unwanted limitations. When the fact that I have an artificial leg seems to dictate what I can and cannot do with them. And when the socket once again - as so often in the last 10 years - just doesn’t fit and is putting up additional challenges.

But while some of this has been annoying for me, it‘s not really an issue for the kids. It never has been. And now, as I am looking back at the last few years and how they have been growing up, I actually think it‘s been good for them to have an amputee dad. Honestly, I think it‘s an advantage. Collateral good, so to speak. Why? Well...

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TAA 019: My new hiking project

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 019: My new hiking project
Four seasons, four regions of Germany, four long distance hikes. This new project of mine has been in the making for long. Far too long actually, if you ask me. But it looks as if I can soon move from thinking about it to actually getting started with it. Finally. And more than a year behind schedule. Honestly, I can’t wait to get going. But wait a minute; what am I actually talking about? Well…. I am talking about a new walking project of mine. A project I have been playing around with for some time. A project I changed over and over again until it finally felt right. A project that might take up to two years to complete.

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TAA 018: Pimp my prosthesis

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 018: Pimp my prosthesis
I guess most of you still remember the days when artificial limbs - generally speaking - were ugly. Designed for function, not for style. They were off the shelf models with a standard look. While many prosthetists offered some sort of cover or another, more often than not they tried to imitate the look of the remaining limb. And often, very often, it wasn‘t even a good imitation. But luckily the days of ugly artificial limbs are over. Especially 3-D printing was a breakthrough. And small companies are sensing a market, talking to amputees and what they want and then having the guts to give it a go.

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TAA 017: Travel advice for people with a limb difference

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 01:00:00 +0100

TAA 017: Travel advice for people with a limb difference
Traveling is great fun. But from my own experience I also know that traveling as a person with a limb difference can be scary. You are leaving an environment you know, an environment which often has been adapted to your needs and your level of mobility, an environment which is accessible. And instead you are heading for the unknown. That is why The Active Amputee kicks off the new year with a new service: Hands-on travel advice, making it easier for people with a limb difference to travel far and wide and with confidence.

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TAA 016: Welcome back for an amazing 2021

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 17:00:00 +0100

TAA 016: Welcome back for another year of mind-boggling adventures
Happy new year to you all. I hope you had a nice and peaceful Christmas break and a good start into the new year. I hope 2021 will be a good year for all of you. Today I would like to give you a quick overview of what I have been up to, what is on my list for the coming weeks, and where I would love to get you involved. So.... drum roll please!

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TAA 015: Christmas Special: Five amazing books about living with a limb difference

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0100

TAA 015: Christmas Special: Five amazing books about living with a limb difference
In this special Christmas episode, we hear from five authors presenting their books about living a life with a limb difference.

Books we talk about are:
Kendra Herber: Whole: A Leg up on Life - Buy her book here.
Linda K. Olson: Gone: A Memoir of Love, Body, and Taking back my Life - Buy her book here.
Marsha T. Danzig: Yoga for Amputees and Back from the Roots - Buy her Yoga for Amputees book here. And her Back from the Roots book here.
Katie Kolberg Memmel: Five Fingers, Ten Toes: A Mother's Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference - Buy her book here.
Stephen Mackelprang: The Hob About: Right Back to Where I Belong - Buy his book here.

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

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TAA 014: Kayaking as an amputee

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0100

TAA #014: Kayaking as an amputee
While water sports are generally great fun, they are especially well suited for lower limb amputees: They offer the added advantage of the water carrying most of our weight. An advantage not to be underestimated for many amputees.

Swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, surfing - no matter which one of these activities you fancy, they are all great fun and well worth a try. Even more so as they often allow you a completely new perspective on this beautiful planet of ours. There is a whole new world often just a few feet below the surface of the ocean. Feeling the force of a wave carrying you back to shore is a humbling experience. And any coast looks completely different when seen from a kayak.

In this episode I talk about my experiences and provide some hands-on tips to get into kayaking as an 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

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TAA 013: Adenike Oyetunde and the power of communities

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0100

TAA #013: Meet Adenike Oyetunde from Lagos/Nigeria
Adenike Oyetunde is a lawyer and radio presenter from Nigeria‘s economic and cultural powerhouse Lagos. She lost one of her legs due to bone cancer when she was in her early twenties. Adenike, always full of ideas, founded Amputees United, an initiative to assist cancer patients and amputees. "I want to help them wade through the storm, because honestly, I went through this, that I may help them on their journey. We at the Amputees United Initiative would love to help them come to terms with their new reality."

To learn more about Adenike, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or buy her book on Amazon.

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TAA 012: Meet Emelie Stroemshed from Anatomic Studios

Sun, 01 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0100

TAA #012: Meet Emelie Stroemshed from Anatomic Studios
The age of the off-the-shelf look for artificial limbs is slowly coming to an end. With significant advancements in 3D printing technology in recent years a number of companies are now offering stylish prosthetic covers. Emelie from Anatomic Studios in Malmö/Sweden tells us more about the company and their approach to assisting amputees to find their personal style through stunning prosthetic covers.

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TAA 011: Michael-Robbert Brans: Don't hide your obstacles

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 02:00:00 +0200

TAA #011: Michael-Robbert Brans: Don't hide your obstacles
Michael-Robbert Brans is an accomplished adaptive athlete, world record holder, public speaker, and OCR runner. In recent years he set out to encourage others to be open about their obstacles and struggles. “I have conquered many things in my life, including invisible things that ultimately turned out to be the biggest obstacles in my life, and no one really knows about them. I would like to tell you to not hide your obstacles. Share your whole story with people around you and not just small parts of it. Only then you will be able to grow as a person and become the best version of yourself.”

Here is the link to Michael-Robbert's TEDx Talk he mentioned during the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPA3erpX_80

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

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TAA 010: Walking as an amputee: The ideal start into an active lifestyle

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 01:00:00 +0200

TAA #010: Walking - The ideal entry-level activity for amputees
Fellow lower-limb amputees often ask me how they can increase their activity level. And if you ask me, I think walking is one of the best entry-level activities any lower-limb amputee can get into. For a variety of reasons. In this episode, I share some tips and tricks about how to get started. Nothing spectacular or out of the ordinary, just some ideas to identify an entry point for a more active lifestyle. I talk about the benefits of a regular walking routine. And I walk you through key aspects when choosing trekking poles.

Here is the link to Outdoorgearlab: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-trekking-poles

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

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TAA 009: Paradox Sports makes climbing accessible for people with disabilities

Sat, 01 Aug 2020 02:00:00 +0200

TAA #009: Paradox Sports - Making climbing accessible for people with disabilities
Paradox Sports offers accessible climbing experiences for people with disabilities, defying the perception that people with a disability cannot lead a life of adventure. Challenges include both indoor and outdoor rock climbing, ice climbing, and mountaineering. Paradox Sport is passionate about engaging everyone in climbing and the climbing community because the community is what keeps people coming back.

To learn more about Paradox Sports, check out its website and follow them on Youtube and Instagram.

To learn more about the book Dom mentioned in the interview, please check out this link.

And here is a recent article about Paradox Sports on The Active Amputee.

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TAA 008: Making informed decisions as an amputee

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 01:00:00 +0200

TAA #008: Making informed decisions as an amputee
Here is a simple guide to making informed decisions as a person affected by limbloss. Most above-knee amputees know this problem: Finding the right prosthetic knee is not an easy task. For most of us, it means working out the right compromise between our day-to-day needs, our spare time interests, and our ambitions for the next couple of years on the one hand and our health insurance plan or financial means on the other hand. This in itself is already rather complex. Things get even more complicated if we take into account that even the best of knees can only unfold its full potential if mounted under a well-fitting socket, combined with a good foot that suits our activity level. But what does this actually mean in practice?

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TAA 007: Meet Josh Senior, an adaptive adventure athlete from the UK

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 12:00:00 +0200

TAA #007: Meet Josh Senior, an adaptive adventure athlete from the UK
Following a life-changing accident in 2010 resulting in a spinal cord injury and the amputation of his right leg below the knee, Josh has been coming back strongly. Since the very beginning, his aim has been to be rehabbing until he reaches a stage where Josh can do everything he was able to do prior to his injuries. "My goal is to make myself a better, and more capable version of myself every day."

Listen to the full interview to learn more about Josh's amazing adventures. And make sure you follow him on Instagram, on Youtube, and on his homepage.

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TAA 006: Malvika Iyer: From bomb blast survivor to disability rights activist

Sun, 10 May 2020 13:00:00 +0200

TAA #006: Malvika Iyer: From bomb blast survivor to disability rights activist
During a recent visit to India, a friend of mine mentioned Malvika Iyer. A bomb blast survivor in her teens, Malvika is now a well-known motivational speaker and disability rights activist. He offered to introduce me to her and shortly afterward I had the pleasure to get to know her during a phone interview. Right from the moment our Skype connection was live, I felt that Malvika is someone with an immense spirit and an almost unbreakable will. Here is her inspirational story.

https://www.theactiveamputee.org/2017/05/17/from-bomb-blast-survivor-to-disability-rights-activist/

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TAA 005: Announcement - The Active Amputee is back on track

Fri, 08 May 2020 10:00:00 +0200

TAA #005: Announcement - The Active Amputee is back
After a longer break The Active Amputee is now back - both on the blog as well as with the podcast. From next Monday onwards I am back to my regular publishing schedule. One to two articles per week on the blog. One new episode for the podcast. And I start with the story of Malvika Iyer, a bomb-blast survivor from India and award-winning disability rights activist.

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

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TAA 004: Climbing as an above knee amputee

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 13:00:00 +0200

TAA #004: Climbing as an above knee amputee
Climbing is an amazing sport. Full stop. No matter if you are into bouldering or top-roped routes at a local climbing wall, prefer pre-bolted sport routes outdoors or love the thrill of proper multi-pitch trad climbing or a deep-water solo, the sport has something for everybody. And I mean everybody, no matter if you are able-bodied (what ever that is) or not. Here is a simple guide: Ten easy steps to get into paraclimbing. It’s aimed at lover limb amputees, especially above knee amputees.

https://www.theactiveamputee.org/2018/07/25/climbing-as-an-above-knee-amputee/

General information

The British Mountaineering Council is very experienced when it comes to paraclimbing/climbing for people with disabilities. There is a whole range of good information on its homepage
Similarly Climbing USA is a good point to start looking for information if you are living in the US
The German Mountaineering Council also offers information on its homepage
Paradoxsports is very experienced and is a great first contact to get into climbing
Or check out your national climbing body or local climbing club

People with a wealth of experience (sorry, all UK based)

Robin O’Leary
Belinda Fuller
Steve Thomas
Ian Dunn

Considering buying a special climbing leg/foot

The ADK climbing foot
The Evolv climbing foot
The Biodapt knee

Videos to inspire

Ronnie Dickson: The V10 Project
Jarem Free, Craig DeMartino and Pete Davis: Gimp Monkeys
Bjoern Eser: Paraclimb Series 2016
Martin Heald and others: Paraclimb Series 2016 Boulder Problems

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TAA 003: The journey to losing my leg by Bjoern Eser (part 3)

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 11:00:00 +0200

TAA #003: The journey to losing my leg by Bjoern Eser (part 3)
In this final part of our mini-series, Bjoern talks about his amputation, how it was important for him to make all the key decisions based on his idea of how he wanted to live his life and how the loss of a limb pathed the way to a new life bursting with amazing opportunities.

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

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TAA 002: The journey to losing my leg by Bjoern Eser (part 2)

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 10:00:00 +0200

TAA #002: The journey to losing my leg by Bjoern Eser (part 2)
In this second part of our mini-series, Bjoern shares his story of becoming an amputee. This episode focuses on his recovery after the chemotherapy, how he started to gain confidence in his body again until new leg-related trouble was brewing again.

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

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TAA 001: The journey to losing my leg by Bjoern Eser (part 1)

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 10:00:00 +0200

TAA #001: The journey to losing my leg by Bjoern Eser (part 1)
In this first part of our mini-series, Bjoern shares his story of becoming an amputee. This episode covers his cancer year, from the initial diagnose through the chemotherapy to being discharged from hospital.

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

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