EMPOWER

SaraMae is a lifelong athlete, fitness and wellness professional, nonprofit founder, advocate and speaker. In 2012, she nearly lost her life to an infection, ultimately having both of her legs amputated below the knees. Health and fitness have been her life’s work both with and without her legs, and the only limitation to movement she has faced has been access to physical activity prosthetics. SaraMae shared, “It is vital that insurance deems physical activity prosthetics and orthotics medically necessary. We already have an uphill battle; we are simply asking for the tools to climb.” She’s now helping to spearhead advocacy efforts for So Every BODY Can Move in Oregon.

Patrick was born with a limb difference and elected to undergo bilateral above-knee amputations at the age of 14 to provide him a better quality of life. Because of a lack of insurance coverage, he had to rely on grants and charitable support to gain access to appropriate prosthetic care that would allow him to run. Patrick shared, “I wasn’t even aware that running as an amputee was possible until I was in my mid-20s. If my family had known that insurance would have stepped in to help cover the costs, if not the full cost, they may have pursued that a lot sooner for me in my childhood.” Since receiving his running prostheses, he has run half-marathons, marathons, and a triathlon and has become a leader in the Houston running community.

In 2023, Callaway (10 years old), along with her mom Laura, helped make big change in New Mexico, becoming one of the first states in the country to enact So Every BODY Can Move legislation. Callaway lost her right leg in a rock climbing accident in 2021.Prior to the law being enacted, Callaway’s family had to rely on charity and seek prosthetic care out of state. Inspired by Callaway’s story and perseverance, Presbyterian Health Plan and Blue Cross Blue Shield came out in support of Callaway and the bill. She now has access to a prosthesis for running and one for rock climbing, getting back to her favorite activities. Callaway and  Laura want to ensure other kids like her can have what they need to be active.

Scott was born with a congenital birth defect known as clubfoot. His situation was particularly severe, impacting both lower limbs, and requiring extensive treatments and surgeries throughout his childhood. Medical doctors said he wouldn’t walk – let alone run – as an adult. Today, he does both. Scott searched far and wide for an orthotic solution to help his mobility and keep him living an active life. He now uses bilateral ExoSym devices, a hybrid prosthetic-orthotic mobility solution. He uses these devices to run, walk, climb, hike and compete. He shared that it is because of advancements in orthotic care like this that has allowed him to live a full, active, and healthy life. Unfortunately, these are not covered by insurance and Scott is a strong advocate working to expand access.

John Edward is a decorated veteran and former Staff Sergeant in the US Marine Corps. He was hit by a drunk driver in 2016 causing severe damage to his left leg. After five years and more than a dozen surgeries, he chose to have a below-the-knee amputation. Thanks to his Veterans Affairs (VA) health coverage, John Edward was provided access to a prosthesis for running, one for snowboarding, and one for weightlifting. He is now a top qualifier for the 2024 Paralympics in Track and Field, the 2026 Paralympics in Snowboarding, and the Adaptive CrossFit games. Seeing how access to appropriate prosthetic care has impacted his mental, physical, and emotional health as well as opened up opportunities for employment, John Edward is now committed to advocating for his civilian comrades with disabilities to have equitable access to movement through So Every BODY Can Move in Maryland.

Erica lives in Banks, works in the sportswear industry, and is a proud wife and mom to two young daughters. Growing up in Oregon, Erica played traditional team sports like soccer, basketball, and volleyball, but eventually gravitated towards trail running. It was running that would eventually become “her freedom” and one she used to help balance stress with school and life. After graduating from the University of Oregon, she was involved in a devastating motorcycle accident that resulted in the amputation of her right leg. While still in the hospital, she was told she would never be able to run again – but not because of her disability – because her health insurance would never cover a prosthesis for running. She’s now dedicated to bringing legislative change to Oregon to fix this injustice. She shared, “I don’t want another amputee, especially someone who so actively asked for the ability to run again, to be limited to a ‘No’ from insurance, from doctors, or from prosthetic providers. I got involved because I want barrier-free access to movement for all.”

Born with fibular hemimelia, Robert underwent amputation of his right leg below-the-knee at just 10 months old. Growing up wasn’t easy for Robert as he experienced many personal tragedies other than his limb loss. During these challenging times, though, it was access to sport that helped him not give up and see the positive in life. This would even lead to his career as a professional athlete and motivational speaker. However, this pathway would not have been available to him without access to the appropriate prosthetic care he needed to be physically active; Robert was one of the lucky few to receive charitable support for this care because his insurance would not cover it. Now, he’s advocating for legislative change so individuals with limb loss and limb difference don’t have to rely solely on charity to be active.