So Ohioans Can Move
We believe movement is medicine and physical activity is a right, not a privilege. But today, thousands of Ohioans living with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility impairment are unable to afford and access life-changing orthotic and prosthetic care that helps them be physically active due to inadequate insurance coverage, “not medically necessary” denials, and high out-of-pocket costs. So Every BODY Can Move advocates are working to change this.
PURSUING
Ohio
Status:
Pursuing Legislation
State Leads:
Kaleigh Neely & Autumn Young
State Co-Lead
Certified Orthotist & Prosthetic Resident, Hanger Clinic
Advocate Liaison
Disability Advocate, Mother of a Child Living with Limb Loss
State Co-Lead
Board Eligible Orthotist-Prosthetist, Geauga Rehabilitation Engineering
Communications Coordinator
At a Glance
Ohio Statistics
Physical activity is one of the most important factors in maintaining overall health throughout one’s lifetime. Whether it’s vigorous exercise or simple day-to-day movement, being physically active increases strength and balance, improves mental health, supports better-quality sleep, and reduces the risk of disease and cancer for every body, including people with disabilities.
4.5X
American College of Sports Medicine, Why We Must Prioritize Equitable Access to Physical Activity for Children with Disabilities
Click Here
1 in 2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Inactivity Related to Chronic Disease in Adults with Disabilities
Click Here
2X
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Disability and Obesity
Click Here
60 / 150 Mins
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition
Click Here
$44 Billion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Disability and Obesity
Click Here
"F"
Physical Activity Alliance, The 2022 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Click Here
Thousands of Ohioans with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility impairment face difficulties in obtaining affordable and accessible prosthetic and orthotic care for physical activities and exercise because state, federal, and private health plans deem this care “not medically necessary.”
Without health plan coverage, adults, children, and families are forced to:
Individuals with disabilities need activity-specific prostheses and orthoses in order to participate in physical activity and recreation. Without access, physical activity is out of reach or dangerous when utilizing the wrong device. Putting more strain on a general-use prosthesis or orthosis may cause damage to the device, resulting in more expense for insurance providers.
Kendra is from Monroe, OH. She is a professional triathlete who won 5th place in the 2022 World Championships in Abu Dhabi. Her insurance will not cover her running, swimming, or biking prostheses that are necessary to do her job, so she must apply for charitable grants to receive access to this healthcare. However, the grants only cover a small portion of her prosthesis; the rest of the device is paid for out-of-pocket. She believes these devices are important because with them, people are able to maintain healthy lives and require less medical care long-term.
Kendra Herber
Monroe, OH
Kendra is from Monroe, OH. She is a professional triathlete who won 5th place in the 2022 World Championships in Abu Dhabi. Her insurance will not cover her running, swimming, or biking prostheses that are necessary to do her job, so she must apply for charitable grants to receive access to this healthcare. However, the grants only cover a small portion of her prosthesis; the rest of the device is paid for out-of-pocket. She believes these devices are important because with them, people are able to maintain healthy lives and require less medical care long-term.
Kendra Herber
Monroe, OH
Louie loves to play, run, and climb like any other 2-year-old. He lives in Columbus with his parents and two brothers. He is a bilateral above-knee amputee, so he requires prostheses to get around. The basic pair of prosthetics that insurance would cover were inadequate, greatly limited his ability to move comfortably, and were regularly held up by insurance. If it weren’t for the running blades he received through a nonprofit, he would not be able to play and thrive like he is now.
Louie Brown
Columbus, OH
Louie loves to play, run, and climb like any other 2-year-old. He lives in Columbus with his parents and two brothers. He is a bilateral above-knee amputee, so he requires prostheses to get around. The basic pair of prosthetics that insurance would cover were inadequate, greatly limited his ability to move comfortably, and were regularly held up by insurance. If it weren’t for the running blades he received through a nonprofit, he would not be able to play and thrive like he is now.
Louie Brown
Columbus, OH
John is 57 years old and from Sagamore Hills, OH. He has been an above-knee amputee for 34 years. He has enjoyed having his running leg to exercise and compete over the years, but he has experienced several insurance denials. John turned towards sponsorships to get his running blade. He has been able to compete in local, national, and international paralympic events. He is also proud of his competitions against npn-disabled athletes. John believes that these activity-specific devices are imperative for a healthy lifestyle and to enjoy activities as non-disabled people do.
John Gravino
Sagamore Hills, OH
John is 57 years old and from Sagamore Hills, OH. He has been an above-knee amputee for 34 years. He has enjoyed having his running leg to exercise and compete over the years, but he has experienced several insurance denials. John turned towards sponsorships to get his running blade. He has been able to compete in local, national, and international paralympic events. He is also proud of his competitions against npn-disabled athletes. John believes that these activity-specific devices are imperative for a healthy lifestyle and to enjoy activities as non-disabled people do.
John Gravino
Sagamore Hills, OH
Jenna is from Ravenna and is 26 years old. In high school, she wanted a sports prosthesis to participate with her peers and stay healthy. Because of her access, her athletic career was able to bloom and allowed her to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. She is passionate about activity-specific orthotic and prosthetic care because she believes it greatly improves quality of life, confidence, and allows people to achieve their dreams.
Jenna Fesemyer
Ravenna, OH
Jenna is from Ravenna and is 26 years old. In high school, she wanted a sports prosthesis to participate with her peers and stay healthy. Because of her access, her athletic career was able to bloom and allowed her to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. She is passionate about activity-specific orthotic and prosthetic care because she believes it greatly improves quality of life, confidence, and allows people to achieve their dreams.
Jenna Fesemyer
Ravenna, OH
Rachel is from northeast Ohio and is a 20-year-old college student who loves baton twirling and hiking. As a life-long above-knee amputee, she has always dreamed of being able to run. This year she received a grant for a running blade and is learning how to run for the first time. She now wants to help others achieve their athletic dreams by advocating for access to this medically necessary healthcare.
Rachel Sumrada
Northeast Ohio
Rachel is from northeast Ohio and is a 20-year-old college student who loves baton twirling and hiking. As a life-long above-knee amputee, she has always dreamed of being able to run. This year she received a grant for a running blade and is learning how to run for the first time. She now wants to help others achieve their athletic dreams by advocating for access to this medically necessary healthcare.
Rachel Sumrada
Northeast Ohio
The O&P Community
American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA)
National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP)
Amputee Coalition
American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (AAOP)
Scroll to view full list
We believe movement is medicine and physical activity is a right, not a privilege.
Do you believe in the rights of the disability community?
Join us in the movement for change!
