A Season of Thanks

As the year draws to a close it is a natural time of reflection, a time to count blessings and remember the hardships overcome. During this season we are celebrating the athletes we have been blessed to serve this year.

Amputee Blade Runners helps lower limb different athletes of all ages reimagine what is possible in sports and in life. Most of our athletes have overcome trauma, cancer, infection, and congenital conditions and want to be able to successfully enjoy an active, mobile life. ABR provides running & sports legs to active amputees throughout the United States.

Through the generosity of a key donor all gifts will be matched up to a total of $35,000!

Disabilities can lead to inactive lifestyles that are detrimental to long term health. Adults with disabilities have higher rates of obesity (38.2%), heart disease (11.5%) and diabetes (16.3%). Youth with disabilities are 40% more likely to be obese. Data from Healthy People 2010 suggests that 56% of adults with a disability reported no leisure-time physical activity, compared to 36% of people without a disability. The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability says that physical activity does not only improve children’s physical health but benefits them academically, emotionally and socially, as well.

Unfortunately, sports prostheses are not feasible for many families.

● The typical cost ranges from $10,000 - $30,000 - a significant barrier for most, particularly for children, who often outgrow their prostheses in 12-18 months.
● Because 80% of amputations performed in the US are for elderly patients, insurance companies do not prioritize children or young adults with limb loss.
● Most insurance plans deem sports/running prosthesis as “medically unnecessary” and offer no coverage.

ABR provides running/sports legs to active amputees for FREE, giving them a chance to reimagine what is possible in sports and in life. ABR is primarily volunteer driven, providing prosthetic equipment, education, and empowerment to approximately 150 individuals every year. We are able to keep costs to approximately $3,500 per new athlete served, and $2,000 per exisiting athlete.

We hope the stories we share about ABR and our athletes inspire you to partner with us. Your gift and sharing our story will help us redefine what's possible in sports and life for lower-limb amputee athletes throughout the US.

Meet Carter! 

Carter is new to the ABR family and received his first ABR leg in October! Before losing his leg below the knee from a snowmobile accident last year, Carter was an avid athlete in basketball, baseball, and golf. We were able to provide him with a sports leg to allow him to continue playing the sports he loves with no limitations. 

Again, we would not be able to help athletes like Carter without you! 

Meet Kari!

Kari has been an ABR athlete since 2022. Before her amputation, Kari loved to be active, especially in her home state of Wyoming, where she is surrounded by mountains, hiking, skiing, and the great outdoors. She can continue to do what she loves because of the support of others like you!

ABR serves children and adults with various types of leg amputations and stories. Almost like a snowflake, each one is different in its unique way!

Meet Jason!

ABR has some athletes who go crazy when it comes to races and competitions. While our athletes range in age and types of amputation, they also range in their activities and sports. Some like to stick to the sport they love, and some like to participate in multiple competitions throughout the year.

Jason is one of those crazy athletes! He has participated in multiple races and competitions, including Ragnar, Mammoth Lake Trail runs, triathlons, marathons, you name it. Jason went to our Savannah, GA, location and received his first ABR leg this past September, and since then, he has been able to improve while continuing to do crazy things!

Meet Hannah!

ABR is blessed to work with athletes of all ages. When we begin working with a child, we also commit to continue making legs for them as they grow. This not only gives us the opportunity to continue to hone our prosthetic skills but also enables us to develop long-lasting friendships. We've been blessed to see many of our ABR athletes first come in as kids, then get into their teens, and finally into adulthood.

Hannah first came to ABR as an 8-year-old who wanted to beat her older brother in a race. She is now in college and a highly competitive triathlete. She competes on her college triathlon team and is currently ranked 4th in the world in her division of the World Para Triathlon rankings. We have been able to see her grow and accomplish so many things throughout the time she has been part of the ABR family. We have been able to continue supporting Hannah by providing legs throughout her childhood and now, coming into adulthood, through your giving. We have been cheering her on throughout her life, and we know many of you have been cheering alongside us!

Meet Anatoly!

Anatoly (Tony) is ABR's newest athlete. After losing his leg below the knee due to a traumatic event 6 years ago, Tony's life drastically changed, especially physically. Before his amputation, he competed in Spartan races and would frequently hike and spend time with his family. He dealt with limitations with his prosthetic leg and the depression and frustration that all too often accompany limb loss. Tony is a husband and father of three boys, and he wanted to get his life back. He received a new socket and a sports foot that would meet his active needs, and Tony was able to go on a hike and jog comfortably. After the hike, he shared how he had not truly run in 6 years due to his amputation, and now he is back on the swing of things. 

We are honored to help Tony and others like him, but we depend on the generosity of the community to do so. Please click the link "give" to support ABR even further to provide prosthetics to ABR kids and athletes.

Meet Ricky!

Ricky has been part of the ABR family since 2020. Born with a congenital limb different, Ricky is a life-long prosthetic user and accomplished athlete. After hiking the Appalachian Trail in a traditional walking leg, Ricky was ready for a prosthetic upgrade. In his ABR legs Ricky has set the Fastest Known Time for the Sheltowee Trace, competed in a Ragnar Relay, and hiked the Continental Divide Trail and the Arizona Trail (approximately 4,400 miles between them). 

Ricky's new base of operations is Jackson, WY, where he works as a Wildlife guide. Recently, Ricky decided he wanted to try his hand at competitive cycling. A new bicycle came from a grant from Challenged Athlete Foundation which was paired with a cycling specific leg from ABR. In his new ABR leg, he was able to immediately see a 10% improvement in his time to ride through the Teton Pass.

Meet Aspen!

Aspen's been with ABR since 2019 and has played a big role in advocating and supporting ABR. Volleyball is her primary sport these days, though she has also competed in cross country, gymnastics, and more. Aspen recently challenged and pushed herself by hiking her first 14,000 ft. peak! Alongside playing her favorite sport, Aspen has also volunteered to represent ABR at numerous charity events and fundraising initiatives. ABR has enjoyed seeing Aspen grow these past 6 years, and we will continue to see her grow throughout the years ahead! 

Meet Zach!

ABR's mission is to help athletes reimagine the possibilities in life.  Zach is a prime example of what you can do with a good prosthesis. Zach, as it turns out, likes to live life in the fast lane, enjoying competitive go-karting and hockey!

ABR first met Zach in 2018, and once he received his first running blade, a new world of possibilities opened up for him. He was able to do even more competitively and built more confidence in his abilities. Living in Michigan and having a family with a large automotive background, Zach has invested his time, talent, and love in competitive go-karting and hockey, where he plays on his high school varsity team.

Meet Courtney!

ABR has known and worked with Courtney since she lost her leg below the knee over 10 years ago. Courtney has been a member of the USA Sitting Volleyball Team for many years now. She's run multiple races, including a half-marathon, 10k, and 5k, and is training for her first marathon! On top of that, she loves to travel abroad and throughout the U.S. and experience new things. We are cheering Courtney on as she prepares for her marathon and continues to play for Team USA!

Meet Tim!

When you give, you support people like Tim. While Tim has been an amputee since 1989, he first began with ABR in 2016. Ever since, Tim has been able to receive legs that work comfortably for his athletic lifestyle. He starts each day off by hitting the gym and getting a workout in. He has also joined the ABR team in multiple Ragnar races throughout the years, and he has volunteered his time as a coach with another non-profit organization ABR is associated with, called NubAbility Athletics, a sports camp for kids with limb differences. Tim has been able to influence kids with limb differences and amputations through his love and motivation for staying active, and you all have influenced his life by giving! It's so sweet to see how one act of giving or serving can lead to a domino effect of support and outreach!

Meet Gary!

Gary is especially thankful this season for his ability to continue biking and running! After breaking both his legs in a fall from a ladder, Gary's right leg recovered, but his left leg did not. Seven months after the initial injury, Gary and his family made the decision to amputate, but he never lost hope of doing the activities he loves. With help from his faith, family, friends, ABR, and YOU, he was able to receive the support and devices necessary to pursue his love for running, cycling, windsurfing, and more. We are proud of Gary and the things he has accomplished, and we hope his story and gratitude can carry on and encourage others this season.