Revelstoke’s Kendra Blakely is a BC Child Amputee role model

Revelstoke’s Kendra Blakely spent time acting as a junior counsellor coordinator at the recent War Amps 2018 BC Child Amputee (CHAMP) seminar in Victoria. Here is what the War Amps had to say;

The 2018 BC Child Amputee seminar brought together child amputees from across the province while also marking the 100^th anniversary of The War Amps.  

Blakely, 21, was born a left arm amputee and, as a “Champ,” is eligible to receive financial assistance for the cost of artificial limbs and recreational devices. By attending seminars, Champs and parents learn about the latest in artificial limbs, dealing with teasing and bullying and parenting an amputee child. Kendra was the Junior Counsellor Coordinator at the seminar, overseeing the team of older Champs who act as role models and offer advice to younger Champs.

The War Amps was started by amputee veterans returning from the First World War to help each other adapt to their new reality and advocate for seriously disabled veterans. With a philosophy of “amputees helping amputees,” they welcomed the next generation of war amputees following the Second World War and established the Key Tag Service to gain meaningful employment and provide a service to the public. Later, recognizing that their experience could help others, they developed programs to serve all amputees, including children.

“Although the association has developed many innovative and unique programs over the past 100 years, there is still much to do to ensure amputees, like Kendra, have the artificial limbs they need to lead full and active lives. With the public’s support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service, our vital programs for amputees will carry on long into the future, said Danita Chisholm, executive director of the CHAMP program.