December not only marks a time of joy and celebration but also serves as a reminder to embrace the spirit of inclusion. Here we can celebrate the strength of the amputee community and acknowledge the diverse talents and abilities of individuals with limb differences. Below, we list nearly two dozen programs and services for amputee job seekers that will inspire those aiming to start a new life – or just a new chapter – in 2024.

As Diana Theobald observes in “How to Be an Amputee With a Job” (appearing in our September/October issue), it’s nice that the federal government sets October aside as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). But when you’re in the job market with a disability, one month barely scratches the surface. “I’ve been acutely aware of disability employment for more than 100 months in a row,” she writes. “The streak began immediately after my amputation. Would I be able to keep moving forward on my chosen career path? How does one do that on one leg?”

NDEAM is meant to focus attention on programs and services that help employers and disabled job candidates find each other. But you can get year-round access to many of those resources in our Amputee Community Resource Directory. With NDEAM just getting started, this seems like an opportune time to highlight some of the programs in our database.

While the Resource Directory doesn’t have a stand-alone “job programs” category, you can easily find relevant information by conducting a keyword search. We plugged in terms such as “job training,” “careers,” “employment,” and “work,” and came up with 22 distinct entries that support amputee job seekers. They include federal programs, state-by-state networks, independent nonprofits, and corporate initiatives.

We’ve summarized some of them below. While it’s a pretty robust list, there are almost surely other programs that escaped our notice. If you know of anything we missed, send us a note (editor@livingwithamplitude.com) and we’ll update the Amputee Resource Directory.

Job Boards for Amputees and People With Disabilities

If you know what you’re looking for, your resume’s up to date, and you’re prepared to get out there and start doing interviews, there are a number of online job-posting sites that are specifically aimed at applicants with disabilities. Here’s what we found in our Resource Directory:

Jobs Ability: This innovative portal was developed by quadruple-amputee John Robinson in partnership with Microsoft and other high-tech partners. Jobs Ability lists hundreds of jobs from industry-leading employers, using AI to match you with the job openings that best fit your skills and career objectives. jobsability.com.

Disability:IN Inclusion Works. Many of the world’s largest corporations use Inclusion Works to recruit talented people with disabilities. When we checked this morning, there were active listings from global leaders such as Google, Pfizer, Bloomberg, Walgreen’s, Qualcomm, CVS, and Expedia. disabilityin.org/what-we-do/inclusion-works/company-opportunities.

USA Jobs. The federal government’s official hiring portal includes employment opportunities specifically tailored for people with disabilities. Federal agencies are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Follow the link and scroll down to the “Search Jobs” box. usajobs.gov.

Ability Jobs. Ability Jobs has thousands of positions posted by employers who are preapproved and committed to hiring amputees and other people with disabilities. More than 6,000 companies are registered, including small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits. abilityjobs.com.

Recruit Disability. This nonprofit, open-source employment initiative shares information for job seekers with limb difference and other disabilities. This morning’s “Who’s Hiring” list includes major brands like Best Buy and Target, dozens of universities and government agencies, and disability-focused nonprofits such as the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. recruitdisability.org.

Career Advising and Workforce Development Services

Need to do a little homework before you start hunting for jobs in earnest? Here are some programs that can help you do the prep work you need, from assessing your skills to writing your resume, focusing your job search, polishing your interview skills, and negotiating workplace adaptations and accommodations.

Vocational Rehab Agencies, State-by-State Listing. As featured in our current print issue, Voc Rehab offices provide amputees with all sorts of employment support. Nearly every county in the US has an office. The best way to find the Voc Rehab agency in your area is to start with your state’s VR website. Find yours at rsa.ed.gov/about/states.

American Job Centers. American Job Centers provide free help to job seekers of all kinds, including people with disabilities. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and located throughout the United States, AJCs offer amputees and other job seekers with disabilities a range of services, including access to job banks, computers, resume writing tools and printers, networking groups, workshops, and more. careeronestop.org/ResourcesFor/WorkersWithDisabilities/

AgrAbility. This nationwide nonprofit aims to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities. Support programs cover many aspects of rural life, including gainful employment in the agriculture industry, and education/retraining to support career transitions. agrability.org.

Amputee Coalition Workforce Development Program. The Workforce Development Program helps participants (including teenagers, adults, and veterans) explore career options, transition back into the workforce, or start their journey into the workforce. Services include one-on-one career development meetings, resume writing assistance, fact sheets, webinars, and more. amputee-coalition.org/limb-loss-resource-center/workforce-development-program/.

Other Workforce Programs for Amputees

Centers for Independent Living. CILs are community-based nonprofits led by and for people with disabilities. There are roughly 350 CILs across the country, and all provide some form of employment support. Specific programs vary from location to location, but may include referral services, skills training, counseling, mobility support, transition assistance, and more. ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory.

AbilityCorps. AbilityCorps sponsors a wide variety of programs for amputee job seekers, including disability job fairs (both online and in person) and volunteer opportunities. abilitycorps.org.

Job Accommodation Network. JAN is the leading source of free, expert, confidential guidance on job accommodations and employment issues for amputees and people with disabilities. JAN offers practical, one-on-one guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions, including self-employment and entrepreneurship options. askjan.org.

Ticket to Work. If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits based on disability, Ticket to Work provides you with the choices, opportunities, and support you need to enter the workforce and maintain employment, with the goal of becoming economically self-supporting over time. yourtickettowork.ssa.gov.

Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship. PIA collaborates with employers and intermediaries to design inclusive apprenticeship programs that enable people with disabilities to gain credentials and skills to succeed in growing industries. inclusiveapprenticeship.org.

Embrace empowerment. Elevate possibilities. Experience the freedom of personalized mobility with our cutting-edge prosthetic solutions. Discover a world where every step is a testament to your strength. Contact us today at 888-819-4721. Follow us on Instagram @SouthBeachOP for more tips on prosthetic care.

Reference: [https://livingwithamplitude.com/amputee-jobs-disability-employment-month/]

Living with limb loss can be a challenging journey, but the advances in prosthetic technology have opened up new horizons of comfort and mobility for individuals who have experienced amputations. One of the foremost concerns for amputees is managing pain and discomfort. In this guide, we will explore the innovative solutions and strategies available for effectively managing secondary pain. REMEMBER — At South Beach Prosthetics, we aim for the ‘Perfect Fit’ every, single time. Just working with us can be your first step in reducing your pain and increasing your comfort. 

Ready to experience pain-free mobility and comfort with the latest prosthetic solutions? Contact us today at (888) 819-4721 and take the first step towards a life without limits! Follow us on Instagram @SouthBeachOP for more tips on prosthetic care.

Reference: [https://www.amputee-coalition.org/limb-loss-resource-center/resources-for-pain-management/managing-secondary-conditions/]

Today, there are endless options to customize your prosthetic appearance. The question boils down to individual preference. Navigate our ideas on prosthetic appearance and cosmetic covers and check what works best for you.

Everyone feels differently about the changes which have occurred to their body following an amputation. Some people find it hard to look at and/or even touch their residual limb (stump) in the early days. It is important to be honest about how you’re feeling and seek help if you have any concerns about your appearance, especially if you are finding it difficult to accept these changes.

What is a cosmesis?

How a prosthesis will look is more important to some people than it is to others. The look of a prosthesis is called its “cosmesis.” You should think about how important the cosmesis is to you, and talk to your Prosthetist about it as it might affect parts of the prosthesis you have chosen.

What is a non-functional prosthesis?

Some people who do not wear a functional prosthesis (i.e. don’t wear a working prosthetic leg or arm) may prefer to wear a non-functional lightweight prosthesis which is purely for cosmetic purposes. This type of prosthesis won’t allow you to take part in activities but it will help to fill out clothing and basically hide the fact that you have a missing limb. Talk to your medical team if you would like to consider a prosthesis for cosmetic purposes only.

What are cosmetic covers?

Cosmetic covers sit over all the parts between the socket and the end of the prosthesis (foot or hand). For example, someone with a below-knee amputation may have a cosmetic cover placed from the foot to the knee area.

Cosmetic cover options include:

• Foam cover. This is the most common option. It is a dense foam which is hollow on the inside to fit over the parts of your prosthesis (such as the pylon and socket) and then shaped on the outside to match your other limb. It is usually covered with a stocking or a sock once finished.
• Silicone Skin. A tight material which fits over the foam cover that can be worn instead of a stocking or sock. With this option, it is possible to replicate coloring, nails, hairs and other features to match your other limb.
• 3D printed clip on cover. A light-weight metallic looking option which can be worn over the pylon (of below-knee prosthesis) or over the knee/pylon (of an above-knee prosthesis).
• Commando. Going “commando” is a term commonly used when people prefer no cover at all.

Advantages of a cosmesis:

• It can keep dirt out of the prosthesis, provide protection from knocks and help to keep parts of the prosthesis functioning well.
• It can hide parts of the prosthesis from view if that is what you prefer.
• It allows the area between the socket and the end of the prosthesis to be shaped to closely match your remaining limb.
• It can fill out clothing better than a prosthesis without a cover, often making the prosthesis less noticeable.

Disadvantages of a cosmesis:

• It can make it harder to get to the parts of the prosthesis to fix problems and/or make adjustments if required.
• It can make the prosthesis slightly heavier.
• It can sometimes get caught in and/or affect the ideal function of moving prosthetic parts for example, knee unit.
• Custom-made silicone “skin,” which is matched to your features, can be more expensive than other cosmesis and cannot be re-used if you require a new prosthesis.

What is a socket?

Your socket is made just for you, as it is fitted to your stump via a suspension system. It will never fit anyone else, so you have options to make it your own.

Socket options can include:

• Selecting a socket in a color you prefer, whether it is one single color or many colors together.
• Choosing a picture that you like and having it laminated onto the socket.

Speak to your Prosthetist and ask about other ideas that you might have or would like to try.

South Beach Prosthetics stands with you every step of the way. Our state-of-the-art technology allows us to design, fit, and fabricate custom prostheses that match & exceed your expectations. We take your lifestyle and health into consideration while making them! Get in touch with us today at (888) 819-4721 to learn more about how we can help. Find our Facebook community here.

Reference: [https://www.limbs4life.org.au/uploads/resources/Fact-Sheet-7.pdf]

Through all of life’s ups and downs, the hardships and triumphs are made better with the support of our friends. Sometimes, in life, those hardships are even more difficult to endure, and we need to lean on those who care for us to help bolster our spirits as we navigate a difficult path. While our lifelong friends and family members are often our support system — that needn’t always be the case! We are pleased to offer our patients space and a place where they can share their experiences with like-minded people who have successfully traveled down the same road. Our Friends Group can produce hope and open up new possibilities for those living with amputations or limb differences.

What Can I Expect From the Friends Group?

✅ A Listening Ear

✅ Connection

✅ Socialization

✅ Empowerment

Sometimes there is no substitution for chatting with someone who has had the same lived experience as you. The members of our Friends Group are all individuals who have lived with amputation for at least 12 months or have been born with a limb difference. A listening ear from someone who understands your experience can bring a lot of comfort.

Our Friends Group interactions are supportive, yet casual, and can range from phone calls, video calls, in-person meets, and outings. We know that friendship can grow out of the shared experience, and it is healthy for recovery to have an ear to bend that understands the recovery process and what you may be going through.

The Friends Group empowers its members by hearing and seeing the success stories of others who have had a similar journey with amputation — providing demonstrable proof that life post-amputation can be happy, healthy, and active. With the confidence gained from participating in the Friends Group, we don’t doubt you will want to pay it forward when you feel ready!

We understand what it is like to live with an amputation or limb difference — and we can connect you with others who understand the same! If you feel you need to chat and have someone listen, we can provide you with a supportive and empathetic experience that can help support you in your recovery — Friends Group provides just that.

Enhance your physical and emotional well-being through healthy, casual conversations with like-minded people! Connect with others, share your story, and join the community! Our compassionate and knowledgeable team knows how to best support you in your recovery post-amputation.
Visit our Facebook page or give us a call at (888) 819-4721 to see all of the services we have to offer you! 

If you’re wondering, “Uh, what’s body neutrality?” then you’re in the right place. At its core, body neutrality is the idea that you can exist without having to think too much about your body one way or another, positive or negative. You can simply exist and be worthy of respect without thinking about your body at all. You can learn more about this idea below, which can help you cope with difficult changes in your body.

Most people want to feel energized and experience a sense of vitality. In the 1970s, Dr. John Travis created a spectrum of wellness, with illness on one side, a point of neutrality in the middle (when a person has no signs or symptoms of disease), and on the other side wellness.

Wellness is a state of health and flourishing beyond simply not experiencing illness. In this state people feel confident, open to challenges, curious, and thirsty for action. They are thriving. People who experience wellness may seek to hike a mountain, read a new book, learn how to play a new instrument, or actively connect with new people.

The most common health conditions facing people today include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. When people are experiencing these (and other) conditions, they fall into the illness side of the spectrum. Lifestyle factors that put you at risk for developing these conditions include smoking, alcohol substance use disorder, lack of exercise, sleep deprivation, and a diet rich in processed foods, sugar, saturated fat, and artificial flavors. An unhealthy weight is another factor that can put one at risk for these conditions, especially carrying extra weight around your midsection.

To move to the wellness side of the spectrum, you can include more movement in your day; enjoy a whole-food (unprocessed), plant-predominant style of eating; avoid smoking; sleep seven to nine hours a night; practice stress reduction techniques like deep breathing, yoga, meditation, tai chi, and mindfulness; and spend time with family and friends.

Think about what your body can do for you — and what you can do for your body

People of many sizes and shapes can be healthy and well, especially when they are connected to a calm mind that is practicing mindfulness, self-compassion, and a growth mindset. A body that is in the neutral point on the wellness spectrum can move to the side of thriving and flourishing when healthy lifestyle habits are adopted and sustained, and that has little to do with your body’s shape or size.

The body neutrality movement emphasizes the incredible functions, actions, and physiology of our bodies without regard for how our bodies look. We can see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. We can jump, skip, sing, hug, and dance. Our muscles have mitochondria that give us energy.

Our digestive system is one example of the wondrous process of the body. The digestive system has billions of microbes living in it that help us to ferment fiber from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and create short-chain fatty acids that help us with energy metabolism, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, inflammation, immunity, and more. This is why it’s important to eat fiber, including whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Connected to our bodies are our brains, and they are full of neurons (brain cells), synapses (connections), neurochemicals, and hormones that help to protect brain cells and make new ones. Moving our bodies helps to increase these chemicals. In addition, moving our bodies regularly helps us to increase serotonin, which may help us feel less anxious and depressed. Hugging increases oxytocin in the brain, and this “love hormone” helps us feel a sense of belonging and bonding. The body’s actions have a powerful impact on the brain, and vice versa.

Body positivity versus body neutrality

Body positivity is a movement that invites people to appreciate the body size and shape they have now without worrying about unrealistic body standards. With body positivity, society’s unhealthy standards for body shapes and sizes are challenged. It’s also important to remember that cultural norms and what’s considered an ideal body change with time.

The goal with body positivity is to honor and appreciate all body types, especially your own body. Feeling confident about the way you look feels good and can be empowering.

With body neutrality, the focus is on the function of your body: finding happiness and fulfillment, appreciating the power of our muscles, the strength of our bones, the protection our skin offers, and the rewards of the dopamine system in our brains. Connecting with friends and family, reaching small, meaningful goals, and enjoying physical activity are healthy ways to approach your body. A focus on finding pleasure in the wellness journey will serve your body — at any size — and your brain.

Remember all the things your body can do for you

• Transport you from one place to another (quickly or slowly)
• Release neurochemicals that give you pleasure, like from hugging a loved one
• Move your arms and/or legs with joy following the rhythm and beat of music
• Take deep breaths to calm your mind
• Perform stretches that release endorphins
• Practice yoga, tai chi, or qigong, which can help calm the body and mind.

South Beach Prosthetics stands with you every step of the way. Wherever you are in your journey, you can count on our support & expertise to get all the prosthetic care you need. Get in touch with us today at (888) 819-4721 to learn more about how we can help. Find our Facebook community here.

Reference: [https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/moving-to-wellness-while-practicing-body-neutrality-202204142727]

We all have an inner critic. At times, this little voice can keep us motivated toward goals. However, this voice can often be more harmful, particularly when it gets into the realm of excessive negativity. This is known as negative self-talk, and it can really bring us down. Learn how to deal with it and stay positive.

It sounds hopeless, but the good news is that there is a way to break through these unhealthy thought patterns with the help of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). However, experts warn that this approach is not for everyone.

What is CBT? 

CBT is based on the idea that behaviors, emotions, and thoughts are intertwined. Thoughts influence an individual’s feelings which influence behavior. CBT-trained therapists use these three pathways to effect change.

However, for CBT to work, it requires active participation on the client’s part. When the client is willing to put in the work, randomized clinical trials have shown that CBT can ease anxiety, depression, eating and sleeping disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive thinking, among many others.

But unlike other psychotherapy styles, CBT focuses on the present. It doesn’t seek to address underlying issues, like systemic problems in families and childhood trauma. Its goal is to provide individuals with tools they can use on their own, which translates to a shorter-term treatment.

If you think you or someone you know can benefit from CBT, we break down everything you need to know about this therapy style below.

Thoughts, not circumstances, affect actions and feelings  

One of the most common misconceptions is that circumstances directly influence what one feels and does. In CBT, therapists believe that the critical factor is how individuals interpret these circumstances and act based on those interpretations.

You can try this by being more aware of your thoughts. When you notice your mood changing, figure out what you were thinking right before you felt worse. This powerful exercise can show you how your moods are, in fact, not affected by what’s happening around you but how you interpret these circumstances.

When you are more aware, you’ll get a realistic and accurate view of your circumstances.

Overcoming negative thoughts  

If you want to overcome your negative self-talk, you have to begin by identifying what you tell yourself in moments of distress. For example, if you’re anxious, your thoughts revolve around the theme of threat. You tell yourself that you’re not equipped to handle your challenges or that the world is scary. Meanwhile, if you’re depressed, your thoughts revolve around feelings of unworthiness.

Once you identify these thoughts, your therapist will help you analyze these thoughts with a series of questions that can help you verify whether the thought is true or not. More often than not, most patients realize that these negative thoughts are not valid. And the interesting thing is that everyone is prone to these thinking errors.

CBT is not positive thinking  

Contrary to popular belief, CBT is not about shifting negative thoughts to positive ones, which psychologists say doesn’t help. Instead, CBT helps train you to become more compassionate to yourself and be more realistic about your situation.

Putting in the work  

The best thing about CBT is that the work doesn’t end when you walk out of your therapist’s door. Therapists typically hand out worksheets or a list of apps that can help patients change their thinking and their life even after the sessions have ended.

One primary tool CBT-trained therapists use is an automatic thought record. It can be a physical or digital note where patients can track what they are feeling, thinking, and doing in between sessions. The notes are then used to evaluate the patient’s thoughts during the next therapy session.

How to find a CBT-trained counselor  

You can check the lists of CBT-trained counselors by the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and the American Psychological Association.

Have you tried cognitive behavioral therapy? If you haven’t yet, is it something you’re considering?

South Beach Prosthetics manufactures and provides comfortable, high-performance prosthetic solutions that meet individual patient requirements in a compassionate and supportive environment. We are here for you. Connect with us to learn more at (855) 958-1777 and join our Facebook community. Ask us about our in-home care and our no-cost transportation services!

Reference: [https://amputeestore.com/blogs/amputee-life/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-helps-stop-negative-self-talk]