Category: Amputee Life

Embracing Uncertainty

Embracing Uncertainty

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Travel withLimb Difference

You Don’t Have to Be Ready, to Be Read

 

 

 

Confidence Comes After the First Step

What if confidence isn’t what carries us toward the first step, but what waits for us on the other side of it?

In this episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I continue my series on traveling as an amputee as I prepare for my first international trip since losing my leg. Last week, I introduced the idea of creating a “passport to confidence.” Every first: our first overnight stay, flight, rental car, or unfamiliar adventure, adds another stamp to that passport and another valuable experience to our mental toolbox.

This trip carries extra meaning for me because the last time I traveled internationally, I returned home with the blood clot that ultimately helped me decide to amputate my leg. Now, I’m preparing to fly overseas again, but this time as an above-knee amputee.

There are things I can prepare for: wearing a compression sock, standing and moving during the ten-hour flight, researching baggage and medical-device requirements, packing my prosthetic supplies, staying hydrated, eating enough protein, and protecting my residual limb. I also know I cannot anticipate every TSA interaction, physical challenge, unexpected delay, or curveball.

That is where the real lesson begins: It’s okay not to be ready for everything.

 

 

 

Preparation is valuable, but we can’t require ourselves to know exactly how every experience will unfold. Sometimes we must become comfortable with being uncomfortable. I can control how I prepare and how I respond, but I cannot control how others react or what surprises may arise along the way.

Instead of entering this trip in fear, I’m choosing anticipation. I want to remain open to the beautiful places I’ll see, the people I may meet, and the moments that could change my life. Becoming an amputee has already introduced me to incredible people and experiences I would never trade, even for my leg back.

I’m no longer trying to recreate my old life. I’m choosing to live forward, not backward. My experiences may be altered, but altered does not mean less meaningful. Every adaptation asks me to grow, and every step beyond my comfort zone makes me stronger.

Confidence rarely arrives before we do something new. It grows after we take the first step, face the unknown, and discover that we can adapt. The stamp comes after the journey begins.

 

 

What have you been avoiding because you don’t feel ready?

This week, take one step outside your comfort zone and earn another stamp in your passport to confidence. Then share your experience with me, and follow the BAWarrior Podcast to hear what I learn from my first international trip as an amputee.

Rise up, beautiful Warriors, your journey is just beginning!

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

Passport to Possibility

Passport to Possibility

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Traveling With Confidence as an Amputee

 

What if every new thing you accomplished earned you another stamp-not just in your travel passport, but in your confidence passport?

 

Solo flight to Chicago, O’Hare

Travel has always been a big part of my family’s life, but traveling as an amputee has been an evolving journey. Seven years into life as an amputee, I’m still learning something new every time I walk into an airport. And with every experience, I become a little more confident in what I can handle.

Recently, I took my second solo trip, flying to Chicago and doing something I’d never done completely on my own before: renting a car, navigating the rental process, driving to my destination, carrying my own luggage, returning the car, and getting myself back through O’Hare.

Then came the real test: a three-hour delay, three gate changes, crowded terminals, weather issues, hunger, bathroom logistics, and hauling my luggage everywhere I went.

 

Long corridors to get from point A to point B

 

 

 

But I did it.

In this episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about traveling with a prosthesis, from navigating TSA and understanding your rights to medical bags, prosthetic tools, wheelchair assistance, priority boarding, long airport walks, and preparing for the unexpected.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that, as amputees, energy is currency. A mile-long walk through an airport may not sound like much until you add luggage, standing in lines, gate changes, socket discomfort, fatigue, phantom pain, and everything you still want to do once you reach your destination. Sometimes independence means walking the airport yourself. Other times, independence means recognizing when using available assistance allows you to save your energy for what matters most.

 

Rental car pick up late at night in a packed tram

 

After several delays, I finally got on the plane for home!

 

And now I’m preparing for my next stamp: international travel.

This will be my first international trip since becoming an amputee. I’m thinking about cobblestone streets, crowded attractions, international accessibility, charging my microprocessor knee, adapters, and all the things I don’t even know I need to think about yet.

That’s part of the adventure.

Because ultimately, this episode isn’t really about airports or airplanes. It’s about confidence.

Every “first” becomes another stamp: your first overnight trip, first flight, first TSA experience, first solo trip, first rental car, or first international adventure.

Each one says:

I did that. And maybe I can do the next thing, too.

 

What’s stamped in your confidence passport?

Think about everything you’ve accomplished since limb loss—and then think about the stamps you’re still missing. What’s something that still scares or intimidates you? What experience would give you more freedom, independence, or confidence?

Choose your next stamp and start working toward it.

And make sure you come back for Part Two, because after my international trip, I’ll share what I learned about traveling abroad as an amputee—the victories, challenges, surprises, and everything I wish I’d known before I left.

Let’s keep filling those passports together.

 

 

Have a beautiful week, and Ill see you all in 2 weeks as we explore what I learned on my international journey!

Until then and as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

The Thousand Step Challenge

The Thousand Step Challenge

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One Step at a Time: The Power of Small Steps Toward Big Goals

 

 

Have you ever looked at a goal and felt overwhelmed before you even started? Whether you’re learning to walk with a prosthetic, chasing a lifelong dream, beginning a new career, or simply trying to make it through a difficult season, sometimes the destination feels impossible. In this episode, I share a personal story that reminded me why the biggest accomplishments in life are built one step at a time.

 

1000 Step Challenge

 

While attending a family wedding in Washington, I decided to tackle Suncadia’s famous 1,000 Step Challenge-500 steps down to a breathtaking river and 500 steps back up. As an above-knee amputee, I knew this wouldn’t be easy. Every step required focus, balance, patience, and determination. Going down meant carefully riding each step on my prosthetic. Coming back up demanded grit, controlled breathing, and the willingness to stop when I needed to, not because I was failing, but because I was resetting for the next stretch.

 

 

That challenge became a powerful reminder that life works the same way. We often become so focused on the size of our goals that we forget success is built in the small, consistent decisions we make every single day. Instead of becoming intimidated by the entire staircase, I focused on the next step in front of me. Sometimes I paused to catch my breath, look around, and appreciate how far I’d already come. Those pauses weren’t setbacks, they were opportunities to realign, refocus, and keep moving forward.

In this episode, I encourage you to stop comparing your journey to someone else’s highlight reel. Every accomplishment you admire was earned through countless unseen moments of perseverance, setbacks, adjustments, and resilience. The people accomplishing incredible things didn’t avoid obstacles, they simply chose to keep taking the next step.

 

The view is always better on the other side of a challenge

 

I also share how returning to complete the challenge a second time pushed me even further. Instead of simply finishing, I challenged myself to climb all 500 steps without stopping. Competing only against the person I was yesterday reminded me that growth isn’t about being better than someone else-it’s about becoming stronger than you were before.

No matter what mountain you’re facing today, remember this: break the goal into smaller pieces, keep your eyes on the next step, and trust the process. Progress isn’t measured by perfection; it’s measured by persistence. One step becomes another, and before you know it, you’ll look back from the top and realize you’ve accomplished something you once believed was impossible.

If you’re ready to stop standing at the bottom of your own mountain and start moving forward, I’d love for you to join me. Together, we’ll keep taking the next step—one step at a time.

 

 

Figure out what your goals are, and begin b simply breaking them down into smaller chunks.

Remember greatness isn’t accomplished overnight, and it isn’t accomplished without setbacks.  Keep the big picture in mind, but remember to break it down into smaller steps/goals that are doable each day.

Also, If you are a female amputee and would like to join myself and other likeminded women on achieving your goals, come join my first ever Momentum group. Space is limited so jump on today and sign up for Momentum

Don’t forget how amazing you are!

Have a blessed week and as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

 

 

 

The Courage To Belong

The Courage To Belong

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Feeling Alone After Amputation? Why Community Is Part of Healing

 

 

Have you ever felt completely alone—even while surrounded by people who love you?

For many amputees, loneliness isn’t about the absence of family or friends. It’s about carrying a journey that very few people truly understand. In this heartfelt episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I share an honest conversation about isolation, fear, healing, and the courage it takes to build meaningful community.

Drawing from my own experiences and countless conversations with amputees, I explore why loneliness often becomes one of the greatest hidden challenges after limb loss. The mental load of navigating everyday life, the quiet nights when phantom pain and anxious thoughts seem the loudest, and how fear can slowly convince us that staying home feels safer than stepping back into the world are all a part of our journey.

But healing was never meant to happen in isolation.

Throughout the episode, I talk about how community becomes one of the most powerful tools in recovery. Whether it’s sharing your story, joining an amputee support group, striking up a conversation at the gym, or simply reaching out to one other person who understands your journey, every connection becomes another step toward healing. Remember that telling your story doesn’t make you weak, it helps release the weight you’ve been carrying while encouraging someone else who may feel just as alone.

This episode also explores the importance of boldness. Community doesn’t magically appear; someone has to take the first step. Whether that’s sending a text, attending a virtual support group, introducing yourself to another amputee, or simply saying hello to a neighbor, courage opens the door to belonging.

As I prepare to launch my new Faith Through the Fire series, I have been reflecting on how faith, resilience, and community often come together when we choose to move beyond fear. I want to encourage you to embrace this new chapter after amputation—not as the end of life, but as the beginning of a richer, more connected one.

 

 

If you’ve been struggling with loneliness after amputation, phantom pain, fear of falling, or simply wondering if anyone truly understands what you’re going through, this episode serves as a reminder that you are not alone. There is hope, there is healing, and there is a community waiting to welcome you.

 

This week, take one brave step.

Reach out to one person. Send one text. Join one support group. Attend one Zoom meeting. Introduce yourself to another amputee. Healing begins when isolation ends, and community starts with one courageous decision.

If you’re looking for connection, visit WarriorGround.org to learn more about the BAWarrior Podcast, Amped Women virtual gatherings, Warrior Circle, and other opportunities to connect with people who truly understand the amputee journey.

 

Connect with another amputee

 

Get outside, bring a friend

 

Surround yourself with those who want to see you succeed as much as they want to, and love you for who you are!

 

 

Remember: You don’t have to walk this journey alone.

 

Have a beautifully blessed week,

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

 

Phantom Pain: The Invisible Battle No One Sees

Phantom Pain: The Invisible Battle No One Sees

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Understanding the Types, Triggers, and Coping Strategies

 

 

What if the most intense pain you’ve ever felt came from a part of your body that no longer exists?

As an above-knee amputee, phantom pain is one of the most difficult parts of my journey to explain. It’s invisible. It’s unpredictable. And unless you’ve experienced it yourself, it’s almost impossible to fully understand. Yet for many amputees, it becomes a reality we learn to navigate every day.

 

 

On this episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I pull back the curtain on phantom pain and share my personal experience living with it over the last several years. From the constant burning and tingling sensations that feel like a foot trapped in a vice grip, to the sudden stabbing pains that can stop me in my tracks, phantom pain has taught me more about resilience than I ever expected.

 

 

I talk openly about what these sensations feel like, how they can affect daily life, and the emotional toll they can take when they strike unexpectedly. I also share my experience undergoing a revision surgery and AMI procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital, where surgeons discovered a foreign object near my femur that had been contributing to years of severe pain.

While there is no universal solution for phantom pain, I’ve learned that understanding potential triggers can make a difference. Poor socket fit, overuse, nerve irritation, stress, and even life circumstances can all influence how our bodies respond. Through years of trial and error, I’ve discovered that managing phantom pain often requires a combination of strategies rather than a single fix.

Most importantly, I share the mindset tools that have helped me endure some of my hardest moments. Deep breathing, movement, distraction techniques, mindfulness, and refusing to give pain control over my identity have become powerful parts of my personal toolbox. While pain may be part of my story, it does not get to write the ending.

 

 

If you’re an amputee struggling with phantom pain, I want you to know something I wish someone had told me during my darkest moments: it will not last forever. The pain comes and goes. The valleys are real, but so are the mountaintops. You are stronger than you realize, and you do not have to walk this journey alone.

I believe healing is about more than physical recovery. It’s about learning how to keep moving forward, even when the road feels impossible.

 

 

Join the Movement

If this story resonates with you, I invite you to become part of our growing Warrior community. Subscribe to the BAWarrior Podcast, connect with us through Warrior Ground, join our conversations, and discover the strength that comes from walking alongside others who truly understand the journey.

Together, we heal. Together, we grow. Together, we rise.

Because being a warrior isn’t about never feeling pain—it’s about refusing to let pain define who you are.

You are strong, dear Warrior, and you are worthy.

Have a blessed week, and as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

7 Lessons From 7 Years of Limb Loss

7 Lessons From 7 Years of Limb Loss

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What I Wish Every New Amputee Knew

 

Seven years ago, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life: to amputate my leg. Looking back now, I can honestly say that journey has taught me more about life, resilience, and myself than I ever could have imagined.

In this episode, I share seven of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through seven years of living as an above-knee amputee. These lessons aren’t just about limb loss, they’re about navigating life’s unexpected challenges, embracing change, and discovering strength you didn’t know you had.

One of the first things I learned is that life is incredibly uncertain. None of us know what tomorrow holds. I certainly never imagined that a martial arts injury would eventually lead to amputation. Yet even in the uncertainty, I’ve learned that life is still beautiful and worth embracing. Every day we wake up with breath in our lungs is an opportunity to live fully, regardless of our circumstances.

 

 

I also talk about change and why fighting it often creates more suffering than the change itself. As amputees, change becomes a constant companion. New sockets, new challenges, new routines, and new versions of ourselves. While change can be uncomfortable, it can also open doors to experiences, relationships, and opportunities we never would have discovered otherwise.

Another lesson that stands out is realizing just how strong we really are. Not physically, although that comes too, but mentally and emotionally. Strength isn’t built on easy days. It’s forged through setbacks, disappointments, pain, and the choice to keep moving forward anyway. Like a diamond formed under pressure, adversity has a way of shaping us into something stronger than we thought possible.

 

 

I also share why learning to appreciate the good days matters so much. Living with limb loss means navigating physical challenges, phantom pain, socket issues, and countless ups and downs. The difficult days teach us to cherish the ordinary ones. They remind us not to take comfort, mobility, or peace for granted.

Perhaps one of the most important lessons is this: don’t do it alone. Finding community has been one of the greatest gifts of my journey. Whether through my Amped Women chats, fellow amputees, or supportive friends and family, connection matters. We were never meant to carry life’s challenges by ourselves.

 

 

Finally, I talk about friendships, mindset, and embracing the roller coaster that is amputee life. The road isn’t always easy, but it can still be meaningful, beautiful, and full of purpose.

My hope is that whether you’re a new amputee, a caregiver, or simply facing a challenge of your own, you’ll walk away encouraged. Life may not look the way we planned, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be extraordinary.

Mindset matters. Give yourself grace. Find your people. And remember—you are stronger than you think.

 

 

What’s one lesson your journey has taught you?

Whether you’re an amputee, caregiver, or someone navigating a challenge of your own, I’d love to hear from you. Share your biggest lesson in the comments, reply to this post, or connect with me through Warrior Ground.

And if you’re walking the limb loss journey, don’t do it alone. Join our community and discover the power of connecting with people who truly understand.

Join the Warrior Ground community and stay connected → HERE

 

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

 

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