confidence after amputation – Be-YOU-tiful Adaptive Warrior

Passport to Possibility

By bawarrior | August 12, 2026

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:13 — 21.6MB)

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,

Overcoming the Fear of Falling

By bawarrior | June 17, 2026

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:10 — 23.7MB)

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Reclaiming Independence

What if the thing holding you back isn’t the possibility of falling, but the fear of what happens if you do?

As amputees, we talk a lot about mobility, prosthetics, and recovery. But there is one challenge that often doesn’t get enough attention: the fear of falling.

In this week’s episode of BAWarrior Podcast, I share my own experiences as an above-knee amputee and explore how fear can quietly limit our lives if we allow it to take control.

The truth is, for many of us, the fear of falling isn’t really about the fall itself. It’s about everything we think might happen afterward. We worry about losing confidence, losing independence, or proving our fears right. We wonder what other people will think if we stumble. We question whether we’re strong enough to keep going.

I’ve been an amputee for more than seven years, and I have fallen while learning new skills, while using my running blade, and while pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. Even today, there are moments when fear tries to creep in and convince me to play it safe.

But I’ve learned something important: the more we avoid challenges because we’re afraid of falling, the smaller our world becomes.

Fear doesn’t just stop us from taking a step. It can stop us from living.

Throughout this episode, I share how I learned to trust my prosthesis, build confidence through repetition, and move beyond the fear that so many new amputees experience. I discuss the importance of physical therapy, consistent practice, and creating safe opportunities to challenge yourself little by little. Confidence isn’t built overnight. It comes from showing up every day, taking one more step, and proving to yourself that you can do hard things.

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that the best parts of life often exist on the other side of fear. Whether it was learning to run, trying adaptive sports, surfing for the first time, or simply trusting my body again after amputation, every meaningful milestone required me to face uncertainty and keep moving forward anyway.

If you’re struggling with fear—whether it’s fear of falling, fear of failure, fear of judgment, or fear of the unknown—I want you to know you’re not alone. Every amputee faces these challenges in some form. The key is not waiting until fear disappears. The key is taking action despite it.

This week’s Warrior Challenge is simple:

What fear is holding you back right now?

Identify it. Acknowledge it. Then take one small step toward facing it this week.

Remember, courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s moving forward in spite of it.

You are stronger than you realize. Don’t stop before you give yourself the chance to prove it.

Keep moving forward, warriors.

And as always,