YOUNG MULTIPLE AMPUTEE TELLS SUCCESS STORY AT WAR AMPS RICHMOND HILL SEMINAR

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Oct. 23 /CNW/ - For some, being born a double arm amputee might be considered an obstacle, but not for Leanne Holtvogt.

Today (Saturday October 23) at 1 pm in York Ballroom A of the Sheraton Parkway Hotel in Richmond Hill (600 Highway 7 East), Leanne will tell her success story to multiple amputee children - or Super Champs - from across Canada attending The War Amps 2010 Multiple Amputation Seminar.

Leanne enrolled in CHAMP at three months and attended many seminars, later giving back as a Junior Counsellor to the younger Champs.  In today's session, she will describe with candour and humour how she overcame her amputations and, with the help of family and CHAMP, put herself on the road to independence.  A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan's College of Commerce, Leanne, now 30, has a successful career as a payroll supervisor.

At 1:30 pm, in the same room, "Super Champs" will show the artificial limbs and assistive devices they use to enjoy recreational activities and be independent.  This will include devices for hockey, cycling, swimming and more.

Morning sessions today, also in the same room, include:

9 am to 10:15 am: JUMPSTART - a look at The War Amps program that provides computers and assistive computer devices to Super Champs for schoolwork and later careers.

10:30 am to 11 am: INDEPENDENT LIVING - Super Champs discuss, by sharing personal experiences, what it is like to be a multiple amputee during the various stages of school.  This will include participating in gym class, school trips, getting from class to class, carrying textbooks, using science lab equipment, and more.   

Multiple Amputation Seminars are an invaluable resource for Super Champs and their parents.  The War Amps holds regular CHAMP seminars, however, this one allows the Association to address in an in-depth way the issues specific to raising a multiple amputee child, and has a tremendous impact in putting these young Super Champs on the road to independence.

Utilizing the "Winner's Circle" philosophy, CHAMP changes the lives of child amputees through artificial limbs, counselling, Seminars and programs like Matching Mothers. 

The War Amps is funded solely through public support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service and receives no government funding.  For more information, call toll-free 1 800 250-3030 or visit waramps.ca.

For further information:

For information or interviews, please contact Rob Larman at 1 [phone].