Prince George “Champ” meets role model

PRINCE GEORGE— The War Amps has been making a difference in the lives of amputees for over 100 years, including two-year-old Clare McNamara of Prince George, and 21-year-old Sara La Belle of Vancouver.

Clare was born a right arm amputee, and Sara was born a right leg amputee. Both are members of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program. The pair met at the recent 2019 BC Seminar in Richmond where Sara was also a Junior Counsellor Coordinator, overseeing the team of older Champs who act as role models and offer advice to younger Champs.

CHAMP seminars are an opportunity for child amputees and their families to connect and share similar experiences about living with amputation.

“The seminars are very informative, but one of the best parts is that Clare gets to meet other amputees,” says Clare’s mom, Karissa. “It’s comforting to know that as she gets older, there are people, like Sara, who will be there to guide her and offer support.”
 
Seminars like this are also a chance for young amputees and their parents learn about the latest in artificial limbs, dealing with teasing and staring and parenting an amputee child.