List date(s) this work was published or aired.
21-Apr-11
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Two million amputees currently live in the U.S., according to the nonprofit Amputee Coalition, an advocacy group. 570 people lose a limb each day. But gone are the days of hidden wooden legs and plastic prosthesis that better serve as camouflage for limbs lost. This story sheds light on the growing number of amputees who are embracing their circumstances and flaunting their new functional limb, even if it looks nothing like what an original limb looks like. Reporting on this story revealed that many amputees go through a grieving process for their limb much the same as if they had lost a member of their family. There is both a psychological and physical transformation that amputees undergo while choosing a prosthetic and this story is a glimpse into one woman’s story of coming undergoing that journey.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Data was used from Advanced Arm Dynamics, which manufactures many types of prosthetic limbs. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Amputee Coalition, and the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association also contributed data.
Explain types of human sources used.
Human sources included: Jan Schumacher, an amputee and prosthetic wearer was interviewed as the main character of the piece; MacJulian Lang, a prosthetist and clinical director of Advanced Arm Dynamics, who outfitted Jan with her new prosthesis was also interviewed for the piece; Amy Natisco, an occupational therapist who helps amputees settle into their new prosthesis.
Results:
After the story was published, I recieved numerous emails, tweets, and voice messages from amputees agreeing that they, too, are proud to wear a prosthesis overtly and in styles that display functionality.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
N/A
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
It’s easy in trend reporting to fall into over-reporting by using too many numbers, expert analyses, and study findings. Sometimes the best stories are told through the eyes of the person living it.