Franklin Fund and the Northern Alberta Amputee Program

Under the support of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta, the Franklin - Northern Alberta Amputee Program (known as NAAP) is a non-profit group established to enhance rehabilitation knowledge and care of people with amputation. NAAP provides a new opportunity for patients and healthcare providers to work together providing community support, education, research and clinical advancement in amputation rehabilitation.  During Master Corporal Paul Franklin recovery and rehabilitation at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta after losing both of his legs to a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, Paul noticed discrepancies between the level of treatment that was available to military patients versus civilians. Dismayed by the difference in care available versus what is possible, he vowed to make positive changes for all amputees in need of care and support.

We started in Northern Alberta and the funding and support of all Canadians led to a name change as the Franklin Fund.  Amputees from across Canada are facing several issues and each one will be addressed over time.  From provinces that offer discrepent funding issues, to high tech prothesis, to peer support issues.  We see that the future of amputee care can be addressed by the Triangle of Care.

Franklin Fund Triangle of Care

We are already working closely with the Amputee Coalition of Canada (ACC) to institute national level programs for amputee support. Any money raised under the banner of the Franklin Fund or the Northern Alberta Amputee Program has directly affected the lives of amputees in Canada.

The ACC is an organization that I am very proud of.  The FF has helped fund the ACC and their development of the amputee peer support network.  

Together we have acrredited 232 peer visitors in every province of Canada,  (the programs are offered by certified trainers in either French and English).  It is based on the Amputee Coalition of Americas very successful program and the ACC is the only organization that offers this service.  Hospitals and Rehabiltation facilities know that if an ACC acccredited peer visitor makes the visit the amputee be it someone who just suffered limb loss or someone who has been long in suffering will never be the same.

http://www.amputeecoalitioncanada.org/en/index.php
http://www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/oct_07/intro_npn.html

The FF has also helped fund the PALS  (promoting amputee life skills) program that has its roots at John Hopkins University.  The first set of trainers have gone through the program under its creator Dr Stephen Weaener and the next groups will soon be set up in Thunder Bay, Quebec city and Winnipeg.  Our goal of medically certified programs that directly help people with limb loss is and always will be our mandate
http://www.oandp.org/publications/jop/2006/2006-29.asp.
http://www.jhsph.edu/injurycenter/practice/promoting_amputee_life_skills/


IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS RECENTLY HAD AN AMPUTATION OR WILL IN THE FUTURE, IT IS CERTAINLY A TIME OF HIGH STRESS, WORY, FEAR AND CONFUSION.

"You will certainly have some doubts and questions about your or your loved one’s future – doubts and questions about working, raising a family, maintaining a relationship, caring for yourself or your loved one, and doing basic daily living activities. Other questions may be more technical or focused on immediate concerns: Is the pain terrible? How long will I or my loved one be in the hospital? Will it hurt a lot after the surgery? How does the artificial limb (prosthesis) stay on? So where do you turn for information, guidance and emotional support to help you through the numerous questions, decisions, choices and alternatives you will face as you enter this new path in life? Who can give you insight into the world you have entered and demonstrate that life goes on and can again become happy, full and productive? In many cases, only another amputee who has experienced a similar situation, had similar questions, and faced similar decisions can really provide the answers you need. That is the power of peer support." by Becky Bruce, ACA Outreach Information Specialist

http://www.amputee-coalition.org/military-instep/power-peer-support.html

Simon and I walking to school the day after leaving the Glenrose hospital 2006
www.naap.med.ualberta.ca

There are lots more organizations and groups that are not listed here so please forward them to me.

The NAAP/ FF website will be updated as we move forward with working even closer with the Amputee Coalition of Canada.

Amputee Support Links:

Amputee Specific

Amputee Coalition of Canada www.amputeecoalitioncanada.org

Amputee Coalition of America (ACA)
www.amputee-coalition.org

War Amps
www.waramps.ca

National Amputee Centre
Educational information for amputees and their families about all aspects of amputation.www.waramps.ca/nac/home.html

Prosthetika
www.prosthetika.com 
Very good instructional videos on how people with different levels of amputation can perform specific tasks. Click on "watch instructional videos"

Hip disarticulation and hemipelvectomy amputation information and support
www.hphdhelp.org

Amputee News
amputeenews.com

Canadian Amputee Resources
www.amputee.ca

A Manual for Below-Knee Amputees
www.oandp.com/resources/patientinfo/manuals/bkindex.htm

A Manual for Above-Knee Amputees
www.oandp.com/resources/patientinfo/manuals/akindex.htm

Other National Resources

Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD)
Promotes, supports, and enables Canadians with disabilities to lead active, healthy lives.www.ala.ca

Canadian Association for Prosthetics and Orthotics (CAPO)
www.pando.ca

Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA)
Assists those with physical disabilities to achieve independence, self reliance, and full community participation. www.canparaplegic.org

Community Specific Resources

Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Adult Amputee Program
One of Canada's largest freestanding tertiary rehabilitation hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta providing services to Edmonton and surrounding regions.www.capitalhealth.ca/adultamputeeprogram

The Steadward Centre for Personal and Physical Achievement
A disability research and fitness centre at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta, that provides physical activity and sport programs for people with disabilitieswww.steadwardcentre.ualberta.ca

Alberta Amputee Sport and Recreation Association (AASRA)
Supports and provides opportunities for amputees in recreation and sporting activities. www.aasra.ab.ca

Amputee programs in Canada 
Click here for a list of Amputee Rehabilitation Programs across Canada

Canadian Sports and Recreation

Canadian Paralympic Committee "Feel the Rush" program
Check out this informative website, where you can click on the "Get Involved" arrow and enter your location and sporting interest to find the nearest club or association in your area. Also provides information on Paralympic sport, a great venue not just for competition but for families and friends to try challenging sporting activities together with you!www.feeltherush.ca

Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS)
A volunteer based organization having the objective of assisting individuals with a disability to participate in skiing and snowboarding. www.disabledskiing.ca

Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing - National Capital Division 
The National Capital Division is a member of CADS and oversees programs and services operating in the regions of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.www.cads-ncd.ca

Canadian Amputee Hockey Team
www.canadianamputeehockey.ca

Canadian Amputee Golf Association (C.A.G.A)
www.caga.ca

Canadian Amputee Sports Association 
www.canadianamputeesports.ca

Canadian Paralympic Committee 
A non-profit, charitable, private organization that delivers programs that strengthen the Paralympic Movement in Canada, including sending Canadian teams to the Paralympic Games. The CPC empowers persons with physical disabilities, through sport, at all levels. www.paralympic.ca

Paralympics Sports Association 
Provides recreational and sporting opportunities for individuals with a disability across Alberta.www.parasports.net

Ontario Amputee and Les Autres Sports Association
www.oalasa.org

International Sports and Recreation

International Paralympic Committee
www.paralympic.org

National Sports Center for the Disabled
Positively impact the lives of people with any physical or mental disability through quality adaptive recreation programs in over 20 sports in the United States.www.nscd.org

Disabled Sport USA
www.dsusa.org

World Amputee Football (Soccer) 
www.worldamputeefootball.com

Online Groups for Information and Support

Consider joining an online group for information and support, such as:

Heather Mills Amputee Forum www.heathermills.eu/forum

Less than Four
The online community for amputees", which has a very informative "how to ride a bike" video for above knee amputees.How to ride a bike: www.lessthanfour.org/bongoboy/blog/media/video/index.one?a=view_video&vid_id=107641

Other resources

Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency - Soldier ON
The Soldier On program was created to support those in the Canadian Forces, both serving and retired, and their eligible dependents with a physical or mental disability to fully and actively participate in physical activity, recreation or sport. www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/SoldierOn/index.asp

Abilities magazine
www.abilities.ca

Rick Hansen Foundation
www.rickhansen.com

Td Can, To Do, Canada
Provides sports links for the physically disabled in Canada
www.td.ca

Sierra Leone amputee football and world football league
www.worldamputeefootball.com
www.worldamputeefootball.com/nation_sites/sierra-leone/index.htm

Freedoms Wings 
Provides sports links for the physically disabled in Canada
www.freedomswings.ca/fw