Veteran amputee Archives

By Debbie Gregory

Veterans: it is time to support one of your own, as medically retired Army Sergeant Noah Galloway is need of your votes while competing on the hit ABC show “Dancing with the Stars.”

Noah Galloway served in the 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. On December 19, 2005, during his second deployment to Iraq, Sgt. Galloway was wounded by a roadside bomb. Five days after the IED attack, Galloway woke up at a hospital in Germany. The explosion that nearly killed him resulted in him losing his left arm and left leg above the knee.

Previous to sustaining his injuries, Galloway had not only been a fit soldier, but a work-out fanatic and competitive athlete. After his release from the hospital and rehabilitation, Galloway became depressed, started drinking, and let himself get out of shape. One day, he took along, hard look in the mirror and decided to change what was reflected. He didn’t want to just see his injuries, knowing that there was much more to who he was than just that. He decided to get back into shape and inspire others.

Noah is now a personal trainer and motivational speaker. The wounded warrior also participates in 5K and 10K races, as well as grueling Tough Mudder and Spartan races. Noah doesn’t make excuses for himself, and won’t allow his clients to make excuses for not being able to accomplish their goals.

Noah successfully changed the image of the man that he saw in the mirror. In November, 2014, he was on the cover of Men’s Health Magazine, and was named the publication’s “Ultimate Guy” for 2014. Noah has also been on various talk shows, and created the No Excuses Charitable Fund. Now, in an attempt to inspire others and raise awareness for his charitable causes, Noah is taking on the ballroom, competitors and judges on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Noah faces several different challenges that the show’s first double amputee contestant, Amy Purdy, didn’t. Purdy, who finished in third place, had both of her legs amputated below the knees. Noah, however, has his leg amputated above the knee, meaning that he has an artificial joint and not as much control. Also, male ballroom dancers traditionally lead with their left arm. These two obstacles will present challenges for Noah and his partner, Sharna Burgess, but they aren’t making any excuses.

Together, Sharna and Noah, dubbed #TeamShway, are already creating quite a stir on the dance floor. Week 1 of Season 20 aired on March 16, 2015. Team Shway danced the cha-cha, and finished to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. They received a middle-of-the-pack score of 26 out of 40. All teams are safe in week one. But from now on, #TeamShway needs your vote to keep dancing throughout the season.

Veterans, be sure to watch Noah and #TeamShway on DWTS and vote at www.abc.com, on Facebook, or by calling 1 (855) 234-5605.

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Military Connection: Inspirational Veteran on Hit TV Show: By Debbie Gregory

We’ve all heard the saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” In this day and age, with the various wounds and injuries from war leaving many service members and Veterans in need, advancements in the treatment, care and adaptive equipment are vital.

Innovators from all fields and backgrounds have contributed to improving care for post-traumtic stress, traumatic brain injuries, transporting the wounded and injured, and providing overall healthcare. Segway inventor Dean Kamen is one of the latest innovators to make a much-needed contribution to improve the quality of life for war Veterans.

Kamen invented a prosthetic arm that provides a wide range of motion for amputees. Kamen has nicknamed his invention the “Luke arm,” in homage to the prosthetic arm fitted for character Luke Skywalker in the classic sci-fi saga “Star Wars.”

Amputees can operate the Luke arm through a Bluetooth sensor inside their shoe. The device is about the size of a matchbook, and is designed to mimic the foot’s movements.

Kamen’s company, DEKA, was given a federal grant of approximately $40 million to develop the technology. Kamen took the project on with the understanding that he would not be developing an item for the masses. Kamen knew that he was building this product for Veterans, with the hope that very few people will ever have to rely on his invention

“We didn’t start making these things because we thought it would be a big business,” Kamen said. “We made these things because these soldiers deserve the best possible technology that’s available.”

Kamen saw both a need and a way that he could help. And his invention should improve the lives of the men and women who lost arms from their war wounds. Eventually, all amputees will be able to use Kamen’s invention.

In May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed DEKA to pursue manufacturing and commercial opportunities for the arm. Kamen said that DEKA is looking for a medical company that would be able take over the manufacturing and distribution of the Luke arm. But he said that his company would pursue the actions on its own if another company can’t be found.