The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA), Knoxville, Tennesee, has announced the appointment of Helen D. Cuyler, Mona Patel, and Tami Stanley to its Board of Directors.
Cuyler is a retired educator from Orlando, Florida. She is an active member of the ACA, the Florida Association for Staff Development, and the National Staff Development Council. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Helen D. Cuyler Photographs courtesy of the ACA.
“Helen brings to us her vast experience as a professional educator, coordinator of various programs, and trainer,” said Kendra Calhoun, president and CEO of the ACA. “She will be a great asset to our board as we expand our educational programming, peer visitor, and caregiver support programs. Helen’s compassion and desire to serve others is tireless. We look forward to her energy and enthusiasm as a board member.”
Cuyler underwent a transtibial amputation in 1972 as a result of a motorcycle accident.
“As I have done for many years, I hope to move forward the organization’s mission and vision for the future,” Cuyler said. “Drawing on my experience as an amputee and an educator, I offer my contributions in training, planning, and curriculum development. I hope to facilitate efforts to reach out to minorities and the underprivileged.”
Mona Patel
Patel has also been active in the ACA for many years. The San Antonio, Texas, resident and activist is a licensed clinical social worker for MK Prosthetic & Orthotic Services, San Antonio, where she counsels patients pre- and post-amputation.
While a student in 1990, Patel was crossing a college campus when a drunk driver struck her. The accident resulted in a right transtibial amputation. She has since been an avid advocate for amputees in a variety of legislative and educational efforts. In 2009, she successfully led advocacy efforts in the passage of the Texas Prosthetic and Orthotic Insurance Parity Bill. She has been the group leader for the local amputee support group for 13 years and has served on ACA committees and other groups, including the Volunteer Task Force. Currently, she is a certified peer visitor, and she is taking on a new role as lead advocate for her state in the Amputee Advocacy Network.
Patel has a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, and two master’s degrees, one in psychology and another in social work.
“We are happy to have Mona Patel as an active member of our board,” Calhoun said. “Her contributions will be invaluable to us as we move forward with state and federal parity laws. She has been a tireless advocate for amputee rights, education, and support. As an amputee, she is knowledgeable about state and federal issues that affect the limb-loss community. As a social worker, she brings a wealth of experience and compassion to our organization.”
“I plan to continue working hard to enhance the lives of amputees,” Patel said. “While an amputation is a major, life-changing experience, it is not the end. Through my board work, I want to show other amputees that they can lead productive and rich lives.”
Tami Stanley
Stanley of Orem, Utah, was a key activist in passing insurance parity legislation that was signed into law by Utah’s Governor last month. A volunteer and committee member for the ACA for many years, Stanley is now taking on the role of Lead Advocacy Advocate for her state. In addition, Stanley is an advocate for the Barr Foundation, a member of the University of Utah disabilities program advisory board, and a state and county delegate in Utah. Stanley works as a medical assistant for a Provo, Utah, urology clinic.
“Tami Stanley brings a wealth of knowledge to the Amputee Coalition’s board,” Calhoun said. “We are honored that she will join us and share her successful four-year effort in getting insurance parity legislation through the Utah legislature. As an amputee and a medical professional, she sees the challenges those with limb loss face every day.”
Having lost her leg as a result of complications from a softball game accident, Stanley feels it is important to be a voice for amputees who feel they may not have one.
“I am honored to be elected as a member of the Amputee Coalition’s board,” Stanley said. “In addition to bringing my experience as an advocate and an amputee, I hope to help move forward passage of insurance parity legislation in all 50 states. It is also important to have this passed on the federal level. This legislation is critical for amputees to be able to lead productive and active lives.”
