The Amputee Coalition is now accepting applications for Bridge to Ability Scholarships to attend its national conference, June 1-4, in Kansas City, Missouri. Created by the Amputee Coalition’s Board of Directors in 2010, the scholarship fund recently received a $45,000 pledge over the next three years from Hanger Orthopedic Group, Austin, Texas.
“We are very grateful to Hanger for providing these funds,” said Kendra Calhoun, president and CEO of the Amputee Coalition. “With this gift we have the potential to bring 20 new Bridge Scholars to our national conference. This is particularly significant in 2011 as we celebrate our 25th anniversary at the conference in Kansas City. It promises to be a memorable event for new amputees as we celebrate the many advances in state-of-the-art technology and learn of so many success stories. Through the generosity of Hanger, these new amputees will form lifelong friends and networks.”
The Bridge to Ability Scholarship includes a full conference registration as well as lodging expenses. Through this scholarship, recipients will build confidence and hope, help “get their lives back,” receive knowledge and information, make connections and friends within the limb-loss community and establish lifelong relationships, according to an Amputee Coalition press release.
To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
- Must be a registered Friend of the Amputee Coalition.
- Amputation of one or more limbs within two years of application deadline (must provide date and level of amputation).
- Unable to attend the Amputee Coalition national conference due to financial constraints (must provide proof of income and income statement).
- Have never previously attended an Amputee Coalition national conference.
Scholarship application materials and details can be found on the Amputee Coalition website at www.amputee-coalition.org/scholarship/bridge_to_ability. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2011, and scholarship recipients will be notified by May 1, 2011.
For more information, visit www.amputee-coalition.org or call 888.267.5669.
