Synopsis: List of well known and famous people who currently are or were amputees and did not let their disability stop them from achieving their dreams in life.
Main Document
A large proportion of amputees experience the phenomenon of phantom limbs, they feel body parts that are no longer there. These limbs can itch, ache, and feel as if they are moving. Some scientists believe it has to do with a kind of neural map that the brain has of the body, which sends information to the rest of the brain about limbs regardless of their existence.
In many cases, the phantom limb aids in adaptation to a prosthesis, as it permits the person to experience proprioception of the prosthetic limb.
Lt. Col. Andrew Lourake sits in an Air Force C-20. Colonel Lourake underwent an above-the-knee amputation in June 2002 - Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Bobby Jones.
A prosthesis is an artificial extension that replaces a missing body part. It is part of the field of biomechatronics, the science of fusing mechanical devices with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous systems to assist or enhance motor control lost by trauma, disease, or defects.
Rudimentary prostheses have been used since antiquity, to replace missing limbs, teeth, etc.; their use and sophistication has increased over time. In addition to the standard artificial limb for every-day use, many amputees or congenital patients have special limbs and devices to aid in the participation of sports and recreational activities.
Though many prosthetics today are clearly made of artificial materials, the practice of cosmesis, the creation of life-like limbs made from silicone or PVC, has grown in popularity. Such prosthetics, such as artificial hands, can now be made to mimic the appearance of real hands, complete with freckles, veins, hair, fingerprints and even tattoos.
Nick Newell - American mixed martial artist born with congenital amputation of his left arm.
Oscar Pistorius
RaShad Bristo - (DOB: 12/18/1974, Shreveport, LA) - Born with one arm and successfully graduated from a police academy in Louisiana.
Rick Allen
Robert David Hall
Robert Kerrey - Joseph Robert "Bob" Kerrey
Ronan Tynan
RoseMarie Siggins
Sarah Bernhardt
Sarah Reinertsen
Scott Rigsb
Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader
Sudarhan Gautam
Sudha Chandran
Suzan Ball
Terry Fox - Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox
Tom Whittaker
NOTE: If you know of a discrepancy in this list please contact us so we can amend the entry.
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