American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists

After living with limb loss since early childhood, Raymond Wallace now works as a peer support specialist and has created a support group and nonprofit to help others navigate life after amputation.

Stories like these underscore the importance of community, mentorship, and access to resources throughout the rehabilitation journey.

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Amputee helps others adjust to life without a limb An amputee creates a support group and nonprofit to help and encourage others.

It’s almost time!

Join the 3rd Annual 28x28 Mobility Challenge this July 1-28 during Disability Pride Month and move for change in support of So Every BODY Can Move.

Get active for 28 minutes a day for 28 days and help us show the power of movement, community, and collective action. Whether you walk, run, ride, roll, hike, swim, dance, or move in your own way, every minute matters.

Take the challenge here:

Support 28x28 Mobility Challenge Join the 3rd Annual 28x28 Mobility Challenge this July 1-28 during Disability Pride Month and move for change in support of So Every BODY Can Move . Get active for 28 minutes a day for 28 days and help us show the power of movement, community, and collective action. Whether you walk, run, ride, roll...

Via People Magazine: At 16, Jordan Thomas lost both of his legs in a boating accident. Since then, he has helped hundreds of children gain access to prosthetic care and inspire others. He recently met a mother who was so inspired by his story that she decided to adopt a child with limb loss.

Read the story: https://buff.ly/a6D9YGl

The Tune of Things, by Christian Wiman Is consciousness God?

Professional development doesn’t have to wait for the next meeting or conference. O&P Knowledge Central provides on-demand access to courses, webinars, podcasts, microlearnings, and other educational resources to support lifelong learning and help you stay current with evolving clinical practice, research, and industry developments.

Explore learning opportunities: https://buff.ly/eWFZvtd

How do microprocessor stance-and-swing-phase-controlled KAFOs affect walking ability, balance confidence, and daily functioning for individuals with knee instability?

This case report found improved walking speed, walking energy cost, balance confidence, and perceived daily functioning compared with a stance-control KAFO, with the C-Brace showing additional gains in stair and hill descent.

🔗 Read the full report: https://buff.ly/qSDBXMF

After losing part of his arm in an accident, Georgia drummer Jason Barnes used advanced prosthetic technology to return to music and set the record for most drum beats per minute.

Experience: I lost my arm – now I’m one of the fastest drummers in the world One afternoon, I set up my kit and taped a drumstick to my amputated arm

As John McFall prepares for a potential mission that could make him the first person with a physical disability to live and work in space, researchers are exploring important questions about how limb loss, prosthetic use, and human physiology interact in microgravity.

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The extraordinary physiological challenges facing amputee John McFall in space In the 1950s, Arthur C. Clarke imagined an amputee astronaut. If John McFall reaches orbit, science fiction becomes science fact.

The next Academy TODAY Webinar will feature a discussion on advancing cranial remolding practice through standardized clinician training, outcome tracking, quality assurance, and evidence-based care. Hear directly from Academy TODAY authors as they examine the research, clinical insights, and strategies shaping cranial remolding orthotic care today.

📅 July 30, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM EDT

Register now: https://buff.ly/4shJVvw

The deadline to submit Free Papers for is June 30! Submit your abstract for the opportunity to present your research, clinical case studies, innovations, or patient-centered outcomes at the 53rd Academy Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium, February 10–13, 2027, in New Orleans.

Submit here: https://buff.ly/q3x1nDZ

How might implicit racial attitudes influence patient-clinician relationships and care in O&P?

In this study in the latest JPO, Academy members Cody McDonald, Lindi Mitsou, Abby Hoffman-Finitsis, John Brinkmann, and Scott Bretl examined explicit and implicit racial attitudes among clinicians, educators, residents, and students, finding that implicit racial bias within the O&P community was similar to that of the general U.S. population. The findings underscore the importance of continued efforts to recognize and address implicit bias in support of equitable patient care and outcomes.

🔗 Read the full report: https://buff.ly/Qw2Nwel