By Bryan Eneas

Local CHAMP participates in War Amps 100th anniversary celebration

Sep 11, 2018 | 10:25 AM

A local War Amp Child Amputee (CHAMP) joined his peers from across western Canada in marking 100 years of War Amps in Winnipeg.

Aren Painter, eight, was born a left arm amputee. He travelled to Winnipeg with his family to participate in the Western Child Amputee Seminar last week, where the 100 anniversary celebrations took place.

The boy attended a conference when he was four, however he doesn’t remember much from that one. He said he had a good time at the 100 anniversary in Winnipeg, spending his days swimming, shopping, and making new friends.

“[Being a CHAMP] means that whatever you lost, your arm or hand or leg, you use whatever you have left twice as much,” Aren said.

His mother Charn explained that although she and her husband are both medical professionals and better suited than many when it comes to addressing the challenges of raising a child amputee, the War Amps organization has made a huge difference in their lives.

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“We didn’t actually know he was missing his arm prior to his birth… within weeks of Aren’s birth we were contacted by the War Amps,” Charn said.

She said the funds raised through the War Amps key tag program help involve CHAMPS in recreational activities like swimming lessons or prosthesis which may not be affordable to some families.

Charn explained the Saskatchewan Health Card allows residents in this province certain benefits when it comes to covering costs of a prosthesis, however that funding isn’t available in all provinces, which is where War Amps helps out.

Funding aside, the organization also helps families of CHAMPS with advice and networking.

“[War Amps assists these families] in support and advice with regards to obtaining the disability tax credit, with regards to registered disability savings plans,” Charn said. “They’re really a phenomenal cohesive group, and we can contact them anytime.”

She lauded the Matching Mothers program, which connects mothers of amputees through email or telephone, or even face-to-face if they’re in the same city. Ultimately, War Amps helps CHAMPS learn and understand they’re not alone and there are people who understand what they might be going through.  

War Amps was started by veterans returning from the First World War to help each other adapt and advocate for seriously disabled veterans. They adopted a philosophy of amputees helping amputees, and “welcomed the next generation of war amputees” following the Second World War. Later, the War Amps would develop programs to serve all amputees.

The CHAMP Program’s Executive Director Danita Chisholm said although the organization celebrated many unique programs they’ve developed over the last 100 years, there is still much to do.

“With the public’s support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service, our vital programs for amputees will carry on long into the future,” Chisholm said through a prepared statement.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas