Keaton Constant at the War Amps 2019 Western CHAMP Seminar in Edmonton. (Submitted Photo/ Martine Lepine)

By Ronald Quaroni

War Amps

‘There is no limitations to what he can do’: P.A. mom applauds War Amps program

Sep 20, 2019 | 12:53 PM

With help from the War Amps, a Prince Albert boy is reaching new heights.

Four-year-old Keaton Constant, like any other child his age is just entering his kindergarten year at St. Francis in Prince Albert.

But he faces different challenges than the other kids. Keaton was born with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD), a birth defect that left him without femur bones.

Keaton’s Mother, Candice Constant told paNOW the War Amps organization has been a major help. The not-for-profit organization arranged a number of tools and programming for her son, including a standing frame to help Keaton build muscle.

“He is starting to develop those muscles. Once he gets those going, hopefully we can get him into some kind of walker and get him moving. He’s now able to stand supported. Once he’s able to stand independently we can look at getting him some prosthetics. That for us, is at least a year or two down the road,” Constant said. “But Keaton can go up and down our stairs. He can now get on couches. There is no limitations as to what he can do.”

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“The War Amps are really phenomenal, not only do they provide what Keaton requires (prosthetics to assist his lower legs) but they also provide swimming things and a swimming program, so we could put him in swimming and the War Amps would pay for that,” she said.

Keaton, a member for the War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, recently attended the Western CHAMP Seminar in Edmonton. The seminar themed, ‘Just the Way I Am,’ not only featured the latest in artificial limbs but also encouraged amputees and their families to embrace their amputations and overcome the hurdles on the road to independence.

Constant said she was nervous heading into the school year but said the teachers and school staff at St. Francis have been very helpful.

“They’re phenomenal,” she exclaimed. “His little wheelchair fits right under the desk. He just rolls right on in and he’s had a good couple of days so far.”

The War Amps is an autonomous organization funded through public support of their key tag and address label service.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni