Making a difference in the community for people with disabilities LIM359 is making a difference by offering a support system for people with limb loss and limb difference that is different than the traditional discussion-based support groups that we often see. We believe discussion-based groups are great for the people who are interested in that type of support, but felt that there was an unmet need in Denver for individuals who may not be comfortable attending discussion-based groups, so we decided to start an activities-based group to complement the existing discussion-based group in the area. The idea was hatched while talking with some friends, one who was born without her arm and leg, about the camps she and I had attended as kids. We wanted to bring that type of support to the forefront, so we started LIM359 in 2013. We have held monthly events since then, and most of our attendees are adults. However, in 2017, we hosted our first multi-day youth camp and already have almost 20 kids registered for our 2018 camp.

Inspiration behind LIM359 As I(Emily Harvey) mentioned above, we wanted to fulfill an unmet need for individuals seeking a supportive environment to meet others with similar experiences, but who were not comfortable attending a discussion-based group. We also wanted to create a group where people could try new activities outside their comfort zone with people who had similar experiences so they could feel safe doing things like taking their leg off in public - for example, we went kayaking as a group and the beach was littered with prosthetic legs that we left behind as we went out into the lake in our kayaks - it was awesome! Back when we first started, we really wanted to gauge interest in order to provide a needed and wanted service, so we stuck with the monthly activities geared for adults for a few years. I always wanted to host a youth camp that included not just individuals with limb loss/difference, but also their siblings, so hosting that for the first time last year was a fantastic experience. I think we're unique in that we invite siblings to attend, and that was important to me because my brother always felt excluded when I got to go to camp during the summer and he had to spend the week with my mom, aunt, and grandma. He even threatened to cut off his leg so he could go to camp with me! He didn't follow through on that, but I don't want siblings to feel that way and so we decided to include them fully in our camp.

Who can benefit from LIM359 LIM359 can benefit anyone who loses a limb (or limbs) or is born with a limb difference. Our youth camp is aimed at individuals through age 18, as well as having a portion of camp geared towards parents who want to bring their younger kids who may not yet be old enough to even be aware they have a limb difference. Our monthly activities vary, but can benefit those who are new to limb loss or those more experienced with limb loss who have not even sought out support because the discussion-based option didn't feel right for them. We also have trained peer visitors, so we can schedule private meetings with individuals needed more direct support from someone with a similar experience.

Our message Don't be afraid to seek out support if you're feeling alone. No matter your situation, there is probably someone else out there who has gone through something similar to you and can offer you additional strength in times of need. I know it can be hard to ask for help, but just remember that someday you could be the one offering the support and you would want to other person to ask you if they're needing help.