Jessica Oughton, 20, of Belwood, is looking forward to being a junior counsellor and role model at The War Amps Ontario Child Amputee (CHAMP) seminar from May 29 to 31 here.
Born a partial left hand amputee, Oughton attended CHAMP seminars to see the latest developments in artificial limbs, attend informative sessions on dealing with amputation, and share concerns with other young amputees.
She applied to be a junior counsellor so she could give back by answering questions and offering advice to younger members on subjects such as dealing with teasing and staring, body image, learning to drive, and employment.
War Amps Chief Executive Officer Cliff Chadderton, who initiated CHAMP, said junior counsellors are terrific role models.
"They all remember clearly how they looked up to and learned from the junior counsellors themselves, and now they are able to pass on this example to a whole new generation of Champs," said Chadderton.
The seminar is an example of War Amps key tags at work. The association is funded solely through public support of the key tag and address label service and receives no government grants.
For more information, use E-ZEE ACCESS: call toll-free 1-800-250-3030, fax toll-free 1-800-219-8988 or visit waramps.ca.
