The Reality

Sadly, in the U.S., there are over 2 million people living with limb loss. It is estimated that one out of every 200 people in the U.S. has had an amputation. In fact, in 2005 article pointed out that, "among those living with limb loss, the main causes are vascular disease (54%) – including diabetes and peripheral arterial disease – trauma (45%) and cancer (less than 2%)."(1)

Unfortunately, many amputees become sedentary, overweight, depressed, and non-productive with limb loss being the major contributor. Amputee In Action, a 501(C)(3) entity, seeks to be a positive catalyst by Inspiration, education, and motivation in the amputee community challenging fellow amputees to Get Up.Get Active.

Our Founder

Bryant Young became an amputee in December 1984. While on a weekend ski trip with some college friends, Bryant was involved in a sledding accident in which he was run over by a truck. After spending several months in the hospital, he was discharged as an through-knee amputee.

Bryant had youth on his side (he had just turned 18 a month before his accident), yet at the time he had no idea how transforming this event would be. Having always been an active person, Bryant quickly became a water ski instructor in the Sacramento Delta of California. Bryant stayed active through his 20’s and was married to his wife Jill at 30. Bryant’s active lifestyle vanished during his 30’s as he lost focus on the importance of an active lifestyle. After 10 years of marriage and the joy of a growing family, Bryant came to the realization just before his 40th birthday that his five (now seven) children were acting out what they witnessed in their father -- namely, self-pity and a lack of focus on benefiting others.

So in the spring before his 40th birthday Bryant began walking with his family to “get back in shape.” Over the 10 years Bryant had gained 50lbs. As he was slowly realizing how out of shape he had become, he began to think of a way he could inspire his children. This resulted in a 300+ mile charity ride across South Carolina to demonstrate to his children that they should think big and set goals that would not only impact themselves but others as well. Bryant’s ride raised almost $10,000 for a school in Kenya to help fund the digging and construction of a drinking well to supply clean water for the students. Bryant continued to cycle, and two years later he founded the South Carolina non-profit organization Amputee In Action, Inc.