Our patient, Bill Sidders, completed a day long class on Saturday, November 10th to become an Amputee Coalition Certified Peer Visitor. The Amputee Coalition is a nationally recognized Limb Loss organization. As a Certified Peer Visitor, persons become trained volunteers who will be able to provide information and support to individuals about to undergo limb loss surgery or who currently have limb loss or limb difference. Amputees and family members taking the class learn to recognize the elements of recovery and how to respond with helpful interventions during different phases of emotional adjustment.
Bill had to meet the following criteria to be approved to sit for CPV training and had to successfully pass the training in order to be recognized as an Amputee Coalition Certified Peer Visitor:
• Be at least 12 months post-amputation or born with a limb difference
• Be at least 18 years old to conduct a peer visit individually, or be certified along with a parent or caregiver if between the ages of 10 and 18 to be able to conduct joint supervised visits
• Be able to communicate well with others
• Be able to network with healthcare facilities and professionals who serve people affected by limb loss
• Be knowledgeable about and supportive of the Amputee Coalition, including the National Limb Loss Resource Center and key publications and materials
• Be knowledgeable about basic limb loss statistics, including all amputation levels, and the effects of limb loss
• Be willing to authorize and able to pass a criminal background check at your own expense every two years for the duration of your certification
• Be able to provide three references, including at least one from a healthcare provider and one from the applicant’s support group leader if that applicant is a member of a support group
• Provide all necessary information to the Amputee Coalition, including but not limited to, name, email, phone, address, date of birth, level of limb loss, cause of amputation, date of amputation, interests and activities, and the distance willing to travel to conduct a peer visit
• Be an individual subscriber to the Amputee Coalition’s inMotion magazine and subscribe to all Amputee Coalition emails to keep apprised of ongoing activities
• Not be principally employed in a marketing capacity by a manufacturer of devices or provider of services to people affected by limb loss.
We’re so very proud of Bill and this major accomplishment! He is an amazing addition to this group of people who want to give back to the limb loss community!
(Picture- Bill is on the far left)
