National Amputee Awareness Week (4 – 11 October)

National Amputee Awareness Week draws attention to the impact of limb loss within the Australian community and reminds all amputees that they are not alone. This is a week dedicated to celebrating Australians living with limb loss, raising awareness of this lifelong disability, reducing stigma, and bringing the amputee community together to minimise social isolation. It also enables us to inform the wider community of the prevalence of amputation so that they best manage their own healthcare and reduce the risk of potential limb loss. 

There is around one amputation performed every hour in Australia, which equates to almost 9,000 per year, and is largely due to diabetes, vascular disease, traumatic accidents, cancer, infection and congenital birth deficiencies. Unfortunately, due to a rise in chronic illnesses the Australian limb loss community is growing in size every year.  

Amputation can have a significant impact on a person’s mental and physical health and wellbeing, as well as affect their ability participate socially and economically. It can also impact on a person’s support network, such as family, friends and colleagues.  

Clebrate National Amputee Awareness Week from 4 – 11 October 2020