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Published by Jeff Tiessen
Life and Limb is a monthly podcast from Thrive Magazine all about living well with limb loss or limb difference. Hosted by Jeff Tiessen, publisher, Paralympian, and amputee of 45+ years, the podcast features interviews with amputee influencers, advocates, and healthcare providers, sharing lived experiences and practical advice.
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From the feed
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David has a proven track record of fixing complex problems. A mechanical engineer, he now leads technical teams on major projects for the B.C. government. He loves boating and lives the marine life, literally. His 46-foot Bayliner is his full-time home. He’s a sailor and scuba diver and was a longtime motorcyclist. Three years ago a motorcycle accident changed the course of David's life. Rather than letting the amputation of his left leg above the knee become his whole story, he approached it like he approaches engineering… “another problem to work through.” And like good seamanship, he says, “It’s not about proving what you can handle. It’s about deciding what you should.”
A registered nurse and now a certified life coach, Leslie Karmazinuk brings with her a story of deep resilience. After decades as a healthcare executive, she navigated multiple life-altering events — surviving cancer three times, one time with a fours-months-to-live diagnosis. She has endured the loss of her husband, a devastating event on her home, as well as multiple amputations, the last resulting in her becoming a below-knee amputee. But she rebuilt… physically, emotionally, and professionally, and today she, alongside her daughter as her business partner at Karma Coaching Insights, helps others move past trauma and adversity.
Tracy MacCharles, the former Ontario Minister of Accessibility, never planned to be a politician until she saw a newspaper article announcing the retirement of the then-current MPP. And so, with no experience as a politician, her political journey began. Tracy never planned to be an amputee either despite being just hours away from the amputation of her left leg as a teenager with cancer. At the last minute, a limb-saving surgery was presented. At age 59 she became an above-knee amputee. Tracy knew disability well, professionally and personally as her now-late husband was a wheelchair user and prominent figure in the disability community. But she didn’t know about living with an amputation. And so, her limb loss journey began. Tracy shares how she has navigated her limb loss journey.
Presented by Ottobock Healthcare, this episode welcomes Prince Edward Island’s Lucas Arsenault, a former professional kiteboarder and national champion. Making a living in the ocean as a kiteboarder has its risks, but Arsenault never imagined losing his leg while snorkeling between competitions. A shark attack just two years ago in Turks and Caicos left him an above-knee amputee. Now as a keynote speaker, he shares his perspectives around gratitude and life-change with audiences across the country. He’s joined on the podcast by Aaron Holm, a 20-year-amputee (bilateral above-the-knee) and Head of Consumer Engagement at Ottobock, a global leader in prosthetics, medical technology and clinical care.
Angie Sandow is an inspirational speaker, humourist and musician who captivates audiences of all ages with her powerful performances and story of resilience. She shares insights on responding to challenges related to her limb difference, primarily others’ attitudes toward her. Finding strength in adversity, and in her love for music, football and motorcycles, she’s a big proponent of “getting out of our comfort zones”. The subject of a documentary film and the author of “From Chemo to Throttle”, Angie emphasizes that “accountability resides within.”
Lynn DeCola is a retired prosthetist, orthotist and technician, and now an amputee coach with clients across Canada and the U.S. through her Florida-based company Lifelong Prosthetics. She’s a Mental Health First Aider, a writer, and an international online amputee support group host, which she founded, called Amputees Preparing Amputees for Life. Lynn truly understands the unique challenges that we face as amputees, because she is one herself, an above-the-knee amputee of over 30 years. Lynn DeCola is all about getting her clients back to living their best life after amputation by bridging gaps in information and care... great advice for amputees of all ages and stages.
After experiencing life-changing amputations several years ago, Kevin Gray quickly discovered the power of connection. During his rehab and recovery he met others who were searching for the same thing — honest conversation, guidance, and hope from people who had been there . Those early conversations became the foundation for something much greater. Today, Kevin is the founder and CEO of Limb Loss Connection (LLC), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting and supporting individuals living with limb loss and limb difference. Kevin shares his vision for LLC and Canada’s amputee community.
Growing up in Victoria, British Columbia, possibilities in life were boundless for teenaged Andrea Swallow. Her teenage years were good, with social, athletic and academic endeavours accompanied by no more angst and pressures than that of other typical youth around her. Then she became an amputee, a survivor of a motorcycle accident. In a thrive magazine feature several years ago, Andrea shared what she would say to her younger self, equipped with what she knows now about acceptance, joy, self-care, peer support, emotional health and the impact of trauma. Now an amputee of 38 years, she ponders her future self, and shares how she is harking back to the advice she had for her younger self as she adapts to her life’s next uncharted stage.
In so many ways, Rouzalin “Roz” Hakim was transformed in ways she could never have imagined with the loss of her left leg above the knee four years ago. Today, she’s a force in the amputee community, especially when it comes to peer support. But not just that. She’s also a respected author, public speaker and advocate for the amputee community. And what makes her so unique is her complete honesty and transparency about her difficult journey after her motorcycle accident. She celebrates her victories big and small, and finds a lot of pride and joy in her accomplishments. At the same time, she’s true to the person she was before her amputation. Roz still approaches life with zest, living a mile a minute sometimes.
Despite facing her share of travel challenges as an above-knee amputee and someone living with rheumatoid arthritis, those experiences have fueled Tanya Rabe’s passion for making travel accessible to everyone. That passion includes finding detours around roadblocks to make for accessible adventures. Tanya does that for clients with and without disabilities through Right Foot Adventures, her own travel agency. For Tanya, it’s all about research, planning ahead, problem-solving and confidence. She shares how she helps take away the fear of traveling with a disability that so many of us can experience, and offers tips for choosing the right travel agent, and the right destination and accessible accommodations for peace of mind.
Dionne Chambers is a personal injury lawyer, experienced in claims for clients with a wide range of serious injuries including amputation, brain injury and psychological trauma. Her work with amputee clients has increased her awareness of the gaps in meeting their needs, particularly in the area of peer support. As such, she has partnered with a Niagara-area amputee to establish a peer support group in that region. Dionne advocates for her clients regularly throughout their recovery and rehabilitation and is now bringing insights from client experiences and needs to the Amputee Coalition of Canada as its newest board member.
Erez Avramov, nicknamed “The Man Who Refuses to Die”, is an internationally-recognized resiliency expert who’s been trained and shaped by life’s most challenging adversities. Three near-death experiences, and an elective amputation, have given him a unique perspective about life. Deeply driven to explore human potential, Erez has uncovered the inner workings of resiliency and is the founder of Life Rebuilder Academy. He shares proven methodologies that he developed to harness the power of adversity so others can transform their lives as well. Erez changes the conversation from “why did this happen?” to “how can I use this to transform my life?”
Greg Westlake was the long-time captain of the Canadian Para Ice Hockey Team, a five-time Paralympian and three-time medalist. He’s worked as a CBC broadcaster and was the host of AMI’s Level Playing Field program, showcasing para-athlete stories. Westlake had both legs amputated below the knee when he was just 18 months old. Now a dad of two, a video production company owner, and a spokesperson for numerous organizations, he shares with listeners what he’s still learning about disability, himself and other amputees.
Unstoppable Tracy is about more than inspiration. She provides life-changing action-able results. She has a #1 Best Selling Book and is a Female Transformational Global Leader winner. She’s earned awards as an athlete, businesswoman and for her work in underdeveloped countries. She has spoken to audiences in over 40 countries and is Toronto’s most virally viewed speaker with over 30 million views in three months in 2019. Born a four-way amputee, she’s climbed the Himalayan mountains, captained a towering 110-foot tall-ship, and conquered challenges that many would never dare attempt. Unstoppable Tracy has never let limits define her and promotes to others that they need not as well.
Rob Larman lost his right leg above-the-knee when he was 14 after a friend dared him to jump on a slow-moving freight train. He ended up under the wheels. But not long after, he became one of the early graduates of The War Amps Child Amputee Program. Forty-plus years after his injury he’s still part of the “CHAMP” program, with 25 of those years as the Director of the Association’s PLAYSAFE/DRIVESAFE program. An educator and role model, Larman talks about parenting with a disability, and support for families of child amputees.
Motivational speaker Michael Laughlin has brought his extraordinary story of trauma, loss, love, resilience, hope and triumph to readers with his new book “Untapped 60” to encourage others to face vulnerabilities and find strength in the face of adversity. Mike is a career firefighter with Kingston Fire & Rescue. He has faced unimaginable personal and professional challenges in his life, and defied tremendous odds to twice return to his career to become Canada's only full-time above-knee firefighter.
A nurse of 40+ years and an above-knee amputee of about seven, Kirsten Woodend has experienced healthcare from both sides - practitioner and patient - and shares the irony of how little she knew about amputation, let alone what a "prosthetist" is? She's an associate professor of nursing at Trent University and a two-time Dean of Trent’s School of Nursing. Today, Kirsten is the president of the Amputee Coalition of Canada (ACC). Her current research in osseointegration and peer visiting serves ACA's primary pillar of Peer Support very well.
A talented hairstylist and a survivor of domestic violence, Larissa Camp found herself fleeing for her life when an ex-boyfriend shot her twice at close range with a shotgun. She suffered life-altering injuries, including the loss of four fingers on her right hand. But with strength and determination she’s found her purpose. She says, “I was given a story to share with the world in hopes of inspiring others to move forward despite challenges they may face.”
Tom Williams started STAND (formerly Legs for Africa) after a trip to The Gambia more than a decade ago. It was there where he met a gentleman in need of a prosthetic limg, a leg lost to diabetes. Tom sourced one for him, and 10 years later his organization has rescued and recycled over 18,000 prosthetic legs for others in need across sub-Saharan Africa. Listen to his remarkable story of humanitarian impact.
Courtney Gilmour is an award-winning stand-up comedian, television writer, and finalist on Canada’s Got Talent. She is one of Canada's most unique voices and sought-after comedy talents, named by NOW Magazine as “one of the top 10 stage artists to watch.” Courtney's victory at the 2017 Just For Laughs Homegrown competition was the first by a female comic in the 19-year-history of the event. Her first album - “Let Me Hold Your Baby” – was JUNO-nominated, and she’s just released her new “Wonder Woman" album – which is a really funny take on life as a triple limb amputee when it comes to public perceptions that come with her unique disability.
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Observed September 12, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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