We do feel that the subject of artificial limbs has been hiding for too long. Fighting against the stigma of disability, the committee worked hard over the years to bring to light the needs and challenges of war amputees, most of whom were very reluctant to “complain” about the shortcomings of their artificial limbs. Yours sincerely, Ralph Hodgson, The War Amputations of Canada May I say that we are an organization of some 3,000 soldiers who lost limbs during the last war, and it is our hope that we may be able to assist these young men who are suffering similar disabilities. It is hoped that he would soon be returning to Canada by hospital ship and that I, as an old amputation case of the last war, may have the privilege of meeting him at that time, to assist him to re-establish himself back into civil life. ![]() Steinhoff, has recently lost his right leg on active service. I have been informed that your son, Albert M. In the following letter, he writes to the mother of Second World War amputee Albert Steinhoff. Ralph Hodgson, a leg amputee of the First World War, was just one of many members who personally reached out to the returning amputees (and their families), informing them of The War Amps and offering support. In its constitution, The War Amps identified a threefold purpose: to bring their case to the Canadian government to help amputees with retraining and rehabilitation and to explore and initiate research into the little-known world of artificial limbs.Īs the new Second World War amputees returned home, they were welcomed to the Association by the “old amps." These new members, like the generation from the First World War, went on to contribute greatly to the success of the organization as we know it today. ![]() The founding years were a mixture of high hopes and hard work fuelled by a philosophy of “amputees helping amputees.” With a focus on practical assistance, counselling and self-reliance, the Association sought to provide direction to its members and address their needs.įormally chartered in 1920 as the Amputations Association of the Great War, the organization pledged to “bind together in the spirit of fraternity all men who have lost a limb or limbs whilst giving their service to Canada.” War amputee veterans envisioned a fraternal society where they could help each other adapt to their new reality and advocate for seriously disabled veterans. It was the first of many groups of war amputees across Canada to organize and, eventually, amalgamate into a national organization. ![]() The origins of The War Amps trace back to September 23, 1918, when the Amputation Club of British Columbia held its first meeting.
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