The loss of a limb can be a traumatic and certainly life-altering experience. The effects can explode through a patient’s life like a sledgehammer through glass. Thankfully, advancements in prosthetic limbs have made amputations more tolerable and given amputees a mobility, freedom and independence—in other words, a new lease on life.
But not all amputees can take advantage of the latest prosthetic technologies. Many remain confined to a wheelchair or are relegated to the sidelines of life. New technologies are expensive and many patients can’t afford the most advanced prosthesis. This is where Limbs of Love comes to the rescue!
An Obvious Need
Limbs of Love was founded in 2007 by Texas entrepreneur Joe Sansone, CEO of TMC Orthopedics and The Amputee and Prosthetic Center (which boasts 12 amputee employees itself). His employees encountered stories of needy amputees on a regular basis. Joe and his employees wanted to do something so they created Limbs of Love (www.limbsoflove.com), a non-profit organization which provides advanced technological prosthetic limbs to deserving individuals.
Paul Lingois rock climbing at the 2010 Amputee Muscles and
Metal Expo/Limbs of Love.“I own several medical companies that offer braces and prosthetic limbs and as a provider of limbs we ran into so many patients who did not have the money for the proper prosthetic and it was just heartbreaking to see, ” said Joe Sansone. Advanced technology prosthetic limbs are one of the most expensive orthopedic devices because they employ electronics, server motors and other cutting-edge inventions in small, life-like shapes and spaces. The least expensive below-the-knee limb may run about $10, 000. An average high-tech limb can cost around $20, 000. The cost of the most advanced prostheses can skyrocket to $80, 000 or more. These are truly modern engineering marvels with built-in hand manipulation or computer-guided knees with microprocessors.
Said Joe: “So we ran into these patients that didn’t have the funds and were faced with the dilemma: give it to them for free or let them go without.” Of course giving away limbs for free wasn’t a viable business option, but for Sansone, allowing patients to leave knowing there was a prosthesis that could change their life was also unacceptable. “When someone has an amputation, they are no longer a productive member of society, they no longer can work or take care of their family, and they become dependent upon other people for care and are isolated. It is a horrible spiraling nightmare.”
Insurance Issues
Many times people don’t realize that insurance won’t cover a prosthetic until they are faced with an amputation. It’s not a high-profile coverage point and many insurance companies deliberately cut out coverage in order to lower premiums and remain competitive. Sansone says the trickle down result to employees is surprisingly insignificant with a savings of around 25 cents a year per employee. “But if you’re an insurance company, not covering an $80, 000 limb is a fairly significant savings.” Sansone says many businesses probably don’t even realize that this gap exists. Ironically it was one of Joe Sansone’s own employees who was a victim of such an insurance exclusion. When Sansone realized that his insurance wouldn’t cover his employee he decided to jump into the political battle to bring insurance coverage for prosthetics up to a basic level.
“Seventeen states have already passed Prosthetic Parity regulation which requires that private insurance covers prosthetics on par with Medicare.” Sansone adds that this is just the most basic of coverage. Medicare isn’t a generous payor for prosthetics. It’s not easy to get limbs approved through Medicare. “So this is really just on par with the most basic coverage.”
Sansone, a self-described “staunch Republican, ” says he’s finding common ground with Democrats on this issue and adds that this isn’t about across-the-board prosthetics, but about people paying insurance premiums and not being insured for an artificial limb. “No one will abuse this requirement, ” adds Sansone. Senate hearings on the issue continue and you can be sure Sansone will be one of the advocates there lobbying for change.
The Start of Something Good
Limbs of Love has grown consistently since its founding. Prosthetic donations have increased from just 4 per year to about 36 per year now. Still, demand is higher than supply and the organization has to turn down at least 15 patients a month. At the current rate, Limbs of Love receives approximately $1.3 million in prosthetic donations annually. Much of that cost is contributed by the associated business partners of the organization like the Prosthetic and Amputee Center. Sansone’s employees play a critical role by organizing fundraising events each year. Not only do these events, like the Annual Airborne Amputee Skydive raise funds, they also help spotlight the acheivements of those with artificial limbs.
One amputee, Sansone recalls, was initially declined by insurance for a prosthesis but was so determined to obtain one that she actually bought one for $20 on EBay. Of course there was no way this limb would work for her since prosthetics are customized for a patient. She came to the organization to ask for it to be fitted and had to hear the news that it wouldn’t work for her.
Instead of feeling dejected, the patient chose to donate the limb to the organization so that another patient could use it. Because of this action, Limbs of Love decided to work with her and secured a prosthesis that has since transformed her life.
“She landed a job and has since donated money back to us, which makes us feel great because she is now a productive member of societry, supporting her family and that’s why I feel so strongly about this charity, ” explains Sansone.
For his efforts, Sansone was recently named the 2010 Health Care Hero of the Year by the Houston Business Journal.
Joe Sansone accepting the 2010 Healthcare Hero Award/Limbs of Love
Amanda’s Story
Like many teen girls in high school, Amanda McDaniel loved to play soccer, get good grades and practice her cheerleading routines. Her normal young life came to a traumatic crossroads when she was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma of the left pelvic region, encompassing her ileum to the base of her spine. To save her life, Amanda made the decision to have her left leg, hip and part of her pelvic region removed.
“When she lost her leg, ” explains Sansone, “we verified her benefits, she had health care coverage and so our company crafted a prosthesis which as you can imagine would be a challenge to create because of how much bone was taken from the pelvic region. We actually designed it so it would affix to the hip socket.” In reality, Amanda’s insurance only covered $2, 500 of the $80, 000 price tag. “We had promised this limb to her so to say you are going to fall $75, 000 short was just unthinkable, ” says Sansone. “I can’t promise this to a 17-year-old girl who just lost her leg and not deliver.”
Amazingly upon receipt of the limb, Amanda was back in a matter of months doing all the things she loved doing before her life was put on hold. Rock climbing, snow skiing and of course, cheerleading were all back on Amanda’s schedule.
Sadly, Amanda died on May 15, 2010.
Her cancer had returned. Amanda, however, left a remarkable footnote to her own Limbs of Love story. As she was dying and realizing she no longer had a use for the prosthesis, she took two weeks to compose a letter to the organization, donating the limb she had named Lucille (in honor of Lucille Ball) back to the charity so someone else would have the same opportunities that she had all but briefly enjoyed.
Orthopedic oncologist, Dr. Valerae Lewis of The University of Texas’ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has nothing but good things to say about her patient’s experience with Limbs of Love. “Amanda was my patient and she was amazing. Limbs of Love did such a wonderful job getting her the best limb, and I think it was an incredibly special thing that she was able to walk through her battle with osteosarcoma. She was up and walking in her sister’s wedding, which meant so much to her. That would not have been possible had Limbs of Love not stepped in to help.”
Offering New Hope
Limbs of Love has touched so many lives. We close our story with the words of patient Glenda Miller who spoke to OTW as she was waiting for her new prosthetic limb. “Limbs of Love has been so great every step of the way! Thank God for them! I am just plain giddy, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning!
Glenda Miller with a Limbs of Love staffer/Limbs of Love
“I’d suggest that everyone consider supporting Limbs of Love because these people have changed my life.”
For more information about Limbs of Love contact PR Director, Leslie O’Donnell: lodonnell@tmcortho.com.
