National Amputee Advisory Council

Priscilla became a below knee amputee in 2005, after elective surgery to remove a worsening congenital bone condition. She leads a very active life, with lots of travelling and exercise all made easier by constant improvements in prosthetic technology.

Priscilla is the founder and curator of Spare Parts, an exhibition that brings together a diverse range of artists all using pre-loved prosthetics as their canvas. She has had two exhibitions in Brisbane and one in London during the 2012 Paralympics. Over the years there have been over 100 artworks and countless prosthetics donated by amputees, families of amputees and clinics all round the world. What started as a fun idea to clean out her own closet had evolved into a much-loved project that has helped to create a positive and open conversation about amputee and prosthetic life, and inspired many amputees to start wearing colourful limbs!

Priscilla is also a Peer Support Volunteer for Limbs 4 Life.

Jamie is a husband and a father of three children and resides in rural New South Wales. In 2014, Jamie became a double amputee after a horrific motor vehicle accident that left him with serious burns and resulted in the loss of his lower arm and leg.

Jamie credits the support he and his family received from Limbs 4 Life as a vital part of his recovery. To date, Jamie has undergone more than 50 operations but considers himself as one of the lucky ones. Jamie brings his own personal lived experience to the Council and hopes to help other amputees in need.

In his spare time Jamie (a keen horseman) works on his farm ‘Wildfire’. In 2016 Jamie, his wife Karen and their family rode 530km’s to raise awareness and funds for Limbs 4 Life. Jamie’s ride was shared on Channel Nine’s ‘This Time Next Year’.

Shane is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing and a post graduate diploma of critical care whom spent several years working in intensive care and cardiac units across Melbourne.

Shane also has had several years’ experience as a research and project coordinator in a Melbourne hospital research centre. During this time Shane also was a member of the low risk human and research ethics committee for that hospital. Shane whilst working at the research centre successfully completed another two degrees concurrently; this included a Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Clinical prosthetics and orthotics. For the past four years Shane has been working for the Territory Insurance Office (TIO) and Allianz as an injury management advisor.

Shane is a Peer Support Volunteer with Limbs 4 Life and has been an above knee amputee for 26 years.

Sara became a bilateral through-knee amputee at a young age as a result of congenital limb difference. She is full-time prosthesis user and leads a very active lifestyle. Sara thoroughly enjoys Reformer Pilates and loves travelling (whenever she can!).

At the start of 2019, Sara acquired running legs thanks to a grant from the START Foundation. These are her first pair of blades and are enabling Sara to reach her sporting goal of participating in the 5km Bridge to Brisbane fun-run in August. Next, she has her sights set to take on the 10km Bridge to Brisbane and City to Surf!

Being is a pharmacist, Sara values health and understands that self-care and exercise are essential to good health and well-being for amputees. She is currently as a resource developer for pharmacist education and training programs.

Sara is also a Peer Support Volunteer for Limbs 4 Life.

Peter is a below knee amputee due to uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes. He was employed by Bendigo Bank as a Support Officer following his amputation and also returned to helping run ghost tours in Adelaide. To aid his recovery and assist others, Peter started a blog about his limb loss journey to hopefully help answer questions that people facing amputation may have.

Peter became a Peer Support Volunteer with Limbs 4 Life and credits the health-literacy ‘A Practical Guide for Amputees’ and the peer support visit he received during his hospital stay as a vital part of his recovery; so much so that Peter now wants to give back to his community.

Lyn is a retired midwife who has been an amputee for 17 years. She is the President of the Tasmanian Amputee Society, a member of Devonport Soroptimist International, St Johns Anglican Church catering team, Grans Van and have volunteered recently at the Australian Masters Game and carried the Baton in the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay, 2018.

Since my amputation I have become a public speaker talking about the pros and cons of life as an amputee. I have completed the Limbs 4 Life Peer Support training and travel the state to meet current and/or new amputees.

Ren is a below knee amputee and a retired prosthetic technician. He is an avid sportsman in cycling, skating, skiing, horse riding and golf. Ren has completed in international ice hockey events.

Ren is one of Limbs 4 Life’s founding Peer Support Volunteers and regularly offers his time to speak to groups of amputees in hospital and rehabilitation settings. Ren brings a wealth of knowledge to the council and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to and support the Australian amputee community.

Andrew has been an amputee, living in Western Australia, since February 2015. Andrew brings years of experience in the disability sector from Government positions to NGO roles and running his own business around building the capacity of people with disabilities in his local community.

Andrew is the Vice Chair of People with Disabilities (PwDWA), a board member of Diverse Leaders Inc. and a disability consultant for E-QUAL. Andrew is a graduate of both LeadAbility 2015, and Rising Leaders 2017 programs at Leadership Western Australia and is a Leadership Western Australia Alumnus.

Andrew also holds a degree in Jazz from the WA Academy of Performing Arts as a saxophonist, is an avid jazz lover and plays in two bands.