Revelstoke’s Kendra Blakey is a big supporter of the War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, and that is no surprise. The lively and unassuming young woman has greatly benefited from the program that has helped her acquire the durable artificial limbs and recreational devices she needs.
Kendra was born a left arm amputee and has received financial assistance for the cost of artificial limbs and recreational devices. Growing up, she also attended regional CHAMP seminars where Champs and parents learned about the latest in artificial limbs and share, and exchange advice with other amputee families.
“Thanks to the CHAMP Program, I have been fitted with different devices that allow me to lift weights at the gym and do yoga. With their help, there’s really nothing I can’t do,” Kendra said in a statement from the War Amps.
The War Amps Key Tag Service was launched in 1946 so that returning war amputees could not only work for competitive wages, but also provide a service to Canadians that would generate funds for the Association. The Key Tag Service continues to employ amputees and people with disabilities and has returned more than 1.5 million sets of lost keys.
Each key tag has a confidentially coded number. Should the keys be lost, the finder can call the toll-free number on the back of the tag, or deposit them in any mailbox, and the keys will be returned to the owner by bonded courier.
“Thanks to the public’s support of the Key Tag Service, we are able to help young amputees like Kendra live full and active lives,” Danita Chisholm, executive director of the CHAMP Program, said in the statement.
The War Amps receives no government grants and its programs are possible through public support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service.
