Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Chamberland.
Hi Steve, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
How 50 Legs started…. In 1999, I was in a motorcycle accident that unfortunately caused me to lose my right leg just below the knee. At the time, I could not imagine my life without my leg. Years later, in 2011, I was contacted by a friend who knew of a nine year old girl in need of a prosthetic leg. The girl was injured when she saved her sister’s life by pushing her from the path of a truck headed their way. When I heard this story, I realized that my leg was taken for a reason and that I would devote myself to helping other children get their lives back. My original concept was to provide 50 legs in 50 weeks. I wanted to bring awareness to the fact that people with prosthetics can lead prosperous, filling lives if they are just given a chance and the proper fitting prosthetics.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Any charity faces obstacles, I am sure. This year with Covid has been our biggest obstacle yet. It has been wicked hard to come up with the funding needed to take care of the existing people we have as well as take on new ones. But we have always had so much support for this mission, not only on a local level but all over the United States. The biker community has kept us going this summer for sure. I cannot say enough about what they have done for us. When we are able to open back up again fully, we will have the Boston Marathon runners to take us back to where we need to be. We helped several of the Boston bombing victims get legs, and we have always gotten amazing support from that area as well. The Boston Marathon is one of our biggest fundraisers. But honestly, we have support from so many people in different areas. We have truly been blessed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Founder of the Charity 50 Legs.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Looking ahead….. I am confident in the future and in our charity. Getting to see a kid or adult walk for the first time in their new leg is something that never gets old. I thank God every single day for losing my leg, as it has led me to what I am supposed to do. I want to help people better their lives.
Contact Info:
- Email: Steve@50legs.org
- Website: www.50legs.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/50_legs.org_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/50LegsIn50Days/
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