Town Hall Winter 2025 - Q and A
We heard several great questions during and after the event, and we want to make sure you have the answers you’re looking for, covering key topics from the discussion and follow-up inquiries from our community:
When AC begins to print/provide resources in 2026 like AK, BK, and First Steps, are they free to me or do I purchase them?
The Amputee Coalition is working with a new print and distribution company to get printed resources out to Community Members. Our team is working towards a solution to continue providing resources to individuals who are living with limb loss and limb difference, as well as their caregivers, for free, with some additional changes in place.
Answered by Priya
How can I relieve the pressure on my hands from using crutches? Are forearm crutches better?
When your hands start hurting from crutches, it’s usually a sign that the fit or technique needs adjusting, or that a different style of crutch may serve you better. Padding the grips, wearing weightlifting gloves, and making sure your crutches are the right height can help, but long-term, many people find that forearm crutches are far more comfortable. They spread the pressure through your forearms instead of forcing all your weight into your palms, and they allow a more natural gait and better posture. There’s a little learning curve, but they can make a huge difference in reducing hand pain and overall strain. If hand pressure is becoming a daily issue, it’s worth asking your clinician whether forearm crutches might be a better fit for your body and your mobility needs.
Answered by Sydney
Will Paddy Rossbach be at ACNC26?
Youth Camp is back to being a separate event from National Conference, as of summer 2024. The 2026 Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp will take place back at Camo Aranzazu over July 26-31, 2026. This will be our third year partnering with Camp Aranzazu, which offers a fully-accessible facility for all our attendees, featuring wide paved pathways, golf carts, and is universally designed to meet various mobility devices. If you have any youth ages 10-19 who have limb loss and/or limb difference in your life, please encourage them to apply to attend. Applications for campers (ages 10-17), leaders-in-training “LITs” (ages 18-19), and counselors will open soon!
Answered by Shree
How do I deal with socket sweat (comes loose)?
Sweating in a prosthetic socket is a common challenge, and keeping the residual limb dry is essential for comfort and a secure fit. Helpful strategies include using:
- Perforated liners
- Moisture-wicking prosthetic socks
- Antiperspirants like Certain Dri
It also helps to replace your liners every six months since older liners lose tackiness, which can then be exacerbated by sweat. It’s also normal to occasionally remove your prosthesis to dry your skin. While this can sometimes feel uncomfortable in public, we encourage you to honor your body’s needs and find spaces where you feel at ease.
Of these options, working with your prosthetist to perforate your liners—especially if you use suction suspension (though can work with any suspension)—can make the biggest difference. The perforations allow sweat to escape and be absorbed into your socks, improving comfort and suspension. One of our staff members uses this method while running marathons without ever needing to remove her prosthesis to dry her leg, and she highly recommends it.
For more general skin-care tips, the Amputee Coalition has a great overview: https://amputee-coalition.org/skin-care-101/
Answered by Nicole
Will we be able to order print guides for patients that are not tech savvy?
Just as with other forms on the website, the way to order print materials will flow the same way.
Answered by Priya
Has NLLRC funding been reestablished for FY26?
As a result of the government reopening, our federal grant for NLLRC is secure for now, given that the federal government’s fiscal year 2026 (FY26) was recently level-funded through January 30, 2026. We will continue to monitor the situation, as FY26 runs through September 30, 2026. We will provide updates to the community, especially if and when there is a call to action. We encourage you to stay in touch with your member of Congress to familiarize them with the value of the NLLRC and how it has impacted constituents like you. As of September 10, 2025, the House LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Appropriations Committee approved their respective spending bills for FY26 with level funding for the NLLRC. Based on this, we are optimistic about continued level funding.
Answered by Sydney/Shree
Are there resources for community members regarding emotional/mental help after amputation?
We will be adding additional resources in early 2026, as we bring on new partners including NAMI. National Alliance on Mental Illness has over 600 local chapters across the country, and they are tremendous leaders in providing support and education on mental health topics.
Answered by Shree
Please clarify the resource cost plan for 2026.
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Will hospital/healthcare partners be required to purchase the resources? If so, what price per resource?
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Will Certified Peer Visitors receive CPV resources at no cost?
We are excited to launch our new Healthcare Partnership Program in January at ACNC26! The new program includes a free option for HP to join, where they are able to obtain printed resources at no cost. Ordering of additional resources beyond the free offering will have a charge for the cost of the resources plus shipping. CPVs will be notified of updates to the printed resources delivery at an upcoming quarterly call.
Answered by Priya