Join the Journey: From Amputation to Adventure

Some people need a hand...I need a leg! Actually, a couple of them, and you can help provide Legs for Life!

As I begin my journey as an amputee, I am pursuing a life with less pain and more mobility. And this means legs to help make that happen. You can help me continue backpacking, skiing, climbing, and moving with my wife, adult son, and 9 y/o daughter. All the movement that I (and maybe you) take for granted will become possible with good prosthetics.

How did we get here?!

I have been living with chronic pain and decreased mobility since 2006, when my right ankle was initially crushed. When 9 surgeries and years of PT failed to restore movement, that right ankle was fused. I have continued living an active life, including ultimate frisbee, wilderness pursuits, triathlons, and more. This is a key aspect of our family life, shared life with friends, my work in the church, and personal vitality. Due to the fusion, the remaining joints in my foot have degraded significantly, leading to increased chronic pain and less mobility. It is no longer a surprise to crawl from the living room to the dining room in the evenings.

Other interventions have not brought relief or movement. Working with multiple physicians and specialists, it became apparent that a below the knee amputation was the best option for decreased pain and increased mobility. In short, to have hope to be an active father, husband, and friend. (The picture below is not me...yet.)

Your support is the gift of meaningful time and adventure. You are giving Legs for Life! Your donation helps the purchase of prosthetics, creates more physical therapy opportunities, and covers the uncovered costs of surgery. (It may even help me replace the tattoo, based on this image, I am losing as well!)

Will you join with me as I begin my journey as an amputee? A gift of $100 covers some of the literal nuts and bolts. A $1000 makes sure the new leg won't fall off! A high quality prosthetic, like this, is $10,000-$20,000.

I hope you will join me beyond generosity. First, every donor will receive a custom sticker so that all of our adventures become shared adventures. Second, 10% of all received funds will be shared with Steps of Faith Foundation, which supports uninsured amputees and has been an encouragement to me. Lastly, from my first steps through my first summit and ski day, you will receive photos showing how your gift made a difference.

Through this long season of challenge and discernment, I have been sustained and blessed by God in remarkable ways. His presence has been real, and uniquely manifested in my family, close friends, and church (both locally at IAC and broadly through C4SO and the ACNA). I am immensely grateful for Lyndee's support and wisdom. Isaac's first response was one of hope for more life. Grace just wanted to know that we were safe and could continue playing together.

Here is how your $100 donation breaks down:

$3.20- GoFundMe Fees

$10.00- Gift to Steps of Faith Foundation

$86.80- Direct support for my recovery and mobility! Legs for Life!

UPDATE: I have had several requests to contribute directly through Venmo. If this is your preferred method, please use venmo.com/u/Aaron-Buttery. (Please be cautious of scams and, when in doubt, reach out personally for confirmation.)

Thank you. Your gift is the hand... foot really... that I need.