Dorian Willes, LIM359-Boise President

Dorian Willes lost his right leg below the knee due to multiple gunshot wounds when he was 30 years old. He didn’t know what to expect when they told him he was going to lose his leg. He had been an athlete his entire life and decided losing a limb was not going to slow him down. Two years after his amputation he started running, but pain and discomfort were always a problem. He went to where the doctors told him to go and got the prosthetic devices they said would work best, but struggled for years. The main problem he realized was that all the people he was seeking answers from were not amputees. He started looking for answers through different amputee forums and was eventually connected to a highly recommended Prosthetist out of Denver, CO. During his trip to Denver to get a new leg he heard of a group of amputees called LIM359 who were getting together for a picnic and was invited to join them. He showed up to the picnic where there was 15 to 20 other amputees. Some had been amputees for years while others just getting used to their first prosthesis. Instant friendships were made that day. The conversations were amazing, people sharing stories, knowledge and tricks to make your life as an amputee easier and more comfortable. The experience sparked a fire in Dorian to give amputees in his home town of Boise the same experience, as well as giving amputees in Boise a social support group to get answers from, and most importantly staying active in the community. Working with Emily Harvey (LIM359’s president) shortly after his return home, they started the LIM359-Boise chapter. After 4 Events over the last 6 months the Boise chapter is steadily growing and getting recognition throughout the Treasure Valley.

Jamie Fairchild, LIM359-Boise Treasurer

Jamie was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma in June of 2005.  She will never forget that day. As she sat and the doctor stood, she pulled on his white jacket (yes he really was wearing one) and when he looked down to me she said “You can’t have my leg.”  She did not lose her leg then, nor the surgery in March of 2006.  She had a lung resection in December of 2007.  All was then quiet until 2010. Surgery in October, but still she kept her leg. Another surgery in November of 2011.  By March of 2012 she was running out of options. She joined a clinical trial to no avail. They even tried an oral chemo for a form of cancer she doesn’t have (neither chemo or radiation works on chondrosarcoma .  In August of 2012, her doctor walked in, took one look at her leg and said, “when are we going to do this.”  She asked, how much time she had, and he said 6 weeks.  She said, “good because tomorrow I am taking the motorhome to Mt. Rushmore .”  They scheduled my surgery date, she flew home to Idaho and off to Mt. Rushmore she went. Mind you she was in a wheelchair and pushed all thru SD.  Jamie is an above knee amputee as of September 27, 2012.  Still on the slow side but doing great.  She learned of LIM359 thru Facebook via a mutual friend. In June of last year she attended the conference put on by Amputee Coalition of America. There, she met Ashley Kurpiel.  Ashley sent her a link to Dorian’s post for a Boise meet and greet and the rest is history.