'Footsteps for Rebecca': Young Man Walking LA to Seattle for Needy Amputees

Approximately 2.5 million North Americans are currently living with limb loss.

Jeremiah and Rebecca

(COOS BAY) - Jeremiah Ray, brother of a leg amputee, is walking up the west coast of the United States to increase awareness of the serious problems faced by amputees and raise funds for the Amputee Coalition, a support and advocacy group. He and his hiking companion started in Los Angeles in late November, passed through northern California into Oregon over the weekend, passed through the Coos Bay area yesterday, and will be passing up the Oregon coast in the coming days.

Ray’s sister, Rebecca, lost her leg in 2012 in an above-the-knee amputation. He observed her, and the entire family, struggle with the very challenging physical and emotional issues flowing from this.

He also observed the huge problems raised by gaps in insurance coverage and the fact that up-to-date prosthetic legs (offering the hope of as much return to normalcy as possible), can cost $50,000 to $100,000, not including the costs of post-operative services from doctors, prosthetists, physical therapists, etc.

Approximately 2.5 million North Americans are currently living with limb loss, a total increased annually by some 40,000 below-the-knee amputations and 35,000 above-the-knee procedures (like Rebecca's and generally the most challenging condition in terms of the physical and financial problems of recovery and adaptation).

Inspired by the spunky, courageous realism with which his sister has faced her problems, Jeremiah decided to try to help address the problems and needs of amputees, hence his trek, named “Footsteps for Rebecca”. Note: neither Ray nor his sister get any financial benefit from his project; all contributions go to the Amputee Coalition.

However, Ray and his trek companion have been warmly received all along their way, with enthusiastic verbal support from many, contributions from some, and numerous offers of dinner and a place to spend the night - all most welcome and much appreciated.