Founder Of Charity That Provides Prosthetics Now Faces Own Crisis

LARGO, FL — A former professional wrestler and semi-pro football player, keeping fit and living a healthy lifestyle have always been important to Largo resident Steve Chamberland.

His commitment to staying active didn't change when he had to have his leg amputated below the knee following a motorcycle accident in 1999.

Not only was Chamberland determined to remain healthy, he founded a nonprofit organization to help other amputees do the same by raising funds to provide quality prosthetic legs for those in need.

"In 2011, I was contacted by a friend who knew of a 9-year-old girl in need of a prosthetic leg," Chamberland said. "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."

That same year, he founded the nonprofit organization, 50 Legs.

"My original concept was to provide 50 legs in 50 weeks," Chamberland said. "I wanted to bring awareness to the fact that people with prosthetics can lead fulfilling lives if they are just given a chance and the proper-fitting prosthetics."

But after providing prosthetics to 50 people, Chamberland realized the need was greater than he imagined and decided to continue the work.

In the past 10 years, 50 Legs has helped more than 550 people obtain prosthetic legs, including children born with birth defects and military members and other victims of bombings and accidents.

An estimated 2.1 million people in the United States live with limb loss. Not only is the loss of a limb overwhelming, said Chamberland, but the cost of acquiring a quality prosthetic that fits comfortably and then learning to use it can be daunting.

“I thank God every single day for losing my leg because it led me to what I am supposed to do," Cumberland said. "I just want to help people better their lives.”

Chamberland said 50 Legs doesn't just help amputees walk, it helps them feel confident, capable and empowered.

"In addition to mobility benefits, a well-fitting, quality prosthetic leg impacts your quality of life, confidence level and self-worth," he said.

After experiencing so much success with his own prosthetic leg and helping hundreds of people obtain their own prosthetics, Chamberland recently had a major setback.

He tore his Achilles’ tendon, requiring surgery on Feb. 23.

Although the surgery was successful, Chamberland faces a long recovery made all the more difficult because of his amputation. He'll have to stay off his legs for two months and his total recovery time is estimated at six months, though Chamberland is determined to do it in four.

Knowing that Chamberland wouldn't be able to devote 100 percent of himself to his therapy if he was worried about funding his nonprofit, his board members and supporters have started a GoFundMe page to continue Chamberland's work while he recovers.

Board members include Carmen Acabbo, an avid runner who got involved in 50 Legs after her sister, Celeste Corcoran, lost both legs as a result of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Her sister was fitted for a set of prosthetics that left her unable to walk without pain. Corcoran feared she'd have to depend on a wheelchair for the rest of her life. However, 50 Legs helped fund comfortable, pain-free prosthetics for her.

After seeing what the organization did for her sister and other victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, Acabbo joined the 50 legs board and hosts the organization's largest fundraiser that takes place each year during the Boston Marathon.

Other board members include Army veteran Jake Myers, who was disabled by an improvised explosive device during the Iraqi war and now operates a health care staffing company in Tampa; Largo attorney Joseph R. Sozzani; Largo businessman Gary Clifford; and retired financial advisor Terry McCoy of Palm Harbor.

Longtime 50 Legs supporter Largo resident Gem Arnold launched the GoFundMe campaign on Chamberland's behalf.

"This is not something Steve wants but, after talking to all of our amazing friends, this is what is best," Arnold said. "We really don’t want him to worry about his finances right now. And I know so many that will want to help him in some way or another during this time. The best thing is to make a donation, any amount, or send your prayers for a speedy recovery to our buddy. Steve has helped so many people, and we really want to help him any way we can."

To learn more about 50 Legs and the work Chamberland does, watch the videos on the 50 Legs website.