Mona Patel was 17 when her life was turned upside-down by a drunken driver in 1990. She lost part of her leg after being struck by a car and, after finding support hard to come by, created the San Antonio Amputee Foundation. The group offers peer support, education and financial help with prosthetics. Patel's efforts landed her on the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fspecials%2Fcnn-heroes">2017 list of top 10 CNN Heroes</a>.
Mona Patel was 17 when her life was turned upside-down by a drunken driver in 1990. She lost part of her leg after being struck by a car and, after finding support hard to come by, created the San Antonio Amputee Foundation. The group offers peer support, education and financial help with prosthetics. Patel's efforts landed her on the 2017 list of top 10 CNN Heroes.
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The San Antonio Amputee Foundation offers a unique slate of programs. From exercise classes to support groups to home modifications for easier living with limb loss, the organization aims to cover a range of needs.
The San Antonio Amputee Foundation offers a unique slate of programs. From exercise classes to support groups to home modifications for easier living with limb loss, the organization aims to cover a range of needs.
Ilana Panich-Linsman/CNN
Patel uses her experiences as an example for other amputees, just as she learned from those who came before her. When she discovered a woman who became a mother after limb loss, she knew she could do it, too. "Now, when I'm able to provide peer support to an individual, it's powerful. I'm able to lead by example. If I did it, there's no reason why you can't do it either."
Patel uses her experiences as an example for other amputees, just as she learned from those who came before her. When she discovered a woman who became a mother after limb loss, she knew she could do it, too. "Now, when I'm able to provide peer support to an individual, it's powerful. I'm able to lead by example. If I did it, there's no reason why you can't do it either."
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"When somebody becomes an amputee, maneuvering through the system is sometimes just scary," said Patel, a below-knee amputee. "I think the big catalyst of me doing what I do to help the amputee community is because I lived it."
"When somebody becomes an amputee, maneuvering through the system is sometimes just scary," said Patel, a below-knee amputee. "I think the big catalyst of me doing what I do to help the amputee community is because I lived it."
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Exercise gives Patel and other amputees the strength to face the unique challenges that come their way. She led members of the organization in a climb to the peak of Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro in 2015.
Exercise gives Patel and other amputees the strength to face the unique challenges that come their way. She led members of the organization in a climb to the peak of Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro in 2015.
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Every month, 30 to 60 amputees get together to shares stories and testimonies of strength and resilience. Patel estimates more than 1,100 amputees have attended the meetings.<br />
Every month, 30 to 60 amputees get together to shares stories and testimonies of strength and resilience. Patel estimates more than 1,100 amputees have attended the meetings.
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Patel exercises with Bennelina, whose leg was amputated during a battle with cancer that began at age 7. Patel offered support before Bennelina's surgery and went on to explain the many prosthetic options available to amputees. Bennelina decided on a prosthesis similar to Patel's, making them "<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fvideo%2Fdata%2F2.0%2Fvideo%2Fus%2F2017%2F10%2F05%2Fcnn-heroes-patel-extra.cnn.html">Sparkle Twins</a>."
Patel exercises with Bennelina, whose leg was amputated during a battle with cancer that began at age 7. Patel offered support before Bennelina's surgery and went on to explain the many prosthetic options available to amputees. Bennelina decided on a prosthesis similar to Patel's, making them "Sparkle Twins."
Ilana Panich-Linsman/CNN
Accidents, war, disease: Limb loss comes in many forms. Patel's aim is to ensure there is a support network for survivors to thrive despite the setback. "I know why this happened to me. It has become my platform professionally, philanthropically -- just to embrace the people that come to me. And I hold their hand through as much as they need me to."
Accidents, war, disease: Limb loss comes in many forms. Patel's aim is to ensure there is a support network for survivors to thrive despite the setback. "I know why this happened to me. It has become my platform professionally, philanthropically -- just to embrace the people that come to me. And I hold their hand through as much as they need me to."
Ilana Panich-Linsman/Getty Images for CNN