"Improving the lives of amputees"
BIO: Paul Franklin
Master Corporal Paul Franklin has conquered many challenges, but none as difficult as redefining his passion and purpose in life after losing both of his legs. Learn more about Paul.
Time Magazine has named Mcpl Franklin as one of "Canada's Heroes." He has had extensive television and press coverage about his story and recovery. Paul's heroic tale has been told by Liane Faulder in the captivating book
"The Long Walk Home."
Paul's Freedom through Sport Activities
Background
Under the support of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta, the Franklin - Northern Alberta Amputee Program (known as NAAP) is a non-profit group established to enhance rehabilitation knowledge and care of people with amputation. NAAP provides a new opportunity for patients and healthcare providers to work together providing community support, education, research and clinical advancement in amputation rehabilitation.
Introduction
Master Corporal Paul Franklin has conquered many challenges, but none as difficult as redefining his passion and purpose in life after losing both of his legs while serving with the Canadian Military in Afghanistan.
On January 15, 2006 a suicide bomber attacked Mcpl Franklin's convoy. This event changed his life in an instant. Mcpl Franklin found himself lying against a wall with his left leg gone and the right leg destroyed. A fellow soldier, who Paul had just instructed on the application of a new tourniquet, used that training to save his life. After a long and arduous medical course, Mcpl Franklin was a double above the knee amputee. He eventually found himself at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, where he put his energies into rehabilitation and recovery. On March 24, 2006, just two months after his initial injury and one month after his last surgery, he walked with artificial legs for the first time.
It was at this time he discovered a new passion...to help other amputees. Interacting with injured patients and amputees, and seeing how hard the hospital staff was working to care for these individuals, he had the idea to start a charity to support the efforts being made in amputee care. After extensive consultation with his health care professionals, he co-founded the Northern Alberta Amputee Program (NAAP) with the support of the University of Alberta. Soon after his discharge from the hospital, he began to travel the country telling his story. This quest has become integral with his road to recovery.
Going Forward
The overwhelming success of NAAP and the desire of Paul Franklin to continue his quest to improve the lives of amputees have led to the creation of a national strategy. Using NAAP as a model, it is our goal to create the Franklin Foundation, which will provide support for other amputee programs across Canada to enhance care within their own communities. We are already working closely with the Amputee Coalition of Canada to institute national level programs for amputee support. While evolving to independent charitable status for the Franklin Foundation, we are supported in our national strategy under the Franklin Fund at the University of Alberta.
