Meet Paula -
She's just getting started

In 2011, Paula’s life changed in an instant. A devastating accident led to the amputation of her leg — and with it, what felt like everything she knew about herself. The road to recovery was long, filled with moments of despair and doubt.

But then came a single peer visit — a conversation with someone who had walked this path before. That moment of connection sparked something Paula didn’t expect: hope. And more than hope — a fierce determination to turn her experience into a lifeline for others.

Within months, Paula was training to become a certified peer visitor herself. She completed the AMPower certification program and the Amputee Coalition’s rigorous training. But she didn’t stop there. She ran her first 5K. Then a 10K. Then the Eugene Half Marathon.

Each race wasn’t about proving something to others — it was about discovering what she was truly capable of. And she realized: if she could do this, she could help others do it too.

In 2015, Paula founded Power On With Limb Loss, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting amputees and individuals with limb difference across Oregon. What started as peer visits in hospital rooms has grown into a comprehensive program of support groups, outdoor challenges, and the annual Discover Conference that brings hundreds together each year.

Today, Paula continues to train new peer visitors, organize community events, and personally connect with every person who reaches out for support. Her message remains the same as it was on day one: You are not alone. You are capable of more than you know. And your journey is just beginning.