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| From left: ACA interns Dana Akil and Shannon Cleveland. |
Dana Akil, who grew up in Manhattan, and Shannon Cleveland, who hails from Greenville, Mississippi, may not seem to have much in common, but they are both passionate about disability rights and fighting for healthcare reform. Both of them are also completing internships with the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) this summer.
Akil is a senior at Catholic University of America, where she is majoring in psychology and political science. She comes from a politically involved family. Her parents work with the United Nations helping to craft public policies that serve people throughout the world.
"Last fall, one of my professors talked about how amputees going through rehabilitation not only have physical challenges, but also emotional strain," Akil said. "I am striving to find ways to help individuals experience hope and optimism."
Cleveland is studying sociology at the University of Central Arkansas. In addition to being a guest speaker for the departments of occupational and physical therapy on topics such as quality of life and housing for people with disabilities, she is a mentor for people with spinal cord injuries. Cleveland has a personal understanding of what many people with limb loss or limb difference are struggling with as insurance companies continue to create obstacles to obtaining prosthetic care.
"As someone who is physically handicapped, I have dealt with the frustrations of... getting my basic needs covered [by health insurance],"Cleveland said.
The ACA is working on a variety of issues related to protecting and enhancing meaningful health coverage for amputee care. The staff and interns in the Washington DC office are committed to meeting the ACA's goal of empowering people with limb loss through education, support, and of course, advocacy.
Morgan Sheets is the national advocacy director for ACA's Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL) initiative. She can be reached at . For more information, visit www.amputee-coalition.org
