Portrait of an Activist: Dennis O'Donnell

By Morgan Sheets

Dennis O'Donnell

With 28 states in play and a federal bill on the horizon, the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is working hard to ensure access to prosthetic care. But it is not doing this work on its own. In each state, there are committees of activists who are helping to run parity campaigns.

Dennis O'Donnell has had firsthand experience with insurance issues. A bilateral transfemoral amputee, he spent the first two years after his amputations in a wheelchair. The private insurance that O'Donnell had at the time did not have sufficient prosthetic coverage to provide him with the prostheses that would allow him to walk. When O'Donnell became eligible for Medicare, he was fitted with appropriate prostheses and has now returned to work.

O'Donnell's experience motivated him to get involved in advancing legislation for prosthetic coverage in his state of New Jersey. He has worked tirelessly ever since. 

An active member of the Amps in Action support group and developer of the group's website, O'Donnell has enabled and encouraged other amputees and their family members to get involved with the fight for parity. He has initiated letter-writing campaigns, started an online petition, and single-handedly collected more than 2,000 signatures for the ACA's "10 in 10" campaign this past spring.

O'Donnell spoke at the Assembly and the Senate hearings for the bill in front of the New Jersey state legislature. His efforts helped to push the bill out of committee in both chambers.

O'Donnell has helped to raise awareness and build support. He has been an incredible advocate on behalf of the New Jersey campaign. He has also inspired other amputees and allies to get involved. O'Donnell has truly demonstrated the difference that one person can make!

Morgan Sheets is the national advocacy director for ACA's Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL) initiative. She can be reached at APPLL@amputee-coalition.org. For more information, visit www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/index.html

	Victories Fueling the Fight in Congress - May 2008 Progress on Parity
	Connecticut Amputees Rally for Prosthetic Coverage - April 2008 Progress on Parity
	Virginia Pulls Out All the Stops - March 2008 Progress on Parity
	New Jersey Becomes State No. 8 - February 2008 Progress on Parity
	Full Speed Ahead in the Fight for Parity - January 2008 Progress on Parity
	Portrait of an Activist: Laura Willingham - December 2007 Progress on Parity
	ACA Expands Advocacy Department - November 2007 Progress on Parity
	Prosthetic Coverage on the Legislative Agenda in Many States - February 2007 Progress on Parity

Table Of Contents - September 2007

	Closing the Generation Gap: Serving Veterans of All Ages Feature
	Civilian Casualties from Iraq: Caring for the Forgotten Wounded Feature
	The Orthotist’s Role in Successful Knee OA Management Feature
	Taming the Pain: Jon Wilkins Today's Consumer
	Take the High Road When It Comes to Accreditation Perspective
	Sports News Sports
	Hospital Arrangements with Suppliers Pose Risks Policy & Practice
	Portrait of an Activist: Dennis O'Donnell Progress on Parity
	Got FAQs? Got FAQs?
	Ripple Effects Viewpoint