This year’s Discover Your Possible (DYP) event reminded us that mobility and life go far beyond the prosthesis.
Our keynote speaker, Dr. Paul Kline, PT, DPT, PhD, delivered an insightful presentation on “Beyond the Prosthesis: How the Brain and Vision Influence Mobility”. He offered an important reminder to both lower limb amputees and the clinicians who support them: walking isn’t just about the legs. The brain and visual system play critical roles in how we move through the world and how we walk.
Dr. Kline emphasized that real-world walking presents additional cognitive and visual challenges for people with lower limb loss but also that these systems, like muscles, can be strengthened with training. Just as we train our bodies to walk with a prosthesis, we can train the brain and eyes to better interpret and respond to our surroundings. Developing these skills enhances balance, awareness, and adaptability, helping individuals move more confidently in everyday and community environments.
Dr. Kline didn’t just tell us that we can train our brain and vision, he showed us how and gave us some practical examples of how to practice at home. He demonstrated simple ways to strengthen these systems, such as quick eye-movement exercises (saccades) that train the eyes to refocus efficiently. He also shared activities like the “Go, no-go” cards exercise, which challenge the brain to be able to multi-task and react while moving.
View the handout: Training Your Vision and Brain for Mobility and Activity to explore the exercises discussed during his keynote.
For clinicians, these examples served as a powerful reminder that gait training for individuals with lower limb loss isn’t just about the legs. We need to be intentional about integrating vision and cognition into therapy. Training the brain and eyes alongside the body can help our patients move with greater confidence and adaptability in everyday life.
After Dr. Kline’s presentation, RVA Counseling led a brief but powerful talk on the importance of addressing our mental health. It was yet another reminder that healing goes beyond the prosthesis, beyond just the physical aspects of our health. Mental and emotional well-being are integral parts of the rehabilitation journey.
Following this, our very own founder and CEO, David Lawrence, MSPT, GRS, AT-ret., led an engaging gait lab session. He reviewed key concepts and exercises related to gait training and discussed how these foundational movements contribute to more efficient and confident walking. Participants were encouraged to experiment with different techniques under the guidance of rehabilitation professionals, who offered real-time feedback and support. The energy in the room reflected the best of rehabilitation: collaboration, curiosity, and the shared goal of helping every person move with greater confidence and independence.
The morning concluded with a lively and thought-provoking Q&A panel featuring a diverse group of experts—a PM&R (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) physician, a lower limb amputee, a PT researcher and professor, two prosthetists (one of whom is also a lower limb amputee), and a physical therapist.
The discussion reflected the shared challenges and opportunities within the rehabilitation sphere, touching on topics such as the benefits of transitioning to a PM&R physician for more comprehensive care, and acknowledging that sometimes it’s okay to seek a new provider when the relationship isn’t the right fit. Overall, the panel discussion reinforced the simple but essential truth that open and constant communication among patients, families, and providers is key to successful outcomes.
The afternoon continued in a spirit of engagement and exploration. Our new venue, Richmond Volleyball Club’s (RVC) Byrdhill facility, proved to be the perfect setting for this year’s event, offering ample space for participants, caregivers, and professionals to connect throughout the day. During lunch, tables filled with conversation and laughter as attendees connected over shared experiences and new perspectives.
At the same time, many took the opportunity to visit the exhibit hall, where organizations showcased adaptive recreation programs, prosthetic care, wellness services, and community resources. Participants and caregivers were introduced to a wide range of resources available beyond the event, learning about programs designed to help them stay active and connected year-round. As an added benefit, the space also encouraged collaboration among organizations themselves, sparking conversations that may lead to future partnerships and continued growth in the services available to the people they serve.
The midday break also featured raffle prizes, generously donated by local partners and supporters. Prizes included Richmond Flying Squirrels prize packs, RVA Counseling and Mission Gait Foundation merchandise, a Peak Experiences gift certificate, Topgolf gift cards, a Trader Joe’s prize pack, and a Dermabond lotion gift set.
We’re especially grateful to RVC for providing a space that made it possible to host such a wide range of experiences. This year’s Discover Your Possible featured ten interactive activities that encouraged participants to move, create, and connect in new ways: adaptive cycling, outdoor recreation (fly fishing, kayaking, and snow sports), adaptive fitness, a running clinic, pickleball, wheelchair basketball, sitting and standing volleyball, a golf simulator, and flower arranging. Each opportunity highlighted a different aspect of movement, creativity, and community—showcasing that physical activity and engagement can take many forms after limb loss.
We were thrilled to welcome Nutzy, the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ beloved mascot, who joined participants for a few friendly games and added an extra layer of excitement to kickoff the afternoon.
Our newest addition to DYP, a flower arranging workshop, was a lovely highlight of the day. Led by Marion Zimmerman, an amputee herself, the session offered a beautiful reminder that joy, creativity, and purpose come in many forms.
Nearby, participants got to feel the wind in their hair (under their helmets) while cycling with a variety of adaptive bicycles, generously provided by Sportable. Meanwhile, Therapeutic Adventures showcased activities like kayaking and fly fishing, offering participants a chance to learn about these activities even without a body of water nearby. The running clinic gave participants the opportunity to explore running with a prosthetic, learning how to build confidence and efficiency.
Adaptive sports mentors guided newcomers, sharing encouragement and practical tips for building confidence on the court. Thanks to Sportable, participants had access to sport wheelchairs to try a swing at pickleball or take a shot on the basketball court. The golf simulator allowed participants to practice their swings in a welcoming, low-pressure, yet fun and interactive way.
The adaptive fitness class, led by Emily Throckmorton of Kaizen Adaptive Fitness, was a vibrant display of inclusion and movement for all. Participants joined in both seated and standing positions, adapting each exercise to their own abilities. Emily’s class highlighted that fitness is not one-size-fits-all—it’s about finding ways to move that build strength, confidence, and joy.
In a quiet room away from the afternoon bustle, the caregiver forum provided a meaningful space for open conversation and shared understanding. Caregivers reflected on their experiences—the challenges, the small victories, and the ongoing process of supporting loved ones through recovery and adaptation.
As the day came to a close, the spirit of Discover Your Possible could be felt everywhere, in the joy shared, the new skills learned, and the connections formed. DYP truly embodied what it means to go beyond the prosthesis: to see recovery not only as a physical process, but as a journey of resilience, learning, and reconnection. From learning how the brain and body work together to discovering new activities and community resources, every moment reinforced that rehabilitation is not just about walking—it’s about living fully and rediscovering what’s possible.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, event partners, and volunteers who made this event possible, and to every participant and caregiver who showed that when we come together, we don’t just rediscover mobility – we rediscover what’s possible.
