Hope A. Bevilhymer Motivational Inspirational S...

Introduction: Do you need a motivational/inspirational speaker? Look no further! I can provide a great time for potential clients. I have been speaking throughout the country for the past 7 Years. I cover some of the following topics: * I Am Not Lost...Finding Hope When It Is Lost * She's Got One Leg Run For the Hills * Disability Awareness * Face Plant It * How To Overcome Fears and numerous other topics. Biography Hope Bevilhymer lives up to her name. She provides hope to those who have experienced limb loss. Hope had her right leg amputated below the knee at the age of 25. Despite her own experience with limb loss, she advocates for those who have experienced amputation throughout the globe. Hope Bevilhymer was born on a snowy night in December 1976. She was born with bilateral clubfeet. The right foot was turned in and upside down. The doctors started stretching her foot at the age of 2 weeks followed by weekly castings. Her first surgery was at the age of 3 months. She continued with over 20 surgeries, stretching, casting, braces, gangrene, pain management etc. At the age of 18, Hope had a leg lengthening procedure called Ilizarov. This included metal rods through her bones, in which she turned daily, over a 2 year period of time which lengthened her leg for 2 ½ inches. The pain in her leg continued despite all of the doctors' knowledge and all other options. In June 2002, Hope had her 30th surgery, to amputate her leg below the knee. Amputation sparked a drive in Hope. She watched a documentary on landmine victims and saw the need of people in developing countries. Hope founded The Limbs of Hope Foundation in October 2003. The organization was started to collect prosthetics in the United States and ship or deliver them to developing countries. Through her experience of amputation, she realized that people were just discarding the prosthetics due to product liability laws, while developing countries could use the components. In October of 2004, Bevilhymer and two companions delivered the first 55 prosthetics in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh. In October 2006, Hope traveled back to Cambodia where her organization delivered more prosthetics and replaced a basketball court for individuals in Cambodia who have experienced limb loss. In June 2007, Hope traveled to a Romanian orphanage where she donated prosthetics and brought sporting equipment for the kids. In the following years, Hope continued to spread the word about limb loss. To date, The Limbs of Hope Foundation has donated over 6,000 used prosthetics across the globe. Programs The Limbs of Hope has developed since opening include: * Project Limbs - collecting and distributing prosthetics to those in need * Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Play Equally) - assisting those with limb loss participate in sporting activities and providing them with equipment * Project Foundation - assisting those in developing countries to have adequate care facilities for better patient care Honors In March of 2005, Hope was the youngest recipient of the Volvo For Life Awards. Hope received 2 Honors for the Volvo for Life Awards. She received the Quality of Life Award and she was named America's Greatest Hometown Hero as the grand winner of the Volvo for Life Awards. In July of 2005, Hope was again the youngest recipient of the Days of 47 Pioneer Of Progress in Education, Health And Humanitarian Award. Other awards include West Jordan City's Honoree Citizen Award. Hope is an inspirational speaker with engagements at the Global Youth Leadership Conference in Washington D.C., numerous schools, local health facilities and many business engagements. Daily Life Besides the Limbs of Hope, Hope has participated in many different activities. She was one of the lead goal tenders in the nation for sledge hockey. She pioneered the acceptance of females in the sport. In 2007, Hope tried out for the National Para Olympic Sledge Hockey team and was turned away due to the rule that it was only for men. In 2008, the United States Women's Sledge Hockey team was started. Hope participated in the 1st all women's USA National Sledge Hockey team, USA vs. Canada. Hope's impenetrable goal-tending skills won the victory. Hope retired from the sport in 2008 to pursue music, which includes drumming. Hope played drums in a band called Chopstick Sidekick Tuesday. Her band played many shows, including the Van's Warp Tour in 2010 in SLC, UT. Chopstick dissolved in 2011. Her current band, The Feros Project is currently recording their first album. She is currently writing her first book due to be out early in 2014. "I am just one person. It doesn't matter if someone lives 6 miles away or 6,000 miles away. We are the ones who can make a difference in this world." - Hope