AMP1 Basketball Team to Provide Stand-Up Basketball Clinic for Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center

IRVINE, Calif., April 12, 2011 – AMP 1, the only touring team of stand-up (not wheelchair) amputee basketball players in the nation will visit wounded warriors at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on April 26, 2011. AMP 1 will demonstrate how, with the help of modern high-tech prosthetics, sheer determination, and their love of the sport, they have overcome lower limb amputations to pursue their dreams and lead active, healthy lives. In addition to a 3 on 3 exhibition game that will demonstrate AMP 1’s skills on the court, the team will provide a basketball clinic for the wounded warriors as a component of their recreational therapy program. A scrimmage game with the soldiers will follow the clinic, which aims to teach participants some of the unique skills required for amputees to play stand-up basketball. The event will take place from 1-4pm at the Military Advanced Training Center (MATC).

Scott Odom, co-founder of AMP 1 and an amputee since age 14 will make a brief presentation to the soldiers to kick off the event. He will speak to the importance of connecting with other amputees as he did via FaceBook and YouTube to form AMP 1 nearly three years ago. Since then the team has embarked on a six city national tour, including a stop in Dallas, Texas where they played a game during the Dallas Mavericks NBA half-time show. The team also recently visited the most famous outdoor basketball arena, Rucker Park in Harlem, New York. The AMP 1 team, which experienced limb loss due to traumatic accidents, congenital deformities and cancer, ultimately seeks to inspire others to put adversity behind them to follow their dreams and overcome whatever challenges they may face in life.

Odom and his AMP 1 teammates all wear the Renegade prosthetic foot, designed by Freedom Innovations especially for highly active amputees. It features 100% carbon-fiber Z-Shock Technology, which provides the shock absorption through a lightweight design that is critical for high impact activities such as basketball. Team member Tyler Hyatt also utilizes the Plié 2.0 MPC Knee, which combines cutting-edge microprocessor and hydraulic technologies to facilitate responsive movements and stability. This function is especially important for transfemoral (above-knee) amputees to play the sport safely and confidently.

Following AMP 1’s visit to Walter Reed, the team will be making appearances in Detroit, Kansas City and Los Angeles to close out their 2011 National Tour, which is sponsored by Freedom Innovations and the P.L.A.Y. (Positive Living for Active Youth) Foundation.

About Freedom Innovations

Freedom Innovations engineers, manufactures, and markets advanced technology prosthetic devices that provide people with physical challenges the ability to reach their full potential. Based in Irvine, CA, Freedom’s lower-limb prosthetics are distributed in over 40 countries around the world.

For more information, visit www.freedom-innovations.com

About P.L.A.Y. Foundation

P.L.A.Y. (Positive Living for Active Youth) was developed by an amputee to allow the dreams and desires of other amputees to come true. We are a financial resource to allow growth in the arts, education and sports.

Learn more at www.playfoundation.net