Dan Huntley, a Spanaway resident, drives 22 miles twice a month to attend Federal Way meetings for Amputee Advocates, which he describes as a blend of a prayer group mixed with a “can-do” support system.

“Sometimes, people just need to know that there are others who are in a similar situation — see how they’ve overcome similar challenges in their lives,” he said.

After a motorcycle accident in 1984, Huntley’s right leg was amputated below the knee. He had the option of skin grafts, but due to the high risk of infection, chose to have his leg amputated and begin the long road to recovery.

Small everyday things like getting out of the shower and driving have required the biggest adjustments, Huntley said.

“Your routine is completely different, and those are the things that people are scared of adjusting to when they’re in the hospital, faced with becoming an amputee.”

Jay Weil began Amputee Advocates in 2001, wanting to create a support group for amputees within the community.

“We want to be able to network, address concerns and hail each other’s triumphs,” he said. After a car accident in 1982 left him with a disabled left leg and a crushed ankle, doctors fought to help Weil keep his leg. But, after years of pain, surgery and no increased functionality, doctors finally recommended that it should be amputated. He had his lower left leg removed in 1999.

Huntley joined Amputee Advocates in 2003, after a member of the group approached him at an annual amputee golf tournament held at Riverbend Golf Club in Kent.

“I basically didn’t have a group to start with. I learned on my own,” Huntley said. “Being a part of Amputee Advocates shortened the learning curve and gave me a support group.”

The annual golf tournament is one of many activities members attend. The group also provides dancing sessions, tai chi and yoga classes, potlucks and outings to Mariners games. A certified scuba instructor in the group has also provided diving lessons. After contacting a group in England that uses ski-bikes to assist military amputees to regain their sense of adventure, Weil and his prosthetist, Greg Davidson, built customized ski-bikes to teach amputees at the Snoqualmie Summit.

“We want people to see that amputees can live a normal life,” Weil said. Some of the amputees that have attended the ski-biking sessions have been military amputees as well. “My heart is overjoyed when I witness these young men bravely ride down the hill and shout with enthusiasm.”

The group also does home visits for patients recovering from recent surgery. Trained visitors can provide information and assistance to other amputee patients, and help them and their families adapt to a new lifestyle.

At age 76, Weil is currently on his sixth prosthetic leg model, this one known as a “Cheetah leg.” Davidson specially modified this completely carbon-fiber model to allow a greater range of motion, balance and comfort level of patients.

“I was leg number 13,” Weil joked, adding that Davidson is one of the only prosthetists in the region to use his technology from an Icelandic prosthetic manufacturer. He added that only a few dozen amputees are using this model.

Amputees for 15 years, Weil and Huntley have seen medical technology rapidly change. Both described their first prosthetic legs as clunky and difficult to use.

“It’s amazing what bioengineering technology can do now,” Weil said. This is part of the reason why members of Amputee Advocates are encouraged to participate in prosthetic research studies.

They frequently volunteer for research studies at the University of Washington’s Bioengineering Lab as well as the Veterans Hospital. The studies vary from testing new materials of prosthetics to testing the efficacy of prosthetic adaptation. Members also volunteer to assist with the UW Medical School’s prosthetist program, allowing students to practice skills such as creating and molding a prosthetic limb for an amputee.

“We feel as though we’re contributing to future amputee’s quality of life by helping with this type of research,” Weil said.

Only a few core members attend meetings, but Huntley says that the numbers aren’t important. “We want to be a revolving door,” Huntley said. “Our goal isn’t to have the biggest group. We just want people to know that there are other people like them, missing limbs, and living their lives successfully. They come in once or twice, and that’s all they need.”

Weil’s advice to those faced with amputation, whether due to a progressive disease like diabetes or the result of an unforeseen trauma, is to “create a support group, educate yourself on all of the options that you have, and look for a mentor.”

Spouses and significant others also play a huge role in the recovery process. “They have to adjust and learn right along with you,” Weil said. “Everyday routines have to change, and you require a lot more assistance — it’s like raising another child.”

Amputee Advocates meets every second Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Education Room at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way.