People take for granted they can walk down the street, take care of their daily needs, play sports.  Then suddenly, or over a period of time, something happens, whether a sudden injury or trauma or the debilitating effects of an illness or surgery, a limb needs to be amputated or is severed.
 
The following astounding people chose to face the challenge of amputation with grace, courage, a passion to help others.  They are an inspiration to people everywhere.

Heather Mills - Heather Ann, Lady McCartney (born 12 January 1968) probably best known as the ex wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney.  This amazing amputee is an English activist and former model.  She campaigns for several causes, including aid for amputees, raising consciousness about the dangers of land mines, and on behalf of animal rights.  In 1993, Mills was hit by a police motorcycle, sustaining many injuries including the amputation of her left leg below the knee.
 
Bethany Hamilton - Bethany Meilani Hamilton (born February 8, 1990) is an American surfer. She became well known after surviving a shark attack in which she lost her left arm.  Undaunted, Hamilton returned to surfing a mere eight weeks after the incident.  In July, 2004 Hamilton won the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete of the Year. That same year, she also was presented with a special courage award at the Teen Choice Awards.  This amazing amputee aspires to become a professional surfer.

Tom Whittaker - (born 1949) is astounding and the first disabled person to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. In 1979, Whittaker’s right foot needed to be amputated after a car accident.  In 1998, after three failed attempts, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of climbing to the summit. In 1981 he founded the Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group (C.W.HOG) in Idaho. Not satisfied with this feat, his current dream is to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents.
 
Ted Kennedy, Jr. - (born September 26, 1961) is the oldest son of the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy. In 1973 Kennedy’s left leg needed to be amputated after cancer was discovered there.  On the same day this surgery took place, amazing amputee Kennedy received a master’s degree from Yale University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Casey Pieretti – (born July 16, 1966) was an actor and stuntman.  At 19, as the result of a car accident, Pieretti lost his right leg below the knee and also lost his college basketball scholarship.  In 1993, He accomplished the amazing feat of inline skating from San Diego, California to Washington D.C. He is also a triathlete.

Daniel Inouye - (born September 7, 1924) is the Senior Senator from Hawaii and recipient of the Medal of Honor and has been a senator for over forty years.  He lost his right arm in the war and was discharged with the rank of captain.  He had dreamed of becoming a surgeon, but due to the loss of his arm, he returned to college and studied political science. Amazing amputee Inouye was instrumental in blocking the Republican leadership’s attempt to implement the “nuclear option,” which overrides precedent and ends a filibuster or other delaying tactic.

Max Cleland - (born August 24, 1942) is a former U.S. Senator who was disabled during the Vietnam War.  He was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star.  With only a month left on his tour he went to pick up a grenade he believed he had dropped.  The blast shredded both his legs and one arm.  He has been a strong and vocal critic of the Iraq War. 
 
Aimee Mullins - (born 1976) is an American athlete, actress, and fashion model.  She is widely known for her extraordinary athletic accomplishments, despite the amputation of both her legs.  Born with fibular hemimelia (missing fibula bones), both legs were amputated when she was just one year old.   While going to Georgetown University this amazing amputee competed against able-bodied athletes in track and field events and in 1996 broke Paralympics records in the 100-meter dash and the long jump.
 
Terry Fox - (July 28, 1958 - June 28, 1981) was a Canadian athlete, cancer treatment activist and humanitarian. In 1977, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and his right leg was amputated a few inches above the knee.  He was the founder of the Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research.  Fox ran with one prosthetic leg. He is considered one of Canada's greatest heroes and is internationally celebrated every September as people participate in the Terry Fox Run.  This is the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research.

Rick Allen - (born November 1, 1963) was born in England and is the drummer for the British rock band Def Leppard. This amazing amputee is famous for continuing to be a band member after having the complete amputation of his left arm.  On New Year’s Eve, 1984, while racing cars with a friend, he lost control of his vehicle, went over a stone wall and severed his left arm.  There is debate about whether or not his right arm was also severed but was able to be reattached.