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Adam Kingsmill attends War Amps seminar

Adam Kingsmill, a 13-year-old amputee from Smithers, recently returned home from The War Amps 2013 BC Child Amputee Seminar in Vancouver.
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Adam Kingsmill

Cianna Pawluk/Smithers Interior News

Adam Kingsmill, a 13-year-old amputee from Smithers, recently returned home from The War Amps 2013 BC Child Amputee Seminar in Vancouver.

Kingsmill became a right leg amputee due to a lawn mower accident when he was only two years-old but says he was too young to miss it much.

Despite his amputation, Kingsmill is still a very active young man and enjoys sports such as hockey and motocross.

Kingsmill has attended a couple of War Amps seminars in both Vancouver and Victoria, where, in addition to learning how to cope with being an amputee, he also has the opportunity to meet other amputees his age.

The most recent War Amps seminar was no different.

“I got to meet up with all my friends again,” Kingsmill said with a smile, in reference to the friends he’s made attending seminars over the years.

At the last seminar, Kingsmill and other amputees learned about issues such as the latest developments in artificial limbs and dealing with teasing and bullying.

Fortunately, Kingsmill said, he hasn’t had to deal with too much teasing or bullying.

Because he recently turned 13, Kingsmill also received his first invitation to attend a special section of the seminar called teen issues.

The teens got to hangout without the adults and parents all evening where they discussed subjects such as driving, dating and jobs.

Kingsmill said this was his favourite part of the seminar and very much enjoyed talking with the older kids.

Now that Kingsmill is 13, he is also old enough to become a War Amps junior counsellor and help mentor younger kids.

To be a junior counsellor Kingsmill must first submit a resume to War Amps and if accepted, will undergo training and be able to work with kids in other seminars.

Kingsmill has already been active in helping other kids in the area and participating in school presentations.

He even did his first commercial for The War Amps when he was only four years old.

His words of wisdom for kids in similar situations are, “Be yourself, it’s going to be okay” and of course for everybody, The War Amps motto “Play safe.”

Kingsmill and his family are very thankful for all the support they have received from The War Amps.