Starting this week, 2024 key tags from the War Amps Association will be mailed to Vaudreuil-Dorion residents. Mégane Camara, a 9-year-old resident of Vaudreuil-Dorion, has a congenital amputation of her left arm. In the letter accompanying the key tags, her parents tell how the War Amps Association offered their support to the family.

Mégane is enrolled in the Children's Amputee Program (Les vainqueurs). Among other things, this program provides financial assistance for the purchase of artificial limbs, as well as peer support.

"When we learned that our daughter Mégane would be born without part of her left arm, we were worried. We wanted to know what life with a child amputee would be like, so we contacted the War Amps Association. They quickly matched us with a family whose little girl had a similar amputation to Mégane's. Our meeting with this family enabled us to find out what life would be like with an amputee, and helped us find answers and allay some of our concerns about our child's future," say Mégane's parents.

They continue: "Recently, Mégane discovered a passion for gymnastics. Thanks to the financial support of the association, she has been able to receive a specialized artificial limb that enables her to practice this sport in complete safety. This support is very beneficial, as Mégane can now enjoy her favorite activities and blossom like other young people."

Since 1946

The Key Tag Service was created in 1946 not only to provide competitively-paid jobs for amputee veterans returning from war, but also to offer a useful service to the public. The funds generated by this service finance the association's various programs, including Les Vainqueurs Program. Today, the Key Ring Service continues to employ amputees and people with other disabilities, and has returned over 1.5 million lost key rings to their owners.

Each key ring has its own confidential code number. If someone loses their key ring, whoever finds it can simply call the toll-free number on the back of the plate or drop it in a mailbox, and it will be returned to its owner free of charge by courier.

The War Amps Association receives no government funding. Its programs exist thanks to public support for the Key Tag Service. For more information, or to order key tags, visit waramputees.ca or call 514 398-0759.

Photo: Mégane can benefit from the Winners Program thanks to the generosity of the public.