Jason Koger, a local bilateral amputee, has been given the opportunity to appear in commercials and TV shows and has given numerous talks. He uses his story to impact others, sharing a message of resilience and inspiration. This weekend, he received the opportunity to do something just as rewarding, but on a more personal level.
Hunter Bednorz experienced a life-altering injury and when his mom reached out to Koger to see if they could meet, Jason embraced the opportunity.
“I am really excited about this weekend,” Koger said prior to the meeting. “The family will be visiting from New Mexico — their 13-year-old boy lost his hand in an accident so they wanted to come meet me and have me give him a little inspiration.”
The Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront, High Line Heroes, and a bionic hand company called Ossur all collaborated to help sponsor meals and lodging for this opportunity.
“It’s a quick trip, a way to open up a door for him to be around someone like him,” Koger said.
The meeting also comes at a special time, as April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. The theme, “Your Ordinary is Extraordinary” brings focus to “the vital need to support efforts that advance equitable medical access, care and coverage.”
While Koger has had numerous opportunities to present a message of hope to a larger audience, just as important to him is the chance to connect with individual survivors following life threatening accidents.
“This is not the first time I’ve done something like this. People find me. All I want to do is be an encouragement for them,” Koger said. “I am not sharing this for a pat on the back. I just know what it was like to have everyone here encouraging me and I want the same for others.”
