Every athlete deserves the opportunity to pursue their goals, explore their potential, and experience the freedom that comes through movement. Yet for many individuals with limb loss and limb difference, access to adaptive sports equipment remains one of the greatest barriers to participation. 

For more than three decades, CAF and Össur have worked together to change that reality. Over 90 clinics have been hosted across the U.S. and Canada, with over 5,000 participants over the past 10 years.  

As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, it is an opportunity to recognize not only the contributions and achievements of athletes with physical disabilities, but also the partnerships that help create pathways to participation. The longstanding relationship between CAF and Össur has become one of the most impactful collaborations in adaptive sports, helping thousands of athletes gain access to equipment, coaching, education, and community. 

A Partnership Built on Access 

For more than 30 years, CAF and Össur have shared a common belief: everyone should have the opportunity to live an active lifestyle and pursue sport without barriers. 

Through CAF’s grant program and Össur’s innovations in prosthetic technology, athletes with limb loss and limb difference have been able to access specialized sports prosthetics that are often not covered by traditional insurance plans. Together, the two organizations have provided more than 2,000 sports prosthetics to individuals helping athletes pursue everything from recreational activity and fitness to competitive racing and elite sport.  

While a prosthesis can open the door to participation, the partnership has always been about more than equipment alone. It is about creating opportunities that allow athletes to move, compete, and engage with the world on their own terms. 

Expanding Impact Beyond Equipment 

One of the most visible examples of the partnership’s impact is the nationwide Össur + CAF Running and Mobility Clinic series. 

Hosted across the United States and Canada, these free clinics bring together athletes, physical therapists, prosthetists, Paralympians, Team Össur members, CAF ambassadors, and families for a day dedicated to learning and growth. Participants receive hands-on instruction focused on running mechanics, balance, mobility, functional movement, and sport-specific skills.  

The clinics create an environment where athletes can develop practical skills while also connecting with others who share similar experiences. For some participants, it is their first time using a running prosthesis. For others, it is an opportunity to refine their technique and pursue new athletic goals. Regardless of where they are in their journey, athletes leave with knowledge, support, and a stronger sense of community.  

Over the past decade, the clinics have served thousands of participants and become a cornerstone of the CAF and Össur partnership.  

Expert Coaching From Leaders in the Field 

Participants work alongside Össur Clinical Specialists and some of the most respected gait experts and adaptive athletes in the world, and Paralympians like Eric McElvenny and Jamie Brown. 

Eric McElvenny brings a unique perspective as a Paralympian, retired Marine Corps Officer, and endurance athlete. After becoming a below-knee amputee during his final military deployment in Afghanistan, Eric discovered a new path through triathlon. He has completed multiple Ironman races, competed at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, and continues to share his experience to help others embrace new challenges through sport. 

Jamie Brown, a Paralympic paratriathlete, also shares his experience and expertise with clinic participants. Born with fibular hemimelia, Jamie has pursued athletic excellence across multiple sports, from collegiate baseball to representing Team USA in Tokyo in paratriathlon. His journey demonstrates the power of finding opportunities to participate, compete, and achieve goals at every level.