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| Southern California bilateral lower limb amputee cast in lead role for independent motion picture |
| Irvine, Calif. (July 08, 2004) |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jena Evans
(714) 557-5100, ext. 17
jena@rodheim-marketing.com
In a rare occurrence for Hollywood motion pictures, a double lower-limb amputee has been cast as the female lead in an upcoming drama by Man of Steel Productions titled "What's Bugging Seth." Amy Purdy, a Las Vegas, NV native who currently resides in San Diego, CA, and is an Amputee Advocate for Freedom Innovations Inc., was cast in the role in April, and the movie is presently shooting in Monterey, CA, with a pre-release date scheduled for October of 2004, and theater release later in 2005.
"What's Bugging Seth" is based on a man who is hearing impaired, looking for success in both business and life (the movie's producer, Eli Steel is hearing impaired). He meets Purdy's character and their relationship changes their lives dramatically. The movie focuses on the issues of insecurity, independence and learning to be comfortable with who you are. Although the plot may be a familiar one in filmmaking, casting an actual double-amputee in a lead role is not. This film makes great strides for amputees throughout the world, showing that although they may be impaired, they face the same challenges and struggles as everyone else. Its use of a double-amputee also brings the abilities and potential of amputees to a new and exciting level.
Purdy, 24, was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. At 19, after experiencing flu-like symptoms for about 24 hours, she was rushed to the hospital in a state of septic shock. En route to the hospital, Purdy experienced respiratory and renal failure. These factors, combined with a blood condition called DIC (the blood becomes extremely thin and creates microscopic blood clots), caused Purdy to lose circulation to her feet, hands, nose, ears, and kidneys, and her lungs and adrenal glands hemorrhaged; but miraculously her heart and brain were unaffected. After 32 blood transfusions and removal of her burst spleen, doctors diagnosed Purdy with a form of bacterial meningitis called Neisseria Meningitis.
Following this, Purdy was in a coma for more than three weeks, and doctors gave her a 2% chance of survival. Due to the lack of circulation Purdy had suffered at the beginning of her ordeal, doctors had to amputate her legs below the knee. Her other extremities regained their circulation and escaped amputation, although almost two years later Purdy would receive a kidney transplant from her father. Purdy was the first person in Las Vegas in more than 20 years to contract Neisseria Meningitis and survive.
After surviving this life-altering trauma, Purdy challenged herself to move on with her life and not only regain "normality," but attain goals that even people who still have both of their legs struggle to achieve. Seven months after receiving her leg prosthetics, Purdy began snowboarding - a sport she had competed in for five years before her amputation. Just a little more than one year after having her legs amputated, Purdy snowboarded in a competition in Mammoth and came in third place. Following this achievement, she was signed with CAF - the Challenged Athlete Foundation, who provided her with the ability to travel the United States to various snowboarding competitions, as well as work with fellow amputees to teach them how to snowboard using their prosthetics.
In 2003 Purdy moved to San Diego, where CAF is headquartered, in order to get more involved and
continue her pre-amputee occupation as a massage therapist. This relocation opened several doors for Purdy in the modeling and acting industry. In February of the same year, Purdy played a runway model in a music video for Madonna, she has also modeled for various photography projects including Freedom Innovations Runway prosthetic foot ads, and is currently featured in the first edition of Fugue Magazine, an art, culture, and music magazine.
Also in 2003, Purdy became an Amputee Advocate for prosthetic feet manufacturer Freedom Innovations. She was one of the first amputees to test Freedom's adjustable heel/height foot, the Runway - the most advanced prosthetic foot with these capabilities. According to Purdy, "Prior to the Runway I was stuck wearing flat athletic and casual shoes. With the Runway, I have a foot that is functional and fashionable, and can wear heels, sandals and much more without any hassle. I truly feel free to be who I want and dress how I want."
"To see our products have such a positive and life altering impact on amputees is the best that the team at Freedom Innovations could hope for," said Richard Myers, President and COO of Freedom Innovations. "The Runway foot is an extraordinary prosthetic, and Amy Purdy's success with it in both her personal and professional life are a true testament to its viability. As one of Freedom's Amputee Advocates we are proud to see her providing inspiration to amputees through her work."
Purdy is currently in the process of forming a non-profit organization geared towards giving those with disabilities the opportunity to participate in action sports, such as snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing. Her goal is to assist them with equipment costs, training and motivation. Purdy also hopes to include music and art programs to provide a cultural influence, and encourage disabled artists to become involved.
Founded in 2002, Freedom Innovations designs, manufactures, distributes and markets advanced technology prosthetics to provide amputees with feet and other components that create "a revolution in motion and freedom of activity." Based in Irvine, CA, the Freedom and Revolution Series of lower-limb prosthetics are distributed throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. The Evolution SP Liners are distributed throughout North America. More information is available by calling toll-free (888) 818-6777 or (949) 672-0032, or by visiting the Web site at www.freedom-innovations.com.
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