Amputee skiers: lofty ambassadors in the rehabilitation of cancer

Adolescence is characterized by inter-related physiologic and emotional development. It is a particularly vulnerable period of life culminating into emergence as an adult. The majority of malignant bone tumors in pediatrics affect the adolescent patient. As a part of the treatment, amputation may be required for cure. This often creates a "grieving process. " Adjustment to this process is described. At the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to assist in functional and emotional rehabilitation, an annual ski trip for amputees has been held over the past two decades. The accomplishments of this trip are outlined. Motivated by the success of the program, preadolescent amputees and blind and paraplegic cancer patients were also invited to participate. The adolescent amputee paved the way for rehabilitating other physically challenged cancer patients!