Imagine losing both your legs and having to re-learn how to walk — a simple action that takes three times more energy for a bilateral above-knee amputee (BAKA) than for an able-bodied person. What would you need to accomplish that? For Nicole Grehn and Yvonne Llanes, the key to their independence as BAKAs isn’t just their advanced prosthetic devices, but care that addresses the whole self: innovative events including a “bootcamp” for BAKAs, peer support and mentorship (virtual and in-person), strong communities and more. This panel will examine the present and future of innovative holistic patient care, and how Nicole — now a trauma nurse — and Yvonne — an accomplished adaptive athlete — are using their experiences, positive attitude and determination to empower others to reclaim their independence.