Former professional wrestler and fitness expert Steve Chamberland is looking for people to help, inspired by the story of a 9-year-old Georgia girl who saved her younger sister's life but lost a leg in a traffic crash.

Helping the girl moved him. Now, the Largo trainer wants to put 50 prosthetic legs on 50 people in 50 weeks.

It all began with Anaiah Rucker's story, which first aired on NBC's "Today," and how she pushed her sister out of the way of a truck.

"We were in the middle of the road and then ... I pushed her back and then I got hit," she told the interviewer.

As a result, Anaiah lost her leg.

Chamberland heard the story and, with a friend who makes prosthetic legs, made one in three days with components donated by manufacturers and gave it to Anaiah.

Chamberland knows what it's like to be without a leg. He lost a leg in a motorcycle crash.

Now, he's inspired to repeat the Anaiah experience times 50.

"We just came up with the idea and rolled with it," he said. "Everybody we talk to loves the idea."

It won't be easy, he said.

"Prosthetic limbs are far more complicated and expensive than they were just a few years ago," he said, "so getting 50 legs in 50 weeks ... could be a challenge."

He hopes the effort will prompt others to do the same.

As for the prosthetic legs, Chamberland said they are just the first step in rehabilitation for someone who loses a limb.

"It's a stepping stone," he said. "But you've got to just keep moving on. You can sit there and be 'whatever, I don't want to do this' ... and 'I can't do this.' "

Chamberland is putting a call out for those in need of prosthetic legs. He wants them to contact him and tell their story. Those selected will be videotaped being fitted and rehabilitating with their new limbs. It could lead to a reality television series, he said.

"This isn't a stunt," he said. "It's a real way to help real people in need. It's also a way to bring awareness to the fact that people with prosthetics can lead prosperous, fulfilling lives."

To contact Chamberland, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

By TBO.com
Published: May 10, 2011