ER Nurse Fighting for the Right of Amputees to Join Armed Forces

A long time ago, the word “crippled” became taboo. It was replaced by “handicapped.” But then, that became taboo as well, since Americans really do not like openly discussing the unpleasant reality that ability is not equally distributed.  Handicapped was replaced by “disabled,” but then that was out because it suggested that disabled people might not be able to perform some task (there’s that pesky, un-PC reality again). 

The clunky suggested replacement “differently abled” never really caught on, but the spirit behind it is still very much with us. It’s evident in the complaints against the U.S. Armed Forces vocalized by Hanna Cvancara, who thinks it’s unfair that the military won’t treat amputees or those who are missing limbs as just as capable as anyone else. 

She wants to join the military, but has been rejected because she is missing her left foot. The appendage was amputated when Cvancara was only 10 months old because she was suffering from a birth defect. She said the disability has never stopped her from being physically fit; Cvancara climbs rocks, surfs, hikes, swims, and more. She participated in track sports while in high school. 

But when she applied to join the Navy, she was rejected in 2022. The standard notification letter outlined the Navy’s policy on minimum physical standards. While that service branch will allow a member who lost a limb during service to continue to serve (although probably in a different role that does not involve the same physical combat readiness), the military will not voluntarily enlist new recruits who are already missing limbs. 

Cvancara thinks this is unjust. She points out that the military is having a hard time recruiting enough new blood; indeed, recruitment is at its lowest level since the immensely unpopular Vietnam war. Cvancara said there are many people “with the right heart to serve” that the military is unfairly passing over due to their physical inadequacy. 

Cvancara certainly has many abilities and skills, she’s a working emergency room nurse. She’s taking another shot at enlistment by physically training, and she hopes to get a medical waiver that will allow her to join the Washington Air National Guard. The specialist who fits her with her prosthetics agrees that the military needs to change its standards. 

The nurse is also trying to win her battle through Congress. She even has a House bill named after her, the “Hannah Cvancara Service Act.” The bill was introduced but has had no movement since February of 2024.