Woman working to give mobility to 100 amputees worldwide

The woman said she got the idea after reading about the thousands of people in Haiti who lost limbs during January's earthquake.

"Reading about 4,000 people in Haiti who lost a limb -- that just, that just broke my heart," she said. "They don't have even a way to make legs."

Haggerty says that's a thought that hadn't occurred to her before.

"And I know the upkeep it takes to have a leg, and how many times you have to keep getting a new one," she said.

Haggerty knows all about the maintenance work an artificial leg takes. She herself hasn't been able to walk without one ever since she lost her leg in a car accident at age 17.

But her disability hasn't held her back; Haggerty has led an adventurous life.

"Kayaking, and I tried skydiving and scubadiving and windsurfing," she said.

At 35, Haggerty got married and almost immediately became pregnant. The weight gain and changes to her body made it painful for her to use her artificial leg.

"Yeah, being pregnant was a challenge for this body," she said. "It was really hard to let go of that person I had been."

As she moved closer to her 50th birthday, Haggerty realized she needed to make a choice.

"I either continue sitting on the couch and (keep) asking people to get things for me, or I start doing it myself," she said.

Haggerty started walking, and eventually regained her independence. Now she's embracing a new goal: walk 100 miles in 100 days to raise enough money to buy 100 artificial limbs for amputees around the world.

"To me, my life is about service," she said.

One artificial leg costs about $300. Haggerty believes if just 30 people donate $10 each, a person will be able to gain mobility.

And her children are learning how to serve. Haggerty and her daughter, Tessa Haggerty, are in a mother-daughter group, which is also helping Colleen reach her goal.

"We're going to do a bake sale to raise money," said Tessa Haggerty.

Colleen Haggerty's 100 days will end July 10. She timed the deadline to coincide with Seattle's Prosthetics Outreach Foundation's Make Strides event.

Those who wish to contribute to Colleen Haggerty's goal can make an online donation at Firstgiving.com.