April Newsletter Vol. 5 Issue 4 Team A Step Ahead ASPIRE 10K race At the 31st annual ASPIRE 10 Kilometer race on Saturday, April 5 in Plainview; Long Island Team A Step Ahead had one of its best showings in years. Many personal bests were achieved as well as many first time racing and walking was completed by 14 runners and walkers and 5 juniors.
10K results:
Tommy Koehler (BK) – 41:03 Personal best and course record, Amy Palmiero-Winters (BK) – 46:11, Kelly Bruno (BK) – 46:46, Brian O’Sullivan (AK) - 47:53, Ben Simmons (AK) - 57:30, Tomasz Starnawski (AK) – 58:39 – First 10K race, Lauren Peters (BK) – 58:51, Mike LaForgia (BK/Trans metatarsal) 1:02:50 First 10K race. John Tartaglio (Bilateral H.D.)- 3:07:31, First 10K race, first bilateral H.D. to run a 10K. Unfortunately John probably ran 7 miles instead of 6.2 by going off course.
5K results:
Nick Androlia (BK) – 37:08 Personal Best, Antoinette Dorazio (AK) – 42:43 Personal Best, Peter Purdy (Bilateral BK) – 51:51 Personal Best, Corrina Caval (BK) 1:03:13 – First 5K Race, Kuni Pinner-Raouf (AK) 1:07:13 – First 5K race.
½ mile fun run:
James Lozano (Bilateral BK), Catherine Hughes (BK), Larry Mantilla (AK), Anthony Desano (AK), Ryan Fitzpatrick (AK) 
New Technology for Upper Extremity Amputees A Step Ahead Prosthetics is now an official provider of the Touch Bionics i-limb System.  The i-LIMB Hand is the first prosthetic device with five individually powered digits.
The i-LIMB Hand was developed using leading edge mechanical engineering techniques and is manufactured using high strength plastics. The i-Limb is a next generation prosthetic device that is lightweight and highly appealing to both patients and healthcare professionals. The i-LIMB Hand is controlled by a unique, highly intuitive control system that uses a traditional two-input myoelectric (muscle signal) to open and close the hands life-like fingers. Myoelectric controls utilize the electrical signal generated by the muscles in the remaining portion of the patient’s limb. This signal is picked up by electrodes that sit on the surface of the skin. Existing users of myoelectric prosthetic hands are able to quickly adapt to the system and can master the i-LIMB functionality within minutes.  In addition to the i-LIMB hand, Touch Bionics has developed the Pro Digit Finger to replace individual digits in a patient’s hand. For more information on this exciting new technology for upper extremity amputees contact our office to speak to one of our prosthetists. You can also find more information about the i-LIMB hand and pro digit finger at Touch Bionics website including videos of patients using the i-LIMB. http://www.touchbionics.com/professionals.php?PHPSESSID=faea529ab09f28cb2e9520f6cbc4aeab http://www.touchbionics.com/professionals.php?pageid=44§ion=5
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Mike Laforgia in a 5K race |
Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged For the second year in a row a Team A Step Ahead athlete will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremonies of the Empire State Games. Michael LaForgia (BK/ transmetarsal amputee) of Smithtown, New York, who was recently featured in a full length story in Readers Digest about his battle to survive the affects of meningococcemia, will be the key note speaker this year. The opening ceremonies are Thursday May 29 at 6:30pm at the Mitchell Athletic Field in Uniondale Long Island. For all junior athletes the Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged are scheduled for May 29 – May 31. The games are open for ages 5-21. Events include track and field, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair slalom. In addition there are games and prize giveaways. For more information and to receive applications for the games contact our office. Deadline for entry to the games is April 15. You can also find information about the games at: http://www.empirestategames.org/physical/
Amputee Support Groups The next ASPIRE support group meeting will be held on Wednesday April 30 at 6:15 pm at the Hospital for Special Surgery located at 535 East 70th Street, NY. For more information about the ASPIRE support group contact Charlie Steele at charlieatl@aol.com or (212) 877-7050 New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Amputee Education and Support Group
Every First Friday of the Month 9-11 AM Hoyt Board Room Children’s Hospital of New York in Room 121, 3959 Broadway New York, NY 10032. (Enter on West 167th and Broadway at the glass Energy Court)
For further information and to RSVP, please contact Annette Ward at 212-305-3964 The Long Island amputee support group meets the first Saturday of each month at South Side Hospital, 301 East Main Street in Bayshore. If you are interested in joining this group contact Jodi Adler at 631-968-3330
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Peter Purdy hiking in Costa Rica |
Travels with Peter Fresh from a trip to Costa Rica, Peter Purdy (bilateral BK) suggests that any amputee, who is in reasonably good shape, has a good set of hiking poles and a strong sense of adventure can explore eco-tourism and have a great time. His adventures in Costa Rica included not only learning Spanish but also running the Class IV rapids on the Pucuare River, hiking the rain and cloud forests in Arenal and taking on the zip line over the jungle canopy in Monteverde.
Purdy, who is a 72-year-old bilateral BK since 2003, continues to travel both in the United States and overseas. “It takes some advance planning,” he acknowledges, “including letting people know in advance you need a bath bench and ensuring that you can fit your collapsible hiking poles in your checked luggage.” He reports that usually hotels and even friends can find one of those plastic deck chairs to use in a shower. Also airport security always leaves a note in his luggage indicating they examined it to figure out what the poles and extra liners are for.
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Peter Purdy on the zip line in Costa Rica |
Other travel adventures for Purdy have included exploring the islands of the Galapagos off Ecuador, hiking up Machu Picchu in Peru and roaming the desert and coastal areas of the Kingdom of Oman. “Inevitably, people in every place I’ve traveled are unfailingly helpful, and I’m not bashful about asking for assistance when I need it.”
Touro College Physical Therapy Class Visit On Thursday March 20, twenty two students from the doctoral program in physical therapy at Touro College attended a 3 hour lecture and demonstration at A Step Ahead. The students saw first hand the latest in technology and design in upper extremity and lower extremity prosthetics. Thanks to Bill Champlin, Shlomo Nimrodi, Tommy Koehler, Patty Hassett and Amy Palmiero-Winters for providing excellent demonstrations of how to live life without limitations by discussing with the students their lives and demonstrating their abilities. Thank you also to Robert Troiano PT, DPT, CHT, chairperson and Francis Corio, MA, PT, OCS, chairperson post professional DPT, professors at Tour College Bayshore, New York.
A.B.C. Certification A Step Ahead Prosthetics received its official ABC (American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics) facility accreditation. The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics is the national certifying and accrediting body for the orthotic and prosthetic professions. Accreditation indicates that the facility has met established standards set by Medicare as well as indicating a high level of dedication and commitment to the profession. For more information on ABC facility accreditation go to: http://www.abcop.org/Facility_Accreditation.asp
The Prosthetic Parity Act was just introduced into the 110th Congress of the United States of America as HR 5615!! We have been working on this for over a year. This is incredibly exciting! The bill was authored by Representative Robert Andrews (D-NJ), with Representatives George Miller (D-CA), Todd Platts (R-PA), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) signing on as original co-sponsors. Click here to read the ACA’s official press release. The following link provides a sample letter of support for this federal legislation:
http://www.amputee-coalition.org/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=756&z=17
The ACA also announced that Indiana passed the parity bill on Friday, March 14th. This campaign kicked off last summer with a series of meetings organized by the ACA and our local partners. That makes two news bills already this year! Click here to learn more.
There are now nine states that have passed parity legislation -- Colorado, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, California, Oregon, New Jersey and Indiana. There are thirty-one states advancing legislation including a brand new bill in Louisiana.
The ACA wants you to get informed and get active in their work to ensure that every amputee has access to the care they need to lead independent and productive lives. ACA Youth Activities Program The Youth Activities Program (YAP) is a program of the ACA aimed at providing youth who have amputations and limb differences a chance to learn about other children like them. YAP sponsors the Youth Amputee eZine (YAZ) which is a fun Web site for youth with limb loss or limb difference to read about other youth like them, check out national events, learn about organizations making a difference, contribute creative artwork or writing, or just hang out and play games. http://www.amputee-coalition.org/yaz/index.asp ACA Youth Camp The 2008 Amputee Coalition of America Youth Camp will be held July 20-24, 2008, at Joy Outdoor Education Center in Clarksville, Ohio. For more information on the ACA youth camp go to: http://www.amputee-coalition.org/youth_camp.html
Mobility Clinic Join Dave Balsley, P.T. and Phil Kreuter, P.T. at the Jericho High School track on Long Island for their monthly mobility clinic at 10 am on Sunday April 20. They will provide instruction in gait training and running techniques as well as advanced mobility skills. Dave and Phil have extensive experience working with amputees of all ages and activity levels.
Come work out with world class athletes and learn from experienced coaches and physical therapists. The setting is relaxed and enjoyable. There is no pressure, come learn and see what you can do to improve yourself or just watch. For more information and directions to the mobility clinic, please call the office at 516-681-3484.
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