Newsletters

Patients in the News

Jake Lillis (bilateral AK) and his sister, Sophia, spoke at the dedication ceremony for the PS 10 Playground. P.S. 10, a Magnet School for Math, Science, and Technology located in Brooklyn, N.Y. The school opened its new barrier-free playground, which will be open to the public each school day until dusk. The barrier-free playground gives access to the school's children with physical challenges as well as to families in the community at large. P.S. 10's playground was funded by a lead grant of $250,000 from the office of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the NYC School Construction Authority, and funds provided by P.S. 10 students, families, and alumni. Click on this link to see Jake and Sophia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCqPalQd65E

Jamie & Lynn Parks and A Step Ahead on the Discovery Health Channel

This past February, A Step Ahead built and donated a custom racing wheelchair to Jamie and Lynn Parks. Jamie and Lynn have been running races together since Lynn was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident just before their wedding in 1987. Since then, they have logged over 14,000 miles of running and competed in numerous road races, including the 2008 Boston Marathon. Their story will be told on Sunday, December 14 at 8pm ET on the Discovery Health Channel in a one hour documentary entitled "Marathon Love." You can read more about Jamie and Lynn's story and the press release for the upcoming show at http://www.lynjame.com/news.htm

Jamie and Lynn Parks	Custom Racing Wheelchair Designed by A Step Ahead Prosthetics

Travels with A Step Ahead Patients

Peter Purdy (Bilateral BK) participated in the 6.5K Fun Run at the 30th Annual Eurasia Marathon in Istanbul, Turkey. The race is the only marathon in the world that traverses two continents - Asia and Europe - in one race. The event includes a full marathon and a "Fun Run."

The event started on the Asian side of Istanbul at 7 a.m. with the 10,000 runners who participated in both races. Peter's report on the race and his trip follows: "While it continued to rain non-stop, everyone stood undaunted at the starting point for an hour under a major bridge with military music blasting and everyone waving the Turkish flag. Turkey remains an enthusiastic democracy and patriotism runs strong!

"At 9 a.m., the run began with all of us surging forward under huge photos of AtaTurk, the founder of modern Turkey. We proceeded towards the "first bridge" over the Bosphoros, which divides the city in two. In spite of the rain, spirits were high, and I got a lot of nods and thumbs up from Turks running past me. The day was truly incredibly rainy. Indeed, the news later that day carried stories of several boats that had sunk in the Bosphoros as well as others in the Black Sea and the Sea Mamara. I finished in about an hour and a half, which wasn't any record, but forgave myself since I spent a lot of time ensuring that I didn't slip on the wet pavements, especially on the bridge."

The Marathon Day culminated Peter's three weeks in Turkey exploring ancient sites and the city of Istanbul. "As a bi-lateral, there were challenges getting bathed in some hotels, some steep hikes in the valleys of Cappadoccia, and trudging over the miles of cobble stones streets in historic Ephesus. But, as A Step Ahead says, you can live life without limitations!"

Mark Beers, a BK/AK bilateral amputee, just returned from a three week trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar (Burma). While this part of the world isn't easy for amputees, he managed to climb into the gorgeous temples of Ankor Wat and Bagon and get around the crazy city of Bangkok. Mark says, "The highlight of the trip was the amazing city of Bagan in Myanmar. This ancient city has over 3,000 Buddhist temples from the 10th-13th century, and you visit them in a horse-drawn carriage, which is the best way to get down the dirt paths.

Mark Beers

"The people are desperately poor, most living without electricity in bamboo huts. Despite being abused by a terrible government, the people are lovely, kind, and always eager to lend a helping hand. You feel as though you've gone back two hundred years in time. As this photograph shows, even riding in a horse-drawn cart, which happens to be the principal form of transportation in Bagan, is possible for amputees if they are determined to live their lives without limitations."

Yvonne Ujvari (BKA) went surfing in Lahaina, Maui  for the first time in July 2008 with her new surfing leg made at A Step Ahead. "It was awesome.  I got up the very first time I tried.  I am going to go surfing again this summer in Maui."

Yvonne Ujvari

Newsletter and Website Survey

We consider your input to be very important to us, which is why we have developed a short, anonymous survey regarding our newsletter "Live Life Without Limitations" and our website. The responses we receive will help us better understand how we can provide you with the most current and relevant information. Please click on the following link to take this quick survey:
www.astepaheadonline.com/survey.html

We are continuing to work closely with Adelphi University on a research study entitled "The Run Efficiency of Amputee Athletes with Prostheses." The purpose of this study is to evaluate the energy cost of the Flex Run prosthetic foot and match the optimal prosthetic stiffness to the athlete at various run speeds.

Marcos Corti-Maderna (BKA) at the Adelphi Human Performance Lab

The research is directed by Dr. Bob Otto, director of the Human Performance Laboratory of Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y. The results of this research will help determine what category of running foot allows the athlete to run most efficiently. In addition, the research will provide significant data on running efficiency of below the knee amputee runners.

Amputee Support Groups

The ASPIRE amputee support group Holiday Party is on Wednesday December 17. 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, contact Sharon Clark 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.

Members of Team A Step Ahead and Junior Team A Step Ahead assisted at the New York City Marathon PowerBar Gel station at the 18 mile mark of the race. Sofia Castillo (AK), Rachel Grusse (Bilateral BK), Jake Lillis (Bilateral AK), Cate Hughes (BK), Brendan Malley (Bilateral BK), Izzy Botko (BK), Victoria Cutrone-Foley (AK), Matt White (AK), Antoinette Dorazio (AK), Kuni Piner-Raouf (AK), and Craig Pratka (AK), along with parents and siblings, handed out PowerBar gels to thousands of runners at a crucial point of the race. Despite a cold and windy day, this was a great experience for all of the athletes and families to help other athletes in their quest to complete the NYC marathon.

Junior Team A Step Ahead at the NYC Marathon

Richard Canci (Van Ness Turnoplasty), a very active high school student and sports fan, participates in boxing and kick boxing classes and training at a local gym in Staten Island, New York. Richie is another great example of someone following his passion and living life without limitations.

Richard Canci

Ben Simmons	Kelly Bruno

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, December 14th. 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 to watch. For more information and directions to the mobility clinic, call the office at 516-681-3484.

eBay with Kathy for ACA

Kathy Spozio (AK) is dedicated to her volunteer work with the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) and has launched a project to raise funds to support the organization she calls her "favorite: charity. Kathy, who loves to antique, yard sale, and attend auctions, has turned her hobby into an effort she calls "eBay with Kathy for ACA." Kathy has been contributing to ACA's many worthy initiatives for the past year by selling items she rescues or just doesn't use anymore, as well as treasures others donate to her, through eBay Giving Works.

eBay Giving Works helps nonprofits thrive by giving everyday eBay sellers the ability to donate to a designated nonprofit organization like the ACA. Anyone can participate and it's an opportunity to help a charity in these tough economic times without writing a check, pulling cash from your wallet, buying a raffle ticket, or putting a dent in the monthly budget.

Since over $150 million has been raised already for charitable causes on eBay, Kathy decided to take advantage of the opportunity for the ACA and has raised about $1,000 so far. "Everyone knows there is strength in numbers and so I would like to invite others to join my efforts," said Kathy. Just visit the ACA Giving Works link at http://donations.ebay.com/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=5557 and you'll see what's currently selling. You may even want to buy! Then, jump on the selling band wagon and help me support the ACA!"

Kathy is a member of the ACA Board of Directors, the Volunteer Outreach Team, as well as a Certified Peer Visitor and Trainer. She can be reached by email at kkspozio@gmail.com and is
available to address your questions and share her excitement about your interest in this project.

Look for a full article about Kathy's fundraising project to be published after the first of the year in ACA's bimonthly magazine, inMotion. In the meanwhile, Kathy will be happy to answer your questions and help you get started selling (and buying) for ACA.

Staying Active with Winter Sports

Skiing, snow boarding, and ice skating are fun winter sports. At A Step Ahead, we can custom align your prosthesis so you can enjoy these activities safely. In addition to alignment, we custom-fabricate knee orthoses and stump helmets to protect your residual limb. Knee braces are essential for below the knee amputees who ski. While skiing, your knee will be subjected to side to side forces that will place excessive strain on your knee joint. A custom brace can be fabricated to attach to your prosthesis and will provide improved side-to-side stability, reducing the risk of injury to your knee.

If you are an above the knee amputee, skiing without your prosthesis is common. A stump helmet is a device that will encompass and protect your residual limb if you fall. They are designed to reduce the risk of bruising and possible fractures of the bone in your residual limb. If you are gearing up for winter sports or are interested in a custom prosthesis for any sport, call our office to speak to one of our prosthetists.

The Amputee Coalition of America calls on activists to mobilize for their Second Annual Lobby Day. Activists will converge in Washington, DC on March 10th.

Much has been made of our country's health care crisis during the recent election cycle. These challenges are certainly felt by many of the almost two million amputees across the United States who are facing their own personal health care crisis in the form of restrictions, limitations, and exemptions on their coverage.

Amputees are being refused the insurance benefits they need to live active and productive lives. Coverage is variable and often inadequate to meet individual needs. The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is committed to tackling these issues head on through legislative remedies as well as playing a role in the larger debate around health care reform.

In order to meet the needs of our members, the ACA is working to expand and diversify our legislative agenda. The ACA is calling on lawmakers to support policies and regulations that ensure access to care in government health programs and address the Medicare two year waiting period and "in home" restriction on assistive devices.

The ACA must continue to mobilize activists to demonstrate the need and to support our legislative initiatives. Activists will come together in Washington, DC for the ACA's second annual lobby day on March 10th. The ACA is calling on its supporters to put this date on their calendar and join this important event.

To learn more about the ACA's Congressional efforts, contact the ACA at federal@amputee-coalition.org or (202) 742-1886.

SAVE THE DATE and join the ACA for this important event! It is crucial that all lawmakers hear from their constituents.

The ACA is hoping to set up a block of hotel rooms with a discount rate. In addition, they will reach out to set up meetings with representatives and senators from each state. They will also provide you with up to date information and materials. They can also work with you to identify possible funders to support your travel expenses. They are putting out a sponsor kit after Thanksgiving.

For more information about the ACA Lobby Day go to: www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/lobby-day/