A Step Ahead: Prosthetic Limbs, Artificial Legs, Feet, Arms, Hands

A few times a year we like to remind all of our clients that their honesty is needed in order for us to do the best possible job of providing treatment and services. This is one of those times.

The linch-pin of a successful provider-client relationship is a willingness on both sides to express ideas, concerns, and problems open and honestly. As we are wont to do from time to time, we want to reemphasize that fundamental principle, because without it, neither you nor we will be happy with the outcome.

So we beseech you -- beseech, I say! -- to make sure to hold us to the highest possible standard in this regard. We expect it, and we want it.

2. GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT

What do the people want? When the people are NYU-Rusk Institute of Rehab, they apparently want Mark Soldo (BK), whose visage -- nay, whose full body, visage included -- graces a new advertisement for that institution. While Mark is unfortunately not swathed in A Step Ahead gear for this picture -- we say this not because we like exposure (right!), but only because our tee shirts and windbreakers are scientifically proven to be the best running gear for amputees and non-amputees alike -- his bearing -- proud and confident with an appropriate tint of humility -- stamp him unmistakably as an A Step Ahead client.

3. (WISH I COULD FLY LIKE) SUPERMAN

After all, flying like Superman is easier than skiing. But skiing is more rewarding, especially when you're being taught by the experts from The Center for Adapted Sports, who tirelessly ply their trade at Camelback in Pennsylvania. You've still got some time left this winter, so take a quick trip to Camelback -- it's less than 2 hours from Manhattan -- and spend a day hurtling safely down the mountain like a speeding bullet.

The Center for Adapted Sports runs Camelback’s adapted ski program, with qualified instructors available for lessons at the rate of $44 for 3 hours of instruction. If you would like more information about the Center for Adapted Sports, check out its website at www.centeronline.com.

4. MISERY

This is what you'll experience if you switch insurers without first speaking to us! To keep all of you apprised of the fundamental changes shaking the insurance industry, especially with respect to prosthetics coverage, is a difficult enough task under ideal circumstances. We can't do it at all after the fact.

Insurers are modifying their policies all the time. We recently had a client come in having received assurances that her policy was the same as it had been the previous year. It was the same. If by "the same" you mean that her out-of-pocket expenses rose nearly $9,000, and she went from unlimited prosthetics coverage to $5,000 annually! Unfortunately, we see this with some frequency.

We do everything we can to keep abreast of changes in your policies. We cannot help you, however, when you call us, informing us that you have switched jobs and you're on new insurance! When you do this, you might as well roll dice and hope that a 3 comes up, because the odds of that happening are about as good as your odds of maintaining prosthetics coverage equivalent to or better than what you previously had. So don't leave us out in the cold -- as Jerry McGuire so eloquently said (I'm paraphrasing): "Help us . . . Help YOU!"

5. ADD IT UP

Insurers are drawing their purse strings ever tighter. New policy exclusions abound, eliminating the possibility of amputees receiving state-of-the-art prosthetics that would permit them to better perform their normal activities of daily living. Some states are eliminating prosthetics coverage from their Medicaid budgets. When you add it up, you have a problem of potentially catastrophic proportions. How do we solve it?

You read the upcoming inMotion, published by the Amputee Coalition of America. Look for Paddy Rossbach's comments in the cover story. And if you're not sick of David McGill's (AK) ramblings already, check out his brief offering at the beginning of the same issue. This is quite possibly -- in all seriousness, I'm not exaggerating here -- the most important issue of inMotion that has ever been published. Keep your eyes open for it in the coming weeks!

Also, make sure to make your reservations for August 5-7, 2004, in Nashville for the ACA's Annual Meeting. This year's meeting promises to be one of the most significant in the ACA's history. You'll understand why when the next inMotion comes out.

6. LIFE GOES ON

And that's why support groups can be so helpful. Don't forget to check out the "Upcoming Events" portion of our website for information about upcoming support group meetings, as well as other events of interest.

7. A LITTLE BIT OF ABUSE . . .

. . . is what you'll endure if you compete in the ASPIRE 10K, coming up in just a few months now! But much more gratifying is the feeling of accomplishment you'll get from participating. Proceeds from the race benefit ASPIRE, and A Step Ahead always fields a team of participants for the big day. Most important, for every A Step Ahead client who participates, we make a donation in their name directly to ASPIRE. So Whip yourself into shape, and put aside the date -- Saturday, April 3rd -- ASPIRE needs you there!

If you will be participating or want more information, please call us!