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

When are those years? Some would argue they occur in the twilight of life, when wisdom and experience merge to provide a perspective and understanding impossible to achieve in your youth. Others would point to the first five years of life, when you’re the center of everyone’s attention and everything you say is interesting, funny, and innocently charming.

No matter what your opinion, Danny Stein (bilateral BK) makes a strong case that every year – nay, every day – is the very best. Joining the ranks of Hemingway, Faulkner, and Twain, Danny is now a published author. Curious about the wisdom he has to impart? Check out Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2, just out on your local bookstore’s shelf. Congratulations to Danny on his achievement. I noted a strong rejection of nihilism and existential themes in Danny’s work, with a concomitant embracing of self-reliance with Nietschean overtones that thankfully stops short of accepting the “Superman” hypothesis with its more sinister implications. We expect to see similar written contributions as he gets older in Chicken Soup for the Recent College Graduate Soul, Chicken Soup for the Adult Suffering from Mid-Life Crisis Soul, and our personal favorite, Chicken Soup for Vegeterian Soul.

2. Same Thing

Achieving the same thing as Danny, Avra Wing (AK) joins the ranks of the recently-published with her submission of "Complete Marbles" to the most recent inMotion Magazine. Her article focuses on a recent art exhibit in New York City, consisting of sculptures of amputees. This insightful and thoughtful article merits attention, as it examines the intersection between aesthetics, self-consciousness, and rejection (among other light and happy themes). Congratulations to Avra!

3. Both Belong

On a medal stand? In an institution? To an elite group of athletes who endure great physical hardship to attain personal and spiritual growth? The answer, of course, is all 3, and the people we’re talking about are Tommy Koehler (BK) and Sarah Reinertsen (AK), A Step Ahead clients who both successfully completed the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco this past weekend.

Koehler finished the race in 3:34:56, with Reinertsen close behind at 3:49:08. The course description reads like a description of Hades: a 1.5 mile swim in 55-degree water, followed by the 1 mile “warm-up” run that leads participants to the bike transition area; an 18 mile bike ride; and finally, an 8-mile run that’s highlighted by “the dreaded Sand Ladder”, 400 steps up a beach cliff that “will drain the legs of even the best professionals, as there is nothing like it in the sport of triathlon.” Sounds like fun. The only thing missing are hydras and gorgons.

Kudos to Tommy and Sarah!

4. No One Can Hurt Me

That wonderfully describes Boubacar Traore Sidiki (HD), who merits mention in this month’s newsletter for several reasons. First, Boubacar has been selected an Olympic Torchbearer, as the flame makes its rounds of the world leading up to the Athens Olympics later this summer. Boubacar will be carrying the torch through Manhattan, and will be officially congratulated by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on his selection.

Second, Boubacar was recently honored at the Third Annual Benefit for the Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. This remarkable program helps torture survivors from around the world as they seek asylum in the United States. For more information, visit www.survivorsoftorture.org.

Finally, Boubacar completed the Shelter Island 10K Road Race this past weekend, clocking in at 1:46:17.
Great job, Boubacar!

5. Spooky

Spooky that we have so many clients in the news, that is. Theresa Cerio (HD) is the subject of a feature interview in the most recent inMotion Magazine. Titled “Singing Again”, the article provides a thorough account of Theresa’s background, trauma, and rehabilitation.

For a complete listing of Theresa’s upcoming shows, in which she’ll beguile and seduce you with her vocal magic, visit her website at http://www.theresasareo.com/. Theresa will also be performing during the Amputee Coalition of America’s Annual Meeting this August in Nashville, Tennessee. Just one more reason to go South! (More on that later.)

6. Friend of Mine

That’s how we all think of Dave Balsley, P.T. – he’s our friend. And because he’s our friend, this trainer of elite amputee athletes volunteers his time to head the monthly ASPIRE Activity Clinic. This month’s edition takes place on June 20 at 10:00 AM. Yes, that’s Father’s Day. No, there couldn’t be anything your father (or you) would enjoy more than spending Father’s Day morning on a beautiful, modern track, breathing in the clean air of suburban Long Island while horses frolic at the nearby stables. For more detailed information, visit the “Upcoming Events” section of our website. We look forward to seeing you there!

7. Not Long for This World

This may be an apt description of prosthetics coverage in the 21st century. Confronted with this stark reality, the Amputee Coalition of America recently took a leadership role in an initiative to mandate minimum levels of prosthetic coverage in all insurance policies. This “Access to Care” campaign has already elicited the cooperation of manufacturers and health care providers, but we also need consumers – YOU – to become involved if we are to be successful.

The highest-quality prosthetic knee, foot, elbow, or hand is worthless if your insurance company excludes it from coverage. The greatest prosthetist in the world cannot make a comfortable socket if your insurance company won’t pay for it. Having access to a well-fitting, functional prosthesis is the right of every amputee. However, if current industry trends continue -- how does a $2500 flat annual cap for prosthetics from the biggest insurer in the United States grab you? That’s a proposal that’s currently on the table! – that right may be taken away from you.

The Amputee Coalition of America needs your help! Please contact David McGill or the ACA directly (888-AMP-KNOW) if you are interested in participating in the Access to Care Campaign.

8. Is It Now Yet

The minute you focus on “now”, it’s already in the past. Hence the temporal quandary posed by the title of this section. That, of course, assumes that “it” is referring to “now”. But imagine the following . . . what if “it” referred not to “now”, but to the Amputee Coalition of America’s Annual Meeting? Then the answer to the question would obviously be, “no, because that’s not occurring until August 5-7, 2004, in lovely Nashville, Tennessee.”

How many reasons do you need to attend? Theresa Sareo will be singing there. Dave McGill will be handing out hundreds to any A Step Ahead client who comes. The streets of Nashville are literally paved in gold. Well, at least one of those facts is true, and the Annual Meeting is a great event. Register before it’s too late! You can do so online at https://www.expotrac.com/shows/amputee/reg1.asp.