March Newsletter Vol. 7 Issue 3
Patients in the News Young Designer Takes on the Fashion World: Mariah Serrano (Below Knee) of Mastic Beach, New York was featured in the Long Island Advance newspaper about her aspiring career in fashion design. Mariah was one of only 500 youths from around the world chosen by Teen Vogue magazine to attend Teen Vogue Fashion University, a three-day event in New York City held last fall. To read the story about Mariah, click to the following link to go to Long Island Advance and read pages 6 and 30: http://www.longislandadvance.net/uploaded/adv%202-11-10.pdf 
| Mariah Serrano
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The 2010 Winter Paralympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia will be held on March 12-21. Two Team A Step Ahead athletes will be competing on Team USA in Alpine Skiing: four-time Paralympian Allison Jones (Above Knee) of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Paralympian Ralph Greene (Hip Disarticulation) of Vail, Colorado.
 | Allison Jones
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The Winter Paralympic Games sports include alpine skiing, cross country skiing, biathlon, ice sledge hockey, and wheelchair curling. The games will be broadcast on the internet on Paralympic SportTV. Previews of the games and other international Paralympic events can be seen at: http://player27.narrowstep.tv/assets/players/4304/html/player.html
Amy Palmiero-Winters to Compete in the Badwater 135 Mile Ultramarathon  Amy Palmiero-Winters (Below Knee) was recently selected to compete in the 2010 Badwater Ultramarathon. Amy will be the first female amputee to run in the Badwater, which is recognized globally as "the world's toughest foot race." This legendary event pits up to ninety of the world's toughest athletes, runners, triathletes, adventure racers, and mountaineers against both the elements and each other. Covering 135 miles (217 km) and traversing over 3 mountain passes, this non-stop race from Death Valley, CA to Mt. Whitney, CA features temperatures up to 130 degrees F (55 C) and ground temperatures reaching close to 200 degrees. It is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet. The race takes place from July 12-14, giving the athletes 60 hours to complete this ultimate test of endurance. Amy will also be running the race to raise money for ASPIRE, a non-profit organization that provides active lifestyle programs for children and adults with limb loss. For more information on ASPIRE go to www.aspirewithoutlimits.org
Three weeks before the Badwater Ultramarathon, Amy will be competing in the famed Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run. Western States takes place in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California and is considered one of the hardest 100 mile ultramarathons.
Amy is also competing in Brive, France May 13-14 at the World Championship 24-hour run. She is the first amputee to ever be named to a US national team. Amy will be joined by 5 other female ultramarathoners on the US team, which was recently announced by USA Track & Field, the national governing body for all running sports in the US. To read the press release from USATF go to: http://www.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?duid=USATF_2010_02_23_14_09_53
Before You Buy It, Drive It
Try the Newest Technologies in Prosthetics Prosthetic technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. A Step Ahead leads the prosthetics industry by offering the most up-to-date, technologically-advanced prosthetics available. By working closely with the leading manufacturers in the prosthetics industry, we are now able to provide a unique opportunity for patients to evaluate the latest prosthetic components under the supervision of A Step Ahead's certified prosthetists.
At our facility, you can now test-drive the full bionic platform from Ossur including the Rheo Knee, Proprio Foot and Ankle System, and the Power Knee. The bionic platform incorporates sophisticated artificial intelligence which learns the users gait pattern to provide an experience superior to traditional prosthetics. Or you can try Otto Bock's popular C-Leg, which utilizes microprocessor-controlled hydraulics that dynamically adapt to all walking speeds in real time. In addition, many types of running feet are available for the user to test. A Step Ahead offers much more than lower-extremity prosthetics. Myoelectric upper-extremity components are also available for the user to try including the innovative I-Limb by Touch Bionics and the Sensor Speed hand by Otto Bock.
The future in prosthetics is looking bright, with ground-breaking research now being conducted in both osseointegration and neuro-bionics. A Step Ahead is proud to be working directly with the top physicians and manufacturers in these fields on developing the next generation of prosthetics.
A Step Ahead is the industry forerunner in fitting and evaluating prosthetic components including micro-processor knees, foot and ankle systems, upper-extremity myoelectrics, and running feet. Our world-class facility also houses our experienced insurance department and legal team, which have a 98% success rate in winning insurance appeals that involve denial of prosthetic technology. Where others fail, we fight for patients' rights.
Call our office at 516-681-3484 to set up an appointment for a free consultation and to test drive the newest advances in prosthetic technology.
Make sure that you try it before you buy it.
For more information on the newest technology in prosthetics, go to the following links:
http://www.ottobock.com/cps/rde/xchg/SID-3F574DD1-0360A40B/ob_com_en/hs.xsl/1913.html
http://www.ossur.com/?PageID=12729
http://www.touchbionics.com/i-LIMB
http://www.ossur.com/pages/13916 
| Rheo Knee
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| Proprio Foot and Ankle
System
| i-Limb by Touch Bionics
| C-Leg Microprocessor Knee |
Annual ASPIRE 10K & 5K RACE & Kids 1/2 Mile Fun Run
The 33rd annual ASPIRE ten kilometer race will be held on Saturday, March 27 at 9:00 am in Plainview, Long Island. Team A Step Ahead is looking forward to the largest turnout yet for this annual fundraising event.
This race is one of the primary fundraising events of the year for the ASPIRE organization. As you may know, for many years ASPIRE has supported and funded programs for individuals with limb loss who are seeking to improve their lives through physical activity and sports. Your participation in this event demonstrates both the successes of ASPIRE as well as the continuing need to raise funds for these programs. ASPIRE is planning an expanded program this year with an emphasis on events and programs for children with limb loss.
A Step Ahead's facility and staff are available to assist you in your training for this race. Please let us know if you will be there as an active participate. If you are unable to participate in the race the athletes could still use your support on the day of the race.
The ASPIRE race includes a 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) event; amputees will also have the option of a 5K (3.1 mile) race, and children under 12 can participate in a 1/2 mile "fun run." For more information on how to enter the race or to just be part of the event, please contact our office at 516-681-3484.
Dr. Jack Ahrens (Below Knee) completed the grueling 54 kilometer (33 mile) American Birkbeiner cross country ski race. The American Birkbeiner takes place in Northern Wisconsin from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin. It is the largest and most prestigious cross country ski marathon in North America. Jack, a runner, cyclist and competitive duathlete, completed the 33 miles of skiing with 4600 feet of climbing in 7:35. Jack commented after the race that it was the hardest thing he has ever done. 
| Dr. Jack Ahrens
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The ASPIRE Support Group meeting is on Wednesday, February 24 at 6pm at the Hospital for Special Surgery located at 535 East 70th Street, NY. For more information about the ASPIRE support group meeting, contact Charlie Steele at charlieatl@aol.com or (212) 877-7050.
New York-Presbyterian HospitalAmputee Education and Support Group
Every First Friday of the Month 10:00-12:00 PM. Milstein Hospital 8 Garden North Dayroom (8th floor rehab unit) Milstein Hospital Building 177 Fort Washington Ave. For further information and to RSVP, please contact Sharon Clark at 212-305-3964
Rusk Rehab Amputee Support Group (34th Street/1st avenue) meets Thursday February 25 at 6:00 PM. For more information about the Rusk Rehab Support Group contact Dr. Jeff Heckman at 631-873-6223 or by email at jtheckman@yahoo.com
The Long Island Amputee Support Group meets the first Saturday of each month at South Side Hospital, 301 East Main Street in Bayshore. Contact Jodi Adler at 631-968-3330.
For more information on amputee support groups around the country go to http://www.amputee-coalition.org/npn_about.html
Indoor Mobility Clinic
In association with members from the N.Y.C. Parks and Recreation department, the NYU Amputee Support Program will be hosting an Indoor Amputee Mobility Clinic in Manhattan. The free indoor mobility clinic is open to amputees of all ages and ability levels who are interested in learning how to improve their walking, jogging, or more advanced mobility skills. The clinic will be held at Recreation Center 54 on 54th St. between 1st and 2nd Ave in Manhattan from 7-9 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month from 7-9 pm. For more information about Recreation Center 54 go to:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/M130
ACA Updates
Amputee advocates have been working hard across the country to introduce legislation for prosthetic parity in 10 states so far this year (Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin), and we're already seeing successes in 2010. Some states have held positive hearings, and Utah has already passed their bill through the House and sent it to the Senate! There are several other states that are close to introducing legislation, or are awaiting the start of their state sessions.
The ACA has also been working on several initiatives since expanding our government relations role. The 2010 legislative agenda includes several new items while continuing work on the larger health care reform discussion. The ACA has expanded their role to get a resolution that would designate April as National Limb Loss Awareness Month as well as working to improve travel for amputees by working with legislators and the TSA to apply better standards and consistent treatment. They are also working with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Veterans Administration (VA), and other agencies, to develop a limb loss registry that would provide information that will allow the ACA, agencies, and professionals to better help the limb loss community.
The ACA has continued work with the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and other partner organizations to make positive changes on health care reform for the limb loss community. At the time of this writing, it is unclear in what direction health care reform will take, but the ACA will continue to be a part of the conversation to make sure the needs of the limb loss community are met.
The ACA has also worked with Representative John Duncan (TN 2nd District) to introduce H.R. 1056, a resolution that would designate April as National Limb Loss Awareness Month. Representative Patrick Kennedy (RI 1st District) has also been working with the ACA on TSA issues amputees face when traveling. The ACA has also had positive discussions with several legislators on the limb loss registry, and will continue their work with the Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act moving forward.
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