New York City Marathon November 5 Tommy Koehler ran a personal best for the marathon in 3 hours and 18 minutes. Tommy’s focus on the marathon since the NYC triathlon in July paid off, giving him the American record for male below the knee amputees in the marathon. Tommy’s immediate goal is to improve on this time in 2007 at the Boston Marathon. Brian O’Sullivan ran his first marathon after just beginning training and running road races a little more then 8 months ago. With Brian’s time of 4 hours and 20 minutes, he achieved the world record for the Marathon for single above the knee amputee. After receiving his first customized handcycle, designed by A Step Ahead Prosthetics, only 3 ½ months prior to the NYC Marathon and returning full time to school, John Tartaglio (bilateral hip disarticulation) completed the Marathon in an impressive time of 2 hours and 12 minutes. John’s athletic goals for 2007 include completing the ASPIRE 10K on his prostheses. He previously completed 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of the race last April, as well as improving his time in the Marathon in the handcycle.

Challenged Athletes Foundation Triathlon – November 5th - Two triathlon teams represented Team A Step Ahead at the annual Challenged Athletes Foundation. The CAF Triathlon is a ½ Ironman consisting of a 1.2 mile ocean swim in Lo Jolla Cove, an extremely challenging, hilly 56 mile bike, and a very tough 13.1 mile run which includes a 2 mile hill.

Official Results for Team A Step Ahead:

Team 1 Sandy Dukat (AK) swim 28:59, Ray Viscome bike (BK) 2:52:25 Amy Winters (BK) 1:40:18 Total team time-5:01:42.

Team 2 Marcos Corti (BK) swim 25:59, Michael Foresto (AE) bike 3:13:14, Kelly Bruno (BK) run 1:54:03. Total team time 5:32:46.

The trip was a huge success for Team A Step Ahead showcasing the organization and athletic abilities of the elite athletes of our team. Team A Step Ahead has bigger plans for CAF 07 making a larger presence with more relay teams and a bigger support crew. For more information about Team A Step Ahead contact Phil Kreuter – team captain.

From the Prosthetic Staff

Infections and Liner care

What prevents you from wearing your prosthesis and maintaining an active lifestyle? Infections. Infections incubate more easily in a prosthetic socket – a non-breathable, warm, contained environment where your natural body oils and sweat mingle. Pus/drainage, odor, hot spots, fever, sudden pain, breakdown, blisters, and rashes are all signs of infection. How do you avoid them? Follow these simple preventative steps:

Make sure you wash your residual limb at least one time a day with anti-bacterial soap (the soap should be unscented and un-pigmented). If you sweat a lot, or are prone to rash or infections, do this more frequently. Make sure to avoid alcohol-based lotions, as they actually dry out your skin making it more likely to break down, increasing your risk of infection. Baby oil, on the other hand, is best for maintaining moist, soft skin.

Whichever part of the prosthesis is in contact with your skin – the inner socket or liners – should also be washed with hot water and anti-bacterial soap on a daily basis.

If you wear liners, it is imperative to always have a set of 2 for each residual limb. You must alternate the liners every day, as this permits them to maintain their elasticity and shape, while also ensuring that they completely dry before you put them back on. Liners should be cleaned right-side IN, using the following process: (a) wash the liners with hot water and anti-bacterial soap, shaking the water-soap mixture inside the liner for 30 seconds; (b) dump the mixture out of the liner and rinse again with hot water until no soap remains; (c) while the liner is still wet, add 4 drops of baby oil to the inside and rub it around thoroughly. Once a week, after rinsing the liner but before adding the baby oil, apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol to the inside of the liner, and rinse with hot water. By following these simple instructions you can decrease the chance for infections and increase the longevity of your liners.

Scholarships Available for Students with Disabilities Interested in Government Work

The Washington Center (TWC) for Internships and Academic Seminars is offering competitive scholarship awards to undergraduate students with disabilities interested in working in the executive, judicial, or legislative branches of the federal government during the spring 2007 semester.

Each of the 50 scholarship awards of $8,500 go toward covering TWC’s total program and housing fees. More funds can be applied for through TWC state scholarship awards, which range from $1,800 to $4,000 per student. For more information contact Ms. Roshni D. Lal of The Washington Center for Internships & Academic Seminars at 202-336-7567 or e-mail: roshniL@twc.edu. Applications are available at www.twc.edu/students/how_to_apply.shtml.

Applications are due November 15, 2006, and all majors are encouraged to apply.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university as an undergraduate
• Be at least a second semester sophomore at the time of the internship
• Have at least a 2.75 GPA
• Show proof that they will receive academic credit for the internship
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Self-identify as a person with a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA defines a person with a disability as:
• a person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities OR
• a person that has a record of such impairment OR
• a person that is regarded as having such impairment

Students accepted to the program will be provided accessible housing in Washington D.C. during their participation. Through academic training and participation in workshops, lectures, embassy visits, and networking events held with community, national and international leaders, students will develop leadership skills and gain valuable work experience in public service.