Newsletters

In order to promote a more active lifestyle for all of the patients at A Step Ahead Prosthetics, A Step Ahead and Mobility Physical Therapy are launching the "Active Amputee Program."

The goal of this program is to promote physical activity for all patients regardless of age, level of amputation, or medical condition. Research shows that an active physical lifestyle leads to a healthier life. For individuals with limb loss, it is essential to maintain a high level of physical conditioning to achieve and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

A Step Ahead Prosthetics and Mobility Physical Therapy's staff will design an active lifestyle program with customized exercises based on your needs and goals.

Anyone who wants to participate in this program will have a detailed evaluation to discuss their individual needs, activity interests, and medical history as well as a physical therapy evaluation that will determine your specific strengths and weaknesses.

Patients will be able to use an online reporting system using fax or email to provide a report on their progress, as well as to receive regular feedback.

The physical activity program will emphasize 3 major areas of exercise for amputees to maintain an active lifestyle:

1. Cardiovascular exercise (walking, running)
2. Strengthening exercise (weight training)
3. Flexibility exercise (stretching, yoga)          
   

The individualized program will be designed so patients can exercise in their home or at a gym.

For local patients, a thorough exercise consult will be completed at A Step Ahead to determine goals and develop guidelines for their activity program. Out-of-town patients can participate via phone, email, or video consultation. For more information about the Active Amputee Program call our office at 516-681-3484.

Kenny Bontz (Above Knee) continues to burn up the golf course with great scores, recently winning his club championship at the Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune, NJ. Kenny is working hard to become the first amputee golfer to qualify for a state amateur golf tournament, a goal he just missed last year. Read the most recent story about Kenny in the Asbury Park Press:

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009908190362 

Following his win at Jumping Brook Country Club, Kenny also won the club championship at the Sun Eagles Country Club. 

New Staff Members Join A Step Ahead

Gwyeth Smith has joined the growing prosthetic staff of A Step Ahead this month. After working as an equities trader for six years at Carlin Financial Group, Gwyeth returned to school and began his training as a prosthetist. He has previously worked in Phoenix, Arizona and at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He obtained his certificate in prosthetics at the Northwestern University Prosthetics & Orthotics Center in Chicago. During his work at R.I.C. and at Northwestern University, Gwyeth was involved in the emergent field of research and the application of Neuro-bionics for upper extremity amputees. Gwyeth also has a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in economics from James Madison University.  He is originally from Manhasset, NY.  We are looking forward to adding Gwyeth's professional skills to our growing clinical staff.

Danielle Finn has been hired as an administrative assistant. Danielle earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from Stony Brook University, is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate and a member of the Golden Key Honor Society. She has experience in a variety of positions in service-related industries. Danielle's duties will be assisting the office and billing staff in numerous capacities in order to improve and streamline the efficiency of services to our patients.

The next ASPIRE amputee support group meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30th at 6:15 PM at the Hospital for Special Surgery located at 535 East 70th Street, NY.  There is no meeting in August. For more information about the ASPIRE support group meeting, contact Charlie Steele at charlieatl@aol.com or (212) 877-7050.

New York-Presbyterian Hospital Amputee Education and Support Group meets on the first Friday of every month from 10 AM  to 12 noon at the Neurological Institute, 8th Floor North classroom (PT and OT Department) 710 W. 168th Street, contact Sharon Clark at 212-305-3964.  

Rusk Rehab Amputee Support Group (34th Street/1st avenue) meets Thursday, September 17th at 
6:00 PM. For more information about the Rusk Rehab Support Group, contact Dr. Jeff Heckman at 631-873-6223 or 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

Improve Running & Walking at 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, September 13th. 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 what others can do. For more information and directions to the mobility clinic, call the office at 516-681-3484.

Research

A Step Ahead continues to work closely with Touro College and Adelphi University on research projects.  A recent study conducted by the Touro College Physical Therapy program entitled "Reliability and Reproducibility of the GAITrite System in the Measurement of Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Gait in Individuals with Lower Extremity Limb Loss" has been accepted for presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association's combined section meeting in February 2010. Dr. Robert Troiano PT, DPT, CHT,
Chairperson of the Physical Therapy Program at Touro College School of Health Science will be presenting this research.

This fall, we will be working with Touro College on data collection on the following research study: "Reliability of the GAITrite System in Recording Temporal and Spatial Parameters of Gait in Individuals Utilizing the Cleg Leg Prosthetic Knee."

In addition, we will be working with Touro College in assisting them with the preliminary research on two studies using the Wii Fit: "The Effect of the Wii Fit Training Platform on Improving Balance in Individuals with Transfemoral Limb Loss" and "The Effect of the Wii Fit Training Platform on Improving Balance in Individuals with Transtibial Limb Loss."

The research study with Adelphi University "The Run Efficiency of Amputee Athletes with Prostheses" which is testing below the knee amputees running with different categories of the flex run running foot is being concluded in the fall. A Step Ahead is looking forward to the results of this study so that we can continue to improve our prosthetic care for athletes.

Challenged Athletes Foundation, Ossur of North America, and A Step Ahead Continue to Support Amputee Athletes

On behalf of Ossur North America, through a grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation, new patient Nicholas Roumonada (Below Knee) has received a Flex-Run Foot from Ossur. Along with the support of A Step Ahead Prosthetics, Nick was recently set up with his new running prosthesis. He will receive continued care, helping him follow his athletic endeavors in living his life without limitations.

Team A Step Ahead is very excited to have Nick onboard as a new and upcoming athlete. We will continue to assist him with his training and the overall process of adapting to his new prosthesis. Please keep an eye out for Nick in future newsletters and at team races.

Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a unique organization that recognizes the athletic greatness inherent in all people and that it does not stop with physical challenges. Since 1997, CAF has been helping support disabled athletes by providing grants for equipment, training, and competition. For more information on CAF they can be found on the web at www.challengedathletes.org
           
Originally from Seattle, Nick moved to New York earlier this year to pursue a career change. In addition to running, Nick plays wheelchair basketball for the New York Rollin Knicks.

Junior Team A Step Ahead Tackles Outdoor Rock Climbing

"Why do climbers from all over the world climb at the Mohonk Preserve?"

Seven athletes from Junior Team A Step Ahead found out why when they tackled the world famous vertical cliffs and their overhangs of the Shawangunk Mountains located in upstate New York. The "Gunks" are world-class and have some of the most authentic climbing scenes in the country, offering some of the best climbing in the eastern United States.

The team was accompanied by Amy Palmiero-Winters, Craig Pratka, Anthony Desano, Hemsly Hughes and Doug Kehler and guided by the experienced rock climbing instructors Jim Shimburg and Gary Knoll from a New Hampshire-based rock climbing company, Rhino Guides. The junior team scaled the distinctive stark white cliffs of the Gunks in the hot, humid August sun and found that they are as tough as they look, with sharp angles testing the junior team’s skill. The quartz pebbles and deep fissures provided multiple holds for these athletes. Not only did they learn new skills and make new friends, but they also learned that despite the loss of a limb or limbs they can meet new challenges and succeed at a very difficult skill. Edriss Crawley-Tate  (Above Knee), Cate Hughes (Below Knee), Will Kehler (Van Ness), James Lozano (Bilateral Below Knee), Davonni Baboolal (Below Knee), Anthony Desano (Above Knee), and Victoria Cutrone-Foley (Above Knee) all had a great experience climbing, swimming and doing something as simple as hanging out with friends.

Junior & Adult Athletes Compete in Chicago Triathlon

Jean Draper (Below Knee) competed in her second Olympic-distance triathlon finishing in a time of 3:37:16. Sarah Reinersten (Above Knee) too second place in the above knee category with a time of 3:46:46. Junior Team A Step Ahead was represented at the Chicago Triathlon MacDonald's Kids Tri-Relay which consisted of a 200 meter swim, 5 mile bike and 1.2 mile run. Competing in the kids relay were Davonni Baboolal (BK), James Lozano (BBKA), and Victoria Cutrone-Foley (AK).

The junior team that participated in the Chicago triathlon, along with Amy Palmiero-Winters, were chosen from thousands of potential athletes for filming a promotional video for the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid. Chicago is one of 3 cities being considered for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics. The film will be shown during the final presentation to the International Olympic Committee when they meet to make their decision on October 2 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Victoria Cutrone Foley and the film crew of Cartel

Relay Team Conquers Oregon Hood to Coast Relay Race

Sandy Dukat (Above Knee) and Jeff Glasbrenner (Below Knee) were part of the twelve-person relay

Sandy Dukat and Jeff Glasbrenner at the base of Mt. Hood.

team "Team Amazing Awaits" sponsored by the Hartford Insurance company that competed in the Hood to Coast Relay from August 29-30. The 197 mile race consisted of 36 legs starting at  the base of Mt. Hood and finishing in Seaside, Oregon. The team's finishing time for the 197 miles was 29 hours and 46 minutes.

Upcoming events:

International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Championships:  Australia, September 12th
Paul Martin (Below Knee) and Jean Draper (Below Knee) will be representing Team A Step Ahead on the U.S. team at the Olympic distance world championships. 

Westchester Triathlon: September 26th & 27th
Junior Team A Step Ahead and Team A Step Ahead will be competing in relay and individual events at the Jarden Westchester Triathlon at Rye Beach, New York. The junior and adult team will be racing in honor of Guy Bayer, a patient of A Step Ahead who was a strong supporter of the Team A Step Ahead program and recently passed away.

New York City Marathon: November 1st
Michael LaForgia (Below Knee/Transmetatarsal) and John Tartaglio (Bilateral Hip Disarticulation) are scheduled to run the world-famous New York marathon. For Michael, it will be his first marathon as an amputee. Prior to contracting meningococcemia in late December of 2004, he ran the NYC Marathon in both 2004 and 2002. Michael's goal is to run faster then he did as an able-bodied runner, hopefully completing the race in under 4:55. He will also be running the race to raise money for the National Meningitis Association, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about Meningitis that he is active in. For more information on Michaels fundraising efforts go to http://www.nmaus.org/nyc-marathon.htm

John will be making his first attempt at the marathon distance. Since having both legs amputated at the hip in 2004 due to a very rare bacterial infection, John has pushed himself well beyond expectations with his running and competing in triathlons. He has completed 5K and 10K races and will be the first bilateral hip disarticulation amputee to complete a marathon. John will also be running the race to raise money for ASPIRE. To learn more about ASPIRE and to donate based on John's marathon, go to http://www.aspirewithoutlimits.org/node/12
John will be on the Oprah Winfrey show on Wednesday September 9 to talk about his training and his  goal to complete the N.Y.C. marathon as well as his fundraising efforts for ASPIRE.

Ironman Wisconsin: September 13th
Jeff Glasbrenner (Below Knee) will be competing in his 6th Ironman competition.

Ironman Florida: November 7th
Jeff Glasbrenner (Below Knee) and Marcos Corti-Maderna (Below Knee) will be competing in Ironman Florida. For Marcos, this will be his first Ironman after completing numerous sprint and Olympic distance triathlons.

Arms and legs are not a luxury. They are basic items that people with limb loss or congenital limb absence need to hug their children, to go to school, to walk safely across a street, to work to support their family and simply to function every day. They are a necessity. The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) feels that any healthcare reform proposal that truly gets at improving health systems and enhancing access must address the healthcare needs of people with limb loss.

The ACA strongly supports the insurance market reforms that are currently included in the healthcare reform package(s), including guaranteed issue and renewal of coverage in the individual and small group markets, the prohibition of pre-existing health condition exclusions, and the end of annual and lifetime insurance caps with a limit on out-of-pocket spending.

The ACA is committed to ensuring that the essential benefit categories in the House and Senate bills include coverage for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS).

SAVE THE DATE! The ACA is working to bring together activists from CT, DE, FL, GA, MA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, IA, KS, NM, OR, WY, MT, CA, UT, OR, ND, and WV in Washington, D.C. on September 16. The ACA will be holding meetings throughout the week. They are looking for folks to join us for a series of events and conversations. The ACA needs to show support for true healthcare reform that helps amputees reach their full potential!

JOIN THE ACA ON SEPTEMBER 16th to push for true healthcare reform! Contact the ACA's advocacy department today for more information or to RSVP for this event: msheets@amputee-coalition.org or (202) 302-4373

Can't make it to D.C. in September? The ACA still needs your help. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senators' and/or representative's office.

Sample Call Script: Please include specific language regarding durable medical equipment such as prosthetic devices in the healthcare reform bill. Help amputees remain employed, independent and productive!