Michael Laforgia on T.V. Show "Soul Survivor"
Michael LaForgia (BK/partial foot) was filmed and interviewed for an episode of the RCN network show Soul Survivor. Each episode of Soul Survivor traces the journey of an individual who has endured a life-changing tragedy or hardship and now thrives as an inspiration to others. With reenactments and heartfelt testimony, it shows how disaster can strike and impact a person's life and their family.
Aspire Film Productions' Hope and Possibility Documentary
Filming continues with Aspire Film Productions' latest ongoing project Hope and Possibility. The film is a documentary on the lives of pediatric amputees. It will highlight the competitive and recreational activities of the children through the programs of Junior Team A Step Ahead, culminating with the Achilles Track Club Hope & Possibility 5 mile race in Central Park in June of 2010. Focusing on pediatric amputees of all ages and disabilities, Hope and Possibility will document the lives of these children, their prosthetic fittings, and their home, school, and social lives with an emphasis on the challenges faced by children with limb loss.
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Aspire Film Productions at A Step Ahead
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The goal of this documentary is to bring to light the world of the pediatric amputee, what it is like to navigate in this world for the children and their families, and to show that despite their physical disabilities, they can challenge themselves and excel in life.
Aspire Productions' mission is to complete the filming in the fall of this year, finish the editing, and begin distribution of the film in early 2011. To read more about Aspire Film Productions and the filming of this documentary go to: http://www.aspirefilmproductions.com/
The 2010 Winter Paralympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia will be held on March 12-21. Currently, two Team A Step Ahead athletes are vying for positions on Team USA. Four-time Paralympian Allison Jones (Above Knee) of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Paralympian Ralph Greene (Hip Disarticulation) of Vail, Colorado are both currently competing in world cup events in Europe. The official announcement of the USA Winter Paralympic team is scheduled for February 22nd.
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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
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
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Rheo Knee
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Proprio Foot and Ankle
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| 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.
Team A Step Ahead Events for 2010
* ASPIRE 10K March 27th
* Ironman 70.3 Mooseman June 6th
* Achilles Hope & Possibility 5M June
* Nautica New York City Triathlon July 18th
* Cancun Ironman 70.3 September 19th
Junior Team A Step Ahead Events for 2010
* Ski Trip to the Adirondacks March
* Ice-Climbing March
* ASPIRE 10K March 27th
* Hope & Possibility 5 mile run Central Park June
* Empire State Games Long Island June 3-5
* Volunteer at the NYC Triathlon July 18th
* SheRox Triathlon August 1st
* Camping/Rock Climbing New Paltz, N.Y. August
* Westchester Triathlon September 19th
* NYC Marathon PowerBar GelZone November 7th
Staying Active with Winter Sports
Skiing, snow boarding, and ice skating are fun winter sports. At A Step Ahead, we can custom align your prosthesis so you can enjoy these activities safely. In addition to alignment, we custom fabricate knee orthoses and stump helmets to protect your residual limb. Knee braces are essential for below the knee amputees who ski. While skiing, your knee will be subjected to side to side forces that will place excessive strain on your knee joint. A custom brace can be fabricated to attach to your prosthesis and will provide improved side to side stability reducing the risk of injury to your knee.
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Below Knee Custom Ski Prosthesis
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If you are an above the knee amputee, skiing without your prosthesis is common. A stump helmet is a device that will encompass and protect your residual limb if you fall. They are designed to reduce the risk of bruising and possible fractures of the bone in your residual limb.
Some above knee amputees are beginning to ski with a prosthesis using a specialized prosthetic knee called the XT9. The XT9 Energy Storing Prosthetic Knee, made by Symbiotechs USA, LLC for high activity AK amputees, is the first prosthesis designed to enable AK amputees to enjoy extreme sports and an active life at the top level. Thanks to an aerospace-grade, lightweight knee frame and other space-age materials and components, the XT9 prosthetic knee can withstand the forces generated in extreme sports by even the most active amputees. For more information on the XT9 knee, call our office or go to the Symbiotechs website: http://xt-9.com/ If you are gearing up for winter sports or are interested in a custom prosthesis for any sport, call our office to speak to one of our prosthetists.
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| Above Knee XT-9 Custom Ski Prosthesis |
