April 2012 Newsletter – Vol. 9 Issue 4

This newsletter is a summary of what’s been going on in the world of A Step Ahead Prosthetics and our patients this month…

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Update on FIDF Program with Israeli Soldiers

Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces (FIDF) was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors to provide for the well-being of the men and women who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), as well as the families of fallen soldiers. Headquartered in New York City, FIDF is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation that operates thirteen regional offices in the United States and an office in Latin America.

In partnership with the FIDF, A Step Ahead Prosthetics has begun a three-year program to provide prosthetic care to Israeli solders that have sustained limb loss in the line of duty. The FIDF’s STRIDES for Amputees program was initiated by Team A Step Ahead member and patient Shlomo Nimrodi (Above Knee), who was injured in 1978 during activity in Southern Lebanon while serving as a lieutenant in an elite commando unit in the Israeli Defense Forces.

The first year of this exciting program has been a huge success thus far, with A Step Ahead providing new walking and custom sports prosthetics and sports training to Israeli soldiers. In March, Einat Malka (Below Knee) and Ronen Avivi (Above Knee) came to A Step Ahead for two weeks for new prosthetics and training. Einat and Ronen both received new walking prostheses. Einat also received a running prosthesis and trained in running and cycling. She was also able to begin practicing martial arts, which she had not been able to do since losing her leg fourteen years ago.

Einat Malka (Below Knee) practicing martial arts with her new prosthesis

Einat Malka

Ronen Avivi

Ronen Avivi (Above Knee) practicing running with Erik Schaffer, C.P.

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Patient Profile of the Month

“I am willing to put myself through anything; temporary pain or discomfort means nothing to me as long as I can see that the experience will take me to a new level. I am interested in the unknown, and the only path to the unknown is through breaking barriers, an often painful process.”  – Diana Nyad, world-class ultramarathon swimmer

Shari Caradonna (Below Knee) sustained injuries in an accident in 2005, resulting in the eventual amputation of her left leg below the knee. As a physical therapy assistant, Shari had the knowledge and experience on how to begin her rehabilitation process; however, she admits that when she utilized her therapy knowledge on herself, she realized that she seemingly had limitations. Through the more recent prosthetic care and training programs she has received since coming to A Step Ahead, Shari has been able to achieve goals that she never conceived of.

“When I arrived at A Step Ahead I had two goals: to hopefully live without pain and to walk my dog around the block. The first was accomplished with Erik and his prosthetic team, the second with Phil’s unending encouragement and motivation (sometimes outright PUSHING ME). I have joined a walking group and can walk 3 miles in the woods, on the boardwalk, or in the park in about an hour. I am forever blessed to be at A Step Ahead.”

Shari Caradonna

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Prosthetic Art of the Month

Art is an expression of the creator’s inner-self. Art has no boundaries and is understood through all languages. Juliann Gonzalez chose to personalize his new prosthesis with popular video game character Sonic the Hedgehog, one of his personal favorites. For more information on how our prosthetic staff can work with you to personalize your prosthesis like Juliann did, call us at 516-681-3484.

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Anthony Desano: Future Paralympic Archer

Eight-year-old Anthony Desano (Above Knee) has found his passion in the sport of archery. Anthony first learned about archery in Boy Scout camp last summer. Since then, he has been training at the Proline Archery Center in Ozone Park, NY. Anthony uses an Olympic-style re-curve bow, practicing with his father and his younger brother twice a week. His father has noticed that archery has helped improve Anthony’s posture, his weight bearing on his prosthesis, and his core strength. Anthony says, “I like archery because it makes you concentrate and it’s fun to do with my dad and little brother.”

Anthony Desano

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Cyclist from Brazil Comes to A Step Ahead for New Prosthetics

Pedro Durao (Below Knee) from Sao Palo, Brazil came to A Step Ahead last month for a new walking prosthesis and a new customized prosthesis for cycling. Pedro, a competitive road cyclist, sustained multiple injuries in 2010 in an accident while on a training ride with friends, necessitating the amputation of his right leg below the knee. After receiving prosthetic care at A Step Ahead, Pedro retuned to Brazil with two new prostheses and an increased desire to train and compete in the sport he loves.

Pedro Durao

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The PowerFoot BiOM By iWalk

A Step Ahead Prosthetics has been officially designated as an iWalk Certified Bionics Center. This designation has been awarded to select prosthetics facilities in the world. The highly-anticipated iWalk PowerFoot BiOM, the world’s first bionic lower leg system to replace the action of the foot, Achilles tendon, and calf muscle to result in a near-normalized gait for amputees.

The iWalk Powerfoot BiOM

The PowerFoot BiOM generates power during plantar flexion, propelling the prosthesis forward. With the PowerFoot BiOM users indicate less pain, more energy and the feeling of having their leg back. They report less fatigue, increase in daily activities, fewer pressures inside of the socket and more stability on uneven terrain. The result is a healthier patient with a more active lifestyle. You can also visit us at: www.astepaheadonline.com/iwalkinforequest.html for more information.

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The Genium Prosthetic Knee in Stock at A Step Ahead

A Step Ahead is taking appointments for individuals with above-knee limb loss to test-drive the Genium Knee, the newest prosthetic knee from world-renowned prosthetics manufacturer Otto Bock.

The Genium Knee

The Genium Knee closely mimics a natural gait, reducing the mental effort required of users when changing speeds. It offers many features including: negotiating stairs leg-over-leg, intuitively avoiding obstacles, walking backwards, five-day battery life on a single charge, and five additional user-controlled modes. For more information on the Genium Knee and to set up an appointment to test-drive the Genium call our office at 516-681-3484

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A Step Ahead Prosthetics Introduces New Accredited Facility in Israel

As part of our ongoing effort to better serve the worldwide community, A Step Ahead Prosthetics is proud to announce a new A Step Ahead Prosthetics location at GAPAIM Orthopedic Institute in Israel. Patients in Europe and Asia can now receive the same cutting edge technologies and highest standards of care that A Step Ahead Prosthetics in New York is famous for while traveling only a fraction of the distance. GAPAIM’s prosthetists, David Schmitz and Rafi Malach, spent weeks in the United States training under the creative talent of Erik Schaffer C.P., President of A Step Ahead Prosthetics, prior to accreditation, and both have proven they are of the caliber expected at A Step Ahead Prosthetics. For more information, please visit GAPAIM Orthopedic Institute’s website at www.gapaim.co.il or A Step Ahead’s main site at www.astepaheadonline.com.

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Team A Step Ahead & Junior Team A Step Ahead Schedule

Juniors:

* Hope and Possibility Five-mile relay – June 24, Central Park
* Westchester Triathlon – September 22
* Camping in the Shawangunk Mountains – August (date to be determined)
* Deep Pond Triathlon – August 19, Wading River, NY

Adults:

* Epic Adventure Race – April 20-22
* Hope and Possibility Five-mile relay – June 24, Central Park
* Westchester Triathlon – September 22

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Amputee Support Groups

The ASPIRE Support Group meetings are on the last Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Hospital for Special Surgery located at 535 East 70th Street, NY. For more information about the ASPIRE support group meetings, contact Carmen Faris at cvicfaris@aol.com, 718-924-8427

New York-Presbyterian Hospital Amputee Education and Support Group meets every first Friday of the month 10:00 AM -12:00 PM at Milstein Hospital 8 Garden North Dayroom (8th floor rehab unit) Milstein Hospital Building 177 Fort Washington Ave. For more information, contact Jackee Callender at 212-305-8483.

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.

Rusk Rehab Amputee Support Group (34th Street/1st avenue) meets the last Thursday of each month 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

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Amputee Mobility Clinics in New York City

On Monday nights from 7-8 pm, David Balsley, P.T. directs the Amputee Mobility Clinic in the 3rd floor gymnasium at Recreation Center 54, 348 E. 54th St, between 1st and 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10022. On Wednesday evenings at 7 PM, Dave also works with amputees interested in outdoor mobility training in Central Park at 90th Street and 5th Ave. Please call Dave at 917-620-8107 if you plan to attend the Wednesday night outdoor clinic in Central Park.