Greetings!
In Response to the Boston Tragedy... In the days following the tragic events in Boston, much has been said about the victims - particularly about the 14 people who wake up this morning with a new label: "Amputee." This issue is dedicated to them. Those of us at Optimus Prosthetics continue to pray for all of the victims, as well as the medical and rehabilitation teams caring for them. Sincerely, |
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An Iraq War Veteran Shares His Response | |
Iraq war veteran and bi-lateral amputee, Ralph Steward
On November 9, 2008, Sgt. First Class, Ralph Steward, and two other soldiers entered a house in Iraq, looking for insurgents. In an instant, there was a blast from an IED. One soldier lost one leg, while Ralph and the other lost both.
"That's everyday life in a War Zone," Ralph says. "You still don't expect it to happen to you, though."
Ralph, who retired in December, 2011, sat glued to the TV all day last Monday, as the events from the Boston Marathon bombing played out. "I couldn't believe it, and I couldn't stop watching it. We haven't seen anything like that since 9/11. It was almost like 9/11 all over again, and I wished I was still in the military. I wanted to be out there trying to find those guys!"
Speaking from experience, he says that those victims who lost limbs have a long road ahead of them. "Right now, they haven't even started to deal with the reality. They are shocked and angry, and they want to know 'Why?'"
Ralph explains that what has happened to them is truly a life-changing event. This isn't a typical injury that heals and you are just left with the memory of the pain. These victims will heal, but they will live with this new reality for the rest of their lives.
"They wouldn't want to hear this from a non-amputee," Ralph says, "but I can tell them that is does get better. You will have a lot of ups and downs. You will often take one step forward and two steps back. You will need a lot of rehab. But with a lot of coping, a lot of faith, and a good support system, it does get better."
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Formation of
the Coalition to Walk and Run Again | |
While some of the victims in Boston have the insurance or financial means to cover the cost of prosthetic devices, braces, and mobility aids, it appears that many do not. In response, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) has formed "The Coalition to Walk and Run Again," committed to providing prosthetic and orthotic care, as well as access to necessary mobility aids, at no cost to Marathon Bombing victims.
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Amazing Grace | |
Optimus Patient, Grace Norman, toes the line for the 800 meter run
"I don't know if any of them will ever hear about me and I don't even know what I'd say, but I think I could show them something. I could show them it's not over. There's hope. There's lots of hope."
XENIA CHRISTIAN ATHLETE AN INSPIRATION
From the Dayton Daily News, Sunday, April 21, 2013
By Tom Archdeacon
BELLBROOK - It was a numbingly cold evening. Earlier there had been sleet. There still was gusting wind. And now it had gotten dark.
As the final events of the Golden Eagle Track and Field Invitational were being run Friday night at Bellbrook High School, the few spectators who were left were bundled in winter coats and hoods or wrapped in blankets ... or both.
Yet, when it was time for the girls 800-meter run , you couldn't help but wish some of those folks who had been seriously hurt in the Boston Marathon bombings - especially those who had lost feet and legs and maybe hope - were there to watch.
That way they would have seen Grace Norman, a tall, thin, 15-year-old Xenia Christian freshman with a long dark pony tail, shed her blue sweatshirt that had the Bible verse 1 Timothy 4:8 - "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things..." - on the back.
Had they been close enough, they may have even seen those delicate, feathery designs on her fingernails that she'd worn as she accompanied her older sister Bethany to the prom last weekend. She'd worn silver high heels then, too, but now she was in purple and orange track shoes as she toed the white start line in lane 1.
One of the youngest runners in the race and seeded eighth among 13 entrants, she needed just a half lap of the two-lap race to pass nine other competitors.
Read the Rest of This Inspirational Story Here
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At Optimus, We're Here for You! | |
or call us at 937-454-1900 in Dayton,
or 614-263-LIMB (5462) in Columbus. |
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Calendar of Events | | |
Upcoming CEC Courses
D = Dayton Area
C = Columbus Area
#1 - Amputation & Prosthetic Overview
C - 5/1/2013 - Centerburg Pointe - 12:00
#2 - Lower-Limb Prosthetics: Transtibial
C - 5/15/2013 - Bryden Place - 12:00
#3 - Lower-Limb Prosthetics: Transfemoral
#4 - Lower-Limb Amputee/Prosthetic Evaluation & Outcome Measures
D - 5/8/2013 - Wayne Hospital - 12:00
#5 - Lower-Limb Prosthetic Gait Training
#7 - Upper-Limb Prosthetics
#8 - Prosthetic Advances
D - 5/22/2013 - Pinnacle Pointe - 12:00
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| Accredited By: | |
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics.
ABC is the national certifying and accrediting body for the orthotic and prosthetic professions. The public requires and deserves assurance that the persons providing orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic services and care are qualified to provide the appropriate services. |
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