Resilience in the Face of Adversity
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You hear about terrible and life threatening accidents happening to people all the time, you just don't ever think it will be someone you know or you yourself. Aimee Bishop probably wasn't thinking about it the day two years when driving down a 35 mph road in Alabama.
On that day, a driver going in the opposite direction who was going 75 mph and texting, crashed into Aimee head on. The baby that she had been carrying for six months died, and Aimee was in an induced coma for two weeks.
She spent the next four months in the hospital, having 16 surgeries, the last of which was the amputation of her left leg. She also had to have metal put into both arms and her left leg, a stint put into her heart to repair her aorta that was torn from the heart by the crash impact and a hysterectomy from severe internal injuries. Every bone in her body was broken but her neck and back.
Though her recovery journey has been long, Aimee has persevered with the help of her husband, family and friends.
"I have bad days - actually, just bad moments. The whole day isn't bad, but I have bad moments - but I have to just keep at it," Aimee said.
There has been a lot she's had to get used to: not being able to have children, not being able to be as active as she was and her outlook on life. Aimee says she treats people differently since the accident, is a very cautious driver and urges people not to take their mobility, painless days or life for granted.
Aimee also has spoken at "Wait2TXT" events in local high schools to urge students to be attentive drivers and leave their cell phones alone while driving. The campaign is sponsored by Optimus Prosthetics, WDTN Channel 2 and AT&T.
After being fit for a prosthetic for the first time on May 20, Aimee walked down the aisle for her wedding on June 2 and will be in her new socket shortly.
Aimee's experience allows her to provide many meaningful stories, but her most important message is simple: "Don't Text and Drive!"
See Aimee walk unassisted for the first time in 2 years on our Facebook page.
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Caring for your Prosthesis During the Summer Months
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Summer brings a lot of things: warm weather, vacations and lots of time spent outside. But for amputees using a prosthetic, it can also bring a few complications to caring for your device.
We all know we sweat more during the summer, and for amputees that means more sweat filling the plastic or gel lining of your socket. Sweat means odor and bacteria which can lead to skin issues. Here's how you can stay on top of your prosthetic care this summer:
- Counteract any sweat by sprinkling baking soda or rubbing an over-the-counter antiperspirant like CertainDri on your socket. You can also keep a number of prosthetic socks with you to change it multiple times a day
- Clean your socket thoroughly every day with warm water and soap
- You can also rub down the inside of the socket with rubbing alcohol. If you do this be sure to wipe out the socket with a wet towel to remove any remaining traces of rubbing alcohol has it can dry out the skin of your residual limb
- Air dry your socket after washing it and be sure it is dry when you put it on
- You also need to thoroughly examine your residual limb for any skin damage, especially if you have diabetes or a vascular disease. You should also check the skin of your standing foot, and report any damage you see to your prosthetist at the first sign of damage
Hopefully these tips will help you enjoy your summer by keeping your prosthetic from causing too much irritation. If you have any questions about prosthetic care, you can always get in touch with us at Optimus Prosthetics. We'll be seeing you soon!
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Activities for Prosthetic Training
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 | | Jim Scharf, PTA |
The goal of "Jim's Corner" is to provide helpful information and be a resource for those helping patients fitted with prosthetics learn to use them correctly in order to enjoy a better quality of life as an amputee.
I always say "It all begins with prosthetic stance." If the patient does not learn the elements required for good prosthetic stance, they will always struggle with prosthetic gait. One very valuable lesson I learned long ago is "Do not initiate prosthetic gait training with a great deal of walking; don't sacrifice teaching and learning by walking them to death." We need to educate the patient on a proper HEP (Home Exercise Program) and contracture prevention, as well as the importance of residual limb hip extension. We need to work with the patient by assisting them through various prosthetic balancing, weight-shifting and weight-bearing exercises. Dedicate a lot of time to the parallel bars as a safe environment to develop basic skills and confidence. One of the best exercises to help the patient learn how to put their weight on the prosthesis and learn the skills required for prosthetic stance is the forward box taps/stool stepping exercise. Always perform this exercise within the patient's skill level and tolerance.
Forward Box Taps (Stool Stepping)
This is NOT a Forward Step Up Exercise!
The objective of the exercise is to get the patient to stand evenly on both legs with a stable object for the required assistance and safety. Place an object like a small step stool or box in front. The patient stands on the prosthesis and attempts to gently place the sound limb up onto stool or box in a slow, controlled manner (pause if needed) then return to the standing position. They should concentrate on keeping their hips even with each other, pelvis level and not leaning way over the prosthetic limb. Maintaining a backward force within the socket will help to maintain stability. Repeat 5-15 times. Do 1-3 sets.
At first, there may be difficulty moving the sound limb in a slow, controlled manner and maintaining balance over the prosthesis. However, over time this exercise will help the patient develop skills needed to establish an equal stride length during walking. Proper prosthetic stance is also required for normalized gait and loading the prosthetic toe for toe clearance.
Jim Scharf, PTA, Prosthetic Assistant/Gait Specialist
Jim has been a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant since 1988. Jim has worked with lower extremity amputee patients throughout his career. He serves as a Gait Specialist and Liaison when prosthetic patients are meeting with their therapists. Feel free to contact Jim if he can assist you in any way at: jscharf@optimusprosthetics.com.
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D = Dayton Area
C = Columbus Area
Completing Course #1 - "Amputation & Prosthetic Overview"
C - Thursday, June 6
Edgewood Manor - 12:00
C - Friday, June 7
McNaughten Pointe - 12:00
C - Thursday, June 13
Country View of Sunbury - 12:00
C - Thursday, June 13
Country View of Sunbury - 12:00
D - Wednesday, June 19
Miami Valley Hospital - 1:00
C - Wednesday, June 19
Friendship Village Columbus - 12:00
C - Friday, June 21
Echo Manor - 12:00
Completing Course #2 - "Lower-Limb Prosthetics: Transtibial"
D - Tuesday, June 4
Astoria Care & Rehab - 12:00
D - Wednesday, June 5
Heartland of Centerville - 12:00
D - Thursday, June 6
Heartland of Miamisburg - 11:30
D -Wednesday, June 12
Greene Memorial Hospital - 12:00
C - Wednesday, June 12
Eastland Care Center - 12:00
C - Tuesday, June 18
Highbanks Care Center - 12:00
C - Thursday, June 20
Laurels of Norworth - 12:00
D - Friday, June 21
Wilmington Nursing & Rehab - 12:00
C - Tuesday, June 28
Columbus Colony - 12:00
Completing Course #3 - "Lower-Limb Prosthetics: Transfemoral"
C - Monday, June 10
Forum at Knightsbridge - 11:30
D - Thursday, June 13
Koester Pavilion - 12:00
Completing Course #4 - "Lower Extremity Amputee/Prosthetic Evaluation & Outcomes Measures"
D - Tuesday, June 11
Residence at Kensington Place - 12:00
D - Wednesday, June 19
Forestview - 12:00
Completing Course #7 - "Upper-Limb Prosthetics"
D - Thursday, June 20
Elmcreek - 12:00
Completing Course #9 - "Partial Foot, Ankle/Knee/Hip Disarticulation, & Transpelvic Prosthetics"
D - Tuesday, June 11
Lindemann Physical Therapy -
8:00 am
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Optimus Prosthetics, Dayton
8517 North Dixie Drive, Suite 100/300
Dayton, Ohio 45414
(937) 454-1900
Optimus Prosthetics, Columbus
3132 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43202
(614) 263-LIMB (5462)
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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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