"Bad things happen to good people" is a phrase often used to describe situations in which horrible things happen to amazing people. Dino Lama found himself in this situation twice in the last two years, with both times requiring an amputation.

Dino worked at Wal-Mart where he often helped bring in carts from the parking lot. During the winter, Dino was knocking snow off carts when one fell on his foot, causing an infected wound and frostbite.

After several months of trying to save the foot with a total of four different amputations starting with one toe, to a few more toes, to a partial foot amputation, surgeons finally amputated his foot below the knee.

Then, in February 2015, the winter again brought tragedy for Dino. The propane he used to heat his home was running low, but he couldn't refill it for another week. Dino turned down the heat to conserve his propane. However, the temperature dipped to 24 degrees below zero.

Dino's left foot developed frostbite and lost circulation. Again, several surgeries were performed to save as much of the foot as possible, but the end result was an amputation that was at the same as his previous one.

Dino had issues trying to get around before the second amputation; these issues were compounded after the second surgery. However, that's when he met Lyndsey Wilcox, one of our Patient Advocates. For Dino, this new relationship was a God-send and inspired hope within him.

Dino's life was now full of good things. He worked with Travis and Jaimie in our Columbus office to get properly fitting prosthetic legs that fit so well Dino can "slip them on like a pair of shoes."

He also kept a strong faith in God and a positive attitude to help spur on his recovery. Through working with Travis and Jaimie and putting in countless hours of hard work, Dino has regained the ability to walk and move around.

While bad things may happen to good people like Dino, it is their amazing strength and willpower that brings about better things.

Jeremy Roberts: Living Life to the Fullest

There's a popular saying that "life can change in the blink of an eye." This couldn't have been more true for Jeremy Roberts.

Jeremy was in St. Louis on a family vacation, and was riding his motorcycle when he was broadsided by another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle had been drag racing and lost control of the vehicle.

Jeremy was given the option of amputation by the surgeons. After he understood that surgery would probably not work to repair the leg, Jeremy opted for a below-the-knee amputation on his right leg.

Luckily for Jeremy, he had a huge support system right after the accident and amputation. Four of his friends who live in Kansas City made the drive to see him in St. Louis. Of these friends, three of them are amputees.

They lent positive support and motivation. They also showed Jeremy their prosthetic legs and feet and residual limbs. The fact that they are all very active (skating, surfing, riding motorcycles) also helped Jeremy.

While researching prosthetic companies, Jeremy came across Optimus' website. After reading the bios, he spoke with owner John Brandt, LPO, CPO, and made an appointment to come in. Ever since, Jeremy has been working with our staff in what he calls an "amazing" experience that was a "God-send."

Though there have been challenges along the way (inclines and declines still give him issues), Jeremy has carried on living the life he wants. He has returned to working part-time doing light landscaping. Recently, he was able to take his four-year old son fishing with him. During the fishing trip, his son exclaimed, "I'm so glad you got your leg, Dad!"

His son and one-year old daughter have helped his outlook stay positive, although Jeremy has always identified as a naturally positive person. For those who are in the same situation he was in, Jeremy says:

Stay positive
Ask questions- ask your prosthetist, ask your therapist
Talk to other amputees
Stay moving
Stay motivated

While Jeremy's life definitely changed that one day in St. Louis, he has redefined what his life is about and living it to the fullest.

Petition Against Medicare Changes Gains 100,000 Signatures

Last month we had a brief article regarding the proposal to Medicare to change coverage for prosthetic devices.

If implemented, the policy would install new barriers that would limit and potentially deny access to appropriate prosthetic care.

In an effort to keep this from happening, the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP) started and circulated a "We the People" White House petition. It needed at least 100,000 signatures by August 31 for further examination.

According to an NAAOP press release, the petition garnered over 100,000 signatures, meaning it now requires a formal response from the White House.

"This is a significant achievement," David McGill, JD, president of NAAOP, said in the release. "One hundred thousand signatures in only 17 days demonstrates that the public recognizes the major deficiencies of the draft LCD. Clearly, the restrictions on access to appropriate care resulting from this proposed policy resonate with amputees, the health care professionals who treat them, and the American public. NAAOP looks forward to the White House's response."

This is a fantastic first step in getting the proposal rescinded! However, there is still more work to be done. Stay up to date with all the developments by going to www.SaveProsthetics.org.

Jim's Corner- Turning

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.

This month's issue of Jim's corner we are going to look at how to teach a new amputee patient how to make a turn. Turning can be very frustrating, frightening and difficult for a new prosthetic patient. Also, if the new patient doesn't have a good ability to turn this will greatly increase the odds of the patient falling.

To teach a new patient how to turn I will educate them that when they are walking forward they are facing 12:00.

When turning to the right, step to 2:00, and this will become a new 12:00. Then take a step again to 2:00 and it becomes a new 12:00, take a step to 2:00 etc. Right turn:

When turning to the left, step to 10:00, and this will become a new 12:00. Then take a step again to 10:00 and it becomes a new 12:00, take a step to 10:00 etc. Left turn:

Figure "8" Walk with Cones or Cups

Once the patient has the concept as above we can then progress the patient to a drill that is working on performing a right turn and a left turn. So when performing the figure 8 drill, one turn will be with the prosthesis on the inside and the sound limb on the outside. The other turn will be with the prosthesis on the outside and the sound limb on the inside. The patient will start walking in a forward direction and will walk around 2 cones/cups/poles in the figure of 8 pattern.

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.