Training for Physicians and Therapists Provided the Real Amputee Experience Volume 8, Issue 2 March 2007 The Westcoast Wire The Westcoast Wire is a free newsletter produced quarterly by Westcoast Brace & Limb. If you have any comments or questions, please call : (813) 985-5000 Write to us at: 5311 E. Fletcher Ave. Tampa, FL 33617 Or E-mail us at: sarah@wcbl.com A Publication of Westcoast Brace & Limb a Page # The Westcoast Wire Page # Volume 8, Issue 2 March 2007 North Tampa Office 5311 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, FL 33617 Inside This Issue PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT NO. 26 Foot Orthotics for Persons with MD, Terry Cohen Story 2 On February 21st, Westcoast Brace & Limb provided a first of its kind training course for physicians and physical therapists that work with amputees. In one night 30 people were given the opportunity to wear a modified prosthesis created for able body people to simulate the experience of an amputee. “We wanted to come up with a way to better educate our practitioner community on the various prosthetic components available and how they pertain to different patients. That's when we decided to create an environment where physicians and therapists could wear the products themselves,” stated Greg Bauer President and CPO at Westcoast Brace & Limb. The event was a huge success. The attendees felt that they could better recommend the appropriate product for the amputee by being able to compare different components, their attributes and characteristics. Therapists also said they would be able to create more focused and specialized therapy programs for amputees. “This is the most unique opportunity for a physical therapist to experience the gait of an amputee. I've been in the field for 33 years and have never seen the principles applied this way,” said Jim Switzer physician therapist and amputee case manager at the James A. Haley Medical Center. If you have a group of therapists or doctors interested in this course, please contact Sarah Frey to schedule a training session. 813-985-5000, or email sarah@wcbl.com. Services Provided by Vocational Rehab 2 Express Referral for Silicone Restoration Experience the Express Referral system with Westcoast Brace & Limb.   If your client is in need of silicone restoration contact Jennifer L. Robinson at (813) 985-5000 extension 204. This single contact person can coordinate appointments, authorizations, and follow-up for silicone restoration services provided at any of our 5 office locations. February St. Pete Amputees Together Support Group 3 Express Referral for Silicone Restoration 3 Westcoast Brace & Limb has highly qualified orthotists and prosthetists on staff who have experience speaking on a variety of O&P topics in all types of settings. For more information about the speakers or topics, please call Courtney at (813) 985-5000. We also can provide CEU credits for many of our programs. Need An O&P Speaker? (continued from Page 1) the-job training. When a consumer is ready for employment, VR can also assist with finding job openings in the community. They can provide advice on filling out applications, interviewing techniques, and even work with an employer to modify the job site to meet an individual's needs. “The results of the program have been wonderful! We just need help getting the word out about what is available so that more people can benefit from our services,” stated John Howell, Area Supervisor for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in the Tampa Bay Area. Any person living in Florida with a physical or mental impairment that is causing a substantial barrier to work may call 1-866-903-3610 or visit www.rehabworks.org to learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation. Westcoast Brace & Limb will be hosting a presentation by Vocational Rehabilitation explaining ways they can help you to go to work on Wednesday, March 21st from 6 - 8 pm at our North Tampa office. If you are interested and would like to attend please contact Sarah Frey at 813-985-5000 or e-mail Sarah@wcbl.com. Foot Orthotics Provide Drastic Lifestyle Improvements for Persons with MD, Terry Cohen Story Terry Cohen was diagnosed with myotonic muscular dystrophy at age 23 after his mother was found to have the disease. After spending much of his young life living with disabilities, Cohen (now age 34) has created a very active life for himself despite the limitations the disease has placed on him. Over the years Terry has been able to do so many things through the incredible support of his family and care givers. Today he lives by himself (and with his dog Buddy) in Largo, FL, is able to drive Terry Cohen with his father Barry Cohen promoting their book, Disabled & Challenged: Reach for Your Dreams! 3 Ask the Prosthetist Jason Kahle, CPO Ask the Prosthetist Jason Kahle, CPO Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Should a patient get physical therapy in conjunction with their prosthesis? ABSOLUTELY! Having physical therapy is a big determinant in the patients long-term prosthetic rehabilitation. Learning proper gait habits through therapy will head off joint and ligament damage, spinal problems and an un-cosmetic gait. I have seen several amputees through our Amputee Support Group that do not wear their prosthesis and have spent a lifetime in a wheelchair or with crutches. If they had learned early how to use their prosthesis it could have made a dramatic improvement on their lifestyle. Q: What is a microprocessor knee and what type of patient would be best suited for it? A: There are two main computerized knee products on the market, the C-Leg and the Rheo. Both knee are very good and offer the patient an incredible advancement in prosthetic technology. The computerized knee mimics the natural gait via a microprocessor. The processor evaluates the patients natural gait at 50-100 times per second to make the everyday actions of walking, stepping, sitting and standing more natural. The technology is an amazing advance in providing a more balanced, symmetric and confident gait. Westcoast Brace & Limb offers any patient interested in the C-Leg or Rheo the opportunity to review and evaluate the knee through our loaner program. The goal of the program is to give the patient the opportunity to trial the knee before making a long-term commitment. Comprehensive Employment Services Available for People with Disabilities The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) offers services for eligible people with physical or mental impairments interested in obtaining or maintaining employment, without regard to income. VR provides these services throughout the state, including several offices in the Tampa Bay area. In 2006, VR helped 10,796 Floridians achieve their employment goals. Individuals interested in receiving assistance from VR must first meet with a counselor to determine if they are eligible. Once determined eligible for services they, along with their counselor, will create an Individual Plan for Employment that will include a vocational goal and outline the services necessary to meet that goal. The services may include vocational evaluations, medical or psychological treatment, artificial limbs, hearing aids, wheelchairs, technical or trade school, college training or on- Other Services* Available and Provided by Vocational Rehabilitation › Transportation and vehicle modification › Books, occupational tools, equipment, and other training materials › Occupational licenses › Rehabilitation technology to assist in the evaluation, rehabilitation, and employment goal › Maintenance to cover additional costs in- curred by the rehabilitation process › Interpreter services, telecommunications, and other technological aids › Referral to appropriate community agency *All services are based on the disability of the client and their individual vocational goal. Continued on page 2 Photograph of Greg Bauer, President and CPO Westcoast Brace & Limb with a physical therapist attempting to walk on the modified prosthesis. The Tampa Tribune The event was covered by the Tampa Tribune. Visit www.wcbl.com to see the Tampa Tribune article on our front page under Press and Announcements. Amputees Together Support Group New in St. Pete and off to a Great Start Don't forget to the save date for the June 20th Westcoast Brace & Limb Prosthetic Expo For more information about sponsorships available, the speakers or topics, please call Sarah at (813) 985-5000 or email sarah@wcbl.com Mark Your Calendars! The Westcoast Wire Do you need more information on a new product or have suggestions for topics in future publications? Contact Sarah Frey at 813-985-5000 or sarah@wcbl.com Last year Westcoast Brace & Limb founded the first Amputees Together Support Group in St. Petersburg with the inaugural meeting held in December. “We have had an office in St. Pete for a year now and saw the need for a support group to coincide with the growing number of amputee patients in the surrounding area,” stated Greg Bauer, President, C.P.O at Westcoast Brace & Limb. Our meeting in February featured guest speaker Dr. Ernest Rehnke, General and Vascular Surgeon (photo below left) who spoke on how amputees can improve and maintain an active lifestyle. There were over 20 attendees from Pinellas and Hillsborough counties both recent and seasoned amputees. The meetings are scheduled every other month and held in a facility close to our St. Petersburg office. The address is 3250 5th Avenue North. Our next meeting is schedule for Tuesday, April 17th with physical therapist Maureen Dunleavy to present on the importance of therapy as part of a long-term rehabilitation plan for amputees. The meeting is free and dinner will be provided. Patients, family, and healthcare providers are welcome to attend. Contact Sarah at 813-985-5000 for info.tion or visit www.wcbl.com. his new Van, and works at Brighthouse in the Networking Department testing new products. He speaks at various events across the US and was asked to participate in an event in Italy this year. His latest accomplishment has been the publication of a book he co-authored with his father Barry Cohen called Disabled & Challenged: Reach for Your Dreams! for middle school children and young adults. (If you would like to purchase the book, send an email to -- wishyouwell@verizon.net.)ut like But like anything else in life, it's not always easy. One thing that Cohen has always struggled with is his ability to walk, climb stairs or exercise because of the impact the disease has had on his balance Years ago he was encouraged to try orthotic bracing but wasn't interested. “When I was young I was stubborn and didn't want to try the braces because I thought they were awkward, uncomfortable, and ugly,” says Cohen. A few months ago Cohen decided to try the AFO brace again and was amazed. “It used to be difficult to walk from the parking lot or even just four or five blocks. Now I can do it without a break, stumble or hesitation. I'm very happy,” added Cohen. He now is able to walk faster, stronger and able to do more things like recently going to the Circus. Terry Cohen may be disabled and challenged as per the title of his book but, his outlook and willingness to face those challenges with strength is truly an inspiration,” states Jim Feulner, C.O., Westcoast Brace & Limb, St. Petersburg. “We hope Terry's story will encourage and inspire other people facing similar obstacles in realizing that there are options and people out there ready and willing to help. And as Terry showed us, one persons will and determination can help them do amazing things!” added Feulner. ABOUT THE DISEASE Myotonic dystrophy (also know as Steinert's disease and dystrophia myotonica) is the most common adult form of muscular dystrophy. The condition is caused by a defective gene and is transmitted from generation to generation by individuals - men or women - who themselves have inherited the defective gene. The affects of the disease vary widely, even in the same family. As with many versions of the MD the condition causes muscle to become very weak. Myotonic MD is even more extreme so that they muscle weakness is accompanied by myotonia (a delayed reaction of the muscles after contraction.) For example often patients are unable to release the hand from a grip. 4 New Pectus Brace