Westcoast patient Larry French demonstrates the uses of various upper extremity prosthetic devices, custom designed and fabricated to restore his ability to enjoy a variety of recreational activities.

Students from Southern University’s PTA program visited us at Westcoast, where they had the opportunity to listen, learn and tour our fabrication laboratory with our President, Greg Bauer, LPO, CPO. We are very proud of the sustained commitment Westcoast upholds in supporting educational programs and the sharing of knowledge and experience in the prosthetics and orthotics industry.

In this issue of the Westcoast Wire: 
• By The Shores of Weeki Wachee
• Art Helps Amputee Thrive
• In the Summertime When the Weather is High Here’s How to Keep Those Devices Dry

The official Proclamation was presented to Westcoast President Greg Bauer by City Councilman Mike Suarez, because of Westcoast’s key role in addressing both the physical and emotional challenges faced by people living with limb loss.

The Proclamation mentions Westcoast’s 40-year history as a provider of customized, life-like limbs; cites the importance of peer support and public education as important elements in creating a positive atmosphere for recovery and for reducing stigmas associated with limb loss; highlights partner organizations with which we work such as the James A. Haley and Bay Pines VA Hospitals, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Heroes on the Water and Peg Leg Pirates. The Proclamation urges “all citizens to become more aware of the challenges those affected with limb loss face, and to applaud the efforts of the many organizations dedicated to helping those living with limb loss.”

The cycling season has begun. Yesterday was a beautiful day at Ft. De Soto Park. About 50 of us gathered to challenge ourselves and race against the clock, 4 of whom happened to be amputees.

On the first Thursday of each month there is a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) sanctioned 15K cycling time trial. Ft. De Soto is a great place for the event because it is very flat and a fast course. I really like this event because it gives me the opportunity to race with both upright bikes and hand cycles. It also gives me the opportunity to compare my times each week to see my improvement.

Each month there is always a very diverse group of people who gather at about 6:00 am on the north end of the park. There are some (delete people) of us who are training to be the very best we can be in the sport. There are others who are not as concerned with their times but really enjoy being a part of the atmosphere that surrounds these events. Then there is the majority of the group who fall somewhere in the middle.

On this occasion, at about the seven mile point of the 9.62 mile course, I got a flat tire on the front wheel of my bike. At first, I was unsure of what to do — I thought, “should I pull over and have someone come pick me up, or should I keep riding?” I realized I had a really fast time so far in the race, so I decided to down-shift and continue. As I forced my way ahead, and then finally across the finish line riding on the rim of my front wheel, I was filled with happiness — because I had refused to let this obstacle get in the way of completing my goal.

And after all that, when all of the riders’ results were tabulated, I learned that I had missed first place by only ONE second!!! Wow. All things considered, I’m very happy with my ride and with my second place finish.

There are many times in life when the everyday mechanical things we rely on can easily threaten to derail us from reaching our goals. This is when we have to reach deep within ourselves and let our determination help pull us through. It definitely can work!

Thanks to the team at Westcoast Brace & Limb for sponsoring me and for always being behind me.

Bobby Puckett is a bi-lateral, below-knee amputee, a competitive hand cyclist and marathoner, and a Patient Ambassador at Westcoast Brace & Limb.

Cranial remolding helmets come in all shapes and sizes. And colors, too! We offer a variety of transfer patterns and solid color options for the helmets. Some parents like “customizing” the helmets themselves with stickers and phrases. This family took it one step further and had the helmet wrapped, much like someone would wrap a car or boat. The wrapping process didn’t take very long and the baby was able to put the helmet back on without any interruption in treatment. Smiles all around!

“Westcoast Brace & Limb already has seen impressive results in our patients with the BiOM, and we are very pleased to offer this to patients for whom it will provide significant benefits,” said Greg Bauer, LPO, CPO, president of Westcoast. “Westcoast is proud to be a member of iWalk’s network of the nation’s leading prosthetic and orthotic caregivers, and one of the first Certified Bionics Centers in the country.”

For more on the BiOM click here.
www.iwalk.com

I am a Tampa native and regularly participate in the Gasparilla 5K race. However, this year was different. It was my first year running with a double-amputee. Myself, my co-worker, Bridget Lawler, and over 10,000 other people ran along side Bobby Puckett this past Saturday. The three of us wore matching Westcoast Brace & Limb shirts and made a pact to stay together and cross the finish line together. During this race I am usually busy taking in the scenery of Bayshore Boulevard and getting into my own “zone”. This year instead, I chose to focus on my group while running. I was amazed to hear just how much the other runners and spectators expressed words of admiration and motivation seeing Bobby accomplish this race on his prosthetic running legs. The three of us achieved our goal of finishing strong and finishing together. I am grateful for the ability to compete and to be inspired by individuals like Bobby Puckett.

“I Will Inspire” was the theme of the “all abilities” races I participated in at Florida Orthopaedic Institute on Saturday. Although this was the first “I Will Inspire” 5K/1 mile walk, run or wheel event, it’s now going to be held annually, which is great news for those of us looking for ways to get out and compete — either against other participants, or against our own best times. Hosted by Florida Orthopaedic Institute, the event was organized by The New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club, and they did an amazing job. Proceeds will support Operation Helping Hand, dedicated to supporting the needs of families of wounded veterans, and the I Will Foundation, focused on helping those who are challenged by life-altering injuries and illnesses.

Saturday’s run, walk, and wheel events were a reflection of the missions of the organizations that were involved. We were there to show everyone, especially people living through adversity in their lives that we can live our lives to the fullest by achieving goals that we think are otherwise unattainable. Of course Westcoast Brace & Limb was there, represented by staff members and patients. Even Greg Bauer, president of Westcoast, brought his 7-year-old daughter and she ran right beside him in one of the races. I was thrilled to be part of Team Westcoast!

This event offered a lot of variety. There was the 5K run and a 1 mile Fun Run. Both of these events were open to all abilities. This is the only event I have been in which allowed people using handcycles and wheelchairs to stay together with the runners if they wanted to. Some racers used wheelchairs or walkers, crutches, prosthetics or braces. I was wearing my special running legs, and ran the entire 5K race beside Bridget Lawler, my prosthetist at Westcoast. I felt very inspired watching so many people overcome many physical challenges and achieve what I suspect some may have at some point thought would be impossible.

A very memorable part of the event for me was when I got to talk with Matt Long. Matt was a New York City fireman who was hit by a bus while training to run a marathon. After the accident, Matt said he was determined to continue reaching for his goals. He told me that eventually he was able to resume training and competing in marathons, despite his injuries. Matt has written a book, “The Long Run”, to share his journey and experiences. After his book, Matt started the “I Will” foundation to help others overcome adversity in their lives.

I really enjoyed running in the 5K race on Saturday. I think it’s events like this that help all of us continue to chase our dreams. When you can see and be with other people who are overcoming major challenges in their lives, it does — and it should! –inspire each of us to set our sights on achieving more than we ever imagined possible. I can’t wait to do it again next year, and I hope you’ll join me!

Bobby Puckett is a bi-lateral, below-knee amputee, a competitive hand cyclist and marathoner, and a Patient Ambassador at Westcoast Brace & Limb.

I’m really looking forward to getting together with friends this weekend. On Saturday, a group from Westcoast Brace & Limb is participating in the “I Will Inspire” 5K or 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk/Wheel. Team Westcoast is a mixture of people at all athletic abilities: we will have staff members as well as many patients. I think this event will be a blast, because we will all represent many different challenges. But what brings us all together is our determination to not let those challenges interfere with our adventures, athleticism, activities and social events.

The “I Will Inspire” event is organized by the New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club, partnering with the I WILL Foundation and the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital. It starts at 8:00 a.m., February 18th, at Telecom Park in Tampa and is hosted by Florida Orthopaedic Institute. The 5K chip-timed race is designed for athletes of all abilities, whether running, walking or wheeling! Beneficiaries of the event include Operation Helping Hand and the I Will Foundation.

The number of people participating on Team Westcoast promises that there will be someone finishing their run, walk or wheelchair race at the same pace and time as you will. This is one of the only events where wheelchairs, walkers and hand cycles all participate together. Come out and enjoy fresh air, friendships, sunlight and the great feeling you get when you know you are making a difference for others. For more information and to register, look for “I WILL Inspire” on www.active.com. Hope to see you there!