MeiMei bounded around the bases yesterday after hitting a home run during a Miracle League baseball game! Well done, MeiMei!!!
MeiMei bounded around the bases yesterday after hitting a home run during a Miracle League baseball game! Well done, MeiMei!!!
Here’s another one of our heros! – Dan Gade. He became a hip disartic amputee in 2005 due to severe injuries he incurred while serving as a company commander in Iraq. Dan is now an instructor at West Point, teaching political science and public policy. To read more about Dan and check out some great videos of him walking on with his prosthetic leg, click here –> Dan Gade Living Proof
Not only did Hanna make her high school soccer team, she is one of the star players! Go, Hanna! We’re proud of you, girl!
Oftentimes, when you have a disability others will put limitations on you, telling you, even in a nice way, what you can’t do. My response to that has always been, “You can’t tell me that. “ And then I’m determined to prove them wrong.”I’ll show you!” It’s actually been very motivational for me, and at times, just the nudge I need! The following story illustrates this point, and the power of having a positive perception of yourself.
“Who’s handicapped?,” asked Ellie, with a puzzled look on her face. Her dad, who had just pulled into a disabled parking space, paused for a minute. “Indeed,” he thought, as his heart swelled with love for his young daughter. “Who is handicapped? Certainly not Ellie!”
Ellie is a smart, energetic, 8-year-old girl with a self-assured quiet confidence. She likes to run, ride her bike, swim, and recently perfected her one-handed cartwheel technique. She’s not much different from most girls her age except for one thing – Ellie wears a prosthetic leg.
Children born with a limb deficiency in China are usually placed in an orphanage, and such was the case for Ellie. Fortunately, she was adopted by a loving and caring couple from the U.S., and doesn’t remember her early life in China.
Ellie’s parents don’t treat her differently than they do her siblings. They all have varied interests and are allowed to participate in the activities of their choice. As I mentioned above, Ellie enjoys running and riding her bike. She also loves to do cartwheels – and is very good at them!
Although she certainly knows that she is different than other children, she doesn’t see her limb difference as a handicap. It’s that perception and attitude that lets Ellie be who she is, which is a normal 8-year-old girl. “I’m just me,” is what she would probably say to someone who asks why she is missing a leg. “This is who I am.”
by Karen Hughes, 4/25/2012
POA was well represented at the Celebrity Amputee Golf Classic held at ChampionsGate Golf Club on Friday! In addition to staff members Stan, Roger, Reggie and Juan, several of our patients also participated: Thanks to Josh, Randy, Zee, Bruce, Kevin, Dan, Jordan, Mark and Clay for coming out! The event coordinator, Dave Bowen, said this tournament was the most successful one they’ve ever had! Proceeds from this charity will go to provide prosthetic care for the people of Haiti. Following are some photos from the event. To view more photos, please visit our Facebook page using the following link: POA Facebook Photo Album – Celebrity Amputee Golf Classic
We are saddened to learn that our dear friend and patient, Joe Bonchonsky, passed away on April 9th. Please keep Joe’s family in your thoughts and prayers. Joseph Bonchonsky Obituary
Ronnie Dickson, an AK amputee and prosthetist at POA, has just returned from another climbing endeavor. He’s been traveling all over the country in his quest to become the first amputee to reach the V10 bouldering grade – a huge accomplishment for ANY climber! One of Ronnie’s most recent climbs was in the Sierra Mountains (pictured here). You can read about
Ronnie is also involved in designing a climbing wall which will be part of our training facility here at POA!
Good luck to Sergeant First Class Josh Olson and the USA Shooting Team in the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Cup in Szczecin, Poland April 12-16! TEAM USA Paralympic Shooting Team