Amy Purdy, World Cup Champion snowboarder, skateboarder, wakeboarder and inspirational speaker, is learning to run for the first time on her prosthetic legs! She lives in Colorado and will be running on mountain trails, but since there are no mountains in flat Florida, we tested the legs on “Mount POA” – the steep ramp behind our facility. 😉
Month: May 2012
The Bionic Man! Nate tries out BiOM PowerAnkle with an Orion Microprocessor Knee, 5/18/2012
Pairing some new technologies… a PowerAnkle and Microprocessor Knee. view video –> AK walking on BiOM PowerAnkle and Orion MPK
Bree McMahon, “Ex-Freedom player defeating the odds,” Orlando Sentinel, 05/15/2012
Bree McMahon was determined to return to the soccer field, and in the 2-1/2 years since the accident that resulted in the amputation of her leg, she has worked hard to make that dream a reality. On April 21st, Bree was put in as goalie in the final game of the spring exhibition season at Brevard College in North Carolina. “I was so nervous,” she said. ” “I was freaking out, but I was still confident. I was hoping I didn’t get scored on, and I did pretty well.” Goal achieved! Now onto the next one, which is competing on the U.S. Paralympic sitting volleyball team in Toronto next month. read more –> Orlando Sentinel article, 5/15/2012 Click here for video link –> Bree McMahon continues her comeback
Otto Bock Genium Prosthetic Leg System wins Design Award, O&P Edge article, March 2012
Wow! Otto Bock’s Genium prosthetic leg system was chosen over 14,000 other submissions from 58 countries to receive a prestigious Design Award! Click on following link to read more. O&P Edge article
Zoe Gibbs, “Courageous Teen Learns to Walk Again,” Fox News Tampa newscast, 5/10/2012
Fox News Tampa was at POA last week to film Zoe Gibbs learning to walk again after a year of setbacks and recovery. You can also view the actual newscast by clicking on following link and then choosing same subject story from the archives. Courageous Teen Leans to Walk Again
To view written article, click on this link –> Fox Tampa Bay article, Courageous Teen Learns to Walk Again
Para-Snowboarding included in 2014 Paralympic Games in Russia!
The sport of para-snowboarding will make its debut in Russia with two medal events. Congratulations to all the people who worked so hard to make this happen! Para-Snowboarding in 2014 Paralympics
“Ski Pioneer,” a film inspired by life story of the first U.S. Amputee Skier
Paul “Bud” Leimkuehler, a speed skater, lost his leg while serving our country during World War II. Determined not to allow his disability to keep him from living an active life, he crafted his own prosthetic leg. Later, Bud’s desire to ski led him to create ski outriggers, and he became the first amputee skier in the U.S.! His granddaughter wrote a screenplay inspired by his life, entitled “Ski Pioneer.” Click following link to view film trailer. An inspiring piece!
Ski Pioneer film trailer
President George W. Bush and Chis Self on CNN’s Piers Morgan program, 5/3/2012
Chris and Dana Self were featured on CNN’s Piers Morgan program last night as part of a segment on George W. Bush and his commitment to support our troops. President Bush recently hosted the 2nd Warrior 100K mountain bike ride, and Chris has participated in both of them.
Chris Self on CNN's Piers Morgan Show
POA’s Zoe Gibbs, “Lakeland Teen Hurt in Lake Accident Speaks at Event,” The Ledger news, 5/2/2012
POA’s Zoe Gibb’s, a below knee amputee, reunited with the helicopter rescue crew that airlifted her to the hospital after her jet-ski accident last year. It’s been a long, tough road since then, but Zoe’s spirit is stronger than any of it! The Ledger Newspaper Article