FYI! Integrum, Inc., is hosting an insight forum on the OPRA Implant System next Wednesday, September 18th at The Delaney Hotel here in Orlando. The OPRA system is a bone anchored prosthesis system based on osseointegration. The forum is open to amputees, prosthetists, PT’s, OT’s and anyone else interested in learning more about osseointegration for amputees.
Daniel, a 14 year old boy from Africa arrived in Orlando yesterday, and today he was up and walking on two legs for the first time in 11 years! When he was 3 years old, a motorcycle fell on Daniel’s legs, and substandard medical care resulted in amputation of both legs above the knee. A missionary group funded travel and arranged to bring Daniel and his father to POA. 50 Legs will be providing running legs. This video shows Daniel’s real time progression from first steps, to walking with two hands, outside the bars with a gait belt, and back in the bars using just one hand! Throughout the day he also met and received encouragement from Isaiah Pead, a former NFL football player who lost his leg in an accident, and Kenny Shaw, who won the National Championship while playing for Florida State. When asked how it feels to be walking on two legs, Daniel’s joyful smile says it all. Stay tuned for updates throughout the month!
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games will be held in Tampa, Florida this June! We’ve been honored to help many amputees compete in these games in past years and look forward to supporting this years’ participants. http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/socom-and-tampa-gearing-up-for-defense-departments-warrior-games-coming-here-in-june-20190115/?fbclid=IwAR312Xkrp-q2ww67tOJ2TWPJhYhykWrynlFVwUCO3ZycCVFru0xiAbr9gpk
25 year old Kris, born with PFFD was labeled a difficult fit & never walked with a prosthetic leg. Thanks to Steve Chamberland and 50legs.org, he found his way to POA where he walked for the 1st time, and so much more! Check this out!
We are very proud of Marko Cheseto – a great athlete and even greater man! He ran the TCS New York marathon and set a new record for bilateral (double) below knee amputees – 2 hours, 52 minutes, 33 seconds. And that was his first marathon! Then Marko returned home to Orlando and became a U.S. citizen the next day. What an amazing week!
Marko Cheseto Sets World Record/Becomes US Citizen in One Week!
Excellent presentation on science behind phantom pain. Very clear and easy to understand.
Rosie, an energetic 8 year old hip disarticulate since birth, was thrilled with her new walking and running legs. “I love them so much,” she exclaimed. “Now i can walk down my driveway easy, and I can switch to my running leg so easy. I don’t want to ever stop running!”
We are also making an arm and attachment she can use to play on her adaptive hockey team. No boundaries for this little girl!
10 minutes after trying running legs for the very first time, Ruthie was already confident enough to take off on her own! Then there was no stopping her!
Shaylyn, who was born with a bone deformity which led to the amputation of her leg two years ago, recently ran for the first time IN HER LIFE – and she took off like she’d been doing it forever! Afterward, she burst into happy tears, and the rest of us (some won’t admit it) joined her. What an amazing, emotional experience! Shaylyn returned home to Ohio with her mom, and the first thing she did was race her 9 year old sister. 🙂 Then she wrote a letter of thanks and appreciation to all the people who supported her, detailing her visit to POA:
“Dear Friends,
One week in Florida started with our first visit to POA on a Sunday. I was casted and fitted. It was then I found out I’d be receiving two legs – an everyday leg as well as my running leg. This was an unexpected surprise.
Day 2 was once again casted for my new liners and tried out my test socket. My previous leg was a pin lock system and now would be in a suction socket. I was told I was going from a rusted, beat up car to a Tesla!
Day 3 I walked for the first time in my new test socket for everyday leg and took it with me to try out for the day. The difference was amazing, both in weight and comfort.
Day 4 was a short day because the blade for my running leg was too tall and they had to order me a new one.
Day 5 I got my walking everyday leg and my test socket for my running blade. I felt like a kid at Christmas who couldn’t wait to open that special present. I just wanted to run.
Day 6 was my final day with this amazing crew. I ran for the first time in my life. I cried tears of happiness. All the crew were so happy for me and couldn’t believe I had never ran before. It was so natural. This week was amazing. They took a process that takes normally three weeks and made not one, but two legs! I want to send a special thanks to 50legs.org for making this possible as well.”
Shaylynn’s mom added the following note to POA – “Thanks is not enough. You and 50 Legs have changed and enriched Shaylynn’s life. You made Florida feel like home.”
#FeelingBlessed #POAproud #itnevergetsold
Regas Woods, a congenital bilateral above knee amputee and Paralympic athlete, sent us a photo of him with a pretty incredible new friend. “I met the coolest little famous guy in the airport this morning,” wrote Regas. His name is Zion Harvey, and he’s the first kid to have a bilateral hand transplant. He also has two prosthetic legs. Zion was really excited to meet someone like Regas who excels at competitive sports, even though he has two prosthetic legs. Check out his story below.
