Newsletter Volume 6 Issue 2 February 2012 The February meeting was held at Spring Creek BBQ in Richardson. There were 40 attendees, 25 of whom were amputees. Sandy Seibert & Marge Eckert greeted everyone at the door and made the name badges. After dinner, Sandy welcomed everyone, especially amputees who were there for the first time: Alice Alt, Lee Boyd, James Baber, Daniel Bell, Jody Graham and Jay Bell. We hope they will join us at future meetings. Tommy Donahue's Legapalooza XXXI was held on Sunday, February 12, at Milo Butterfingers and many of us were there to participate in this annual event benefiting the Dallas Amputee Network. Last June, because of this huge benefit for our group, we were able to send 15 delegates to the Amputee Coalition Annual Conference in Kansas City, MO, and it was a huge success this year as well, bringing in over $10,000! Tommy came to tell the group about it-- there was a great band, food and drinks, and many great raffle prizes. Many, many thanks to Tommy for all his hard work raising money for our support group; we are forever grateful to him! For more information about this spectacular event, including Tommy's story or about DAN in general, go to www.legapalooza.com. Sandra Prudhomme of DARS (Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services) was there to tell us about all the ways they help amputees; she has been especially attentive to our needs in the past. A show of hands revealed how many people in our group have benefited from Sandra's dedication and help to amputees. Jessica Mitchell of the Parkland Trauma Unit came to talk about the new division focusing on psychological problems of amputees suffering from traumatic injuries, and how important it is for Peer Visitors (amputees from our support group trained to counsel and comfort new amputees and their families) to help with the transition into the world of limb loss. Jody Graham is an amputee working for the newly structured Synergy Orthotics & Prosthetics in our area and came to offer a new job opportunity for someone in our group meeting the qualifications to be a Peer Mentor and patient advocate for the company. For more information, please contact Jody at (713) 806-1534 or jgraham@tmcortho.com. www.dallasamputeenetwork.org Hotline (972) 470-0505 The next DAN meeting will be from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13th, at La Hacienda Ranch in Dallas, at 17390 Preston Road. Dallas Prosthetics will be hosting the meeting and providing a buffet for us. They will present the program and some of their amputee clients will speak to the group about their satisfaction with their prosthetics. Also, Rose Carter, one of our long-time members, will tell her story, which we never tire of hearing; she is a very special member of DAN and we look forward to seeing her again. Our sincere thanks to our 2011 sponsors: Strobel & Associates Prosthetics, Inc. Plano (972) 516-9538 Tommy Donahue’s Legapalooza Benefit Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc. Dallas, Garland, Plano (972) 226-6496 Synergy Orthotics & Prosthetics Plano, Dallas (972) 769-8344 Excell Orthotics & Prosthetics Denton (940) 243-4198 Doug Brooks, CEO of Brinker International and Limbs for Life Board Member J C Penney Community Service Award M-Power Prosthetics and Orthotics Dallas (214) 265- 5060 O&P Designs, Inc. Dallas, Garland (972) 487-1951 HBO2 America - Dr. Stanley Thaw North Richland Hills (817) 255-1170 Advanced Arm Dynamics of Texas, LLC Dallas (214) 260-3197 Scott Sabolich Prosthetics & Research Dallas, Oklahoma City (877) 226-5424 College Park Industries (800) 728 7950 Dallas Prosthetics, Inc. Plano (469) 241-1477 ALLTECH O&P – Burleson, Desoto, Granbury (972) 709-6070 Suh-Jen Lin, PT, PhD TWU School of Physical Therapy United Access – Garland (972) 240-8839 Kaci Stafford is a student at TWU and one of her assignments was to attend an amputee support group meeting. She told us about her interest in the field of prosthetics and how interesting it was to get to know so many amputees at our meeting-- we were very happy that she came to be a part of our group. There were several other TWU students from the Physical Therapy Department who told us about a new Gait Study being conducted at their facility; they need single limb amputee volunteers to analyze walking patterns for their research. Must be using a prosthesis for at least 6 months and be medically stable. For only one hour of time, the amputee will receive compensation of $20 and a free pedometer. Call (214) 706-2461 to find out more. OPAF is now the Orthotic & Prosthetic Activities Foundation OPAF currently offers eight First Clinics to meet the needs of those with physical challenges seeking adaptive recreation. Current clinics include First Volley (tennis), First Swing (golf), First Swim, First Dive (SCUBA), McKeever’s First Ride (therapeutic horsemanship), First Paddle (kayaking), First Climb (rock climbing) and First Dance (social partner dance). OPAF is seeking to introduce four more Firsts in 2012 which would include Fish, Sail, Walk/Run and Kick. December 16, 2011 – Waterloo, Iowa – OPAF has completed all of the legal requirements necessary to change its name to the Orthotic & Prosthetic Activities Foundation. The final paperwork was filed with the state of Delaware on Dec. 6, 2011 to make the change official. To see a listing of scheduled First Clinics, please visit the OPAF website at www.opfund.org Robin Burton, Executive Director OPAF & The First Clinics (319) 235-4318 *************************************************************** OPAF was founded in 1995 as the Orthotic and Prosthetic Athletic Assistance Fund and was designated at that time as The Official Philanthropy of the U.S. Orthotic and Prosthetic Community by the O&P National Office. The organization has proudly carried this designation for the past 16 years and looks forward to continue to serve in this capacity moving forward. After the games in Atlanta were completed the word Athletic was dropped from the official name while a new mission was pursued. OPAF has since earned a reputation for hosting world class clinics to help those served by the orthotic and prosthetic community to become more active, at no charge to participants. The OPAF board determined that the name change was necessary to ensure that the mission of the organization was identified with the name. Since the OPAF designation is so well known it was also determined that any name change should also allow the OPAF letters to remain intact. A new look for the organization, along with a brand new website, will be revealed during the Academy Annual Meeting in Atlanta! Will Malmskog has been a member of DAN for a long time. He's a massage therapist working at The Sunflower Shoppe in Colleyville. They find natural solutions to problems such as weight control, hormone imbalance, thyroid or allergy problems, and stress. They do nutritional testing there, and offer educational seminars on many health issues. They are located at 5100 Hwy. 121 in Colleyville. (817) 399-9100. “We are delighted that the name change to Orthotic and Prosthetic Activities Foundation reflects the type of services offered by OPAF. The First Clinics have continued to grow and each offers introductory adaptive instruction by the most qualified instructors available. OPAF remains committed to our mission and we look forward to introducing even more firsts during 2012", said OPAF President, Michael Burton. The OPAF Board approved the name change at their recent meeting in Las Vegas during the AOPA National Assembly. New officers for OPAF for 2012 include Michael Burton as president, Scott Williamson, CAE, as vice president, Lisa Arbogast as treasurer, and Don Hardin as immediate past president. New board members include Justina Shipley, Tami Jones, and Bruce Jaster of the Dallas Amputee Network. Justina is a Certified Orthotist, Fellow of the Academy, and director of orthotics and prosthetics for Shriners Hospital for Children in Shreveport. Tami Jones is the president of OpalStar Strategies, and Bruce is the president of The Jaster Companies. OPAF is honored that each of these new directors has agreed to share their time and talents with the organization. Extremity Games 7 will be held June 22 & 23 at the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels. For those not familiar, The Extremity Games is the X-Games for amputees and include competitions and clinics in Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Wakeboarding, Disc Golf, Rock Climbing, Mixed Martial Arts, Skateboarding, Power-lifting and more. In addition to the Extremity games we are also planning a Tubing Trip down the Guadalupe on Sunday June 24. You can come and watch or compete in the Games and then spend a day in the sun Sunday floating down the river with friends. For more information on Extremity Games or Tubing, contact Randy Mecca at rmecca57@yahoo.com or call him at 214-533-1983 (cell) 972-238-2810 (Home). VALUABLE RESOURCES Ellen Fernandes 972-234-5966 REACH of Dallas 214-630-4796 Easter Seals Bridgette Androtti 972-939-3900 Angel Food Ministries 1-877-366-3646 DARS Sandra Prudhomme 214-778-4950 Limbs For Life 1-888-235-5462 HIYH Medical Services & Repairs David Stevenson 469-867-8727 Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. ---Ralph Waldo Emerson 2