360 O&P

Amputee Team Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro UPDATE!

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:50:20 GMT

From left to right: Reed Hoffman, photographer, Nickson Moshi (Massai Giraffe Safari Guide), Guide (name unknown), Neil Duncan, Denver, Kirk Bauer, Ellicott City, N.Y., Scott Kelly, volunteer, Dan Nevins, Jacksonville

Day 5 at 16,500 on our way to 18,500 this afternoon. Toughest climb yet. Battery failed and knee froze up so its slow going. Dan’s right residual limb is irritated and inflamed, but is better today.
Will camp high tonight and reach summit before 8am tomorrow (noon DC time Saturday).
Thanks
Sent from Zain, Tanzania

August 4, 2010
Kilimanjaro Challenge day 3 update: The weather is getting colder. They are in the alpine zone with much less vegetation. Spectacular views of Kilimanjaro and Mt. Mwenzi to the Southwest. Last night was below freezing and colder than expected but mostly warm during hikes. Tonight they will be camping at around 14,000 feet.

The team is feeling strong and enjoying the camping as much as the hiking!

August 2. Day One.
OVERVIEW
It was a great success on all counts. Nickson (Massai Giraffe Safari guide) wanted to keep the climb short to break us in slowly to the altitude and climate. We are climbing from the Rongai Route on the northeast side of the mountain. He estimated it would take us about four hours to do that first day. In fact, we reached the 8,500 foot elevation Simba Camp in three hours. Neil and Dan were smooth and swift except in very steep rocky parts, which was only for short distances. Rain threatened all day but held out so we are dry so far. We are working hard at staying dry especially for the high altitudes. We all feel strong and cannot wait to take on the mountain tomorrow (Wednesday), but we are mindful that this is only the first day.

DETAILS ABOUT THE DAY
This morning we got up, ate a big breakfast at the hotel and were on the road by about 8:30. It is a full four hour trip to our start point. All along the road there are small villages with strips of one story concrete block shops all connected like a small strip mall. There is everything from grocery stores, bars, restaurants, auto repair, barber and beauty shops, butchers etc. Suddenly, our driver veered off the road (I am glad our driver was good, otherwise I would be scared to death on these road) into one of these malls and proceeded to by our water and our beef off the rack from a local butcher. Something like I have never seen with a half carcass just hanging there in the open air and the butcher cutting it up for us. This is our dinner tonight!

We also stopped in the large town at the base of the mountain, Moshi, to get some more cell phone cards.
When we arrived at the ranger station (this is a national park) to register, we certainly got a lot of stares from the other hiking groups and the porters crowded around the site. Many gave us the thumbs up in encouragement, which really pumped us to get on with the climb!!

The first part of the trail was a narrow logging road leading to forests of pines that had been planted to provide lumber for the surrounding villages. Once a section is clear cut, the local farmers plant corn. When that is harvested they plant potatoes between the corn rows and harvest them later in the season. They use the land to its fullest.

At about 7,500 feet elevation, we pasted a village where the kids were just gapping at Dan and Neil. So, these two (Neil and Dan) started acting and walking like robots passing the kids. Probably the best entertainment the kids had had in a while.

Unlike high elevation in, say Colorado, there is lots of vegetation here at 7,500-8,500 feet. Trees, shrubs, etc. Leafy trees that keep their leaves year round, unlike the East Coast flora. We were near a corn field when suddenly we heard some screaming coming from the trees to our right. There were blue monkeys and Colobus Monkeys with long white manes hanging from their heads. They were jumping from tree to tree. It was absolutely spectacular.
When hiking at high altitudes in Colorado, we do not often see much wildlife, so this was a real treat. Trees included Silkwood, African Yellow Wood, Juniper Procera and Erika.

In the words of Neil: “We had a great day. Great pace and even trail. Always a lot of work for me, but it was a good day.” By some estimates, Neil and Dan are expending 200% or more energy than the two legged animals on this mountain on the climb.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) is another short climb day with about 2,500 vertical. Again, Nickson (Massai Giraffe Safari guide)and his crew want to break us in slowly.

Staff Writer ...

Monkey Controls Robot Arm With Brain Implant

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:14:31 GMT

If you want the epitome of cool cybernetics, it doesn’t get much better than a monkey waving around a robot arm. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have placed two neural implants in the brain of a macaque, allowing it to control a seven degree of freedom robot arm using only its thoughts. The experiment was designed to push the limits of brain-computer interfaces and increase the complexity of devices controlled by direct neural connections. Check out the amazing video of the monkey using his robot arm in the brief video from IEEE Spectrum below.

While this is the most complex monkey-controlled robot we’ve seen to date, it’s not the only one. The University of Pittsburgh’s earlier version of this experiment used a four degree of freedom robot arm. We’ve also seen similar work in humans: Kevin Warwick of Reading University used a neural implant in his arm to control a robot hand, and the Smart Hand is a complete hand prosthetic controlled by nerve signals in the arm. The macaque projects, however, stand out because of the complexity of the robotic device and the placement of the neural interface directly into the brain. The robot arm nearly has the same degrees of freedom of a human arm (minus the fingers), and the implants in the monkey’s brain measure signals associated with both the arm and the hand.

In the University of Pittsburgh experiment, the macaque needs the complexity of the arm to accomplish its task. The monkey moves a control stick with its natural arm, which places a black knob in an arbitrary position and orientation. Using the robotic arm, the macaque lightly grasps the black knob and receives a liquid treat via a tube. Using this reward system, the monkey was able to learn how to manipulate its robot arm into many different configurations made possible by its high degrees of freedom. Erico Guizzo of IEEE Spectrum was able to talk to Andrew Schwartz of the University of Pittsburgh team. He mentioned that the monkey was not only able to use the robotic arm to touch the black knob, but rotate it in place as well.

Watching the monkey deftly manipulate the robot arm is really amazing, but this experiment is just one avenue of approach towards the ultimate goal: humans controlling artificial limbs and bodies using nothing but their brains. We’ve already seen human motor neurons wired to control computer cursors and motorized wheelchairs using the Braingate device. Taken together with the cyborg hand projects we mentioned above, the monkey and human neural interfaces demonstrate that we are nearing that goal. Perhaps much quicker than any would have imagined. It’s no surprise that we could see an XPrize for BCI in the near future. With the right financial incentives, advances to tap directly into the brain could be greatly accelerated. Once the more complex problems of understanding sensory input are overcome, we’ll have humans controlling computers with their thoughts and exploring virtual environments with their minds. That sounds just awesome enough to beat out monkey-cyborgs on my list of cool technologies.

Staff Writer ...

Hopkins Applied Physics Lab Awarded DARPA Funding to Test Thought-Controlled Prosthetic Limb System

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:43:59 GMT

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded a contract for up to $34.5 million to The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md., to manage the development and testing of the Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL) system on human subjects, using a brain-controlled interface.

APL scientists and engineers developed the underlying technology under DARPA’s Revolutionizing Prosthetics 2009 program, an ambitious four-year effort to create a prosthetic arm that would by far eclipse the World War II era hook-and-cable device used by most amputees. The program has already produced two complex prototypes, each advancing the art of upper-arm prosthetics.

The final design — the MPL — offers 22 degrees of motion, including independent movement of each finger, in a package that weighs about nine pounds (the weight of a natural limb). Providing nearly as much dexterity as a natural limb, the MPL is capable of unprecedented mechanical agility and is designed to respond to a user’s thoughts.

“We’ve developed the enabling technologies to create upper-extremity prosthetics that are more natural in appearance and use, a truly revolutionary advancement in prosthetics,” said APL’s Michael McLoughlin, the program manager. “Now, in Phase 3, we are ready to test it with humans to demonstrate that the system can be operated with a patient’s thoughts and that it can provide that patient with sensory feedback, restoring the sensation of touch.”

The team will develop implantable micro-arrays used to record brain signals and stimulate the brain. They will also conduct experiments and clinical trials to demonstrate the ability to use implantable neural interfaces safely and effectively to control a prosthesis, and optimize arm control and sensory feedback algorithms that enable dexterous manipulation through the use of a neuro-prosthetic limb.

“We will be working very closely with the University of Pittsburgh and the California Institute of Technology for their experience in brain computer interfaces, the University of Chicago for their expertise in sensory perception, the University of Utah for its capabilities in developing implantable devices suitable for interfacing with the human brain, and HDT Engineered Technologies for their skill in building prosthetic limb systems,” McLoughlin said.

Both Pittsburgh and CalTech have conducted research using chips with hair-like electrodes to record neurological signatures in the brain. Last year, in an independent effort, Pittsburgh showed that a pair of macaque monkeys with tiny chips implanted in their brains could operate a robotic arm just by thinking about it. Wires carried the signals through the skull, and then computer software converted these signals into robotic arm movements.

Within the year, the APL-led team will initiate testing with a high spinal cord injury patient. “Initially, we have targeted the quadriplegic patient population because they have the most to gain,” McLoughlin explained. “Unlike most amputee patients who have other options in terms of care and independence, these patients are totally dependent on others for most things. There is no alternative. Their lives will be truly transformed by this advancement.”

Over the next two years, the team hopes to test the systems and neural interface technology in five patients.

Whereas Pittsburgh and CalTech are exploring innovative ways to record information from the brain, the University of Chicago’s research will focus on closing the loop by stimulating the brain to sense pressure and touch. “The goal is to enable the user to more effectively control movements to perform everyday tasks, such as picking up and holding a cup of coffee,” McLoughlin said.

The University of Utah, along with the Salt Lake City-based Blackrock Microsystems, is researching and developing advanced electrode technology for brain signal recording and stimulation. Innovative electrode designs are the enabling technology that will provide the means to control the prosthetic arm through the patient’s thoughts.

Finally, the Solon, Ohio-based HDT Engineered Technologies, which designed and manufactured major components of the current MPL, will enhance its capabilities and provide the limb system hardware required for this effort.

McLoughlin commented, “The results of this program will help upper-limb amputees and spinal cord injury patients, as well as others who have lost the ability to use their natural limbs, to have as normal a life as possible despite severe injuries or degenerative neurological disease.”

Staff Writer ...

Sponsor First All Amputee Team to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:34:45 GMT

Team Missing Parts in Action, Comprised of Three American Service Men Injured in Combat, Tackle 19,340 Foot Climb to Raise Awareness and Inspire Athletes with Disabilities

Rockville, MD—July 26, 2010— Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA), one of the largest sporting organizations for people with physical disabilities, in partnership with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, announced it is sponsoring Team Missing Parts in Action’s climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa on August 2.

The three climbers are from three wars: Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam. Two are double leg amputees and one a single above knee amputee, leaving literally "one good leg between the three" to climb the tallest mountain in Africa. Sgt. Neil Duncan, 27-years-old, a double leg amputee injured in Afghanistan; Staff Sgt. Dan Nevins, 39-years-old, a double below knee amputee injured in Iraq; and Sgt. Kirk Bauer, JD, 62-years-old, a single above knee amputee injured in Vietnam comprise the team.

Team Missing Parts in Action is part of DSUSA’s Warfighter Sports Series, a schedule of challenge events that help military service members with permanent disabilities, such as amputated limbs, spinal cord injury, visual impairment or traumatic brain injury, train for and challenge themselves in extreme and endurance sports.

“After serving thousands of severely injured service members from Iraq and Afghanistan through rehabilitation sports programs for the past seven years, our disabled veterans are now yearning for an opportunity to test their skills to the extreme, as they did in the military," said DSUSA Executive Director Kirk Bauer, JD. "Our Warfighter Sports Series provides this. They can now literally climb the tallest mountains in the world to challenge themselves and inspire others with disabilities to become active and reach new heights.”

“In 2009, I attempted a solo climb of Kilimanjaro but failed to reach the summit," said Sgt. Duncan. "Since coming off the mountain, I was determined to achieve my goal and trained diligently to prepare for this climb. As a team, I know we can make it. For me this is about more than climbing the tallest mountain in Africa, it is about proving to myself, and others with disabilities, that DSUSA's motto works, "If I can do this, I can do anything!”

Guided by Nickson Moshi, the climb will begin on August 2 and the team plans to ascend and descend the mountain in ten days or less. Moshi, owner of Massai Giraffe Safari, previously led blind climber Erik Weihenmayer up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

“I’m very impressed by the upcoming DSUSA Kilimanjaro climb comprising an all wounded warrior team of leg amputees,” said Erik Weihenmayer, the only blind climber to summit Mt. Everest. “This climb is an important part of the rehabilitation process, sends a powerful message to the world about what is possible, and is a dramatic symbol of climbing to new heights and making an impact in the world after life-changing injuries.”

“Challenged Athletes Foundation is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals with physical challenges who desire to live active, competitive lifestyles by giving them every opportunity to compete in the sports they love,” said Nico Marcolongo, CAF Operation Rebound Program Manager. “We see our partnership with Disabled Sports USA in the Warfighter Sports Series as empowering our wounded warriors to live out their love of sport and competition.”

You can follow Team Missing Parts in Action’s progress, view photos and make donations to the organization at www.warfightersports.org. Also a Facebook Causes page has been set up at http://www.causes.com/causes/508185?recruiter_id=112559622 for support and donations.

The event will be chronicled by award-winning photographer Reed Hoffman, through a grant from Microsoft Imaging. Another key supporter of the climb is Health Net, a medical services provider.

Other Corporations and Foundations that have provided substantial funding to help Disabled Sports USA provide much needed sports rehabilitation programs for severely injured service members are: U.S. Paralympics, DSUSA National Partner; The Hartford Insurance, Ariel Corporation, The Chart Group, Non Commissioned Officers Association National Defense Foundation, No Bats Baseball Club, Oshkosh Defense, PING, Tee it up for the Troops, Trijicon, and Anthem Life.

Three Disabled Veterans, One Good Leg

About the Climbers:

Sergeant Neil Duncan, U.S. Army (ret.)—27-years-old, from Maple Grove, Minn., Duncan was severely injured in Afghanistan in December 2005 by an IED. Five days later, he woke up in the hospital missing both of his legs, breathing through a tube in his neck and could not talk. While undergoing rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, he became involved in DSUSA's sports programs, where he learned to cycle, mono ski, golf and sail (including a race around Ireland and England with an all amputee warrior team). Duncan will attend the University of Denver this fall.

Staff Sergeant Dan Nevins, U.S. Army (ret.)—39-years-old, from Windsor, Calif. Nevins served in the Army for 14 years. In November 2004, while serving in Iraq, Nevins lost his left leg below the knee and suffered extensive bone and muscle damage to his right leg from an improvised explosive device. Through DSUSA’s sports programs, Nevins relearned how to snowboard, wake board, cycle and golf. In 2007, he suffered continued life threatening infections in his remaining leg and made the difficult decision to have it amputated. Despite this setback Nevins is an avid golfer and continues to remain active. Nevins currently works for Wounded Warrior Project in Jacksonville, Fla.

Sergeant Kirk Bauer, JD, U.S. Army (ret).—62-years-old, originally from Oakland, Calif. now living in Ellicott City, Md. Bauer lost a leg from a hand grenade during an ambush while serving in the Ninth Combat Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1969 where he earned two Bronze Stars for heroism. He has devoted 40 years of service to Disabled Sports USA. As its executive director for the past 28 years, Bauer has taken a small, all volunteer organization, and made it one of the nation’s largest sports and recreation organization for physically disabled individuals, with more than 100 chapters nationwide, serving 60,000 people annually. He worked to establish the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project in 2003. Bauer enjoys cycling, hiking, golfing and swimming.

TRIP ITINERARY

Click here for an image of the route Team Missing Parts in Action will be taking.

August 2: Make way to the Rongai gate. Start the trek to Simba Camp (9,000 ft)
August 3: From Simba Camp, make our way to Second Caves (11,318) or Kikelewa Camp (11,800 ft)
August 4: Make way toward the Third Cave or Mawenzi Camp (14,206 ft)
August 5: Try to reach Kibo Hut at (15,600 ft)
August 6: Rest day to acclimate
August 7: From Kibo, hike to the Hans Meyer Cave (16,896 ft)
August 8: Attempt to the summit at Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft). Start making way back to Horombo Hut (12,000ft)
August 9: Try to reach Marangu Gate.
August 10: additional day if needed
August 11: additional day if needed
August 12: additional day if needed

Staff Writer ...

Challenged Athletes Foundation Announcing the Inaugural CAF Paratriathlon Camp

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:04:52 GMT

CAF is looking for 3-4 adult amputee triathletes who may be interested in attending an awesome Paratriathlon Camp August 19-22 in the San Diego area with outstanding triathlon coaches from Multisports.com. The camp is open to upper or lower extremity amputees who do not need to be advanced triathletes, but who have mastered the basics of swimming, biking and running.

If you or anyone you know is an amputee triathlete (even a relative beginner) and would like to attend this free training camp, please review the details on the attached flyer and contact CAF as instructed. If invited to attend, CAF will cover food, lodging, ground transportation and up to $500 for air fare, and show you a great time. Space is limited to 25, and there are 19 registered as of today, so don’t hesitate if interested.

We would greatly appreciate it if you would circulate this to others who may be interested in this opportunity. Thanks!

Kelly

John K. (Kelly) Mione
VP-Mktg, Adam Smith Enterprises, Inc.
Challenged Athletes Foundation, Florida
727-942-2591 x222

Staff Writer ...

Touch Bionics announced as a winner in the Seventh Annual International Business Awards

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:52:08 GMT

Company recognised as the Most Innovative Company of the Year in Europe

LIVINGSTON, UK – July 13, 2010 – Touch Bionics (www.touchbionics.com), developer of advanced upper-limb bionic technologies and clinical solutions, today announced that it has won the award for the Most Innovative Company of the Year in Europe in the 2010 International Business Awards. The International Business Awards are the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honouring great performances in business.

Nicknamed the Stevie® for the Greek word "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala dinner on Monday, 27 September in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey.

In the application process for the award, Touch Bionics was assessed on its progress in innovation over the past year, which included the launches of both its ProDigits partial hand solution and its new prosthetic hand device, the i-LIMB Pulse. Honourees were selected through two rounds of judging by business professionals worldwide. More than 1,700 entries were received from organizations and individuals in more than 40 nations.

Other companies recognised as Distinguished Honourees in the same category topped by Touch Bionics included major brands like H&M, Nestle and SAP.

"Winning an International Business Award is a demonstration of Touch Bionics’ outstanding innovation and business success over the past year, and to win ahead of some of the biggest names in global business is a tremendous achievement," said Stuart Mead, Touch Bionics’ CEO. "Innovation is at the core of this company and, from the launch of our first product, the i-LIMB Hand, we have never stopped innovating to ensure we continue to lead the world in the field of commercial bionic technology."

"Despite the harsh economic climate, entries to the IBAs actually grew a bit this year, and that illustrates the increasing importance of The International Business Awards worldwide," said Michael Gallagher, president of The Stevie Awards, presenters of the IBAs. "We congratulate all of the Finalists and International Stevie Awards winners, and we look forward to honouring them for their achievements at our gala awards dinner in Istanbul on 27 September."

A complete list of all 2010 International Business Awards honorees is available at www.stevieawards.com/iba.

About The Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.

About Touch Bionics

Touch Bionics is a leading developer of advanced upper-limb prosthetics. In late 2009, Touch Bionics brought to market ProDigits, the world’s first bionic fingers for partial hand amputees. This revolutionary product followed the 2007 launch of the i-LIMB Hand, a first-to-market prosthetic device with five individually powered digits. The acquisition of LIVINGSKIN in 2008 enabled the company to apply its commercial and technical expertise into new cosmesis solutions for multi-articulating hands and digits. Touch Bionics continues to develop leading-edge technologies for the treatment of patients with upper-limb deficiencies. For more information, visit www.touchbionics.com.

Staff Writer ...

Touch Bionics announced as a winner in the Seventh Annual International Business Awards

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:52:05 GMT

Company recognised as the Most Innovative Company of the Year in Europe

Nicknamed the Stevie® for the Greek word "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala dinner on Monday, 27 September in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey.

Other companies recognised as Distinguished Honourees in the same category topped by Touch Bionics included major brands like H&M, Nestle and SAP.

A complete list of all 2010 International Business Awards honorees is available at www.stevieawards.com/iba.

About The Stevie Awards

About Touch Bionics

Staff Writer ...

AMY PALMIERO-WINTERS WINS ESPY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING FEMALE ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:23:07 GMT

HICKSVILLE, N.Y (July 15, 2010) -- Amy Palmiero-Winters -- a below-the-knee amputee, world-class ultramarathon runner, coach, mentor and single mother of two -- was awarded a prestigious ESPY Award in the category of Best Female Athlete with a Disability at a ceremony last night in Los Angeles which was televised on ESPN.

The ESPY is the latest achievement in what has already been a remarkable year for Palmiero-Winters, who was chosen to be on Team USA at the IAU Ultrarunning World Championships in Brive, France, and was selected as the winner of the 2010 AAU Sullivan Award as America''s top amateur athlete. She also became the first amputee to complete a 100-mile trail run when she competed in the elite Western States 100 endurance run.

Palmiero-Winters finished among the top 20 female athletes -- all able-bodied -- in the 24 Hour Run World Championship in Brive, France on May 14. Palmiero-Winters ran almost 124 miles in the endurance race, finishing 19th in the women’s field out of seventy-eight competitors after overcoming initial mechanical challenges with her prosthetic running leg as well as stomach problems and a grueling race course featuring tight turns and varied terrain. Palmiero-Winters, a member of Team USA, was the first athlete with a disability to ever qualify for an able-bodied national running team.

In addition to her running achievements, she volunteers her time coaching and motivating children with disabilities. She is the full-time director of Team A Step Ahead, a nationwide sports team of adults and children with limb loss sponsored by A Step Ahead Prosthetics and Orthotics.

"This is another incredible recognition of Amy''s unprecedented accomplishments as an athlete and an inspiration for all competitors," said Erik Schaffer, founder and president of A Step Ahead, which sponsors Amy as a member of Team A Step Ahead.

Staff Writer ...

New State-of-the-Art Prosthetics Facility to Host Open House

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:25:23 GMT

Perrysburg, OH, June 24, 2010 —Perry Prosthetics moved from a 2,000 square space to a 7,000 square foot building, which they renovated as a state-of-the-art prosthetics facility. In celebrating, Perry Prosthetics invites all to join them at their new facility on July 16, 2010 at 970 W. South Boundary, Perrysburg, Ohio. Food and beverages will be served from 11 AM – 8 PM.

One of the many new features of Perry Prosthetics’ state-of-the-art facility is the Amp-U-Fitness™ Center, an on-site gym equipped with weight machines, free weights, treadmills and many other exercise equipment. It is designed for their patients and others living with limb loss to stay fit. In addition, once a month, Perry Prosthetics invites amputees that want to improve their mobility skills or learn basic exercises to join them at the Amp-U-Fitness™ Walking Clinics (call for a schedule). The clinics are designed to a group setting where each individual interacts with healthcare professionals and focuses on their needs.

Diabetes and other vascular related diseases are the leading factors in limb loss today, especially among the geriatric population. The impact of losing a limb is life altering, whether you are young or old. Perry Prosthetics has been building lifelong relationships within our community by providing an important service. Over the past decade, they have chosen to provide strictly prosthetics, leaving orthotic braces and durable medical equipment for other facilities. This makes them a unique company in the Northwest Ohio area. Exclusively providing prosthetic limbs gives them a ‘leg up’ on the competition, which benefits their patients and contributes to their ten years of success.

Their clinical team is growing. Christopher Perry, Founder, says, “There is a need for quality care in prosthetics and I’m happy to say that we are creating a team that pursues excellence at all costs”. He further states, “the patient deserves the right amount of time from our clinicians and that varies with every individual. We thrive on making our patients happy. We not only make limbs for our patients, but we work with them and their Occupational and Physical Therapists to better use their limbs in their everyday lives.”

“The Open House is our way of saying thank you to the community for showing their support over the past decade,” stated Eric Robinson, Business Manager.

Staff Writer ...

Missing Parts in Action to Participate in 2010 Ski to Sea Race

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:30:19 GMT

Challenged Athletes Foundation joins Disabled Sports USA to sponsor team of severely injured service members' participation in 94-mile multi-sport race

Rockville, MD — May 28, 2010 — Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA), one of the largest sporting organizations for people with a physical disability, today announced it has partnered with the Challenged Athletes Foundation to sponsor team Missing Parts in Action’s participation in the 2010 Ski to Sea Race on May 30. This year, Missing Parts In Action will be the only team with disabled athletes participating in the race.

"Disabled Sports USA is pleased and honored to partner with Challenged Athletes Foundation to provide venues where our severely injured service members can achieve the highest level of athleticism," said Kirk Bauer, JD, executive director of Disabled Sports USA and a disabled Vietnam veteran. "This partnership will open up new opportunities for our severely injured service members, to rebuild their lives through extreme sports."

Severely injured service members who have fought in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will participate in the annual Ski to Sea Race, a 94-mile long, multi-sport competition that stretches from Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay, Washington. The Missing Parts in Action team will participate as part of the Disabled Sports USA's “Challenge Sports Series" of extreme athletic events to test and reestablish the skills of the severely injured service members. The team will consist of eight disabled and non-disabled athletes competing in seven race legs that include:

cross country skiing
downhill skiing/snowboarding
running
road bicycling
canoeing
mountain biking
kayaking

The Challenged Athletes Foundation has joined as a partner in sponsoring the team in this and other extreme sports events in 2010, including a challenge to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Competitors on the Missing Parts in Action team include the following: Snowboard - National Guard SSG Mike Kacer, above elbow amputee; Nordic Ski - LTC Kerrie Golden – Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) staff; Canoe 1 - Army 1st Lt. Joe Guyton, below knee amputee; Running - Kara Guyton (wife of Joe Guyton); Hand Cycle - Special Ops. SSG Freddie Delasantos, above knee amputee; Canoe 2 - Zach Harvey, WRAMC prosthetist; Mountain Bike - Army SSG Kenny Butler, above elbow amputee; Kayak - Airforce SSGT (Ret.) Randy Builder, visually impaired, alongside his guide, Randy Resse.

Over four hundred teams from around the world compete in this yearly event, but only a few teams include athletes with disabilities. Last year, Missing Parts in Action finished 256 out of more than 400 non-disabled teams. The annual Ski to Sea Race is traced back to the Mt. Baker Marathon held from 1911 to 1913. The marathon pitted man and machine against rugged terrain, taking contestants over treacherous roads and trails to the top of the mountain and back.

"Challenged Athletes Foundation is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities who desire to live active, competitive lifestyles by giving them every opportunity to compete in the sports they love," said Nico Marcolongo, CAF Operation Rebound Program Manager. "We see our partnership with Disabled Sports USA in the ‘Challenge Sports Series’ as enabling our wounded warriors to live out their love of sport and competition."

About Disabled Sports USA

Founded in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans, Disabled Sports USA provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to rebuild their lives through sports, recreation and educational programs. DSzUSA is a national multi-sport, multi-disability organization serving more than 60,000 youth and adults annually. A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, DSUSA offers programs through its nationwide network of 100 community-based chapters operating in 38 states. For schedules and additional information, visit www.dsusa.org/woundedwarrior.html or call (301) 217-9840.

About Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved – and stay involved – in sports. CAF believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $25 million has been raised and almost 4,500 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love. To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

Staff Writer ...