Making a Case for Amputee Case Managers

By Andrea Puckett

“Focus on Finance”

When: Thursday, September 15, 2011

Where: Westcoast Brace & Limb
5311 E. Fletcher Ave.
Tampa, FL 33617

Time: 6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

Join us for this free information session “Focusing on Finance”.

Personal financial management educator, Lisa Leslie from the University of Florida/Hillsborough County Extension, will be educating us on how to increase our financial stability. Topics will include developing a spending/savings plan, using credit wisely, and managing debt.

Please RSVP by Monday Sept 12th to Andrea@amputeestogether.org or call Andrea at 813-989-1818.

Food and drinks provided by:
Westcoast Brace & Limb

Amputee Networking Meeting

Learn about an upcoming Amputee Bike Clinic

When:  Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Where:   Healthsouth Largo
901 Clearwater Largo Road N.
Largo, FL 33770

Time:    6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to ride a bicycle? Do you already ride and want to share your experiences?

Join us as we talk about an upcoming cycling clinic for all levels of riders.

Meet Professional handcyclist and Paralympic hopeful, Bobby Puckett. Learn how he went from a life of bad habits to being a professional handcyclist.  He will also be talking about his upcoming Amputee Bike Clinic sponsored by Westcoast Brace & Limb.

Please RSVP by Monday September 5th to Andrea@amputeestogether.org or call 813-989-1818.

Westcoast Brace & Limb was the proud host of The International Anaplastology Association (IAA) Advanced Osseointegrated Facial Implant Course: Craniofacial Prosthetic & Surgical Hands-On Training March 27-29, 2011. The course was held at our corporate office and was led by the world’s only international anaplastology association and world-renowned anaplastology instructors.

The anaplastology course was a rare opportunity to witness and compare the contrasting evaluations of four different treatment styles for magnetic retention facial prostheses from world renowned leaders in the field, including Professor Anders Tjellström, a pioneer in osseointegration, and Dr. Kerstin Bergström from Sweden, Anne- Marie Riedinger from France, Jan De Cubber from Belgium, and Peter Evans from the United Kingdom.

Lab work and presentations focused on complex mid-facial, nasal, and orbital amputation. A mid-facial prosthetic patient served as a patient model and was an integral part of the interactive course. Each course participant received in depth training on the design, fabrication, and fitting of complex implant retention silicone prostheses for facial amputation.

Course participant David Robinson, Westcoast Brace & Limb’s Anaplastologist, has been a member of the International Anaplastology Association since 2005. Westcoast Brace & Limb is one of the few prosthetic facilities in Florida to offer on-site services in anaplastology. Our high realism silicone prosthetic devices replace fingers, hands, arms, toes, lower limbs, and facial anatomy.

For more information contact, Jennifer Robinson at (813) 985-5000 ext 204 or email jennifer.robinson@wcbl.com.

Jennifer Robinson, a congenital amputee and Director of Westcoast Brace & Limb’s Amputee Case Management Program remembers when Westcoast was contacted to provide a prosthetic consultation for Fritzcar. Jennifer called Abby Wold, an outgoing bilateral below knee amputee and long time patient at Westcoast Brace & Limb. “Abby is a ray of light when she walks into a room”, Jennifer says. “She loves connecting with others, is passionate about life, and is very nurturing. Abby has been visiting new amputees
through our Amputee Peer Visitation Program for years. On top of everything, she’s hilarious.”

Abby immediately connected with Fritzcar, even removing her prosthetic legs to show the toddler how much the
two have in common. Jennifer points out, “Abby introduced Fritzcar to the concept of a prosthetic limb in a very
positive, loving way. For Fritzcar, prosthetic limbs became cool. When it was her turn to receive a prosthesis, she was already familiar with it. It wasn’t foreign to her.”

The first priority in Fritzcar’s rehabilitation plan was to address her head trauma and allow for the large wound to heal fully. Westcoast Brace & Limb continued to follow up with Frtizcar’s progress and Abby’s relationship with the little girl flourished. By September of 2010, Fritzcar was ready to be fitted with an above elbow prosthetic arm by Greg Bauer, CPO, President of Westcoast Brace & Limb.

“Kids at this age aren’t really that self-aware yet,” Greg comments. “When they have a strong support system, like Fritzcar does, they can bounce back and they generally do great. Fritzcar’s father glows when he sees how well his daughter is doing now.”

Bauer’s initial prosthetic goals were to allow Fritzcar to become comfortable with wearing a prosthesis and encourage her to incorporate it into everyday activities. “For several months, Fritzcar adapted herself to accomplish all tasks with one hand. She became very good at it,” Greg points out. “That’s common for upper extremity amputees who, for whatever reason, initially do not utilize a prosthesis. The problem comes in the future, when the one good arm experiences overuse syndrome. That’s what we want to avoid”.

Fritzcar bends and straightens her prosthetic elbow by moving the joint with her other hand. The elbow remains in the same position until she changes it. The prosthesis allows her to do things like use both hands to catch a ball, and hold a toy while walking across the room. “She is two years old now. In the near future, we will graduate her to a more functional prosthesis that operates independent of her good arm. It takes fine motor skills of the shoulders andresidual limb to operate such a prosthesis. That’s why she has to be a bit older to use one successfully,” Greg explains.

The first day Fritzcar put on her prosthetic arm, she celebrated by giving everyone in the room ‘high fives’ with the prosthesis. “That was a great sign,” Greg says. Westcoast Brace & Limb later referred Fritzcar to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital for out-patient therapy so that Fritzcar could fine-tune her skills.

When asked about the greatest challenge in this case, Greg stops to think. “You know, I just didn’t know what to expect. She’s been through so much and she’s persevered. The language barrier was tough at first, but we had a lot of help from translators and Catholic Charities. The peer support from Abby made a world of difference. When I created this prosthetic plan, I had to consider the extent of her overall injuries and the emotional trauma she experienced. Fritzcar has done extremely well and teaches me a lot about the endurance of the human spirit. Everyone just falls in love with her.”
Westcoast Brace & Limb offers its Amputee Peer Visitation Program to any amputee needing emotional support. Peer
Visitors like Abby Wold are available to visit individuals in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and any other medical setting.
This program is free of charge. For more information, contact Jennifer Robinson at (813) 985-5000 ext 204, or email jennifer.robinson@wcbl.com.

On Christmas Eve of 2000, Bobby was driving home when his truck hit a patch of ice, slid off the road, flipped, and crashed into a transformer. His car quickly caught fire, leaving Bobby badly burned. Doctors were forced to amputate both of his legs below the knees. “After my accident I thought that my life had ended. I wasn’t dead, but I assumed that I could no longer live the life that I wanted.”

Bobby trains by riding an average of 100 miles a week on his handcycle and hits the gym to liftweights two to three times a week. “He’s a champion who puts his whole heart into this sport”, says good friend and teammate, Doyle Mann. “He is an inspiration to anyone who meets him.”

Prosthetist Greg Bauer, CPO and President of Westcoast Brace & Limb, recognizes Bobby as an inspiration to many of his fellow amputees. “He has amazing determination and resilience” says Bauer. “Bobby has given many of our patients the inspiration to get up and get going. This peer motivation can really boost the recovery process”.

Westcoast Brace & Limb was proud to sponsor Bobby in The Wounded Warriors Project: Soldier Ride on February 20th, as well as the upcoming Ride for MS on May 14th in Orlando, Florida. As he continues to train and plan future rides, Bobby is happy to have continued support from sponsors like Westcoast Brace & Limb, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Achilles.

“There’s nothing stopping him,” Bobby’s wife, Andrea, says. “Not only does he inspire people when he’s racing, but he does it when he visits new amputees in hospitals. Even during a simple trip to the store, people are amazed at what Bobby can do. If he can overcome, they can too.”

For more information on the program, to become a participant, for volunteer opportunities, or program support needs please email vhatamadaptivesports@va.gov or call (813) 972-2000, ext 3822/3946.

Often times, medical staff, social workers, prosthetists, and others involved in an amputee’s care will ask the amputee many questions about his or her health and mental status. As the wife of an amputee, I often wonder, who will ask about my health and mental status? I understand that my husband is the patient, and it is wonderful that he is getting a lot of support from his medical team, but how do I get that same kind of support for me?

Being a caregiver is, at times, overwhelming; you may feel guilty about wanting a break. ”He can’t get a break from being an amputee, so why should I get a break from being a caregiver?” Actually, giving yourself a break could help you be a better caregiver.

Unfortunately, as caregivers, we may not have a team of professionals asking us how we are. So, here are a few tips on how to keep yourself healthy, both mentally and physically.

8 Tips for Caregiver Stress Relief

1. Wake up 15 minutes early

This will give you enough time to meditate and get ready for your day.

2. Work out

Taking a brisk 10 minute walk around your neighborhood or around the hospital is a great way to get your endorphins going.

3. Read a book

Getting lost in a book is a good way to get your mind on something else.

4. Make a phone tree and send it to your family and friends

Calling everyone to give updates on your loved one can be time consuming and exhausting. Let your family and friends help you with this process.

5. Go to a caregiver support group

To have a connection with someone that knows what you are going through can have a powerful effect.

6. Focus on your breathing

You can do this anywhere. Take 5 minutes of your time and just concentrate on breathing.

7. Give yourself 20 minutes to cry. Then get positive

Write out 10 positive things in a journal. Remember, small things are just as important as the big!

8. Focus on what you can change, not what you can’t

Family Bowling Night

Join Us

December 2nd, 2010 at 6:00pm  

AMF University Lanes 

13109 North 56th St. Tampa, FL 33617

$10 per person. That includes:

2 hours of bowling, shoes and pizza!

*Please RSVP to andrea@amputeestogether.org

What is Diabetes? 

Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin[1].  Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and it is also the most preventable. 

According to the CDC, 1 in 10 adults are diabetic. Of 23 million Americans who have diabetes, nearly 6 million do not know it. And 57 million more Americans are headed for diabetes. According to the National Limb Loss Information Center, 82% of amputations are due to vascular disease such as diabetes. This statistic is staggering and it’s up to all of us to change it. 

Some warning signs of diabetes

• Excessive urination
• Unquenchable thirst
• Weakness/Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Tingling/numbness in legs and feet (Neuropathy).

If you are having any of these symptoms it’s up to you to take charge of your health and see your doctor. 

What can you do to lower your risk of amputation? 

If you are diabetic, there are many things that you can do to lower your risk of amputation. 

• Check your blood sugar often.
• Check your feet every night for red areas or blisters. If there is any irritated areas take care of it immediately, do not wait. Neuropathy lowers the sensitivity in your legs and feet and makes it hard to heal. If bad enough, this could result in amputation.
• If you have an infection, visit your doctor immediately.
• Do NOT smoke. Your chances of amputation significantly increase if you are a diabetic smoker.

It is worth the extra 20 minutes that you take every day to lower your risk of infection and prevent the need for amputation.