A year of reflections 2015

With wishes for a peaceful 2016,  we look back at our inspirations and achievements in 2015.

We are inspired by organizations whose mission is to turn angers and frustrations into strengths and self-confidence.

Camp No Limits

Camp No Limits, the only camp for young people with limb loss & their families, creates a network of support for all the campers. They offer therapeutic programs with specialized professionals, including physical & occupational therapist, prosthetist & adult amputees role models. Children with limb loss blossom in their programs.

Their 2016 schedule is on their website: http://www.nolimitsfoundation.org/

Challenged Athlete Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation recognizes the athletic greatness inherent in all people with physical challenges and supports their athletic endeavors by providing unparalleled sports opportunities that lead to success in sports — and in life. Access for Athletes surmounts financial impediments to participation in sports, ensuring that challenged athletes are not left on the sidelines because they can’t afford expensive equipment or training costs.  Operation Rebound®  the premier sports and fitness program for American military personnel, veterans and first responders with physical challenges.  It provides unparalleled opportunities to pursue active, athletic lifestyles by offering access to funding for equipment and training and competition expenses, Military Medical Center Physical Training (MMCPT) and sports clinics. Catch a Rising Star (CRS) provides post-rehabilitation support and mentoring to individuals who have suffered a traumatic injury, have a physically impairing disease or were born with a congenital impairment resulting in a physical disability. Reach High provides information, resources and opportunities to people with physical challenges, enabling them to make informed decisions about health, lifestyle and medical choices. Project N.Ex.T. (New Expectations Today) — connects physically challenged mentees in San Diego County with similarly disabled mentors who provide one-on-one support as role models and partners as the mentee begins to engage (or re-engage) in physical activities and participate in sports.  Grant applications are available on their website – http://www.challengedathletes.org/

Amputee Coalition In Motion Publication

The Amputee Coalition – has a very helpful limb-loss resource center organized by state,  resource, specific needs, a support group network both on and offline, advocacy and awareness information on state and federal levels special events, a free magazine with latest technlogy updates and inspiring articles, Resource guides for dealing with limb loss and diabetes, and a Prosthetist Finder.  Find out more at – http://www.amputee-coalition.org/

Abled Amputees of America

Abled Amputees of America is a charitable organization formed to inspire, support, and educate those with limb loss and their families. Their website (http://www.abledamputees.org/) is a wealth of inspirations, tips, videos, resources, education and news.

You can learn about more of these inspiring organizations and resources for those needing prosthetics or orthotics on our website, in the Education section.

What 2015 brought at Sunshine P&O

Our new fabrication shop – complete with oven, plaster molding area, worktables and patient device bins.

We were able to expand facility space with our in-house fabrication shop. Our team is so excited to be able to make the experience of having customized prosthetic and orthotic devices a more comfortable one for our patients.  This new space will save the patient much time and allow us to customize the fit of these devices, both prosthetics and orthotics included.

Brooke Artesi – completing the Shawangunk Ridge Trail – 20 mile hike

Brooke Artesi completed the Shawangunk Ridge Trail – a 20 mile hike!  Hiking is one of her passions and Brooke continues to advocate physical activities for her patients to encourage them to reach their potentials.

Brooke Artesi interview -Cedar Crest

She has also donated her time in 2015 speaking at Health Fairs, health facilities and schools to educate and encourage.

2015 brought more recognition to Sunshine Prosthetics & Orthotics and to Brooke Artesi as she was named a member of  the O&P News 175 – an elite group of 175 O&P professionals who O&P News has identified as leading innovators in the field of orthotics and prosthetics.  She was also featured in Amplitude Magazine July/August issue (Singlehandedly Shattering Myths and Stereotypes About Amputees),  O&P Almanac, March 2015 (Balancing Act – New Jersey Practitioner Strives for Work/ Life Balance While Running Her Own Facility) O&P Business News (Networking, Mentorship Key for Success of Women who Own O&P Businesses ) and the Women in O&P Spotlight on Brooke Artesi.

Brooke Artesi at Medicare LCD Proposal rally

In April, Brooke went to Washington to actively participate in the hearing and rally opposing the proposed revisions to the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD) and Policy Lower-Extremity Prostheses.  We’re still waiting for the final outcome, but there is a current government re-evaluation of the proposal.

Natalie Johnsen, Pedorthist

We welcomed Natalie Johnsen, Certified Pedorthist to our Sunshine P&O team, bringing 24 years of experience in Pedorthics.  Natalie’s skilled in designing and fabricating orthotics for the management and treatment of conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower extremities.  Her skills blend perfectly with the Sunshine mission of enabling and encouraging our patients to have a more active life.

2015 has been a year of great strides in O&P technology – 3D Printed hands given freely to children and crafted by volunteers, microprocessors used to respond to commands from the body and move prosthetic limbs more naturally, sensors holstered to the sole of a leg prosthesis and linked to stimulators which allow the wearer to receive sensations from the prosthetic leg, bionic hands, with each finger driven by its own motor and electrodes that respond to muscular signals in the residual limb.  Amazing advances and more in the future!

Where do we go in 2016?  FORWARD!

“Go back?” he thought. “No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Onward!