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Hello. Welcome to the inaugural issue of CornerStone, a new quarterly publication for members of the Amputee Coalition of America.
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure. This concept is a perfect illustration of how we view our members. You are the cornerstone of this organization.
» Read more
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Couple Takes Advantage of ACA Expertise to Help Build Organization
When Bob Ayres - an above-knee amputee - and his wife, Diana Dozier-Ayres, began establishing their nonprofit organization Miracle Limbs - Courage in Motion in November 2005 to assist people with limb loss, they made some very smart moves. They realized early on that they could accomplish much more by working with existing organizations and benefiting from their expertise than by trying to do everything alone. The Amputee Coalition of America is one such organization.
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by Jeffrey Marcal
The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) offers an excellent training program for parent peer visitation. In September, the ACA conducted a training on Long Island in New York for a number of parents who belong to the support group Unlimbited Possibilities, which focuses on upper-limb differences in children.
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Alisa Marcal (L), Donna Troisi (C) and Elisa Peacock (R) after the parent peer visitor training. |
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This kitty tested ACA member Carroll Zachmann’s prosthesis and found it quite comfortable and functional – just as any prosthesis should be. Carroll, we hope that your leg is as comfortable and functional for you as it was for this kitty.
Got an interesting or unusual photo you’d like to share? If so, please send it to cornerstone@amputee-coalition.org |
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When our efforts have made an impact on you or others, you have thanked us  by renewing your membership, and we continue to grow because of you. We’re always humbled by what you teach us and lifted up by your kind words of encouragement.
We recently asked some of our members what makes them proud to be members of the ACA, and this is what they told us.
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Ben Goggin, wife Bobbi, Ben Jr. (red) and Braydon (blue). Photo taken July 17, 2006 - the day before Ben’s amputation - as the family tried to keep their spirits up. |
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Have You Submitted Your Application and All Supporting Documents?
The deadline for applying for the Amputee Coalition of America’s (ACA’s) Christina Skoski, M.D., Scholarship is quickly approaching. The application deadline for fall 2009 consideration is March 1, 2009.
This year, the Christina Skoski, M.D., Scholarship Fund will award a $1,000 scholarship to a student with limb loss who has a special desire to learn, exhibits potential for success, and plans to attend a four-year college. The scholarship amount may be increased in the future.
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Lack of Physical Activity Puts Many People With Limb Loss at High Risk
Links of Interest
On February 14, the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) kicked off its "14 Weeks to a Healthier You" program. It features a virtual trainer offering weekly tips to help those who sign up for the program meet their health and fitness goals for 2009. The 14-week program includes weekly tips on nutrition, workouts, fitness equipment, weather, motivation tools, written and video resources, and more. The “Healthier You” plan also includes a program for groups as well as individuals. Registration is ongoing even after February 14, so sign up today!
 
5 Guidelines for Finding a Gym for People With Disabilities
by Megan Purpora
Getting in shape and staying in shape is not easy for anyone, but for 43 million people with disabilities, it is a significant challenge. An astonishing 56 percent of people with disabilities age 18 and older get no leisure-time physical activity at all, according to a Healthy People 2010 report.
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 The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) announces Otto Bock HealthCare as our inaugural corporate Diamond Sponsor. The Diamond Sponsorship at $60,000 is the ACA’s highest level of corporate sponsorship.
Sponsorship provides resources for many ACA programs that serve the approximately 1.7 million people in the United States with limb loss.
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 How I Made It to the 2008 ACA National Conference
by Terri Ross
Last year, I really wanted to attend the Amputee Coalition of America’s national conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Every time I flipped through my inMotion magazine, I read about the conference and became more determined to figure out a way to attend. Daniel Record, CP, RN – my prosthetist – and I had talked about the possibility of my attending in 2007, but the conference came and went and I missed it.
In 2008, I felt ready to go. I just had to figure out how to finance my trip.
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 If So, Apply Soon! The Application Deadline Is March 15!
The 10th annual Amputee Coalition Youth Camp will be held July 25-29 at the Joy Outdoor Education Center in Clarksville, Ohio. More than 70 campers between the ages of 10 and 17 will come from around the nation to participate in this exciting, life-changing program.
The mission of the Amputee Coalition Youth Camp is to make a difference in the lives of children with limb loss and limb difference by increasing their self-confidence and self-esteem through a traditional and supportive summer camp experience. Activities for this year will include swimming, riding down a zip line, nutrition education, canoeing, fishing, archery and radio/digital photography. We will also lead group discussions where campers have the opportunity for peer support through talking with each other and with adult amputee mentors. Each night, we will host a special event such as a talent show, dance, or gathering around the campfire. As always, it’ll be a fun and educational experience.
» Read more
» Watch the ACA Video “When You Were a Kid …” |
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Dear Marci,
I recently had a kidney transplant. My doctor said I will need diet counseling so that I can learn to eat the right foods. Does Medicare cover this counseling?
--Tonya
Dear Tonya,
Medical nutritional therapy, which may include diet counseling, is designed to help you learn to eat right so you can better manage your illness. With a doctor’s referral, Medicare will cover 80 percent of the cost of medical nutritional therapy for people with diabetes, chronic renal disease, or who are post-kidney transplant patients, after they have met their annual Part B deductible.
Medicare will generally cover 3 hours of medical nutritional therapy for the first year and 2 hours every year thereafter, although it will cover more hours if your doctor says you need them. In order to have Medicare cover these therapy sessions, you must get these services from a registered dietitian or other qualified nutrition professional. Talk to your doctor if you think you qualify for this benefit.
--Marci
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Studies have shown that caregivers often experience emotional and/or physical problems related to their efforts to care for a loved one. These problems include stress, sleep deprivation, fatigue, depression, headaches, anger, frustration, guilt, and all kinds of aches and pains. Even though caregivers offer their help to a loved one out of love, caregiving can still take an enormous toll.
In many cases, respite care – the temporary relief of a caregiver either by a paid professional, a family member, a friend or a volunteer – can give a caregiver a much-needed break and help him or her avoid some of these potentially devastating problems.
» Read more
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Volume 1, Issue 1
Published four times a year by
Amputee Coalition of America
900 E. Hill Ave., Ste. 205
Knoxville, TN 37915-2566
865/524-8772
888/AMP-KNOW (267-5669)
Fax: 865/525-7917; TTY: 865/525-4512
E-mail: cornerstone@amputee-coalition.org
Web site: www.amputee-coalition.org
ACA Mission
To reach out to people with limb loss and to empower them through education, support and advocacy.
President & CEO: Kendra Calhoun, MS
CornerStone Editor: Molly Moore
Editor: Rick Bowers
Senior Editor: Bill Dupes
Associate Editor: Scott McNutt
Staff Writer: Élan Young
E-Mail/Web Design: Chilla Services
Nameplate Design: Patrick Alley
» ACA Board of Directors
» ACA Medical Advisory Committee |
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ACA Member’s Story to Appear on “Mystery Diagnosis” March 2
ACA member Ashley Kurpiel has been chosen as a patient spokesperson for Rare Disease Day, which is recognized on February 28. Her story will also be featured on Discovery Health’s award-winning show “Mystery Diagnosis” on March 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
» Read more about Ashley, Nancy Payne, Peter C. Lazzaretti and Jason Lalla
Milestones will include information about our members’ anniversaries, weddings, professional highlights, promotions, awards, obituaries, etc. If you’d like your news to be considered for inclusion in Milestones, please write to cornerstone@amputee-coalition.org |
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CornerStone is partially supported by cooperative agreement #5U59DD000347 from the National Center on Birth Defects and Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sponsoring organizations, or the Amputee Coalition of America. It is not the intention of the ACA to provide specific medical advice but rather to provide readers with information to better understand their health and healthcare issues. The ACA does not endorse any specific treatment, technology, company or device. Consumers are urged to consult with their healthcare providers for specific medical advice or before making any purchasing decisions involving their care. No funding from the CDC is used to support ACA advocacy efforts. ©2009 by ACA; all rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the Amputee Coalition of America.
All trademarks and service marks contained herein are property of their respective owners.
The Amputee Coalition of America never sells member information, including e-mail addresses, to third parties.
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