Conference Clinics

Prosthesis Evaluation Clinic

8:00am-2:00pm Wednesday, Aug. 2 and Thursday, Aug. 3

The Prosthesis Evaluation Clinic is designed with the purpose of enhancing the walking efficiency of lower limb prosthesis users. The goal is to help each participant achieve as natural a gait pattern as possible. This is done by evaluating the fit and alignment of their prosthesis, as well as their ambulation with it. Each person will be evaluated individually with a short video being taken of their walking ability so they can see and understand any deviations that might exist. Based upon the evaluation, suggestions may be made to potentially improve the fit and/or function of your individual prosthesis. Any suggestions specifically regarding fit or alignment could then be discussed with your prosthetist upon your return home. We welcome all levels of lower limb amputation for evaluation and look forward to meeting many of you during the meeting.

Instructor Bios

Don Cummings is the director of prosthetics at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and has been on staff there since 1987. He earned his B.S. in General Special Education at the University of Texas, Dallas, in 1981, and also graduated from UT Southwestern’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Program in 1984. While attending Letourneau University, Don acquired bacterial meningitis. He is a double below the knee amputee. Don grew up in Ecuador with parents who were missionaries. He has been actively involved with the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital’s Amputee Ski Trip. Don has spoken and presented many times and published numerous articles on pediatric prosthetics.

Bruce “Mac” McClellan, CPO, LPO, FISPO, FAAOP(D), is the owner and president of Prosthetic-Orthotic Associates of East Texas (POA). Mac holds degrees in Prosthetics and Orthotics and Health Science. He initiated the Prosthetic & Orthotic Education Program at Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and serves there as director and assistant professor. Mac has served as a board member and president of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and is a frequent lecturer at national and international meetings and scientific symposiums. He is the author/co-author of numerous scientific papers and publications. His current positions include member of the Amputee Coalition’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee (Sci-MAC); academy representative to the O&P Alliance; and chairman of the Academy’s Public Policy Committee (PPC).

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The Power of Adaptive Golf Clinic

7:00am-5:30pm Thursday, Aug. 3 and Friday, Aug. 4

This year’s golf experience will consist of the same three stations as last year: putting, golf simulator, and SNAG (Starting New At Golf). The golf instruction will take place in the Conference Exhibit Hall in a climate-controlled environment. In adaptive golf, we use golf as therapy, engaging with attendees in a positive, attentive, and caring manner. We will also be offering a new golf game called Bucket Golf, which will allow us to set up a few golf holes in the corridor. This game utilizes pickle balls and is a very fun addition. All the equipment will be provided.

Instructor Bio

Joe Grohman Golf Foundation
Established in 2012, the Joe Grohman Golf Foundation’s mission statement is “to provide a joy-filled, wonderful life experience through rehabilitative golf clinics for those that would not normally have the opportunity to engage in the activity and involve the community in all our endeavors.” The JGGF’s motto is ”giving back, one swing at a time.” JGGF currently has adaptive golf programming from Coast to Coast and has hosted over 800 adaptive golf clinics over the years in 20 states. The instructors will be Joe Grohman, David Kulla-Mader, and Brett Lang.

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First Row Clinic

8:00am-12:00pm Thursday, Aug. 3

New this year is the First Row Clinic, made possible by OPAF. Discover how to increase your endurance and improve your awareness in this clinic designed to teach proper fitness techniques needed to safely perform rowing. Commonly known as “Crew,” the sport of Rowing helps participants to increase physical and mobility stamina. In the First Row clinic, you will be taught the necessary skills of proper entry and exit of a boat, seated positioning as well as proper techniques and form for rowing, including how to hold the oar through adaptive strategies. You will also learn proper terminology, information about competitive rowing, and will start out using a rowing machine located indoors for safety purposes.

Instructor Bio

Debbie Arenberg is the USRowing Adaptive Program Specialist and has been working in the rowing industry for over 34 years. Her career started at the Alden Rowing Shells, then WinTech Racing Shells, and more recently as USRowing’s Manager of Adaptive Program Development and Freedom Rows Veterans program. Her work with adaptive rowing grew from her personal involvement in open water racing and partnering to develop adaptive equipment for athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities. Debbie is a USRowing Certified Rowing Coach, a FISA US Technical Classifier for Adaptive Rowing, and serves as an adaptive rowing resource to the entire rowing community.

The First Row Clinic is sponsored by the Dralla Foundation.

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First Swim Clinic

The goals of the course are to teach users how to appropriately apply swimming as an exercise modality and to review pool safety, transfers, and prosthetic limb management around the water. First Swim reviews the basic elements of swim strokes and the compensations often required for individuals with limb loss.

Beginner: 7:00-8:00am Thursday, Aug 3

Our first class will focus on how to transition in and out of the pool, flotation, breathing, kicking, and basic freestyle. Please bring your swimsuit, goggles, and any supplies necessary to don/doff your prosthesis.

Intermediate: 7:00-8:00am Friday, Aug 4

This class will focus on transitioning in and out of the pool, improved freestyle, and backstroke. We’ll also provide an introduction to open water techniques. While the bulk of this class is focused on intermediate, we will section off part of the pool to continue working with beginners. Please bring your swimsuit, goggles, and any supplies necessary to don/doff your prosthesis.

Advanced: 7:00-8:00am Saturday, Aug 5

Our last class will focus on transitioning in and out of the pool, work on the four swim strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly), open water swimming (Triathlon), cadence, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 Max). While the bulk of this class is focused on advanced, we will section off part of the pool to continue working with beginners. Please bring your swimsuit, goggles, and any supplies necessary to don/doff your prosthesis.

Instructor Bio

Mabio Costa is a left transtibial amputee and is the first para-athlete to co-participate and be awarded in a triathlon competition in South America. He moved to New York in 1990 where he played a major role in the introduction and development of rules for the International Triathlon Union for accepting para-athletes in World Championships. Mabio is a former representative for Team USA as a triathlete. Mabio has worked with OPAF since 2010 and was named the Director of First Swim in 2018. Present day, Mabio still competes in triathlons with his race team “3 Guys, 2 Legs” where they compete against, and have podiumed every race, against able-bodied individuals.

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Adaptive Tennis Clinic

7:00-8:00am Thursday, Aug. 3, Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5

Join Orlando’s United States Tennis Association (USTA) for an exciting clinic open to players of all tennis abilities, including those who may have never played before. Tennis is a very challenging sport to perfect but very easy to learn. Beginners will discover that they can soon go out and hit the ball back and forth with friends. Hone your skills with our expert tennis team, who can help anyone interested in playing tennis, including wheelchair players and those with a myriad of physical challenges. Enjoy an hour of fun tennis activities! All equipment will be provided.

Instructor Bio

Tony Stingley has been with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) since 2017, and his current role is Senior Manager, Community Outreach. Tony’s responsibilities include creating the resources and training to assist physical educators to expose their students to tennis. Tony is also responsible for creating resources and training to assist communities in introducing tennis to all ages, kids and adults.  Prior to joining the USTA National team, Tony worked for the USTA Northern Section as the Section School Coordinator, and Section Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for 20 years. Tony is certified with the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) as a professional in Adult Development, 10 and Under, 11-17, and Performance categories. Tony is also wheelchair tennis certified through the PTR. Tony has an Elite Professional certification through the United States Professional Tennis Association. He is a member of the USTA’s On-Court Faculty and is a Level One Tennis Trainer for the Special Olympics. His additional affiliations include Advisory Board Member to Inner City Tennis in Minneapolis, MN and St. Paul Urban Tennis in St. Paul, MN. Tony is also a life member of the Martin Luther King Tennis Buffs Minneapolis in St. Paul, MN.

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Adaptive Martial Arts

7:00-8:00am Thursday, Aug 3., Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5

Adaptive Martial Arts is a modern approach to teaching traditional methods that encompasses individuals with varying disabilities. This inclusive clinic includes a variety of physical, intellectual, and developmental lessons that increase coordination, focus, body awareness and social skills. Participants benefit from an encouraging social group setting. In a one-hour clinic, you will learn impactful techniques to protect yourself from acts of violence and aggression.

Instructor Bio

Master Michelle Golino-Crisco (Master G) has studied the art of authentic, ITF Taekwon-Do (International Taekwon-Do Federation) since 1980. Throughout her years of insuperable dedication, she has managed the martial arts careers of hundreds of individuals. Master G. is a second generation TKD student and advanced instructor of the art with a long history dating back to the founding father of TKD. She is a two-time champion of the US Women’s Taekwon-Do team, a Certified International Instructor, trauma-trained professional and self-defense guru. Master G. is the only ITF Taekwon-Do instructor representing Seminole County. She has studied since the age of 10 under the Taekwon-Do pioneers. In 2022, Master G. started a non-profit named A Charity Empowered to Save Souls or ACETSS. The purpose of ACETSS, Inc. is to empower individuals of all ages and abilities to protect themselves from acts of violence and aggression.

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All Levels Morning Yoga for Strength, Balance, and Ease

7:00-8:00am Thursday, Aug. 3, Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5

Begin your morning with energizing and grounding yoga. In this clinic, you will explore breathing practices, experience how to strengthen and lengthen your body, play with balance, work the core, and finish with a peaceful relaxation. All levels are welcome. You will be guided through a yoga sequence that includes modifications to accommodate skill level and level of limb loss or limitation. Yoga can be done seated, standing, or lying down, and with or without a prosthesis. Please dress comfortably and come explore how yoga can support your well-being.

Evening Yoga for Grounding and Stress Release

6:00-6:45pm Thursday, Aug. 3 and Friday, Aug. 4

Unwind at the end of the day with soothing breath practices and a calming range of motion movements. Conclude the evening by experiencing a guided meditation designed to provide deep rest, peace, and calm. All levels are welcome. Yoga can be done standing seated, or lying down, with or without a prosthesis, and meditation can be done seated or lying down.

Instructor Bio

Heather Thamer is an Experienced Yoga Teacher E-RYT 500, Accessible Yoga Teacher, and Master Teacher and Co-Director of Y4A Yoga for Amputees

Heather has been teaching yoga since 2006 and adaptive yoga since 2010. Since becoming a yoga teacher in 2006, Heather has taught classes for all ages, specializing in yoga for older populations and those affected by cancer, limb loss/difference, and chronic conditions. She uses a mindful approach to teaching yoga and is passionate about making yoga accessible and enjoyable.

Heather trained with the late Marsha Therese Danzig, BK amputee and founder of Y4A Yoga for Amputees, who tragically passed away from Covid 19 in 2022. Since Marsha Danzig’s passing, Heather and Lucy Lomax, Y4A Master Teacher Trainer, have continued Marsha’s work by administering the Y4A Yoga for Amputees program. They continue to teach yoga and meditation to amputees and those with limb loss, limb limitation, or limb difference, and to teach yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and medical professionals how to teach the Y4A Yoga for Amputees yoga protocol to the limb loss community. To connect with Heather or learn more about Y4A please visit http://www.yogaforamputees.com.

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