inMotion Magazine

May | June 2018 36 Luckily for Angela, significant advancements were being made for lower-limb prostheses. Prosthetic knees began to use microprocessor controls, which gave her a greater ability to keep up with her family. She was one of the first recipients of the C-leg when it was released in the U.S.: “Being able to use the technology that’s available to keep up with your family is something that can make your life easier as a parent, and make it so you can do all the activities that you want to do. Now I could walk down the stairs holding my 9-month-old son and not be afraid to fall.” Once Angela’s boys had all started school, she began to miss the feeling of helping others with limb loss. Because computer-controlled knees were still new, some clinicians were intimidated by the technology. She started working as a microprocessor knee specialist to help clinicians optimize the technology to improve their clients’ mobility. Several years later, she joined the faculty at St. Petersburg College as the lead instructor for an O&P program to teach the next generation of orthotists and prosthetists. Although she enjoyed her work, Angela still felt she was missing something, professionally. She had become a prosthetist-orthotist to help restore mobility and functionality to people with limb and musculoskeletal differences like her dad. That’s when an opportunity with the James A. Haley VA Medical Center (JAHVA) arose. Angela had always enjoyed working with veterans, since her own father is a veteran. She jumped at the chance and was selected. As the prosthetist-orthotist regional clinical director for VA’s Southeast Regional Amputation Center, Angela attends seven in-person and telemedicine clinics, where she comes up with solutions for veterans with limited mobility. She also conducts in-services for physical medicine and rehabilitation and other departments at JAHVA. A major benefit for veterans receiving care through VA is the availability of the latest technologies. Clinicians “have more autonomy to try new things” and can use multiple devices like sport-specific devices to “give back somebody’s full potential.” Another major benefit that Angela sees is the team approach within VA: “Being able to talk to the wound clinic, podiatry department, physical therapy department, adaptive sports department, provides a plethora of options to ensure that our veterans are moving forward.” One veteran who Angela and her husband still get to take care of is her father. Although her parents live in Iowa, they spend the winter in Florida. Jerry, who benefits from VA’s Seamless Care for Traveling Veterans, receives care from Angela and her colleagues at JAHVA during the winter. For Angela, VA clinicians are “kind of like a pit crew for veterans. They come in and we are all working together as a team to get the veteran up and moving toward the path that they want to take in life” to ensure that they too can find their purpose. Angela and family at a dedication ceremony, adding her father’s name to the Veteran’s Trail in their hometown, Iowa City. Nontoxic & 100% Natural Soothes, Cleans & Deodorizes Safe for inflamed, sensitive skin Certified Organic Ingredients www.stumpcare.com Prosthesis Liner Spray Soothing Stump Rub Soothing Stump Wash p a i n i r r i t a t i o n i n f e c t i o n