Making more possible…..
medico-legal
Prosthetics in Inter-disciplinary Rehabilitation Seminar; Another Great Success
On 27th November 2015 Proactive Prosthetics hosted their 6th educational seminar for associated professions.
Proceeds from the seminar were donated to Sarcoma UK. Richard Whitehead MBE, patron of the charity, accepted a cheque for £2,000 on behalf of the charity and talked about his involvement helping others to realise their abilities whilst facing such a devastating disease.
Professor Saeed Zahedi OBE spoke about the new generation prosthetics including the development of microprocessor joint control and the first integrated limb system. Saeed is profoundly knowledgeable and a great communicator, leaving the audience equipped with an advanced understanding of prosthetic technology and energy use and storage.
Pam Barsby, physiotherapist, gave a practical demonstration of gait training in prosthetics, and essential part of learning to walk again.
Stef Reid inspired everyone with a very personal, motivational talk about the role sport can play in rehabilitation; from the early days as a teenager, coming to terms with her loss, to meeting her husband and winning paralympic medals.
A panel discussion chaired by William Latimer-Sayer allowed questions from the audience to be addressed by the three speakers. A lively and interesting discussion!
Interactive sessions in the clinic followed lunch. Stef Reid demonstrated her running blade with plenty of time for Q&As from the spellbound delegates. Pam Barsby and Jane Hunter (prosthetist) gave an insight and practical demonstration of the programming of a microprocessor knee while Christophe Cointet held a session prosthetic alignment.
Professor Michael Saleh discussed the key aspects of traumatic amputation surgery including the importance of considering future prosthetic fitting.
Richard Nieveen presented the most critical part of prosthetic fitting; socket comfort including key components and current trends in fitting.
Last but not least, Alyson Ballard gave a practical talk about the preparation for the rehabilitation of the prosthetic patient.
The final panel discussion was ably chaired by Anna Wiseman.
Here are just some of the feedback comments received:
‘A very interesting and useful day.”The whole day was very well put together and organised.’
‘It was great to see the process from start to finish.’
‘Very enjoyable informative day.’
‘Good to have time to review practice.’
‘Great session by Stef Reid; so inspiring.’
‘Very informative particularly around energy consumption.’
Success in Doha
Congratulations to Sophie Kamlish and Richard Whitehead for their performances at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha in October 2015.
Sophie gained a place in the women’s 100m T44 final whilst Richard Whitehead broke his own world record in the heat and went on to win gold in the men’s 200m T42 final.
Proactive Prosthetics – Qualified Bike Fitters
Christophe Cointet, prosthetist, has successfully completed the bike fitting course at Bristol University Sports Centre.
The course was taught by Andy Sexton of Bike Science who, for those of you in the know, is one of the most experienced bike fitters in the country; fitting many of the UKs professionals and high level non-professionals riders alike.
Christophe is now qualified to perform a basic bike fit to help with posture ensuring a “safe” and comfortable riding position. Thanks to this training and personal experience in cycling Christophe is able to explain the basics behind a bike fit and then give hands on advice looking at body angles and adjust the bike in order to optimise a riders position and comfort. He will also look at what adjustments to make and where, for example to compensate for a leg length discrepancy.
For more information please contact:
clinic@proactiveprosthetics.co.uk
01252 702500
Sophie Kamlish selected to go to World Championships in Doha
Stef Reid becomes first British amputee on London Fashion Week catwalk
Paralympic star Stefanie Reid swapped her running gear for high fashion to become the first ever British amputee to grace the catwalk at London Fashion Week.
The 30-year-old athlete made history by strutting her stuff at the Fashion International event, held in the glamorous setting of the Charing Cross Hotel, in The Strand, at the weekend.
Stefanie, who’s prosthetic leg was make by Richard Nieveen at Proactive Prosthetics and embellished by Sophie De Oliveira de Barata at The Alternative Limb Project, was chosen to model clothes by designer Lenie Boya.
She said: “I was so excited to walk for Lenie. I don’t look like your standard runway model, but I think that is the point.”
See this clip from BT Sport and her BBC Breakfast interview