OT/PT Research Update: Gait and Cerebral Palsy

This two-day course is designed for physical therapists that work with individuals with cerebral palsy and wish to enhance their clinical decision-making skills when assessing and treating for movement and gait disorders. Video and interactive cases will be used to demonstrate the common gait patterns of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Research updates related to gait in children with cerebral palsy and clinical suggestions for physical therapy interventions will be presented.

Objectives:

At the end of the course, the learner will:

1) Describe the kinematics, kinetics and electromyography (EMG) of the mature gait cycle and the development of gait in children.

2) Analyze atypical movement patterns and critical impairments interfering with gait in children with cerebral palsy with a focus on differentiating primary impairments from secondary compensations.

3) Discuss the evidence in the literature related to interventions to improve gait in children with CP.

4) Collaborate with colleagues to develop treatment strategies based on clinical experience and best available evidence to improve movement and gait in individuals with CP.

Registration Items

• Onsite Registration

  $275.00

Early Bird Registration: (May 8th, 2020 and before): $275

 Standard Registration: (after May 8th, 2020): $325

Tuition must be received before a participant can be registered.  Enrollment is limited, please register online early to reserve your spot.

If you do not receive an e-mail confirmation, please call (513)-636-4651 for verbal communication. Refunds (less $35 processing fee) will be made only if notice of cancellation is received in writing by May 8th, 2020.  Should the program be canceled, tuition will be refunded.

The application has been made for approval by the Ohio Physical Therapy Board for 12 hours.

When Wheelchairs Are Not a Cross to Bear in life ...

Yes, I can understand when a person's life has been altered after an accident or surgery or a disease attacks their  body, it can be a game changer.  Ask anyone who had to use one while recovering from surgery or car accident or illness and they'll give you an earful. It is a navigational nightmare using one in a home and out in the community and I can totally empathize with their woes and challenges getting to and from places.  I don't exactly enjoy lugging a wheelchair  in and out of the car or transferring my daughter into the car in the middle of a thunderstorm, but it's what we do.  So let's try to do it with dignity and respect on behalf of the person who needs help regardless if their condition is permanent or temporary.

For my daughter and other children who have conditions that are permanent, it is not a "cross to bear" or a "death sentence" to be stuck in a chair.  The only real burden here for  families without financial means for a wheelchair lift, respite, nurses aides, etc., is that not having these things creates barriers. It prevents them from being the family they want to be.  It prevents the person in the wheelchair from being the person they were meant to be.   Since wheelchairs are  their only path to their independence, we must learn to how to make life more accessible for them.  Wheelchairs give our family and friends dignity and quality life.  It gives them purpose. It doesn't define who they are, it defines what they are capable of being. Without a wheelchair, my daughter would not be able to attend school, cheer-leading, or become involved in the community.

So the next time you see me with my daughter, please feel free to offer to help her.    Somedays I can manage fine, but it's okay if you ask her if SHE needs help.  There are other days you will find her appreciating your offer to help.  She may even smile and reach out to say hello.  And afterward, I hope you feel good about reaching out to help another person continue living their life with  dignity and respect they deserve.

Happy Holidays.

Volcanic Wheels For Wheelchairs

Just a quick update here for families and friends looking for gift ideas. The volcanic wheels for front wheels draws a lot of attention to Elisabeth. We have a set each on the Metro and her Titelite wheelchair. It also draws in conversations to her directly. People generally ask, "Hey, that's so cool, where did you get those?" We paid around $20.00 for each wheel and $6.00 for shipping. A trip to the hardware store will get you the spacers otherwise the bearing slip out and the magnetic core that triggers the lights to flash will crack & crumble which is what happened to us while on vacation just a short time ago. Fortunately the hotel maintenance crew in Miami were very friendly and found us washers that fit perfectly. The Volcanic Wheels sent us one new magnetic bearing for the one wheel that could not be salvaged.

The grande wheel will fit the front wheel of most wheelchairs. Here's contact info:

DRI Products, Inc. For Orders in US : 1 - 8 - ONLY WHEEL (1-866-599-4335)
1160 N. Central Ave #A209Glendale, CA 91202 USA

General: info@volcanicwheel.comSales: sales@volcanicwheel.comCustomer Service: service@volcanicwheel.com

Thank You, Charles Ballard

We're in the middle of making our bathroom accessible and while searching for a "barrier free" entry shower pan, we started to get quotes that were in the thousands.

Just for the pan! A 48 x 48 barrier free fiberglass shower plan.

So I started calling the companies that make these special shower floors to find out what the deal was on the cost. At Best Bath in Boise, Idaho, I talked with the representative who directed me to one of their distributors, Charles Ballard, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

He's an honest businessman who sold one to me for under $700 (plus he threw in the barrier strip, epoxy, and drain.) Even he was surprised how high the quotes were when I told him. He runs an online medical supply company so if you see his name, I can vouch for his honesty and integrity.