Five Questions for Don Buethorn, CPO

Don Buethorn, CPO, is the owner of Cascade Prosthetics & Orthotics and Cascade DAFO, Bellingham, Washington. More than 25 years ago, the multitalented clinician, entrepreneur, and designer met physical therapist Nancy Hylton, PT, who requested that he build for her a series of short, relatively flexible, wrap-around pediatric MSO braces. Within a few years, Buethorn was filling orders from around the country for these braces, the Dynamic AFOs, and perfecting the designs. The business mushroomed, and today Cascade DAFO produces about 450 braces per day. Buethorn credits much of his success to the team at Cascade, which includes “extremely talented, hardworking, detail-oriented” workers. The Cascade team’s passion, Buethorn maintains, allows the business to thrive and gives him the support he needs to maintain not only the business but also his busy clinical practice and a very involved family life with his wife, three children, and pets.