Boston Pops! ACA Meeting Explodes with Excitement, Encouragement

Paddy Rossbach, RN, with Master of Ceremonies Robert David Hall. While the nationally renowned July 4th celebration in Boston, Massachusetts, was to be a thrilling supplement to the program, Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) President and CEO Paddy Rossbach, RN, in her opening statement, reminded listeners that there would be much more to interest attendees during the 2003 ACA Annual Educational Conference and Exposition.

Promising a gathering that would be "better than ever before," Rossbach said, "We've tried to listen to what consumers want." Separate technology and education sessions, along with short, interactive panel discussions, were to follow.

Noted movie and television actor and Master of Ceremonies Robert David Hall, well-known as the coroner in the hit CBS drama, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," described the conference as "a learning experience in a toy store for amputees." Hall, who has been a bilateral below-knee amputee for 25 years, said that focusing only on self or personal problems can slow or halt progress, while assisting others to improve their quality of life is the most precious gift that can be given. This basic truth would be echoed again and again in the program and in the conversations of amputees during the meeting.

Robert Gailey, PhD, PT, assists an amputee during the Gait Analysis and Mobility Clinic. Volunteer of the Year Dick Nickel, Role Model of the Year Denny Chipollini, and Professional of the Year Kyle Underwood, CP, received awards and recognition for their outstanding service. The Ernest M. Burgess Award was presented to Robert Gailey, PhD, PT, described as "defining enthusiasm with passion for his work."

The Bob Gailey-run, Ossur-sponsored Gait Analysis and Mobility Clinic attracted hundreds of amputees determined to improve their gait and maximize use of prosthetic devices. Other sessions addressed issues specific to men, women, and seniors, pain intervention, advocacy and access to care, diabetes care and management, dancing, yoga, healthful lifestyles to prevent problems, and how to retrieve the extensive archives of information and peer support listings assembled by the ACA.

Over 40 exhibitors allowed attendees to become educated as to "what's out there" in the way of technology, components, devices, supplies, insurance reimbursement, and accessible information.

Elvis is in the building! A focal point of the conference was the keynote address by Heather Mills-McCartney, patron of Adopt-a-Minefield and a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, given at the closing ceremonies. Mills-McCartney emphasized the need to see each challenge as an opportunity to move forward. Her inspiring life story indicated she has done just that.

The Amp-U-Tea Party was a grand finale to the conference. "A Ray of Elvis," featuring ACA regional representative and award-winning Elvis impersonator, Ray Guillemette Jr., provided the entertainment, playing favorite dance tunes and, of course, presenting the best of Elvis!

Boston definitely "popped" as host city for the 2003 ACA conference. Attendees left reluctantly, eager to visit the Nashville, Tennessee 14th Annual ACA Educational Conference and Exposition in 2004 to compare notes, catch up with old friends, make new ones, and discover what's new, improved, and empowering--and above all, to have fun.

For more information visit www.amputee-coalition.org .

Boston Pops! ACA Meeting Explodes with Excitement, Encouragement

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Cal State Dominguez Hills Orthotics & Prosthetics Program Partners with Ossur

IAOP Symposium Explores Wide Range of Topics

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Certified Prosthetist / Prosthetist-Orthotist (CP/CPO) Gates Prosthetics + Mobility Clinic — Mountain Home, AR

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