OPAF and the First Clinics were recently awarded a $15,000 grant from the Hanger Foundation. Hanger Foundation will be the title sponsor on five First Stride/First Things First Clinics across the nation this year.
First Stride/First Things First is the newest OPAF First Clinic. It is a full-day event that offers an introduction to gait training. The morning classroom education program is for physicial, occupational, and recreational therapists; allied healthcare professionals; and interested patients. K-levels, prosthetic feet and knees, and falls and fall recovery are discussed in depth.The afternoon session is geared toward patients with lower-limb amputations. Attendees work on posture and balance in preparation for walking with prostheses, and they are given hands-on opportunities to get a feel for how to fall and recover. First Stride/First Things First is under the direction of Chris Doerger, PT, CP, with more staff to be added in the future.