OPAF UPDATE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2002
Contact: Tamara Bibby
(571) 431-0831
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE AT WYNDHAM MILWAUKEE CENTER HOTEL
Dennis Oehler and Todd Schaffhauser, three-time Paralympic track and field champions, will lead a Fitness for Everyone clinic on June 1, 2002, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Wyndham Milwaukee Center Hotel. This day-long event is made possible through a partnership between the Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund, Inc. (OPAF) and Endolite North America.
Designed by Oehler and Schaffhauser, Fitness for Everyone clinics provide above-and below-knee amputees of all ages with instruction in stretching and strengthening, walking and running and achieving their own physical goals. Family members of amputees who enroll in the clinic, as well as healthcare practitioners, are warmly welcome to participate in the program.
The clinics offer continuing education credits for most participating practitioners and are especially beneficial to orthotists, prosthetists, physical therapists and other members of the rehabilitation team who wish to extend patient care beyond the clinical setting.
For more information, please visit http://www.opfund.org/programs/fitness.html
OPAF’S FIT FOR LIFE FIRST SWING CLINIC AT MORNINGSTAR GOLFER’S CLUB
On Thursday, May 30, 2002, the Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund, Inc., in cooperation with the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA), will host a First Swing clinic at Morningstar Golfer’s Club in Waukesha, Wisconsin. This clinic is free of charge and open to all physical therapists and every individual with a physical challenge regardless of age or handicap. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; classroom and range instruction for therapists from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; range instruction for therapists and patients from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bob Wilson, Executive Director of NAGA, developed First Swing to instruct therapists in teaching and encouraging physically challenged individuals to learn, or re-learn, the game of golf. First Swing clinics enable individuals to enjoy the unique, friendly atmosphere found on the golf course and gain a greater sense of personal achievement, emotional and physical well being and self-confidence.
This First Swing clinic is one of the cornerstones of the Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund’s Fit for Life program, an initiative designed by the Fund to benefit individuals with physical disabilities who may not want to participate in demanding aerobic exercise but still desire an active lifestyle.
For more information, please visit http://www.opfund.org/programs/life.html
OPAF WASHINGTON DC COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
OPAF’s visits to the Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC continue with much success and, more importantly, with great fun for the children we meet. In cooperation with the hospital and our local community partner the Morris Cafritz Center for Community Service, we have planned the next three visit dates: Tuesday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m; Tuesday, July 9 at 5:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, August 13 at 5:30 p.m.. While the Center brings together the volunteers, the staff of the Fund introduces program participants to assistive technology and to the children who are benefiting from it. Volunteers spend the afternoon interacting directly with the children at the hospital. They provide a fun environment through playing games, offering arts-and-crafts activities, and, most importantly, simply spending time with the kids. The Fund provides all volunteers with educational materials about assistive technology, including a resource bibliography, which they can take home with them for further learning. Please visit our web site to learn more about this new OPAF program: http://www.opfund.org/programs/dc.htm
The Fund is continually looking to expand its community initiatives through new partnerships and programs, both here in DC and around the United States. Please contact us for details.
For more information about the Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund, Inc. and its programs, please visit www.opfund.org or contact Tamara Bibby, OPAF Program Coordinator, at 571.431.0831 or [email protected].
Thank you for your continued support of our primary mission: enable individuals with physical disabilities – especially those served by members of the orthotics and prosthetics community – to enjoy the rewards of personal achievement, physical fitness, and social interaction.
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