Orthotic & Prosthetic Activities Foundation (OPAF) First Clinics—First Swim, First Dance, and First Fit—were a featured part of the recent Amputee Coalition National Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. First Swim offered instruction to amputees on ways to improve their stroke and feel more comfortable in and around water. Two-time world champion triathlete Mabio Costa led the instruction. All swim attendees were presented with yellow Amputee Coalition sunglasses and orange WillowWood beach towels.
First Dance was led by clinic cofounder Curtis Haremza. Haremza put the dancers through a series of lessons, including the rhumba and fox trot, and a conga line that went out the door as a final dance move. First Fit was led by John Kinder, an avid workout specialist who has a transtibial amputation. Kinder, along with OPAF’s Emma Durante, led over 40 people with amputations through a series of exercises using a resistance band to give more of a challenge.
Participants get the chance to show their dance moves.
Photograph courtesy of OPAF.