<img style="float: right; margin-left: 3px;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2009-03_13/view[1].jpg" alt="Karen Henry" /> When serious illness or injury happens, it's difficult for patients, family, and loved ones alike. But when the illness or injury involves a child, it becomes all the more heart wrenching. As families struggle to come to terms with a prognosis that may involve a lifetime of care for their child or other family member, planning for that care can be overwhelming. In such cases, a specialist may be brought in to develop a life care plan. When that plan involves someone who will need ongoing O&P care, O&P clinicians are often called in to consult and—in cases that involve litigation, such as malpractice—provide court testimony. Consulting and serving as an expert witness can be a lucrative addition to your O&P practice, but there are a number of things to consider before taking on this type of work. In this issue, Miki Fairley explores <a href="articles/2010-06_01.asp">what is involved in becoming a consultant to a life care planner</a> or an expert witness during a trial. This month, <i>The O&P EDGE</i> also takes a look at the <a href="articles/2010-06_03.asp">best practices in the orthotic management of pediatric spinal cord injury</a>, as well as how one expert uses his passion for toy making to create <a href="articles/2010-06_02.asp">AFOs for the tiniest of patients—premature infants.</a> <h4>Celebrating Excellence, Continuing to Grow</h4> I may be considered biased in this respect, but I believe that <i>The O&P EDGE</i> employs some of the finest staff and freelance writers in the O&P industry. Last month, Morgan Stanfield put a little meat behind that claim. I'd like to congratulate Morgan for winning first place in the Society of Professional Journalists' Top of the Rockies journalism competition. Morgan took the top prize in the Sports General Reporting Category for her article, "Beautiful Rebels: Paradox Sports Celebrates Guts, Gimps, and Glory," which appeared in the June 2009 issue of <i>The O&P EDGE.</i> I'd also like to welcome Laura Hochnadel as the newest assistant editor at <i>The O&P EDGE.</i> Laura has a passion for writing and editing and has been actively immersing herself in learning more about the O&P industry. Laura will be helping to manage our editorial content as the magazine continues to grow, and I'm sure you'll get the opportunity to meet her at the 2010 National Assembly of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) in September. As we approach the dog days of summer, we will begin planning our 2011 editorial content. We welcome your ideas and suggestions for topics to cover and ways to improve our editorial offerings. Please send your suggestions and comments to <script language="javascript">linkEmail('karen','opedge.com');</script>. As always, thanks for reading! <p align="right"><i><b>Karen Henry</b></i></p>
