Cutting Edge Prosthetic Ankle Joint Debuts in Oak Park

NBC5 recently featured a patient of John Angelico, CP in Scheck & Siress' Oak Park office who has been fit with the latest prosthetic device helping amputees walk.  With this computer-controlled ankle joint, the user can climb stairs easily and walk more smoothly on all sorts of terrain.  It's a huge advancement for amputees and John has fit the first on in Illinois.

Here is the link to NBC5's story:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/health/robotic-ankle-illinois-biom-170561516.html

And you can get the local perspective on OakPark.com:
http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/09-21-2012/Man_gets_Chicago-area's_first_fitting_for_bionic_ankles_in_Oak_Park

Volunteers Go For the Gold at Daycamp Olympics

The Northwest Special Recreation Association's (NWSRA) Camp Connections summer camp for children with physical and mental disabilities ended with an Olympic-sized celebration in August.  Campers, most of whom get around in wheelchairs, were treated to a day of games, a special lunch and an awards ceremony with their families.  

Scheck & Siress supported the program for the second year by sending 7 employee volunteers for the day.  Since most of the NWSRA kids are also patients of Scheck & Siress, our employees feel a special connection to this camp and enjoyed celebrating with the group.  NWSRA enjoyed the help of several, well-qualified volunteers.   It's a community partnership that really makes a difference.

Challenged Athletes Clinic Held for Chicago Runners

Saturday, August 11th was a beautiful day - one of those days that make you feel guilty if you go inside.  It was on this sunny Saturday that Ossur, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Scheck & Siress and the Chicago Park District invited disabled athletes out to get some expert advice on getting active.  A running and mobility clinlic held at LaFollette Park in Chicago brought out about 30 people with disabilities, mostly amputations, to try walking, running and moving more efficiently and comfortably. Special guest coach, Bob Gailey, PhD, PT was on hand to help with training techniques, balance and maximizing prosthetic capabilities.  It was a big success!  Visit our website regularly to learn about upcoming athletic events and clinics: www.scheckandsiress.com.

Paratriathlon Nationals a Success for Scheck & Siress

Last weekend was a great one in Austin Texas for the Paratraithlon National Championships.  This year there were 65 para triathletes, up from 32 last year.  

Melissa Stockwell, Prosthetist at the Scheck & Siress UIC office, won her category and is the National Champion for the third year in a row. 

Hailey Danisewicz, patient of Scheck & Siress, placed second with a personal best time.  Both are qualified to go to the world championships.

Jean Draper, also one of the Scheck & Siress staff, competed and qualified for the world paratiathlon championships in Auckland, New Zealand in October, as well.

According to Triathlete Magazine, "Interest in paratriathlon is at an all-time high and the sport continues to grow following its inclusion in the Paralympic Games program. Paratriathlon will make its debut at the Paralympic Summer Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, a goal for many paratriathletes racing in Austin.

"This year’s race took place on Memorial Day, a day especially important to athletes with ties to the military. Stockwell was the first female American soldier in history to lose a limb in active combat and is now a national and world champion. The Iraq War veteran found a flag along the course and waved it as she crossed the finish line."

Melissa Stockwell, care of www.usatriathlon.org

International Conference on Scoliosis Treatment: SOSORT

David Speers, CPO of Scheck and Siress was invited to speak at the 7^th annual meeting of the International Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment, or SOSORT, in Milan, Italy.  

Speers states,  "My involvement with SOSORT has allowed me to stay current with the latest scoliosis treatment techniques from all over the world.  I am able to apply these techniques in my daily practice in Chicago.  Being invited to speak at the conference was an honor."

Milan, Italy where SOSORT conference was held in May, 2012

His presentations were entitled, “Comparison of in-brace correction between supine, molded, asymmetric TLSOs and standing, CAD, symmetric TLSOs" and "The effects of scoliosis bracing on parent and child perception of adolescent's quality of life". 

A newer organization, SOSORT is gaining recognition as a leading organization for the conservative treatment of scoliosis.  SOSORT will host their 2013 international meeting in Chicago.  To learn more about the organization and international conference, visit www.sosort.org.

David Speers is an orthotist and prosthetist in the Schaumburg office of Scheck and Siress where he specializes in pediatric orthotic care and general prosthetic care.  

A typical TLSO orthosis or brace for conservative scoliosis treatment

Orthotists work together with physicians  to correct scoliosis