Fall 2005 Newsletter
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How Far Would You Walk For A Friend?
Walk of Hope
When Larry Robinson found out that his friend and pharmacist, Amy Glaser, had multiple sclerosis, he knew what he had to do.
"I thought that if Amy can't walk, I'll walk for her," he said.
Robinson was one of the 30 members of Amy's Army taking part in the 5-mile Western-Southern MS Walk at Thomas More College.
The difference between Robinson, 52, and other members of Amy's Army is that walking poses a challenge for him. In June of last year, he had to have his left leg amputated below the knee.
"I was club-footed when I was born and then, when I was 13, I was playing sandlot football and I shattered my leg. It made a sound like a .22 rifle going off," he said.
The series of surgeries and constant pain that followed became so difficult to manage that Robinson, a father of three, realized he had to have his lower leg removed. Now he says he walks better than he ever has.
"It's taken some adjusting. Balance is the hardest thing, but I've adapted. I needed to do it for my family and now I'm realizing there's a life out there. There really is."
Shortly after his surgery, Robinson met Ken Glaser, Amy's husband, at St. Mary's Church in Alexandria.
"Ken told me what Amy was going through. I'd known her for nine years - she was my pharmacist - but I didn't know she was struggling with MS," Robinson said.
MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system.
Amy Glaser was diagnosed in 1996.
Robinson said some higher power had a hand in shaping his friendship with Amy.
"I think God wanted us to cross paths like this," he said.
Amy Glaser did not take part in the walk. She was on the sidelines cheering. for Ken, their three children, and Larry, who took strides for her and others whose lives have been irrevocably changed by MS.
What Does Larry Use
Larry has a silicone locking liner. This is rolled on his residual limb and has a locking pin in the bottom of it. The pin locks into a locking mechanism in the bottom of the socket portion of the prosthesis, eliminating the need for straps or belts.
The foot on Larry’s prosthesis is a Variflex foot, made by Ossur. It is a carbon fiber spring like foot. The carbon fiber composition allows the foot to be light weight and flexible.
It has energy storing characteristics which stores the energy put into the composite material during heel strike and mid stance and returns that energy at toe off. This allows for a great amount of flexibility and a spring like feeling which helps the wearer do more while using less energy.
Amputee Support Group Holds First Meeting
The first meeting of Abilities In Motion Amputee Success Network was held on Wednesday August 3rd. Leading the group were Tony Freeman, an above knee amputee, who many have met during visits to Abilities In Motion, and Sam Crosby, a below knee amputee and partial foot amputee.
Many topics were discussed ranging from difficulties faced during normal daily life for amputees to success stories such as Larry Robinson’s endeavors in this news letter.
Also discussed were some of the latest technologies, ranging from new designs and fitting techniques to the latest in micro processor knees. There was a lot of fun and laughing and everyone that came left feeling all the better for the experience.
The meetings are very informal and virtually no subject of discussion is off limit. Why not give it a try!
Future meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.00 pm, all are welcome. Refreshments are provided
Anyone wishing to find out more about the meetings can contact Tony at Abilities In Motion (513-245-0253).
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