The President’s Message:
At the February Meeting our speaker, Dana Remick, CPO, Manager of Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics in Statesboro, GA, did an excellent job with his expert presentation about bracing. At the end of his presentation Dana spoke about the new technology in bracing called “The Stance Control Orthotic Knee Joint” developed by Gary Horton, CO, FAAOP.
A member of CEPSA, Dianne Falgiani, just happened to be wearing her new Stance Control brace and demonstrated it for us. Dianne is the first polio survivor that we know that is using this new technology in bracing.
The Stance Control Orthotic Knee Joint is designed for patients with weak or absent quadriceps and varying degrees of knee instability, which makes it ideal for polio survivors as well as people with spinal cord injuries. This lightweight orthosis allows patients to regain their mobility; and assists them to walk with a more energy-efficient normal gait. This knee joint prevents knee collapse regardless of flexion, automatically locks your knee straight at heel strike, and allows you to have free motion to bend your knee when you step. No other joint like this is currently available.
Nancy Pessolano, a Physical Therapist from Care One, and my daughter, Leslie LeSage, who is in the Doctorate Program of Physical Therapy at Armstrong Atlantic State University, joined us at our February meeting to hear Dana Remick speak,.
One of Leslie’s professors, Dr. Anne Thompson, who has been involved with CEPSA for years, asked me to speak about Post-Polio Syndrome for the Physical Therapy students at Armstrong on Friday, March 2nd. In addition, on March 4th and 5th Anne Thompson, Leslie and other PT students toured the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation and Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Little White House State Historic Site in Warm Springs, Georgia. Leslie gave me copies of the post-polio syndrome reference guides and information that was given to her by the Physical Therapy Warm Springs Rehab Clinic. I would like to share the information about energy conservation for polio survivors.
Energy Conservation
Definition: A method of organizing daily activities so that the least amount of energy is used to complete those tasks.
Purpose: To allow more activities to be accomplished comfortably in a day without undue fatigue. To complete less important tasks with the least amount of energy so that more meaningful activities can be continued and enjoyed.
Energy Conservation – Based on 5 Principles – The 5 “P’s”:
(1) Planning: Make a schedule of your day’s/week’s tasks. Alternate heavy tasks with lighter ones and organize rest periods into your day. Spread out your errands throughout the week. BE REALISTIC.
(2.) Prioritizing: Decide which activities HAVE to be done, and which can wait. Also, decide which tasks can be done by someone else. DELEGATE
(3.) Pacing: Balance your day with activity and rest periods. Give yourself time to complete the tasks that you start. Do the hardest activities when you are feeling your best. REMEMBER: Do not rush yourself or do too many things at once.
(4.) Position: When possible, sit down at a comfortable height to work. For example, sitting or leaning on a high stool while cooking, ironing, or washing dishes can take the stress off your leg muscles and decrease the energy you use for those tasks.
- Positioning also relates to POSTURE: Use good posture when sitting, standing, lifting, etc. to avoid straining muscles (body mechanics). Also, avoid staying in one position for a long time as this can cause your joints to become stiff and sore. Move out of your working posture at least every hour.
(5.) Power/Labor Saving Devices: When possible, use power and assistive devices to help complete a task. These devices can provide extra leverage and reach, keep your joints in the most functional position, prevent strain on your muscles and joints, and save your energy.
- Examples: Reacher, tub bench, wheeled cart, power tools, electric appliances, precut vegetables, power scooter or wheelchair. I believe that it is important to also add the new “Stance Control Orthotic Knee Joint.” Horton Technology Inc. (www.stancecontrol.com) 1-866-663-3970
- Check with your physician, Orthopedic Specialist and Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist to see if this is something that could be of assistance to you.
God Bless…
Diane Davis, President
Announcements:
Dan Shehan, CEPSA’s Map Project Chairman and other appointees to the city of Savannah’s Boards, Commissions and Authorities are being recognized at an “Appreciation Reception,” on April 3rd at the Savannah Civic Center Ballroom. This event is being hosted by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah. Dan is a member of the Savannah-Chatham Council on Disability Issues and serves as the Public Awareness Chairman.
March 24th – Meeting and Fellowship
Some members have mentioned that they would like more time to visit with each other at the meetings so we will have a fellowship time after the business part of the meeting.
S.O.S. ~ Spotlighting Our Sponsors
Auto Shine Car Wash Above All Auto Glass
4410 Augusta Road 1953 Sand Hill Road
Garden City, GA 31408 Guyton, GA 31312-5232
Sapp=s Wrecker Service, Inc. Bernard Williams & Company
P.O. Box 4141 34 Gulfstream Road 6001 Chatham Center Drive, Suite 230
Savannah, GA 31407-0141 Savannah, GA 31405
Member Concerns
Velma Underwood, Lorraine Frew, Ruth Parham
Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association, Inc. General Meeting Minutes, February 24, 2007
President Diane Davis welcomed members and guests at 10:40 am. The minutes of the February meeting will be corrected to indicate that August is National Immunization Month.
Ruth Parham presented the inspiration.
Diane announced that she had 400 brochures and post-polio letters to distribute to our physician’s offices; she also made copies of CEPSA’s “SOS – Survivors on Search” fliers for our members to post in doctors’ offices and around town to locate survivors.
Janet DiClaudio announced the Global wild polio case count for 2007 is 10 and it was 7 for the same time period in 2006. There were a total of 1,985 cases in 2006.
Sandra Bath stated that we do have an immunization coalition, which CEPSA is a member of. Sandra volunteered to host the August meeting of the Coalition, and she requests that CEPSA sponsor a continental breakfast for the group.
Cheryl Brackin introduced our speaker, Dana Remick, CPO, Manager of Hunger Prosthetics and Orthotics in Statesboro, GA, who did an excellent job presenting “Bracing: The Need, Options and Technology.” He defined the basic types of orthoses and passed around examples of some of them, and briefly discussed the five goals of intervention which are segmental stability, prevention of progression of deformity, decrease pain, increase forward velocity and decrease energy expenditure. He described several types of gait and the new technology which allows stance control. Dianne Falgiani was very gracious and willing to demonstrate her brace.
After the break Diane Davis then asked the members to share what CEPSA means to them. Several people shared their thoughts.
Dan Shehan gave an update on his map project. He stated that the city was surveying the historic district at the same time we were. They identified 1,384 corners with no curb cuts at all, 1,376 curb cuts that do not meet ADA specifications and need to be redone and 161 that do meet specifications. He is a member of the Savannah-Chatham Council on Disability Issues and the Chairman of their Public Awareness Committee. Janet DiClaudio is a member of that committee. Dan received an e-mail from a city official stating that they hope to do 462 curb cuts this year. They cost between $300 and $500 each. They asked him to identify the ones that should have the highest priority. He told them from the Rose of Sharon down Habersham Street to Gwinnett Street.
Dan is a member of the Savannah-Chatham Council on Disability Issues and Chairman of their Awareness Committee. Janet DiClaudio is a member of that committee. Activities are planned for July 26th, the anniversary date of the Americans with Disabilities Act and during October which is Disability Awareness Month. He would like to get the newspaper or one of the television stations to do a series about a report card on Savannah and the ADA. A brief discussion about the lack of handicap parking downtown ended in a suggestion by Sandra Bath that we add the handicap parking to our map.
Jim Veccia talked about the website. If you have any problem using the website or see any errors please e-mail him. The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet DiClaudio, Secretary
Attendance :
Betty Goff Nancy Pessolano
Dana Remick Gigi Veccia
Gene Jarvis Tom Newcomer
Richard Graham Chris Wilburn
Dan Shehan Jack Roy
Dave Vance Ruth Parham
Sissy Morel Dianne & Tony Falgiani
Cheryl Brackin Jim Veccia
Beverly Jarvis Eunice Newcomer
Janet DiClaudio Sandra Bath
Diane Davis Sandy Roy
B. J. Vance Mildred Roberts
Leslie LeSage Junie Parham
Gloria & Ed Sullivan
Happy Birthday to …
April 2 Tom Newcomer
April 8 Marty Foxx
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet. James Oppenheim
CEPSA Officers for 2006
- Diane Davis, President
- Lorraine Frew, V.P.
- Janet DiClaudio Secretary
- Marty Foxx, Treasurer
- Members-at-Large – Dan Shehan, Jim Veccia
Committees – Chairpersons:
- Publicity – Cheryl Brackin
- Newsletter – Sandra Bath
- Mailing – Beverly Jarvis
- Fund-Raising – Richard Graham
- Hospitality – Tom & Eunice Newcomer, Dot and Bob Parkhurst
- Phone – Lavonne Calandra, Betty Goff
- Videographer–Junie Parham
Voluntary Dues of $15.00 may be paid at any time throughout the year to Marty Foxx;
her mailing address is: 21 East 61st Street, Savannah, GA 31405
Global Case Count
| Total cases | Year-to-date 2007 | Year-to-date 2006 | Total in 2006 |
| Globally | 35 | 35 | 1997 |
| – in endemic countries: | 30 | 21 | 1869 |
| – in non-endemic countries: | 5 | 14 | 128 |
A Letter from Dan Shehan:
Dear friends,
On January 4, 2007, the Savannah City Council passed a resolution in support of diversity and inclusion. Here is the title and a few sections which pertain to the disabled.
A RESOLUTION to re-affirm Savannah’s commitment to be an inclusive community; to condemn racism, bigotry, harassment, and discrimination directed toward any resident or visitor; to commit to seek just and prompt resolution to these incidents; and to authorize the city of Savannah to join the partnership for working toward inclusive communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Aldermen hereby reaffirm Savannah’s commitment to human and civil rights and its strong opposition to any acts of racism, bigotry, harassment, and discrimination in Savannah.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Aldermen herein condemn individual and collective acts of racism bigotry, harassment, and discrimination directed toward any resident or visitor because of age, ancestry, creed, color, gender, mental or physical disability, national origin, race religion and sexual orientation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council also reaffirms its commitment that Savannah is a City that promotes a fair, free, safe, and friendly environment encouraging good will and mutual respect for all.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS 4th DAY OF JANUARY UPON MOTION OF ALDERMAN SADLER, SECONDED BY ALDERMAN FELSER AND CARRIED.
Unfortunately, the civil rights of the disabled are being violated daily by the city with very little notice, and having to use the streets for wheelchairs and scooters is not safe or friendly.