PROTEOR USA is pleased to announce that Frank Oschell has been appointed to Vice President of U.S. Sales, effective immediately. Frank joins the PROTEOR USA team boasting 24 years of experience in the medical field; half of that time spent at Ottobock Healthcare.  With expertise in the development and training of consultative, solutions-based sales teams, and in cooperation with value-added marketing and clinically driven education, Frank has gained recognition as a top performing, results driven, business leader. PROTEOR USA President and CEO Matt Swiggum shares: “I am excited to continue building our incredible team at PROTEOR with the addition of Frank Oschell to lead our US Sales and Development activities. He is a seasoned sales professional with strong sales and organizational abilities that I had the pleasure of experiencing first-hand during our time together at Ottobock.  As the leader of its fastest growing business unit, his growth has been founded in his focus on supporting the success of his customers.” Steve Sherman, previously Vice President of U.S. Sales, passes the torch to Frank while moving to focus on the development of new global distribution channels while reinforcing current partnerships in an ever-growing international marketplace.  Swiggum continues: “With Frank’s focus on the US, we are able to focus pivotal resources on international activities. Steve Sherman has accepted the dedicated position as Vice President of International Sales.  He has been very instrumental in building the RUSH Foot business and has an entrepreneurial drive that will enable us to continue our rapid growth on a global level.”

PRESS RELEASE  UPDATED: MAY 9, 2019 15:00 EDT TEMPE, Ariz., May 9, 2019 (Newswire.com) – PROTEOR Group is pleased to announce that Matthew Swiggum has been appointed as the new president and CEO of the U.S. division, PROTEOR USA, effective immediately. PROTEOR Group’s COO Edouard Archambeaud recently stated, “Having Mr. Swiggum join our team is another significant step in PROTEOR’s path to build a strong presence in North America. Matthew’s impressive track record in growing a sales organization will be a tremendous asset to further the growth of our franchise. We are all very enthusiastic to begin this new chapter of our journey together.” Swiggum’s appointment is a clear reflection of the company’s current state: positioned to continue global expansion and brand awareness surrounding the extensive line of innovative prosthetic and orthotic components now available in the United States. Mr. Swiggum brings decades of industry experience, strategic guidance and customer-focused passion to the company. “I am excited about the enormous opportunity that lies ahead as part of the PROTEOR USA family, and helping amputees and our customers achieve continued success.” Recognized as a global leader and educator in the practice of sales and marketing excellence, his previous experience includes over 21 years with Ottobock Healthcare, most recently as the regional president and CEO, as well as a member of the board of directors with the Amputee Coalition of America since 2017. J. Blount Swain, the founder of Ability Dynamics (now known as PROTEOR USA) was responsible for growing the company and brand awareness to where it currently stands. His contributions and leadership were truly visionary, bringing the RUSH Foot to the forefront of the prosthetic industry with an emphasis on increasing the independence and well-being of amputees. His previous efforts are greatly appreciated. About PROTEOR USA PROTEOR USA, a North American company established in 2011 and located in Tempe, Arizona, continues its growth thanks to its unique glass composite feet developed by engineers from the aerospace industry for active amputee patients. Beyond this guarantee of quality, a strong brand identity was established on key social media channels that focuses on sharing experiences from the patients’ perspective. www.proteorusa.com About PROTEOR INC. PROTEOR INC., an independent family-company, was established 105 years ago with its headquarters in Dijon, France. PROTEOR offers a complete range of high-quality products and services to the O&P world through more than 60 wholly owned clinics in France as well as several international subsidiaries and global distribution. Thanks to continuous investments in innovation, many medical and scientific partnerships and day-to-day cooperation with CPOs, PROTEOR enjoys a recognized expertise all over the O&P community. http://orthopaedics.proteor.com/ Media Contact: Holly Sanger, Director of Marketing, PROTEOR USA, 480.244.6684, [email protected] Source: PROTEOR USA

My journey as an amputee had begun after I sustained a major trauma injury nearly 4 years ago. Not only had I received an RBKA, I also have a fused left foot and a spinal fusion. This has slowed down my ability to mouse around the mountains with a heavy backpack! But, it has not by any means stopped me. With my first foot being a carbon type, and not knowing what really was available as I was a newbie amputee, on paper it basically sold itself to be what I was after in a prosthetic foot. Yes, it had done the job but was not comfortable or smooth enough for the lifestyle I was trying to return too. This foot didn’t give me a smooth gait, let alone the ability to look at something and say to myself: “I can do that without being in pain later.” Over a short period of time, I wore that foot out, it showed signs of pitting in the carbon from all the sand and all that comes from being at the beach or river. Eventually, I cracked the foot from, well, just living my life. Then, the best thing ever happened to me, my prosthetist advised me that I needed a RUSH Foot. My next leg build would allow me a new lease on life, as an active amputee. The first steps for me, to this day, were one heck of an eye opener. The smoothness in my gait exceeded all of my expectations of what an artificial foot could do. This gave me a whole new idea of what we as leg amputees can do; a massive uplift. I can now look at things in confidence and give it a crack, knowing I will be home again without experiencing pain in my residual limb. Since having my RUSH Foot, I have been able to attack the Whanganui Journey twice, go mountain biking, go swimming in the surf, head down at the skatepark with my kids, even scootering alongside side them, and back in the bush tramping. All of these achievements are due to many things, like determination, strength training, correct fits from the prosthetic team, and the underlining ability of the RUSH Foot. I’d thought it was safe to say I’d found what worked best for me…but then came the RUSH ROGUE!  Again, another level of comfort, with the added torsion, even just getting in and out of the car was more comfortable. This foot gave me back overnight trips, in a hut with nothing but a pack on my back. The comfort traversing the bush’s rugged terrain was already there, but now with even more dynamic movement to help navigate in the bush. I was more than happy with the RUSH HiPro, but with my lifestyle, the RUSH ROGUE exceeds my expectation of what a prosthetic foot can do for me.  Be sure to watch this video of me putting my RUSH ROGUE to the test! For me, the search for the right foot has ended. After a day’s activities I can come home with plenty still left in the tank. This week, I am confident to have a first crack-up on the ski fields of the Central North Island…RUSH Life! Have you found a foot that works for you like Bevan has? Come visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot and tell us all about it!  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals.

June 5th, 2018 Dijon, France – Tempe, Arizona – Proteor, leader of the French custom-made O&P market, continues its growth with the acquisition of PROTEOR USA, the US developer and manufacturer of the RUSH Foot glass composite prosthetic feet. Through this transaction, Proteor seizes a one time opportunity to build its team dedicated to the US market, increasing its sales and widening its range of O&P fitting devices with the worldwide recognizable RUSH Foot. It completes and strengthens the Proteor products range in France and worldwide. Proteor brings to the RUSH dynamic feet its experience and its international network to consolidate and increase distribution. “I am very enthusiastic to welcome the team of Ability within the Proteor Group” said Michel Pierron, chairman of Proteor. “This represents for us a great opportunity to turn our company into a global player in the industry with greater sales and marketing coverage along with strengthened development capacities.” For Proteor, this project aims to accelerate its US positioning and growth while creating synergies for the development of prosthetic components with many ongoing very exciting projects. With the RUSH Foot brand, PROTEOR USA products quickly established themselves on the US market and made the brand, in just a few years, a challenger recognized by all patients and professionals of the North American orthopedic community! “We are excited for this next chapter and look forward to further strengthening the global awareness of the RUSH Foot collection by leveraging the Proteor legacy of quality products and services“ said Blount Swain, President of PROTEOR USA. The two companies share a combined commonality and mission which is to increase the independence and well-being of their end users by offering them innovative and high-performance solutions for improved safety, design and comfort at controlled and responsible costs. About PROTEOR USA PROTEOR USA, a US company established in 2011 and located in Tempe, Arizona, continues its growth thanks to its unique glass composite feet developed by engineers from the aerospace industry for active amputee patients. Beyond this guarantee of quality, a strong brand identity was established on key social media channels that focuses on sharing experiences from the patients’ perspective. www.rushfoot.com About Proteor Proteor, an independent family-company, was established 105 years ago with its headquarters in Dijon, France. Proteor offers a complete range of high quality products and services to the O&P world, through more than 60 wholly-owned clinics in France as well as several international subsidiaries and a global distribution across the globe. Thanks to continuous investments in innovation, many medical and scientific partnerships, and day to day cooperation with CPOs, Proteor enjoys a recognized expertise all over the O&P community.  http://orthopaedics.proteor.com/ Press contact Holly Sanger PROTEOR USA [email protected] +1 (480) 244-6684 Anne Claire Marie Proteor [email protected] +33 (0)3 80 78 42 63

For an amputee, to adapt is to thrive. Many people think of the term “adaptive” only in regard to adaptive athletes. This kind of thinking can be detrimental to our personal growth and self-image. Let me explain… For myself, some days just getting out of bed can be a daunting task. I can’t speak for others with physical challenges, but for myself the thought of going through the tedious steps of putting my leg on and facing another day of aches, pains, stares, comments, and frustrations… it makes me want to lay back down. This isn’t because I’m being a defeatist, it’s just how I feel some days. Therefore, I adapt. Just getting out of bed can be a victory on days like that. That, I believe to be the biggest lesson. Some days I can CRUSH it; everything comes easy, every weight is light, miles and miles of walking seem like nothing, other days, not so much. The biggest thing to keep in mind about this lifestyle is that the bar can move. What I mean is that some days are easy, some days are hard. We need to make sure that our focus remains inward in this respect. I look around on social media, and I see others with similar impairments doing so much more than me, and I almost feel like I’m failing. That’s the trap! We cannot compare our abilities to anyone but ourselves. This is especially true to someone who is new to having their abilities challenged. It’s easy to see others, with similar challenges, and to unfairly compare ourselves to them. I know that this phenomenon is not limited to people with physical impairment, but for the sake of this entry it’s the only instance that I’m addressing. Social media is like a highlight reel. Whether it’s day to day normal stuff, or it’s the crazy Tough Mudder, CrossFit, sky diving, Ninja Warrior stuff… it’s still the highlight reel. I know when I post, I post the best pictures of myself mid-stride while running down range, or in the middle of a hard carve, snow flying, or a video of me going deep in the squat rack at the gym. I’m here to tell you that after all these big adventures, I still need to take my leg off and tend to my limb. I would venture to guess that it’s the same with almost all amputees. I don’t post the normal, everyday, boring things; just the big “HOLY COW” things. When we look to our peers, we need to remember that everyone had to start small, everyone has to work hard to get results, and that nothing comes easy. I want to make it clear that I’m not trashing adaptive athletes here. Though my sports aren’t mainstream, I do consider myself an adaptive athlete. I love following my brothers and sisters as they do everything from CrossFit, powerlifting, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, diving, swimming, etc. From the daily “get it done” gang, all the way to Olympic Gold, I am proud to know some of these extraordinary people; I want to make it clear to anyone who is challenged, especially those that are new to this life, that it doesn’t come “easy” to anyone. It’s all about setting goals. Some days we crush it, some days we struggle; both are completely acceptable. Set your goals but be flexible, some days those goals will seem unattainable. Keeping your goals realistic is very important. This isn’t a new concept, and as much as I’d like to take credit for it, I can’t. Having goals that present a challenge but are attainable is key. On the hard days, I have a whole bunch of small goals, like: “get out of bed”, “make it to first break”, “make it to lunch”, “get to the end of the day”. On the strong days, my goals are a bit bigger. Setting realistic long-term goals is important too. For example, I personally want to lose 70 pounds. I set small goals, which work towards the end goal. Personally, I shoot for 10 pounds at a time. If I just focused on the big number, I could easily be disheartened and quit. By setting the smaller goals, I can climb the ladder towards victory one achievement at a time. Be flexible in all aspects of life. That is the very heart of being adaptive. It’s not always about being an adaptive athlete, some days it’s just about being adaptive to everyday life. Head over to our YouTube channel and have a listen while I share my thoughts on “being adaptive.” Also be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. LIKE our page, leave a review, and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Fritz: [email protected] Facebook: Facebook.com/fritz.rudy Instagram: @fritz_hop_a_long_rudy Twitter: @hopalong_fritz YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCNtsUwguuqEMDPGtEa45FAw

TEMPE, Ariz., March 23, 2018 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — Introducing the latest RUSH Foot Innovation…The EVAQ8 Collection PROTEOR USA, LLC a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced the release of the RUSH Foot EVAQ8 Collection of feet; a fully integrated elevated vacuum system. “We stepped back and looked at the one key element that was missing from the RUSH Foot collection. The answer? An integrated elevated vacuum system.”, says PROTEOR USA’ Director of Engineering, Jim Scott. Scott continues, “Our goal was to create a simplistic, efficient and effective elevated vacuum system that allows the end user to achieve maximum vacuum quickly with no bulky components.” The new RUSH Foot EVAQ8 Collection is an unprecedented elevated vacuum system that seamlessly integrates effective vacuum with the same rugged simplicity of all the RUSH Foot® designs. No batteries or complicated, mechanical pump required. Unlike the competition, upwards of 22inHg can be achieved with this surprisingly simple, integrated design that stabilizes volume, increases linkage, and heightens proprioception through elevated vacuum suspension. The RUSH Foot EVAQ8 foot Collection is all-terrain, fully-submersible (fresh or salt water), free of bulky components, and requires minimal maintenance. The RUSH Foot EVAQ8 Collection is available in the RUSH LoPro, HiPro and ROGUE models providing the perfect option for the majority of individuals seeking elevated vacuum suspension. For additional information or to order the RUSH Foot EVAQ8 ROGUE, HiPro or LoPro, visit https://rushfoot.com or call 855.450.7300 today. PROTEOR USA, based in Tempe, Arizona, is a full service manufacturer of next generation prosthetic devices. The company offers a wide range of superior quality products and services, deriving from its unparalleled understanding and experience in the industry. https://rushfoot.com To view this video on YouTube, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB56WeF4mTs Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com SOURCE PROTEOR USA

I walked up to my sink and brushed my teeth; I rinsed and dried my hands.  Then, as I was turning to leave the room, I caught sight of myself in the mirror and turned to have a look.  I stood there for several minutes looking at this person looking back at me.  I almost didn’t recognize him.  I looked at the gray creeping across his hairline.  My eyes traced each scar meandering down from his head and across his face.  I looked at the wrinkles and smile lines that edged his mouth and eyes.  His eyes looked both bright and a little tired at the same time.  They say the eyes are windows to the soul, so I decided to have a look.  I traveled down the path of his life in a blur of motion and sound before all fell silent. I stood there in the space between heartbeats and felt the power of his life about to unfold.  There was a flash and I then began traveling along the days he’d lived.  I watched as each life event, both epic and mundane, unfolded before me.  I watched as he reached out to the world.  I watched as he learned to love, I watched as he wept in the corner; learning what a broken heart feels like.  I watched every day roll by.  I watched as he made mistakes and I watched as he tried to grow and learn from them.  I watched him soar and I watched him fall. Tears welled up in my eyes at some of the more tragic events but then I smiled as those more noble played out before me. As I watched each moment of his life, I witnessed a scene in which he would leave this world in a most horrific way. I viewed the adventures he had elsewhere and I watched him find his way back.  Then, oh but then… I watched him learn to really live.  I’d seen him fall so many times, yet each and every time I saw him get back up.  He struggled some of the times, and often, I didn’t think he would make it, but there he was, back on his feet.  With that smile, always that smile, spread across his face.  He had learned a secret that most people, sadly, never do.  He had learned that life is as amazing as you will let it be.  Then, in another blur of motion, I was back.  I stood there, again looking at this man looking back at me and I wondered: had it all been worth it?  All the obstacles, all the smiles, all the agony…had it been worth it?  All the days of frustration and tears, all the years of struggling to become a new person, had it all been worth it?  To bring me here, to this moment, looking at the man looking back at me, had it all been worth it?  To make my way from where I was to where I am now; to be transformed from who I was to the person looking at me, was it all worth it?  A mischievous grin spread across both our faces, as in a hushed whisper, three words filled the silent void in the room: “oh, but yes.”  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe I will heed what that man has taught me and go do something fun.  Life is a gift; it is a blessing, and often, our time here is all too brief.  Don’t spend it wishing things were different and lamenting what may have been.  Enjoy each amazing day and draw breath in. Life IS what you make it. Watch this video and have a listen while I share more of my thoughts in the video portion of this blog.  You’re in charge. Take control of your life, you can start by visiting our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. LIKE our page, leave a review, and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Mark: [email protected] Instagram: @marky5toes Facebook.com/Mark.Ferrell.92

Hello, again, my friends!  I don’t know about you, but this time of year, I feel beat!  From the changes in weather to recovering from the hectic holiday season….it all takes a toll.   For me personally, this time of year is especially busy for me. Being a personal trainer, I have clients that want to be healthier for the new year and they need guidance. I know that adequate sleep is imperative for proper body function.  I have to admit, I am human and want to take care of others and often put my own needs on the back burner.  We all need our rest, even if you are a self-proclaimed super hero…like me!   Sleep goes a long way; we all know we need it.  It does more than just gets rid of those dark circles under your eyes.  Sleep is a key part of living a healthy lifestyle and can benefit your mind, heart, your weight, and so much more. Even while at rest, your mind is busy working away; the brain is like a muscle, and much like your body after physical exertion, the brain also needs rest.  When you are overly-tired you may notice you how easily you can forget things, simple tasks become difficult and confusing.  Getting enough sleep can also help you retain memories.  If you don’t want to forget something important like your anniversary or a birthday, you better take a nap.  Also, a good night’s sleep can also help boost creativity.   Being a personal trainer, I always hear the “I’m too tired to workout” excuse; an excuse that is likely resulting from a lack of sleep.  Your body repairs itself while at rest; if you just started working out and you feel tired all the time, it’s probably because you’re not used to the increased activity and your body is struggling to repair the muscles it just used.  The lethargic feelings experienced after the start of a new exercise regimen can last up to 2 weeks and even longer if you don’t get enough sleep.  On the other hand, if you have been active for a long time, or are an athlete, the only way you to push your body and recover properly, is to rest and ultimately get enough sleep.   Weight management can also be affected by sleep.  If you are thinking of going on a diet you need to think of sleep as well.  You’ll lose more body fat and retain muscle with proper sleep. There’s a long, technical explanation that goes into this, but I’ll just tell you that your metabolism works much better with proper rest. When it comes to the importance of rest, all the things I’ve mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg.  There are many things that are affected by sleep: mood, depression, illness, stress, attention span, the list goes on and on.  Take a moment and check out this informative article I’ve found for more insight on why sleep is so important and also be sure to watch my video accompanying this blog.  Now that you’re well rested, use some of that energy and visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Jenny: [email protected] Facebook.com/peglegtrainer Instagram: @peglegtrainer www.peglegtrainer.com

“Always be prepared”.  Cliché as it may sound, this simple motto can, and should be, a major part of an amputee’s life.  Whether you are new to the amputee community or you are a seasoned veteran, being prepared can save a lot of time and headaches.  Obviously, different situations require different preparations, so the real trick is to become conditioned to preparation in itself.  At the beginning, it’s better to have too much stuff.  Streamlining will get easier as you get used to your life as an amputee and learn all your daily or situational needs., My first few times traveling, I brought everything I had that was prosthesis-related, even though I was only going to my parent’s home three hours away.  I brought extra sleeves, both liners, every sock that was given to me, medical supplies and I even brought tools.  I had an entire “go bag” that was dedicated to carrying everything I could possibly need. Over the years, packing just the necessities has gotten much easier…though I still find myself going through a mental inventory of items each time I travel. Preparing is not just about prosthetic needs.  Mental preparation, walking route preparation, pain management preparation, possible adaptive-measure preparation; these are all large parts of the new life we live and should be taken into consideration.  I feel that mental preparation is probably the most overlooked by many amputees.  Preparing your mind for situations is very beneficial.  Here’s a short list of things to consider: 1. You may fall. Eventually, most of us might catch a stair, get tangled in weeds, or misplace a step on uneven terrain.  Knowing that it could happen to anyone and not just amputees, can ease the blow to your ego.  On that note, learning how to fall properly, through a martial arts school or physical therapy, can save you some aches and pains.  2. People will likely stare and some may even ask personal questions. Accepting the idea that people are naturally curious and sometimes rude in their approach, will make it easier to brush it off when/if it does happen.  3. There will be things that you will need to do differently now. Notice that I didn’t say “things you can’t do anymore?”  There is a huge difference between the two.  The old adage of “crawling before walking” comes to mind here.  There really aren’t any limitations, just new considerations.  There are many more mental preparations that you could add to this list, but these are a few of the things that I feel important to discuss in our new reality.   Preparing for pain management is self-explanatory. If you know that you’ll be walking more than normal, having items to ease the potential pain is important. Whether it’s ice packs, compression bandages, medication, or any other means of pain relief, having these on hand is a must.  The key element to this is being able to relax and repair at the end of the day.  Being able to do that can mean the difference between doing things multiple days in a row, or needing a down day in between excursions.  Planning outings may take a bit longer than before but it’s well worth the extra time.  For example: If you plan on traveling, researching things like airport procedures, how far you’ll need to walk, terrain you’ll encounter, if the hotel provides accessibility equipment, etc., is very wise and will make being able to relax and enjoy yourself much easier.  I personally take inventory twice before I head into the woods.  I make sure I have not only my necessary equipment, but also anything else I may possibly need.    Has life changed?  Certainly, but it hasn’t stopped.  We aren’t limited and life will continue.  We are all capable of amazing things and will surely experience grand new adventures.  Taking a little extra time to prepare may seem daunting in the beginning, but once you have your system down, everything will fall into place.  Will it be tough?  You bet it will.  However, many things worth doing are exactly that; tough.  Keep charging forward, keep trekking, and keep living. Make sure you check out the video section of this blog too, you can find it here. Oh, and don’t forget to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. LIKE our page, leave a review, and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Fritz: [email protected] Facebook: Facebook.com/fritz.rudy Instagram: @fritz_hop_a_long_rudy Twitter: @hopalong_fritz YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCNtsUwguuqEMDPGtEa45FAw

I’ve always been a risk taker…an envelope pusher. I’ve always driven myself and said things like, “discover your limits and then destroy them!” Truth be told, I’ve always felt a bit invincible. Recently, however, I got a big ol’ reality check and, to paraphrase the great Randy Hickey, “I’m vincible! I’m vincible!” I’d been training pretty intensely for a big race. Weekly, I had been running smaller races of varying length and training daily at the gym. Now, though this might sound fine to some fitness buffs, my problem arose as during all this training, I was also trying a new prosthetic suspension system… after being in the same one for over 25 years. Overall, the experience was positive as it helped me decide on the suspension system for my new leg. However, the journey was not without a speed bump or two… “hot spots”, scuffed areas on my leg, and even a little skin breakdown. Long story short; I changed too many variables at once and pushed myself too hard. Then, the real trouble began. Last year, I had a blast running the Terrain Race: Phoenix. As a result, I decided to include it as part of this year’s training regimen. I was excited! I love obstacle courses! When the day of the race time arrived, I didn’t let a little thing like a small, open wound on my residual limb stop me. I was invincible, after all. Turns out there is a LOT of mud and dirty water in this race. Combined with an open wound, I was asking for trouble, but somehow thought I was protected by will-power. I ran the race in record time; a new record for me anyway (you can see the highlights from this year’s run here). I collected my finisher medal, stopped for my celebratory cheeseburger and ice cream at Freddy’s and then went home. A few days later I noticed that my residual limb seemed a little swollen and the fit of my prosthesis seemed a little “off.” I ignored it for a couple of days until I found myself reaching for the crutches, unable to bear weight on my prosthesis. I quickly realized it was time for “Mr. Invincible” to head to the doctor. I was told it looked like the beginning stages of an infection and was given a mega-dose of oral antibiotics. There was just one small problem… it turns out that I was unknowingly deathly allergic to the prescribed antibiotics. After I started having an adverse reaction to the antibiotics, I decided it was time to go to the emergency room. I was immediately admitted to the Intensive Care Unit where I’d spend the better part of a week unable to even sit up in bed unassisted. Days later, as I was being discharged from the hospital, my doctor stepped close to me and in a hushed voice he told me how happy he was to see me walking out of the hospital because when I first showed up at the ER, I was “two steps from heading to the morgue instead of the ICU.” I suppose my point here is, that while I still plan to push an envelope or two, I’ve learned a very valuable lesson. What it boils down to is this… going into an environment that is full of germs and bacteria with an open wound on my residual limb is not smart. Live your life to the fullest but learn from my mistake. Listen to your body and be smart about limb care and you’ll be around to enjoy a lot more of life. I’ve always heard that you don’t waste second chances. Well, this is number three for me so let’s go see what’s out there. Let’s do this! Oh, and don’t forget to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. LIKE our page, leave a review, and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Mark: [email protected] Facebook.com/Mark.Ferrell.92 Instagram: @Marky5Toes  

TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA, LLC a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced today CE Mark approval for its RUSH Foot Chopart plate. The CE Mark identifies that PROTEOR USA and its products are in compliance with all safety requirements established by the European Union. The completion of this approval provides PROTEOR USA continued growth opportunity within UK and Mainland Europe as it expands the offering of dynamic prosthetic foot options to now include the Chopart plate in sizes 22-30cm. The RUSH Foot Chopart plate joins the current collection that includes the RUSH HiPro, LoPro, ROVER, ROGUE and Kid feet; already available in the UK and Mainland Europe. The RUSH Foot Chopart plate is specifically designed for people with Chopart amputations as well as Lisfranc, Pirogoff, Boyd and partial foot prostheses. A dynamic design, providing users the ability to be active and do more of what they want to do without limitations. The unique glass composite outperforms carbon and is engineered to be more flexible and durable than any other Chopart plate available today. To learn more visit www.rushfoot.com. PROTEOR USA is a full service manufacturer of next-­generation prosthetic devices. (https://rushfoot.com) which offers customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. PROTEOR USA understanding and experience in the Industry is unparalleled. Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

If you’re anything like me, this time of year it’s a hard task to “Get Moving.”  Not only do we have to deal with work and the kids going back to school, fall is time to start getting yourself and your home ready for the changing seasons.  We may find ourselves thinking “I’ve been on the move all day, I’m tired”; that comes naturally at this time of year.  Most of us deal with time zone changes and the days getting shorter which can affect our body’s internal clock.  Add in the changing weather and again, there are days like today where I wonder: how can I “Get Moving” when everything else is slowing down. Do you notice pain or soreness in your joints when the weather changes, or a storm is coming?  That’s barometric pressure at work.  Your joints may not be the only part of your body affected by the weather, if you’d had other accidents that left nerve damage, you may experience weather-related symptoms in the affected area.  Many variables can affect body changes.  Temperature, wind, cloud cover, rain, snow, you name it.  No matter what climate we live in, we’re likely to feel some sort of effects from the changing weather.  Storms and cold weather can bring on soreness and pain; that’s why I dislike cold weather.  Anyone who knows me will hear me complain about the cold non-stop between September and May.  Last month I talked about excuses and the importance of breaking through them.  I’ll eat crow in this blog; I BLAME THE COLD! If you’re like me and hate going out in winter, getting to the gym can be a chore.  I’ve made this video of some exercises you can do without leaving your house, using just your body weight, with or without your leg on.  It’s time for an introduction to Pilates.  The most important thing to remember with Pilates is that you must put your “mind over the muscle.”  Just like a baby learning to walk, this is how Pilates teaches you to control your muscles so that you have better balance, all over body strength, and muscle control.  Remember when you were in Elementary school doing physical education class and everyone was throwing their body all over just trying to do sit-ups?  How much of that movement do you think was your core (stabilizer) muscles and not gravity or momentum throwing you around?  Probably none!  It doesn’t just happen in Elementary school. We may see people of all ages using a pulling and jerking method that can hinder you more than help.  We already hurt because of the weather and/or missing limb, let’s not add to it. Now you may be asking “what does the weather have to do with Pilates?”  Time for one of Jenny’s magic tricks; the answer is quite simple to explain.  If our leg(s) start to have spasms, you can use the same method you used to control your body movement to help control and calm down these muscle spasms. You think I’m crazy now don’t you?  Well then, let’s incorporate this workout into our daily routine, and show mother nature who’s in charge! Before your workout, be sure to check out my video portion of this blog.  After your workout, be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. Leave a post telling the world what you did to overcome your excuses.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Jenny: [email protected] Facebook.com/peglegtrainer Instagram: @peglegtrainer www.peglegtrainer.com  

Throughout the course of my life, I have experienced more than my share of scary moments. While a few of those scary moments were agony-filled… for the most part they have resulted in growth. Sometimes, when we think we’re scared it’s actually self-doubt. Therefore, facing those scary moments can not only open ourselves to new and amazing experiences but also bolster our confidence in ways we never imagined. Before becoming an amputee I was a runner, and a pretty good one at that. When saying “I was a runner”, I don’t mean I ran for prize money, trophies, or recognition; I ran for the sheer joy of running. The fields surrounding the farm where I grew up were my tracks; the woods were my obstacle course. Running was always a big part of my life, I ran simply because it was fun. I then became an amputee and at the same time, suffered many other horrific injuries. It was months before I could even sit up in bed, many more months before I could make it from the bed to my wheelchair, even more months passed before I could stand up, and years would slip by before I could walk unassisted again. I was happy simply to be alive once more and running was, quite literally, the last thing I thought I would ever be able to do again. It was a part of me that I had resigned to live in fond memories and wistful stories. Then a string of the most amazing coincidences led me to discover an incredible new foot, (the RUSH HiPro) that would give me back a part of myself that I thought was lost forever. While I was taking baby steps back into the world I loved so much, a good friend felt my pace was a bit lacking and decided to provide me with a little motivation. She signed me up for a half marathon. She felt having such an intimidating goal would force me to rise to the occasion and speed up my journey of rediscovery. Lucky for me, she was not wrong. There have been very few things in my life that actually scared me. Now, I found myself standing in a most uncharacteristically timid manner at the edge of the world I wanted so badly return to. I accepted that I wasn’t a runner anymore and that I was afraid of building up hope and excitement in me again and failing. Having it just within my reach and then yanked away would be worse than just living without it, I thought. My friend had convinced me to run the half marathon, and even though I was completely unprepared and thought I would fail, I decided to do it anyway. There were several moments during the race when I thought I would not be able to finish but crossing the half way point reinforced my determination and gave me the boost I needed to carry on. Crossing that finish line was the most amazing moment.  Hundreds of people may have finished the race ahead of me; hundreds of people may have set records, however not even one crossed that finish line with as big a smile on their face as I did. I have since entered and run many more races and will continue to push myself to be the person I thought I would never be again. This January, I will stand at the start line of my first full marathon with butterflies in my stomach. I will be scared, I will doubt myself, and feel I will almost certainly fail. But then I will remember crossing that finish line. I will remember how that fear dissolved into such an amazing smile and I will cross my next finish line thankful that I did that scary thing. I encourage you to do the same.  Oh, and go watch my video portion of this blog too; you’ll enjoy the message Enjoy your life. Do scary things. Go the distance just like I do and visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  LIKE our page, leave a review, and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Mark: Email: [email protected] Facebook.com/Mark.Ferrell.92 Instagram: @Marky5toes

TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced a new exclusive distribution relationship with Italian-based Officine Ortopediche Rizzoli srl, for its RUSH Foot® collection; inclusive of the RUSH HiPro, LoPro, ROGUE, ROVER and Kid prosthetic feet. The agreement offers exclusive distribution of PROTEOR USA’ products within the borders of Italy O&P customers. Officine Ortopediche Rizzoli srl has 15 locations throughout Italy. “We are very proud and excited to start this partnership with PROTEOR USA.”, states Officine Ortopediche Rizzoli srl General Manager, Alessandro Maggi. Maggi continues, “We can’t wait to introduce the RUSH Foot Collection to our patients!” Additionally, PROTEOR USA currently has distribution in Germany, Australia, Canada, Ireland, UK, Benelux, France, Hong Kong, China, Russia, South Africa, Scandinavia, Spain, Israel, and continues pursuing distributorships in several other countries. About PROTEOR USA Company PROTEOR USA is a full service manufacturer of next-­generation prosthetic devices (https://rushfoot.com) which offers customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. PROTEOR USA understanding and experience in the industry is unparalleled. For more information visit: https://rushfoot.com About OFFICINE ORTOPEDICHE RIZZOLI SRL The new course of Orthopedic Officines Rizzoli begins with the entry into the medical ab group, composed of companies of excellence in the medical sector with which to share modernity, progress and technology for a complete and integrated care of the patient, always. For more information visit www.officinerizzoli.it Contact Holly Sanger, Director of Marketing 480.361.1303 [email protected] Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

I hope that through some of my musings, people may gain some insight and find some useful advice; or at the very least be entertained. I know that often, I have a million things going through my head, but occasionally a thought sticks, takes root, and I focus on it.  One of those bits of gray-matter lightning bolts is what I like to call “dark emotions”. We all have them and many of us wrestle with them. I spend a lot of time thinking on this subject and I know if I don’t control it, it can control me. I want to take this time to state that I am not a doctor, a therapist, or a health care professional, I just want to share what has helped me, and maybe you can incorporate it into you’re your life to help a little as well. What I mean by “dark emotions” is could also be called “primal emotion”. Fear, pain, stress, mourning, sadness, anger, frustration, anxiety. Any of these, left unchecked, can wreak havoc on your life. We all feel them at times, not just amputees, not just disabled people… literally anyone can have these pop up. The first thing I want to say about these emotions is not to fight them. It’s important to realize that these emotions are completely normal and happen to all of us at some point or another. When we try to fight these emotions, or hold them back, it can often make things worse; let them flow. Be in the moment, let yourself be angry, sad, or stressed. Let it come, then let it go. Finding ways to cope with, and even overcome these emotions, can be one of the most useful tools we can have in our daily lives. My absolute go-to coping mechanism is nature. Not some herb or a plant that you can chew on, but nature in general. In my life I have a lot of stress, anger, anxiety, and pain; I’m an amputee, it comes with the territory. I stress about possibly having a complication that will take me off my feet and/or out of work. I feel anger because of the ridiculously horrible sense of humor that the fates seem to have (i.e. when it rains it pours); I feel anxiety because I worry about being able to continue working, or needing another surgery, or that my pain will hold me back; I have physical pain because…well…stump stuff. I have emotional pain because the strain all of this causes can sometime get overwhelming. A couple of weeks ago, after a particularly grueling week at work, with all the aforementioned issues in tow, I went to the woods. I was standing there next to my shack, leaning against the back of my truck. My daughter stood next to me, and the thunderous sound of silence washed over me. The sun was setting, the colors were just starting to streak the sky, it was calm. My daughter and I didn’t say a word, we just stood there next to each other for the longest time as everything faded away. All that pain and anger, all the anxiety, all dropped away as nature painted its canvas for the evening. Though it wasn’t the first time that I had thought about how being outside helps me heal my mind and soul, it was an extremely moving moment. That’s nature for you. That’s what being outside can do. I have never in my life been sitting with my back against a tree and felt stress, anxiety, or fear. NEVER. Just being there silent, contemplative and just existing is true medicine. I want to stress that it doesn’t need to be the middle of the woods. It can be your back yard, it can be a park, it can even be a small patch of grass. Gaining a connection to the Earth in some way has true power and plugs you into something grand and epic. How you get there makes little difference. At one point I needed a driver, and someone to push me in a wheelchair while other times I drove myself and literally crawled on hands and knees to make it happen.  The point is that there is almost always a way to get out and find that connection with nature. We are heading into fall and in my opinion, there is no better time to visit nature. As the colors of fire kiss the leaves and the inevitable change of seasons march past, we can be truly humbled, finding peace and solace in the embrace of the Earth. Find a way outdoors and try it.  Get rooted, get connected and exist.  #RUSHintothewild.  Oh, and be sure to check out my video portion to this blog where I share my thoughts and a little more insight. Until then, be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. LIKE our page, leave a review, and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Fritz: Email: [email protected] Facebook: Facebook.com/fritz.rudy Instagram: @fritz_hop_a_long_rudy Twitter: @hopalong_fritz YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCNtsUwguuqEMDPGtEa45FAw  

We all know the benefits of working out and exercising.  A lot of times we tell ourselves we don’t want to or can’t because of our amputation.  The truth is, we are just allowing our insecurities to be our excuses. We feel the struggle of being an amputee and it is hard! We have been conditioned to feel insecure about our “disability” and our appearance.  Then you add in the “now I have to exercise in a crowded gym with people staring and judging me” factor.  Let me just clear, this is how I felt the first time I went to a gym.  This is not why people are staring! People are staring because it is different to see an amputee in a gym. It is human nature to look; it’s curiosity.  It’s not just amputees though. Even able-bodied people have insecurities and will avoid the public because they are insecure about their appearance or abilities. Here is the truth: we all start somewhere.  If you have read any of my other blogs know my story you will know that I literally started my amputee fitness journey from the ground up.  I started by crawling on the floor.  Laying on the floor doing Pilates and core exercises.  One of my biggest worries was “what are people going to think when they see this 220lb woman crawling around on the floor with no leg?”  I later learned that the people that I was feared were judging me are the same person I have become today.  That person you feel is judging you has been on a journey too. You didn’t see his/her journey. You think to yourself, “They don’t understand what it is like to… (Insert your own battle here).” This my friends, is why fitness is the rebirth of, not only your health and wellness, but your mind as well. When you finally walk through the doors of a gym to work out it can be an overwhelming feeling. That anxious feeling that made me wonder if I really belonged there, was really the energy of all the people the gym has helped; the rebirth I was talking about.  I learned to walk in that gym and I learned to fall in the gym. I learned to trust people in the gym, and I learned I am capable and worthy of an amazing outcome.  I learned to love myself through facing my fears and insecurities and by throwing away my excuses big and small. (Except spiders.  I’m still deathly afraid of spiders. You can’t win them all.) Exercising doesn’t only have to happen in the gym. You can exercise anywhere.  Home, outside, the mall, a football field, a park, anywhere. Accountability is the key.  Even though I own my own personal training studio, Pollreis Personal Training, I still go to a gym to workout.  Though I don’t have a trainer, I still need accountability.  I have always said “even trainers need trainers.”  My accountability is the gym staff and people I encounter at the gym.  If I can’t make it to the gym and I exercise elsewhere, my accountability is you, my readers, my community, my fans; all of you reading my blogs, and social media feed.  I know that if you don’t see me in my normal routine, I can trust you to call me out and say, “Hey, Jenny, why didn’t I see you check in at the gym at 3:00am?”  You are my trainers! My #fanbase. My #RUSHfamily. As amputees, we can easily find many excuses to become lazy and avoid living life or exercising.  Trust me, I know I have not only heard them all, but have also come up with a few excuses on my own.  In my experience, we can overcome almost anything and have more strength than others who have not struggled as much. This also gives me that extra push to kick some butt. The first challenge of facing our excuses and overcoming our insecurities will be this simple exercise. Jot down your negative thought or excuse on a little piece of paper and stick it in your socket, shoe, or someplace it will feel pressure. It’s time to take control.  Remember, YOU and YOU alone are in control of what YOU choose to let affect YOU. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the video portion of this blog for more about excuses and how to overcome them.  Now…go show that excuse what you think of it. LET’S GET MOVING! After your workout, be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. Leave a post telling the world what you did to overcome your excuses. Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Jenny: [email protected] Facebook.com/peglegtrainer Instagram: @peglegtrainer www.peglegtrainer.com

Nearly eleven years ago I moved to a small town in Iowa to help the company I worked for open a new location. I was the new guy in town and didn’t really know anyone. After a couple of months had passed and the initial bustle of hiring and training the staff had settled into more of a normal routine, I decided it was time to meet new people and maybe make some friends in the process. After discovering that I lived near some world class mountain bike trails (in Iowa of all places) I decided to go online and find some local mountain bikers to join up with. It seemed like a good place to start. I fired up my laptop and found my way to MySpace. Yes, I did say MySpace; I’m old, get over it. I did a search for the type of like-minded people I wanted to meet. I entered the age range and mountain bike skill level that I thought would be a good match for my own abilities. I hit “enter” and the first pic that popped up was an adorable lil’ min-pin pup named Sonny. It seemed that Sonny needed to find a new home rather quickly as his human’s living situation had changed suddenly. “Aww, that’s sad. He’s a cute lil’ pup!”, I thought to myself as I rechecked my search parameters, assuming I had made an error entering them and/or clicked the wrong “local groups” link. I felt an unexplained twinge as Sonny’s pic faded from my screen. I was just thinking that I hope he finds a good home as I once again hit “enter”. An unexpected grin spread across my face as, once again, Sonny’s pic flared to life on my screen. Something about the look on his face just made me smile. In one of those rare and amazing moments that are practically impossible to explain, I realized I was supposed to meet this lil’ guy. I called the number in the ad and inquired as to whether Sonny was still in need of a new home or not. After being told that he was, I was pleased when his person asked to meet me before any decisions were made. Having to send him away was breaking her heart and she wanted to feel good about who he was going home with. I agreed and we made plans to meet Sonny. After a brief drive, I pulled off the road into the grass by a fenced and gated yard. There was a tall tree standing guard just to the outside right of the gate. I got out and was rounding the front of my SUV when I noticed a young woman sitting in the grass with a sad smile on her face. I took a few steps toward her when I was suddenly confronted by 4 pounds of growling, mommy-protecting min-pin. I stopped in my tracks and exchanged worried glances with the young woman. I was so excited to meet him that it hadn’t occurred to me that he might not like me. I had noticed Sonny was wearing a leash and had observed the length of it. I inched forward just a bit and sat down in the grass under the tree, making sure I was just within his reach but not so close as to seem threatening. I lowered my right hand to the grass and spoke in gentle soothing tones. He tilted his head and gave me the “one ear up, one ear down” adorable puppy look. I glanced up and saw the smile on his person’s face as his growl quieted and he began to inch closer to me. I sat there in the grass for nearly 20 minutes talking to him as he slowly inched his way toward me. He would look back to his person from time to time as if asking her permission to approach me. Then, finally, his nose gently touched the back of my hand and he seemed to relax as I touched his ear and gently pet the top of his head and down his neck. He looked up and me, and I swear to this day, that he smiled just before sniffing my prosthetic leg, giving it a questioning look and spinning around twice in the grass before plopping down comfortably and firmly against my thigh. I took his leash and he trotted along with me back to my SUV and hopped right up into the seat as I opened the door. I walked around to the driver’s side and his person gave me a few of his favorite belongings and a hug. There were tears in the corners of her eyes as she told me that, after watching us interact, she felt good about who he was going home with. I climbed into my vehicle and scratched his ears and neck again. He licked my hand and hopped up on the center console and into the back seat where he promptly curled up and was fast asleep, snoring in no time. From that day on, we have been practically inseparable. Being “The Adventures of Marky5Toes and his sidekick Nacho” you might wonder how Sonny came to be known by his new name, Nacho. That, my friends, is a story for another time. For now, come along as Nacho takes me for a visit to the dog park, see things from Nacho’s point of view. And don’t forget…there are millions of loving animals nationwide in need of a home. Visit a shelter in your area to find your “Nacho”. https://www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/ Until then, be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. LIKE our page, leave a review, and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Mark: [email protected] Facebook.com/Mark.Ferrell.92 Instagram: @Marky5toes

My story is relatively unremarkable, at least the beginning is. I was T-boned on my motorcycle and my leg was pretty well destroyed. After a year of salvage attempts, I finally started my new life as an amputee. I was fearful, as many of us are in the beginning. I was scared that my life was irreparably altered for the worse. I was scared that my life in the fields, streams, and forests was over. I was scared that all my hobbies, all my loves, my entire way of life was over. In a way, I was right and wrong at the same time. My life had definitely changed, and although it was difficult to recognize at the beginning, it had changed for the better! Every pain, every misstep, every trial, drove me to becoming stronger. I forced myself back into the woods very quickly after my amputation; within a week actually, and that one step set the bar for an overall makeover of my life. Even at the beginning, I pushed myself hard. Through poorly designed sockets, dealing with weight-gain from my time layed up, prosthetic components not working, and trialing multiple suspension systems, I pressed on. I worked very hard at achieving a smooth, even gait, then I worked at getting my strength up, then my endurance, and finally, adapting back into my way of life. I gave up my vertical bow for a crossbow, I updated hunting areas to allow easier access with crutches, I practiced shooting rifle from awkward seated positions, and I researched shallow draft river catamarans for fly fishing. That was all within the first 6 months. Before the following spring came around, I actually donned my first definitive socket, wiggled myself into my waders, and stepped back into one of my beloved rivers. Since that time, I have retaken all of my old loves. I climb trees for archery season, I wade rivers for trout, I stalk-hunt whitetail deer through the forests and swamps, and I walk the trails all year long. I can honestly say that since my amputation, I have done more with my life than ever before. Not only did I reclaim my old hobbies, but I’ve pushed myself further and have taken on new challenges whenever I’ve gotten the opportunity. I have since become a competitive shooter, and actually took first in my division at the WI State IDPA Championship. My wife and I traveled all over Italy where I walked through the pages of history. I got rid of the crossbow and began shooting competitively with my vertical bow. I actually stayed upright on a snowboard for an entire run (not much past that point though). I walked across the stage and received my degree. I have downhill skied in my very first race. I have taken up Hapkido, which is a very different way of moving. I have found that there are so many things that present challenges, I feel the need to face them all…or at least most. Make no mistake, while I have been active and have immersed myself in new experiences, I still face the “normal” issues that we as amps face. I have had to tell my kids that I couldn’t do things, because my leg hurt. I have had to leave work several times for everything from open wounds to revision surgery. My wife and I have had to shuffle calendars around to allow for healing times, doctor visits, or just bad leg days. I have battled my way through rough work weeks as I am a Journeyman Millwright and am constantly on my feet and moving. By the end of most days I’m in pain or worn out; regardless of the quality of my prosthesis, simply because of the workload. I have experienced the stares, and the random questions from people in public, and I have dealt with the misunderstanding about this disability. All that said, I am better for it. I am a better husband, a better father, and a better human. I feel a deeper connection to my fellow humans, and feel that I have become infinitely more empathetic to those around me. I can see my place in this world, and can feel the impact that I have on it. My eyes have been opened. My goal, if I could put it into words, is to change how society views disability. Not just with amputees, but all disabilities. I want to smash barriers, and destroy stigmas. I want people to see me, to see us, to see everyone, for who they are, not for what they can or cannot do. I also want to help people with disabilities #RUSHIntoTheWild, to get out into the fields and streams. Whether they have become disabled and feel that they cannot return to the outdoors, or whether they were born disabled, and never knew that it was an option. I will continue to thrive, I will continue to reach out, and I will continue to move. The RUSH Foot® really has changed my life. I started out with a RUSH HiPro® many years ago and unlocked potential I never knew I had. After I recently upgraded to the RUSH ROGUE®, I’m pushing my boundaries even further. Check out my video review of the RUSH ROGUE® and how it’s Vertical Loading Pylon performs for a bigger, active guy like myself. You can find that video here. Be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Fritz: [email protected] Facebook: Facebook.com/fritz.rudy Instagram: @fritz_hop_a_long_rudy Twitter: @hopalong_fritz

Creating balance is important in all aspects of life.  Not just physically but mentally as well.  As amputees, we must learn to balance a lot; more than most able-bodied people do considering we have to balance using prosthetic devices.  When I first became an amputee and I put on that bulky socket I thought to myself: “how am I ever going to be able to stand on this pogo stick?”  Well, it takes practice, patience, and physical training.  Just like a baby takes it first steps we have to learn to take our first steps in a prosthesis.  At first, it’s not pretty as you are going through the motions and you feel like this leg (or legs) are throwing you all over the place. The more you can achieve balance the more control you will have.  Mentally, it’s hard because a lot of us have done this before.  Walking seems simple, right?  One foot in front of the other?  It just doesn’t work right!  It’s all about balance.  You will likely become frustrated and this is where the mental balance comes in to play.  You’ll have to dig into that brain and say, “ok, slow and steady. This is a new leg or a new foot.”  Cut yourself some slack.  Breathe deeply and practice; one foot in front of the other. Let’s do a little balance assessment; it’s a great place to start. Before you begin, be sure to have something sturdy to hold onto nearby to brace yourself. Then,  close your eyes and stand on one foot. Keep track of how long you were able to hold this position. Even if  only for one second.  This can be a humbling experience for those who believe they have good balance.   The time, in seconds that you are able to hold this position, correlates with your functional age. Remember, this is a time table for able-bodied people so don’t get discouraged! 28s = 25-30y 22s = 30-35y 16s = 40y 12s = 45y 9s = 50y 8s = 55y 7s = 60y 6s = 65y 4s = 70y I’m about 10 years old on my good leg and a sloppy 30 years old on the amputated side. According to this chart I found in my Pilates materials, functional age is the combination of individuals’ physical, mental, emotional and actual numbered ages. Balance exercises can help prevent everyday injuries through increased core strength. The core is more than just the abdomen. Your “core” includes everything from your shoulders to thighs; front and back.  Having strong hips, ankles, and gluteal muscles are also needed for good balance.  People with weaker core muscles are more prone to have falling, decreased mobility in the spine, slower reflexes, and are also prone to lower back injuries.  We already have enough issues!  So, lets fix this! Good balance can also support mental clarity and ease anxiety. Research has shown that people who took part in balance exercises had greater memory perception, judgement, and reasoning in stressful or painful situations than those who did not. These exercises also ease anxiety by encouraging you to remain in the present moment. You improve your balance with few simple exercises: Strong as a Tree: Stand and balance on one foot for at least 30 seconds, and then switch to the other foot and try again. Let’s Have a Ball:  Sit on a stability ball or chair with your feet planted flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart.  Lift and extend one leg at a time, while simultaneously raising your opposing arm to shoulder-level. Leg Swings: Start by standing with your arms at your sides and feet shoulder-width apart. Lift one leg to a 45-degree angle and swing it back and forth at least 10 times before switching to the other leg. Drinking Bird:  Begin by standing on one leg with your other leg lifted to a 45 degree angle.  Bending at the waist, lean forward to touch the ground with one hand. Be sure to check out the video accompanying this blog for a visual demonstration of how to perform these exercises. These exercises are not easy, you will likely wobble, and maybe feel like you’re going to fall so please be aware of your surroundings and be safe.  The more you practice the better you will get!  One set of the exercises listed above will take about 10 minutes. Dedicate 10-20 minutes per day, or per week, to this routine and you should see the benefits in less than 2 weeks. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Jenny: [email protected] Facebook.com/peglegtrainer Instagram: @peglegtrainer peglegtrainer.com  

My life as an amputee has been a series of huge, life changing leaps of faith.  While growing up in Virginia, there was a day in my early twenties when my first wife and I were sitting around one day just relaxing while watching one of our favorite shows.  I was sort of lost in thought, mulling over a few family issues that had been troubling me.  I had been feeling a bit stagnant.  I thought maybe getting away from the area I had lived in all my life and making a fresh start of things would energize my life and help me “find myself”.  With a flash of insight, in an instant I sat up, looked over at her and asked: “Do you think you can get your old job back in Minnesota?”  She smiled, a bit confused by my sudden question and assured me that they would almost certainly welcome her back aboard as they were terribly sad to see her go when she moved to Virginia after our wedding.  I smiled, stood up and announced that we were moving to Minnesota.  Less than a month later I arrived at my new place in Minnesota in a rented U-haul, towing my Jeep.  That move and the following few years taught me a valuable lesson about being open to opportunity and not being afraid to take a wild chance or two from time to time. Flash forward about a decade and I was about to take my next huge leap of faith.  My marriage was coming to an amicable end and I was faced with a big decision.  I had no family in the area and while I had several friendly acquaintances, no close friends to speak of.  There was nothing anchoring me to Minnesota.  I no longer had any real attachments there.  I didn’t want to move back “home” because it meant returning to the family issues that were the cause of my leaving in the first place.  The company I worked for was opening a new store in Iowa and when management found out I was thinking of moving, asked me to consider becoming a supervisor and helping staff the new Iowa location.  After speaking to the person who would be my new boss, less than a month later, I left Minnesota the same way I had arrived, in a rented U-haul towing my Jeep. This new chapter of my story would be a relatively short but important one.  It was there, in Iowa, that I met my best friend Nacho.  After a couple of years, I was beginning to see that Iowa was not the place for me and began thinking of what my next move might be.  Fate would intervene again as the company I had moved to Iowa for was now expanding into Nebraska.  They were also expanding into the Chicago area with several new locations.  Most candidates for the new management positions were eager for the chance to move to Chicago while only a few preferred the relatively slower-paced lifestyle offered in the Omaha area.  This meant there was a greater need in the area I preferred.  I was offered one of those positions so Nacho and I packed our bags, sold everything that wouldn’t fit in the SUV that I had traded my Jeep for, and off we went to Omaha. There I met Teresa and after she worked her way into Nacho’s heart over the course of a year and a ½, we married.  I left the company I had moved there for and worked my way into management with a local family owned pharmacy chain.  I stayed with them for about six and ½ years before an amazing opportunity presented itself and led me to Arizona and my next great adventure.  So, here we are.  I’m working for a company with real integrity, representing a product that changed my life in ways that words can scarcely describe. So, here’s the point of all this: I feel as if I have finally come home … not to the place I grew up but to the place I belong.  It feels as if every decision I’ve made, every choice I’ve been faced with, and every trial I have overcome, has lead me here.  If I had shied away from any of the opportunities that led me down this path out of a sense of fear or uncertainty, then I would not have found my way home.  You should always weigh options and make decisions that you feel will be best for you, but don’t shy away from the big ones just because they’re scary.  Be smart but when the time comes, sometimes you just close your eyes and take a leap of faith.   Oh, and don’t forget to swing by our YouTube channel for more thoughts on taking a leap of faith. Be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Mark: Email: [email protected] Facebook: Facebook.com/mark.ferrell.92 Instagram: @Marky5Toes

TEMPE, Ariz., July 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA, LLC a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced today CE Mark approval for its RUSH ROGUE®.  The CE Mark identifies that PROTEOR USA and its products are in compliance with all safety requirements established by the European Union. The completion of this approval provides PROTEOR USA continued growth opportunity within UK and Mainland Europe as it expands the offering of dynamic prosthetic foot options to now include the RUSH ROGUE®.  The RUSH ROGUE joins the current collection that includes the RUSH HiPro®, the RUSH LoPro®, RUSH ROVER® and the RUSH Kid® pediatric foot; already available in the UK and Mainland Europe. The new RUSH ROGUE integrates biomimetic ankle action simulating realistic foot and ankle motion. The addition of the Vertical Loading Pylon provides comfortable relief from high impact loading; offering exceptional rotational torsion relief to ease the impact to knees, hip and back.  The roll-through characteristics of the foot delivers exceptional energy return with no “dead spot.”  The components are made of advanced fiberglass composite which is three times more flexible than most conventional feet. J. Blount Swain, President of PROTEOR USA, LLC said,  “Recently, we’ve noticed an increased demand and popularity in the European markets for prosthetic feet with increased functionality and rotational capabilities.”  Swain continues: “The RUSH ROGUE is truly a foot designed with the end users’ quality of life in mind. The ROGUE provides a unique combination of comfort, durability, impact absorption and increased torsion; unlike anything available in the market today. With this approval, we are excited to be able to introduce the European Union to the RUSH ROGUE, a whole new generation of RUSH Feet.” The RUSH ROGUE is available in sizes 22-29cm.  For additional information or to order the RUSH ROGUE visit https://rushfoot.com or call 855.450.7300 today. PROTEOR USA is a full-service manufacturer of next-­generation prosthetic devices. (https://rushfoot.com) which offers customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. PROTEOR USA understanding and experience in the Industry is unparalleled. Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com SOURCE PROTEOR USA, LLC

A vital part of the human spirit is self-discovery and pursuing our goals.  Goals can be of any variety.  Some goals are physical, emotional, educational, economic, or a million other causes that we find individually important.  Pursuing and realizing these goals are often the reason we get up each day and put in the work that we know is part of the process.  Sometimes in the pursuit of our goals, especially ones that take a great deal of time or effort, we lose faith in our ability to obtain them at all.  It becomes easy at that point to devalue our goal and convince ourselves that it was unattainable.  We sadly decide that it’s too hard and just not worth the effort, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  The goals that take the longest, or are the most difficult to obtain often become the ones we cherish the most.  We may actually gain more from the pursuit of the goal than the achievement of it once we get there.  I believe that’s how we grow as a person and how we develop the ability to persevere. We can’t always control certain variables in our lives while pursuing our goals but we tend to discount our ability to NOT QUIT.  There’s a quote attributed to Babe Ruth that I like to follow, it reads: “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up!”  There is so much truth to that.  How many goals could we realize if we simply didn’t give up? What if we decided that the length of time it takes to attain our goals is insignificant to the process?  Try it with a goal you’ve been working towards.  Try to not put a timetable on success and instead focus on the steps it takes to realize it.  The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, right? I assume most of you who are reading this blog are amputees, and if so you’ve already been blessed with the ability to persevere.  It’s a tool for realizing your dreams that you already own and it is one of the most important tools there is at your disposal.  No matter where you are in the process of your life, of your goals, you have the amazing ability to simply NOT GIVE UP.  The power of the human spirit cannot be understated. I’d like to leave you with a quote from a motivational speaker by the name of Les Brown.  He was playing games with his son one day and Les kept beating him in whatever they played.  He could see his son getting frustrated so he asked him if he would like to quit.  The boy responded, “It’s not over until I win!”  What if we all had that frame of mind? We do. For more on perseverance and how pushing yourself toward your goals, check out the video portion of my blog here. With all goals in life, don’t be afraid to push yourself, don’t ever give up, you will persevere.  Set a goal and try.  In the meantime, be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH™ Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Chris: [email protected] facebook.com/rideforhope Twitter:  amputeeadventur www.youtube.com/amputeeadventure  

At RUSH Foot, we pride ourselves on continually educating our end user and clinical communities by providing realistic FACTS, not marketing-based FICTION. Recently, claims have been made that we feel it only right to expose and provide our audience with FACTUAL clarity. In this week’s RUSH Foot #WednesdayWisdom we will provide you with the FACTS surrounding the two fiberglass feet in the market….RUSH vs. Maverick. *Note – to view any hyperlinks you must download the presentation or visit https://rushfoot.com/…/order-a-rush-fo…/additional-resources/. To view visit: https://www.slideshare.net/AbilityDynamicsRUSHF/fact-or-fiction-rush-vs-maverick-76954290

This month I want to focus on the importance of progression.  In my thirteen years as an amputee, I have progressed immensely.  When I think back to when I was a new amputee, I remember seeing advanced individuals who could do amazing things.  I wanted to be just like them and be like them NOW!  So, why couldn’t I?  Simple: because your body needs to learn and adapt to it’s new equipment, specifically your prosthesis. When you first go through amputation, your body is in shock and automatically starts acclimating to limb-loss in many ways.  At this point, we must begin to prepare ourselves, and our limb for whats to come.  Muscles will atrophy, we can gain weight, lose range of motion, and lose mental focus just to name a few of the changes we can experience.  It is very important to continue to use those muscles even though there is no limb attached.  You must keep them firing so that when we do get our prosthesis, it will be easier for the body to adapt to your prosthesic device. I learn though my mistakes and I share them with you guys so that you can hopefully avoid these mistakes too.  I am bull headed and impatient so when my physical therapist told me that I would have to progress from a walker to crutches, then to a 4-point cane, then on to a single point cane, all before I could walk unassisted; I thought he was crazy.  Told him that I am 23 (at the time) and will not use a walker.  I never went back to physical therapy.  Please, don’t do take that same attitude; he was right.  I stormed out of there and learned the hard way.  I went straight to a single point cane and walked like horribly just to prove I didn’t need any assistive devices.  Heck, I used a device for 3 years prior to amputation and you are telling me now that I now have 2 legs to stand on, I still need to use an assistive device?  My point is: aside from looking silly, I was creating damage I would have to overcome.  I didn’t progress properly so my body was trying to compensate for what it didn’t know how to do.  I was now using different muscles to pick up and move the prosthesis than I did on my sound leg.  I developed a limp and my gait was off.  My body got used to walking incorrectly and started causing damage to my hips, back, and other joints because I was too stubborn to take the time to do it properly.  Once again, I had to start over with pain in all kinds of areas, not just my residual limb.  See how much time I could have saved myself if I would have just listened?  I had to learn to undo unhealthy habits and begin new ones. I found this awesome article that really explains the importance of why we need to use progression and what your physical therapist guidelines are.  It is very extensive so I am going to give you my version and what I have learned as an amputee and personal trainer.  Remember when I said I don’t listen well? Just like any other therapy or activity, you have to want it to work in order for to work.  So, throw away the “I can’t” thoughts floating around in your head and just try. You must trust your therapist, prosthetist and anyone else who is truly trying to help you.  Make sure you are open and honest.  Being too proud to admit when something doesn’t feel right or you’re in pain can lead to further injury to your residual limb or else anything connected. After amputation and for the years that follow, try to stretch every day.  I did a blog on the importance of stretches, take look and try to incorporate this into your daily routine. Even though that limb is no longer there, the brain still knows how to squeeze those muscles. Try to wiggle your toes, flex your calf muscle, or rotate your ankle. If you’re an above-knee amputee try to extend your knee.  If you keep these residual muscles moving it will be easier for your body to use when adapting to a prosthesis. Sensitization training is another thing I failed to do.  Gently rub, poke and prod your residual limb.  It will help condition your limb, you are desensitizing it.  Learning balance and stability as an amputee is very important!  Improving balance will help speed along your progress faster than any other exercise. Make sure you are caring for your limb properly. The last thing you need is a wound to set you back, we need to keep moving forward! First learn the basics: balance, stability, and ambulation without an assistive device.  In the video accompanying this blog, I show you the basics of mastering the stairs.  I am a personal trainer and am available to answer your questions and offer advice. You can contact me through any of email, social media, or my website, all of which are linked below; don’t hesitate to reach out! Be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Jenny: [email protected] Facebook.com/peglegtrainer Instagram: @Peglegtrainer www.peglegtrainer.com

The RUSH Foot® Collection continues to gain momentum worldwide. Effective June 1, 2017, in an effort to be globally consistent, we are rebranding three of our flagship feet so that amputees around the world will all know our feet by the same name. All the great things you have grown to love about the performance, durability and comfort of the RUSH87, RUSH81 and the RUSH76 will remain the same…only their names are changing. The RUSH87 will now be known as the RUSH HiPro, the RUSH81 as the RUSH LoPro and RUSH76 as the RUSH Chopart. New name. Same great feet. With questions or concerns,  visit rushfoot.com, contact your area’s Regional Sales Representative or call us at 855.450.7300.

25 years ago, my old life ended.  Then, in a spark of light, a new one began.  I had no idea, at that time, just what adventures and surprises this new life would hold.  It was a very different world and I was a very different me.  Little did I know what an amazing journey lay ahead of me as I found myself, my purpose and my happy place in this new world. It’s funny but for the first few months following my encounter with the train, I still had my leg in my dreams.  Then one night, during a particularly vivid dream, I found myself standing in a grassy field.  The sun was setting and clouds were rolling in.  The air felt cool and damp, as if rain was but a moment away.  I began to walk through the tall grass as the twilight deepened and the skies began to swell with the energy of the coming storm.  A raindrop struck my face.  I looked up as another found it’s mark.  The drops struck with such force that it was almost painful.  I remember feeling as though I had to find shelter.  I needed a place to hide from this painful rain that was now bombarding me.  Then I saw something.  A shape formed in the deepening gloom.  I ran to it and suddenly I found myself crouched behind an old, broken down wooden farm sled.  The kind farmers like my grandfather had once used to carry large rocks as they cleared new land. I was timidly looking out into this huge field as a now wicked storm raged.  I remember feeling a growing sense of frustration and anxiousness well up in my chest.  I felt trapped and unsure of what to do next.  This buzzing built up inside me until I felt as though I would explode.  Then, suddenly, I leapt up and began running with wild abandon across the field.  I felt such a release as this happened.  Every bit of doubt, frustration, pain and fear suddenly melted away.  It was as though the storm was cleansing me.  I looked down as I raced between raindrops and noticed that I had a prosthesis.  A mischievous grin spread across my face as an even deeper sense of relief flooded through me.  The storm, that had seemed so terrifying and fearsome, now delivered an energy that fueled me somehow; I smiled and ran even faster.  I woke just as the storm began to break.  As I lay there in my bed, back in the waking world, I was still in considerable pain but grinning from ear to ear.  From that day on, in every single dream I remember, I have been “me”, prosthesis and all. A psychologist I was seeing after the accident told me that was my moment of acceptance.  It felt like it.  It’s at that moment my self-image changed to include the prosthesis.  Looking back on the dream, you may see why I often say “It’s not always about waiting out the storm.  It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” I don’t want to sound as though, in an instant, everything was suddenly perfect because of a dream.  The truth is, I would have many more bad days before the number of good ones began to tip the scale but this was big.  This was the beginning of something important.  After that dream, I no longer saw myself as damaged or injured even.  I began to see myself for what I was now, a person transformed.  When that happened, I began to truly heal. 25 years later and I can honestly say I am the happiest I have ever been.  I can’t be certain what my life would have been like if the events of that day in 1992 had unfolded differently, but I can’t imagine it could possibly have been any more filled with adventure, lessons, excitement, love, and happiness than this one has been.  I found my happy place and it was along this path.  Everything I went through and dealt with along the way made it all the sweeter of a discovery when I found it. It won’t always be easy.  It won’t always be fun.  But be strong and pour your heart into the journey because I guarantee you it WILL be worth it.  Take a walk with me as I talk about acceptance and how you can find it too in the video section accompanying this blog. Be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Mark: [email protected] Facebook.com/Mark.Ferrell.92 Instagram: @Marky5toes

“I would gladly live out of a backpack if it meant I could see the world.”  ~ unknown In nearly every outdoor adventure you take, you’re going to want to bring a backpack.  Backpacks allow you to carry necessary items like food, water, and even shelter.  Whether your adventure is a couple of hours long or a couple of days, having a properly fitting and properly equipped pack, is a must.  Let’s talk about a few of the different types of packs you might choose to bring along on your adventure. Daypack A daypack is typically small in storage capacity and lightweight when empty.  It typically will have two back straps but no hip belt for weight disbursement.   Carrying capacity will be around 20L and typically carrying weight capacity will be >10 pounds.  Some of the items you might carry are a couple of full water bottles and some snacks. Mid-Range Pack A mid-range pack will be slightly larger, up to twice the size of a daypack.  These packs are great for carrying slightly heavier loads from 10 pounds up to 20 pounds of gear.  Typically, you would have full water bottles, more snacks, and perhaps camera equipment.  Look for packs in the 30L-40L carrying capacity that have hip belts to help distribute the weight. Full-Size Pack A full-size pack will have all of the above features and be bigger in size, 50L-70L packs are common.  These packs are perfect for carrying everything you would need for overnight trips and even multi-month expeditions.  The kind of equipment you would carry in these are several days of food, a day or two worth of water, tent, sleeping bag, clothing, and first aid.  Typical loaded weights that these packs can carry comfortably are 30+ pounds.  When shopping for a pack in this size it is important to get a proper fit.  A visit to your local outdoor outfitter will help you get the right fit. Much like a properly fitting hiking shoe or boot, a properly fitted pack is crucial to enjoying your adventure. Budget You don’t have to spend a fortune on a backpack especially if you are just getting into backpacking.  Visit your local outdoor outfitter, if you don’t have one near you, check out Walmart’s “Outdoor Products” line. You can find most everything you need to get started in backpacking without breaking the bank.  From there, you can make upgrades to your pack choices later on by learning what situations you typically hike in and what your needs are. Check out the accompanying video where I explain more about proper pack selection. Enjoy the outdoors in comfort and safety!  You’re never too old to play outside.  Share your #RUSHLife outdoor adventure pics with us by tagging, #RUSHintotheWild.  Be sure visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Chris: [email protected] facebook.com/rideforhope Twitter:  amputeeadventur www.youtube.com/amputeeadventure

For years, I told myself: “the doctors said I will never walk normally again, so I guess I won’t.”  I’d also told myself:  “no one will ever love me.”  Here is a funny story:  when I would meet a man, I would say (and this is no joke) “Hi, my name is Jenny, I have three kids, two ex-husbands, and one leg.  Are you still interested?”  That’s how insecure I was.  I figured if I laid out all the baggage first, there would be no surprises to find out later and no other reasons to get hurt.  I would sit and cry in pain not knowing what to do.  I was frustrated that I couldn’t be the person I was before with this leg…or lack thereof. I started to ask myself some deep questions. Who are those doctors to tell ME what I can and can’t do?  Why aren’t my kids listening to me as I sit there on my butt and scream across the house?  Why won’t a man or even a friend want to come visit me?  No one wanted anything to do with me, WHY?  I came up with an answer.  No one wants to be around someone who brings them down, Including myself.  I had become “Jenny Downer!”  I couldn’t even stand to be around myself let alone expect anyone else to! This upset me greatly!  Being mad is my fuel for an internal burner. Like I said before, that big smile and the overload of positivity, that is my mask, and hiding behind it was how I coped.  Realizing this is how I learned to get out that depression, that madness, the hopelessness, the selfishness.  I knew it was time to get rid of “Jenny Downer” and become the truly happy person I am, who I strive to be every day.  Through exercise I learned to like, love, and overcome that shell of a person that I’d become. I could transform into who I am today, what I am proud of, and keep fighting to be.  What’s most gratifying is that I showed those doctors, family members, friends, onlookers, and most importantly myself that I CAN do anything I want if I just try. Being able to manage your mental health is no simple task. We all have ups and downs, we are only human.  I’ve learned so much about how exercise ties into positive mental health.  Check out this article for some great insight on how exercise can benefit your mental health.  I’ve also found that when I’m stressed or slipping into that funk, simply going for a walk will help clear my head.  Don’t believe me?  Come take a walk with me and let’s have a chat about it. Be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals.   To contact Jenny: [email protected] Facebook.com/peglegtrainer Instagram: @peglegtrainer www.peglegtrainer.com

Many people have been asking if the Vertical Loading Pylon (VLP) adds much weight to the RUSH ROGUE®. In this #WednesdayWisdom, we discuss the slight difference. #goROGUE Learn more visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MV7jp1G31k

I’ll concede that life can be pretty intense at times and often requires a serious demeanor and certain level of maturity; it can be more than a handful for just about everyone at some point. I also think that as amputees, we have a relatively unique set of issues and trials that we face on a daily basis.  These issues can bring with them a serious air and sense of weight.  We get so focused on the minutiae of our day to day lives that we forget to just cut loose and be a little silly every once in a while.  This being said and, in the spirit of this week’s video section of my blog, I thought I’d share a couplea’ stories from my life as Marky5Toes that serve no purpose other than being fun.  Enjoy! I was working at a bookstore in Minnesota and had developed a very playful and comfortable friendship with a few of the employees.  It’s not that my being an amputee and wearing a prosthetic leg was a non-issue, but more that they thought it was cool and shared my sometimes wicked sense of humor.  One day, I was standing at the counter, talking with a customer.  I was standing on my left foot with my prosthesis sorta’ propped up on the bottom of the counter.  This girl I worked with walked up behind me and knelt down as if she was about to retrieve something from under the counter.  I felt a slight nudge and heard a “click”.  Before I realized what was happening, she’d hit the release button on my prosthesis, slipped it off, and calmly walked away with it hidden from the customer’s view.  I stayed all composed until the customer left and then turned and yelled something playful at her.  My Assistant Manager, who is a HUGE Monty Python fan, stepped around the corner and asked what was going on.  I started hopping on my one leg and said, in my best Cockney accent:  “It’s only a flesh wound!”  She burst into hysterical laughter and could not stop.  She had to excuse herself to the break room to regain her composure when another customer entered the store.  If you haven’t alreasdy, watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  My story will be SO much more funny to you.  🙂 Most of the guys I grew up with adjusted to my new life as an amputee as easily as I did.  They shared my sense of humor and adventure.  We had many moments of humor and fun that those on the outside may not have “gotten” or understood, but they filled our world with a bit of laughter.  Ok, my next story could have taken a more serious turn near the end but at the time, we thought it was hilarious. We used to go dirt biking in the mountains of SW Virginia and one weekend we decided to join a small group of guys we had met at an event.  Now, these guys didn’t know about my prosthetic leg so we decided to have a little fun with them.  I fired up my bike and took off into the woods as the others were still unloading their equipment.  I went a couple of miles down the trail and after rounding a sharp turn, pulled off to the side of the trail.  I quickly pushed my bike over to a nearby tree and leaned it against the trunk at a very awkward angle.  I then sat down on the nearby hillside and popped my leg off inside my pants, twisted it around backwards and sorta’ “flopped” it up against my side.  It wasn’t long before I heard the roar of bikes approaching.  The small group rounded the turn and they all locked up their brakes and came to a skidding halt.  Now, keep in mind this was the early 90s and cell phones were not very common, especially in rural Virginia, so it never occurred to us that one of them might have a phone.  Two of the guys jumped off their bikes and ran over to where I lay.  As I sat up and started laughing, greeted by the confused looks on their faces.  I noticed my friend running over to a third guy from their group.  He motioned wildly to me and was hurriedly explaining something to the guy who suddenly looked very annoyed.  It turns out not everyone thought our little prank was as funny as we did, especially the guy trying to dial 911 from the woods.  However, after a little explaining and a beer or two, all was forgiven and the group had a great day. Not everyone is going to “get it”.  Not everyone is going to understand and not everyone is going to laugh but, then again, it’s not for them; it’s for you.  Remember to laugh at life.  Remember to laugh at yourself from time to time.  Remember to not take things too seriously and remember to enjoy your new life.  Now, in the spirit of silliness and having fun as an amputee, let’s watch as I shake my bunny tail. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Mark: [email protected] Facebook.com/Mark.Ferrell.92 Instagram: @Marky5toes

I am a strong advocate for following your dreams and never giving up. From the moment I came into this world I have been fighting for this motto. I was born in a small town in Russia with a lot of medical issues that were killing me. One of my more visible problems was Clubfoot and Tibial Hemimelia in my right leg. My parents were told to toss me out because I would never contribute to society. Instead, they put me in an orphanage in the hopes that I would make my way to the U.S. A young American couple adopted me. They brought me to the U.S. and I was immediately hospitalized. I had my leg amputated and underwent countless other surgeries in order to restore my health. At age 4 I was finally learning how to walk! Once I learned how to use my prosthesis I felt unstoppable. I was running around with all the other kids and loving it. I tried out for everything from plays, to dance teams, even ice skating. I played for my school’s soccer, softball, and basketball team by the 3rd grade. Once I learned about a new sport I wanted to try it. I had to wear bulky braces on my real ankle to support it, and around my diaphragm to protect my only kidney. I looked like a little football player. I felt very alone growing up not knowing any other amputees, or kids that were sick like me. I always seemed to be needing to get surgeries, and battling one health issue after another. In high-school I decided to create Live without Limbs, an organization that would promote awareness for amputees. I gave talks around St. Louis, to local grade schools and high schools. Many people had not seen an amputee, or simply didn’t know what life was like as an amputee. I wasn’t trying to get others to feel sorry for me, but rather inform them. I told them that putting my leg on each day was like someone putting on a pair of glasses. I needed my leg to walk like they needed their glasses to see. I wanted to spread word about being different and not being bullied for it. A little girl came up to me after one of my talks and said that she too was adopted, and that the other kids often teased her about it. She said that after my talk it made her feel proud to be adopted, and that she no longer cared what the other kids said. Another boy happened to go home and tell his mom about how cool this talk was he had at school. He told her that a girl with a robot leg could play any sport he played. His mom happened to work with my mom and told her the next day at work. I felt like my words were really helping others. By the time I was in college I was introduced to the RUSH Foot®. It was so lightweight and allowed me to become even more active than before. I was rock climbing, cycling long distances, and hiking as often as I could. I felt so comfortable and confident that I removed the cosmetic cover. When I was fitted with the RUSH Foot® I gained my life back. I love being a part of the #RUSHfamily. Everyone chooses to empower each other and lean on one another. I still run Live without Limbs today, and have made it more available through social media. I’m able to reach so many more people and lead by example. I was told I would never contribute to society. I am a biomedical engineer that has 3D printed prosthetics for fellow patients, and helped them learn how to regain mobility. If you have been given a chance to change the world, take it. Be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH Foot® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Angelina: Instagram: instagram.com/livewithoutlimbs/ Twitter: @LivewoLimbs Facebook: facebook.com/livewithoutlimbs www.boundless-journey.com

I was listening to the radio on my way to work the other day.  I was sorta’ lost in thought, singing along absentmindedly when I suddenly realized I was about half way through Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days”.  I had always liked the song but never really “listened” to it.  A strange feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.  Suddenly each word began to come alive with a strange power behind it. I was struck with a memory of sitting around with old friends one day talking about the good old days, thinking back to when we were the happiest and life was perfect.  Then a huge smile spread across my face as a thought occurred to me.  These…these are the days I will be talking about.  Now is that time for me, not when I was a teenager.  Not when I was younger, stronger and faster.  Not when I was carefree and everything seemed fresh and new.  It will be “now”.  Now is my time. Flash back with me to 24 years ago.  I was finally back on my feet again after “the train incident” and my thoughts were beginning to shift from relearning basic walking skills, which I was feeling confident about, to the idea of pursing other physical activities and sports that I had once enjoyed so much.  I had decided the first of these would be learning to ride my bike again with my new body.  I stood there in the parking lot of my apartment building next to my bike.  It was leaning casually on it’s kickstand as if it were completely oblivious to the turbulent swirl of emotions that threatened to send me back to the safety of my apartment instead of out onto the road leading to the SVCC campus for my first day of classes.  My hands reached down and gripped the handlebars and I felt my heart race a bit as I looked up to the campus, about a mile or so down the road and thought of the lessons waiting there for me.  They were meant to help me find a new path, a new direction for my new life but first I had to get there. I raised the kickstand and swung my prosthesis across the bike.  It felt heavy and clunky as I placed my foot on the pedal. I felt a mixture of fear and excitement as I pushed forward with my left leg, setting the bike in motion as I placed my left foot on the other pedal.  It felt uncomfortable and a little painful as I began the familiar motion.  I gritted my teeth and continued out to the road and turned right, heading toward the school and my future.  Each pedal rotation brought with it a little pain and my new foot would nearly bounce off it’s pedal with each slight bump I encountered.  It was disheartening.  As I reached the top of the hill where the campus sat and the bike racks outside the building where my first class would be, I was in despair.  I couldn’t imagine how I would ever get from where I was to where I wanted to be.  I couldn’t picture how it would ever get better.  I had a sinking feeling it would never be as good as it once was. Now flash forward to this past weekend.  I stood up from the trailside stone bench where I had been catching my breath and drinking a bit of water.  I took a deep breath as I swung my prosthesis deftly over my bike.  I looked down as I felt the now familiar click of my shoe clipping into my new pedals.  I thought about how comfortable, how organic and natural it felt now and a smile spread across my face as I pushed off with my left foot and then lifted it to click into its respective pedal.  I looked up into the bright blue Arizona sky as I began the final mile and a half downhill run back to the parking area.  A huge smile spread across my face as I thought of what was about to happen.  Then, it was all business as I poured my very soul into those pedals and raced down the mountain with wild abandon, nearly flying right off the trail as I rounded some of the turns.  My heart thundered as the warm breeze kicked up into a wind that seemed to challenge me as I tore through it. Then, suddenly, I rounded the last turn and found myself locking up my brakes and screeching to a stop next to my car.  I dismounted and began to remove my helmet.  I stopped and stood there for a moment, looking into the distance and back to that day 24 years ago.  I thought about how scared that guy was.  I thought about how full of doubt and worry he was.  I thought about how disheartened he was that day.  Then I thought how very happy I was that he didn’t stop in the face of it all.  He kept going.  He had faith and he had hope.  He led me here.  Because he didn’t give up, I found my way home. You hear people say things like “someday your ship will come in” and “when you discover your purpose” or the most cliché’ of all “when you find yourself”.  I always thought these to be platitudes.  Comforting but childishly optimistic wishful thinking.  Well it seems it just took me 45 years, 25 of those as an amputee, to find myself discovering my purpose as my ship came in but WOW was it ever worth it!  Never stop.  You don’t know what amazing thing is waiting just around the next turn. Click here to watch as I tear through the trails of Arizona’s Pima Canyon. Also, be sure to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Mark: [email protected] Facebook.com/Mark.Ferrell.92 Instagram: @Marky5toes

Getting up and getting active is easier said than done.  It’s easy to make excuses why we feel we can’t be more active, especially for us amputees.  Lack of mobility, pain, exhaustion, muscle weakness, prosthetic fit, new amputation, the list goes on and on.  Also, life’s everyday activities like work, children, lack of time, can lead us to tell ourselves we can’t be more active.  A lot of the time, our reasons for not being active are the exact reason we need to be more active. Cardio is short for cardiovascular exercise, also known as aerobic exercise.  Cardio uses large muscle groups continually over a period of time, to elevate our heart rate.  Examples of cardio are: walking, running, swimming, biking, even pushing a lawn mower.  When you do cardio, your heart and breathing rates become elevated.  Some of us would look at this list and say, “As an amputee I can’t physically perform some of these forms of cardio.”  In the video accompanying this blog will give you simple cardio exercises that you can do, and how to modify the exercises to fit your abilities. The more you exercise, the more calories you burn. When your body uses up your surplus of calories your body starts burning fat.  Your surplus of calories is the extra calories you eat that are not used for body function or energy throughout the day.  If you don’t use up those calories it gets stored as fat. Imagine extra fat being tucked under your arms, in your stomach, on your legs and everywhere else you want to get rid of it.  If you do cardio and you burn all the extra calories your body doesn’t need you start burning fat.  This also means you will increase your muscle tone and increase your metabolic rate, or how many calories your body burns at rest. Do you find yourself having a hard time breathing, feeling exhausted during or after simple activities?  Do you feel like you are not strong enough or feel too weak to perform some tasks? When you do cardio it makes you healthier.  Your heart becomes stronger making it possible to pump blood through your circulatory system more efficiently, delivering oxygen to your muscles.  Your heart and lungs are a muscle they to need to be worked just like the rest of your body.  The benefit of cardio, or working the lungs and heart, is that it’ll help you breath deeper, take in more oxygen, and strengthen from the delivery of oxygen. His means your endurance level will increase and everyday tasks will become easier.  Before you know it, you are doing things you never thought could ever do again, or like me, I found myself trying things I never would of thought of trying. Cardio also makes your body produce “feel good” hormones that will help ease the symptoms of depression and fatigue as well as hormones that decrease appetite.  Cardio improves your outlook on life because you are getting stress relief from these same hormones. After years of recovery and building my cardiovascular system, I am now able to do any activities I choose to. I can run, jump, lift weights, balance, and even became a personal trainer and nutrition coach.  Exercise has given me the “can do” attitude Now here is the scary truth: inactivity can be just as bad for you as smoking.  Estimates show that 5.3 million deaths around the world were caused by physical inactivity.  By comparison cigarette smoking is estimated to cause 5 million deaths worldwide each year. Physical inactivity ranks 4th in major risk factors for death, more than high blood pressure, tobacco use, and high cholesterol.  6% of heart disease, 7% of type 2 diabetes and about 10% of colon and breast cancers are linked to lack of activity.  Also, obesity, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression, and anxiety are linked to a lack of physical activity. As soon as you get out of your chair your blood sugar improves, and your blood cholesterol and triglycerides will improve consistently.  Every time you get up it gets better. Every time you sit down it gets worse.  Inactivity plays a role in many chronic diseases.  In the US, roughly 41% of adults don’t get enough physical activity. I hope this will encourage you to get going and keep going! I am always here for help. I’ll check on you next month to see if you are sticking to your resolution.  In the meantime, visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals.   To contact Jenny: [email protected] Instagram: @peglegtrainer www.peglegtrainer.com Facebook.com/peglegtrainer

When the weather turns cold, our desire to be outdoors may wane a little bit. We prefer the comfort and ease of warm weather activities. If you are from the north, like I am, that can leave nearly half a year wasted by not being outside. The truth is, with the proper clothing and winter gear, the outdoors can be a peaceful and majestic place during the colder months. The key is to use layering to dress for success and survivability! Base Layer: This is the layer closest to your skin. As you move around, even in cold weather, you will sweat. Choose a fabric like Merino Wool which will wick away moisture from your body. Some examples may be: underwear, thermal underwear, and shirts. Middle Layer: In this layer you will get the most warmth. Depending on your activities and the temperature you will want to search for the right combination of lightweight yet warm clothing for your torso and legs. If you are going to be super active, like cross country skiing, go with something lightweight so you don’t overheat and sweat too much. Sweating can lead to hypothermia when you have stopped your activities and lose warmth. You’ll be wet, and soon cold. Look for something with Thinsulate material for these uses. Outer Layer: This layer is called your “Shell” layer, a winter coat or jacket. Its primary purpose is to block the wind and stop the rain from soaking through to your inner layers. The best combination is something that is breathable yet water proof. They allow your own body heat and sweat to evaporate as needed while keeping the weather out. These layers are pricy but can be worth the investment, especially with repeated usage. Waterproof boots with great traction are also a necessity when enjoying the outdoors in colder, snowy and wet climates. Be sure to check out the video I made to go with this blog about traction in slippery, winter environments. Also, keep in mind good pair of merino wool socks will go a long way to keep your feet warm and dry while you enjoy nature’s cleansing season. So, come on and join me in the Great Outdoors; it’s never the wrong season, and you’re never too old to play outside! Share your #RUSHLife outdoor adventure pics with us by tagging, #RUSHintotheWild. Be sure visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Chris: [email protected] facebook.com/rideforhope Twitter: amputeeadventur www.youtube.com/amputeeadventure

I had a dream last night that I walked into a room and met my very younger self.  He looked me up and down, then our eyes met.  His gaze was at once filled with curiosity and apprehension at my appearance.  I smiled as I remembered his innocence.  We didn’t speak as we were offered a seat and scenes from my life began to play out before us; memories to me and what was to be for him.  I smiled, I cringed, I openly wept and I laughed a hardy belly laugh more than once.  Then, as the scenes before us began to fade, I realized I had been so captivated by what was happening that I had not looked over at my naive counterpart. I turned to him and he was staring at me, open mouthed and trembling.  Then, a button was placed in my hand as a soothing voice spoke, seemingly in my head.  “Simply press it and all you have witnessed will never have been.  A new start; a chance to spare yourself from the agony of your life.”  I turned the button over in my hand and stared at it for only an instant before crossing to my younger self who seemed now to be staring at me with a hopeful and pleading gaze. Tears streamed down his face as he whispered:  “please … press it.  I don’t think I’m strong enough for all that.”  I knelt before him.  He wrapped his arms around me and began to openly sob.  I held him for what seemed a lifetime and then gently pulled away, leaving my hand on his shoulder.  The button fell away into nothing. “Little one, I am sorry.  It breaks my heart to know the agony you will face.  I’m so very sorry that I can’t spare you from it, but to do so would take more from you, from both of us, than I’m willing to lose.  When it hurts the most and things seem the darkest, that is when you will find yourself.  That is when you will come to understand more about life than you could ever imagine.  You are tougher, you are braver and you are more resilient than you can even begin to comprehend.  You will make it through all of that and I’ll be waiting for you on the other.  I’ll be your anchor.  I’ll be a lighthouse in your storm.  I’ll be waiting for you and you WILL reach me.  That is when you will discover that you are, indeed, strong enough. The point of sharing such a personal dream is to let you all know that we are strong enough.  Life sometimes kicks you, hard.  Just remember that we are always stronger than whatever may land on us.  When the chips are down and being strong is the only option we have left … that is when you too will find that you ARE strong enough.  We all are. Now … enough of that … let’s all go watch a video of Nacho teaching me how to trail run like a boss. Be sure to tune in next month for more fun and adventure with Marky5Toes and his Sidekick Nacho.  Visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Mark: [email protected] Facebook.com/Mark.Ferrell.92 Instagram: @Marky5toes

It’s time for some #WednesdayWisdom! This week we’re turning on the product spotlight and aiming it at the RUSH ROGUE, our newest, most dynamic foot yet. It’s already creating quite a buzz out there, let’s take a closer look at the technical specs. #goROGUE  To learn more visit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyk7B6yViWU

TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA, LLC a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced today the release of the RUSH ROGUE® prosthetic foot. “How do you improve on the best? You make it better,” states Keith Smith, PROTEOR USA’ VP of Engineering. Smith continues, “We took all the amazing qualities that the RUSH Foot® collection is best known for; such as the extreme durability and smooth roll through; and engineered the ROGUE to be even more comfortable for the end user.” The new RUSH ROGUE® integrates biomimetic ankle action simulating realistic foot and ankle motion. The addition of the Vertical Loading Pylon provides comfortable relief from high impact loading; offering exceptional rotational torsion relief to ease the impact to knees, hip and back. The roll through characteristics of the foot delivers exceptional energy return with no “dead spot.” The components are made of advanced fiberglass composite which is three times more flexible than most conventional feet. Recently, Dr. Kenton Kaufman, PhD PE of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, conducted two comprehensive studies to quantify the mechanical properties and overall patient satisfaction between carbon fiber and fiberglass composite materials in prosthetic foot design. Both studies showed results supporting the use of fiberglass composite materials in prosthetic foot design relating to both performance, as well as patient satisfaction. Download a pdf of the “Comparative Performance of a Fiberglass Dynamic Elastic Response Foot” abstract via this link: https://rushfoot.com/…/u…/2016/09/Kaufman-Study-for-print.pdf “Our team remains focused on delivering products that provide superior outcomes for amputees,” emphasizes Smith, “and we are confident the ROGUE hits that mark with more comfort, more durability and more performance than ever before. This is a whole new generation of RUSH® feet.” Now available in sizes 22-29cm. PDAC approved. For further information and to order the RUSH ROGUE® visit https://rushfoot.com or call 855.450.7300 today. PROTEOR USA, based in Tempe, Arizona, is a full service manufacturer of next generation prosthetic devices. The company offers a wide range of superior quality products and services, deriving from its unparalleled understanding and experience in the industry. https://rushfoot.com Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com SOURCE PROTEOR USA

For most people the first thing they think of with the new year is New Year’s Resolutions.  When you tell yourself, “In the new year I am going to eat better and workout”, do you even know how to accomplish that goal?  If not, you’re setting yourself up for failure before you even start. I’m going to help you spot the fads so it doesn’t turn out bad. We all need to know that losing weight and keeping it off requires a long-term commitment and still, even savvy dieters can occasionally be tempted by the quick weight loss promised by fad diets.  As each new “lose weight fast” gimmick comes along, people forget about the negatives associated with fad diets. From a lack of nutritional value to food restrictions that are hard to live with, most people might not know if the weight-loss plan they’re considering is a fad or a program that could be helpful over the long term. Beware of magical claims and passing promises. It’s human nature to be attracted to fad diets, which promise quick and easy results. Weeding out fad diets takes a bit of effort because there is no standard definition of a fad diet. Here are some of the red flags that indicate a weight-loss plan is an ineffective fad diet: – The diet promises that you will lose weight at a fast or unrealistic pace. – The claims sound too good to be true. – The diet’s recommendations little or no reputable research at all. – The diet’s recommendations seem extreme. – Statements made about the diet are refuted by reputable scientific organizations – Personal testimonials are used to “sell” the diet. – The fad diet involves crash dieting, or very intense reductions in eating and drinking. Why do fad diets become the rage?  Many factors can fuel their popularity; celebrity endorsements being a major influence. Who doesn’t want to be as slender as the pop-starlet on television?   In this age of instant gratification, there is a natural temptation to fall for weight-loss plans that promise quick results in weeks rather than months, it’s especially tempting when endorsed by your favorite celebrity. The “elimination mentality”, the belief that cutting out certain foods will result in quick weight loss, plays into popular beliefs about dieting. Many of these diets promote elimination of one or multiple food groups for a set number of days or in very specific combinations with some sort of gimmick. Many people relate misery and deprivation to dieting and are more willing to accept this type of weight-loss plan, at least for a brief while. Many fad diets only work for a short time, usually causing you to drop pounds due to reduction of water weight. The fad diet may succeed at jolting you from the grind of mindless snacking and eating junk food on the run and skipping all the calories and fat-packed extras like whipped cream in the cappuccino or grabbing a slice of pizza on the way home. Just making these lifestyle adjustments is usually enough to see some weight loss.  Unfortunately, many fad diets do not meet the nutritional needs of most people. There are some signs that a fad diet is not healthy for you, like muscle cramps, dizziness, confusion, fainting, dehydration, constipation, diarrhea, mood changes, and constant hunger. People who are on medication or have chronic health concerns must be especially cautious and should always talk to a doctor before trying any new diet. There could also be psychological consequences to fad dieting.  Fad diets set the individual up for failure; when the diet fails, the dieters may blame themselves and develop a feeling of demoralization or hopelessness, thinking that they are unable to lose weight. This can make it harder to make the healthy changes needed for long-term weight loss. One of the most effective ways I’ve found to eat right is to make healthy eating a game. After all, what’s the point of living healthy if you aren’t enjoying it? So, that’s where these 4 healthy eating activities for adults come into play. 1) Secret Ingredient Week The goal here is to try eating a new, healthy ingredient each week to expand your horizons and get a broader variety of nutrients into your diet. The next time you’re at the grocery store, buy a healthy new ingredient you’ve never tried before (vegetables, fruits, spices, legumes, etc.). When you get home, find a recipe that features that ingredient and cook it up. This is a great activity for family bonding because you can choose the recipe and prepare it together. 2) Favorite recipes Set aside some time one evening or on a weekend. Gather up your favorite cookbooks or pull up your favorite recipe website. Choose recipes from these sources that you’ve enjoyed in the past. Ideally these recipes should also be straight-forward and easily put together; they should include ingredients you typically have in your kitchen. Now put those recipes into a spreadsheet, don’t forget to include the source). If the recipe is online, make sure you copy and paste it (cite the source) into a document because you never know when a website will disappear without warning; it would be a shame to never have access to that recipe again, wouldn’t it? The idea behind this activity is to compile a list of recipe ideas so the next time you’re scrambling to find something to make for, you can just consult your list. 3) Label-reading Mogul If you want to get better at reading food labels, this healthy eating activity is for you. It’s quite simple: go into your cupboard, choose a product and read the health/nutrition claims on the front of the package (e.g. “low fat” or “all-natural” etc.). Ask yourself: how does the claim make you feel and what do you think of when you see that health claim? Now, turn the package over and read the ingredient list. Do any of the ingredients surprise you? Do you know what the ingredients are? If you don’t recognize an ingredient don’t be afraid to look it up to find out what it is. One of my favorite resources for understanding food additives is the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s comprehensive list of ingredients. This kind of practice will help make you more aware of what’s in the food products you buy. 4) Daily Mantras This healthy living activity will enable you to better identify and overcome emotional eating. First, identify triggers that contribute to your emotional eating. The next time you find yourself eating for emotional reasons, write down what was happening right before you began eating. Do this several times and you might discover a pattern. Second, create a mantra to repeat to yourself when you’re triggered. Try to keep your mantra positive and focused on something that’s the right fit for you and your personal triggers. The more customized it is the more effective it will be. Start repeating this mantra to yourself on a regular basis so that it will be easier to recall when you are feeling triggered to eat emotionally. Now, the working out part: just do it with no excuses.  You may walk into your room or a gym to work out and think “well, I don’t know what to do, so I will just sit here and play with my phone.”  Put that phone to good use and search the web for beginner exercises; you’ll have an entire list in front of you to help get started and no excuses to fall on. My favorite excuse: I can’t because I don’t’ have a leg. Modify what you know and look up what you don’t.  There are lots of resources to help you, especially on-line where you can look in to different training options.  I can even give you the name of a great personal trainer who does online training AND is an amputee:  Jenny Pollreis at Pollreis Personal Training.  Excuses only hurt yourself and here are hundreds of them; I can help you throw them all out the window.  We have already gone through too much pain, why do that to ourselves again? Remember, eat better and start a workout regimen and be sure to check out the video accompanying this blog on YouTube here for more info and tips on nutrition.  I’ll check on you next month to see if you are sticking to your resolution. In the meantime, visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Jenny: [email protected] Facebook.com/peglegtrainer Instagram: @peglegtrainer

One of the best things end-users report about their experience with the RUSH Foot® is the reduction in pain, increase in comfort, and increased ability to wear their prosthetic device for longer periods of time. This video illustrates a side-by-side comparison of the RUSH HiPro® and the Maverick’s energy return when a patient loads the heel and toe with full body weight. It also illustrates the smooth, continuous roll-over of the RUSH Foot®’s half-rocker sole, vs. the Maverick’s split-heel and shorter toe-lever. #morethanjustasimplerebellion   

We all have those moments in life where we feel like we’re in a big hurry to get nowhere.  Burning the candle from both ends.  Stuck in the mud and spinning the tires. The little things become much bigger things; the dryer stops drying your clothes and now only functions as a tumbling device for wet laundry and you don’t have the time or money to fix it.  Life can get overwhelming pretty fast. Wait, don’t fret!  I have a solution.  It’s quick, it’s relatively easy, and amazingly cheap. GO OUTSIDE!  That’s right, take a step outside your door, walk the neighborhood. Take a walk in the woods near your home.  Don’t have any woods nearby? Take a walk in the local park.  Too cold? Take a walk through a quiet museum in your area.  Avoid shopping malls, they will only drain your wallet and increase your aggravation.  We are searching for a place of Zen. You may find that getting outdoors and away from the hustle and bustle, to be alone with your thoughts, gives you a calming effect.  You’ll be more relaxed enjoying nature’s hustle and bustle.  So, take a moment for yourself.  Get away from it all; clear your head.  Find solace in learning that life isn’t a race with a finish line, but a journey of lessons with some AMAZING views! When I venture out to clear my head, I’m always sure to take some key items with me, including some must-have prosthetic supplies. You can see what I include by watching my video here.  I also need to take the length and duration of the trip into account, so aside from my prosthetic supplies, sometimes I have days’ worth of food, water, and clothing with me.  Take a moment to review this Backpacker’s Checklist, also be sure to check out this guide for useful information on selecting the right backpack for your trip and how to pack it with proper weight distribution. Be sure to tune in next month for more fun and adventure with Chris.  Visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Chris: [email protected] facebook.com/rideforhope Twitter:  amputeeadventur www.youtube.com/amputeeadventure

Being on the forefront of innovation is sure to force the competition to try something similar.  It was just a matter of time until a prosthetic foot came to market trying to mimic all that made the RUSH Foot® a huge success.  A few members of Team RUSH® joined up to discuss this new foot claiming to be an improvement on all that the RUSH Foot® offers.  You can see the full video here.

As 2016 comes to a close and an exciting new year is upon us, PROTEOR USA President, Blount Swain, takes a moment to chat about choices and innovation. It’s YOUR life…choose a foot that is as #FearlesslyAuthentic as you. #tobeBlount You can view Blount’s message here.

PROTEOR USA National Clinical Director Richard Sainz gives a little insight on what he’s found when comparing the Maverick to the RUSH HiPro®.  Check out Richard’s feedback in the video here.

With a new prosthetic foot coming to market claiming to improve on the experience offered by the RUSH Foot®, end-user feedback on the performance of the foot is important to consider. Mark Ferrel, 25 year amputee and adaptive athlete, offers his experience on the Maverick in this video here.

With the success of the RUSH Foot®, it’s no surprise that a competitor is trying to market a suspiciously similar product. PROTEOR USA VP of Engineering, Keith Smith shares his thoughts here.

TEMPE, Ariz., Dec. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced a new exclusive distribution relationship with German-based Uniprox GmbH, for its RUSH® Foot collection; inclusive of the RUSH® HiPro, LoPro, the pediatric Kid and ROVER prosthetic feet. The agreement offers exclusive distribution of PROTEOR USA’ products within the borders of Germany, Switzerland and Austria to O&P customers. “We are excited about the newly established partnership with the Uniprox group.”, said J. Blount Swain, President of PROTEOR USA.  Swain continued, “This partnership will expand on PROTEOR USA’ already significant worldwide distribution network and will make the unique RUSH® Foot technology readily available to the lower limb amputee population within Central Europe.” Additionally, PROTEOR USA currently has distribution in Australia, Canada, Ireland, UK, Benelux, France, Hong Kong, China, Russia, South Africa, Scandinavia, Spain, Israel, and continues pursuing distributorships in several other countries. About PROTEOR USA Company PROTEOR USA is a full service manufacturer of next-­generation prosthetic devices (https://rushfoot.com) which offers customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. PROTEOR USA understanding and experience in the industry is unparalleled.  For more information visit: https://rushfoot.com About Uniprox GmbH & Co. KG Uniprox GmbH & Co. KG, with its products and care concepts, makes an important contribution towards maintaining and restoring health and increasing patients’ sense of well-being. Their mission is to help people with a disability to live a normal life. The prosthetic components for the lower limbs offer amputees a variety of solutions for improved quality of life. Their comprehensive product range is specifically tailored to patients’ mobility requirements. The range also includes materials for the orthopedic technician and products for the orthotics workshop.  For more information visit:  http://www.uniprox.de/ Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

I am 44 years old.  I am missing a leg and an elbow.  I have a few pounds on me and I am an Olympic athlete.  Every time I pull on my running shoes and feel the laces tighten, I am transformed.  There was once a part of me that was filled with such a sheer joy for running.  My feet would strike the ground with fury and passion.  My heart would race and I would tear through the world with wild abandon.  My lungs straining, my muscles burning, my legs driving me on, and all the while, a huge smile spread across my face.  Then, one day, an unfortunate situation and a fateful decision took it all away from me forever…or so I thought.   For 25 years I trudged through the world trying to forget that part of myself.  Thinking it lost forever, I saw no reason to dwell on it.  It wasn’t that I was not determined or driven.  It wasn’t that I did not want it badly enough.  It was simply that it wasn’t fun anymore.  That “thing” that made it such an amazing part of my soul was gone.  What had once brought me such joy now seethed with pain and frustration.  I grudgingly settled into a less active lifestyle.  Don’t get me wrong, I was thankful and happy to still be here, but my life was diminished.  My light still shined but not as brightly.  Then, fate came at me in a rush (no pun intended).   A move to a new town, yet another broken carbon fiber foot, a mistaken call to the wrong office and a chance meeting with a future prosthetist would change everything.  Fast forward just over 2 years and now I stand at the start line of yet another 5k mud pit obstacle course.  All those years of pain and frustration wash over me and I feel cleansed.  I shift my weight and test my footing as I anxiously wait for the start gun to fire.  I look down at my new friend and I kneel slightly as my fingers trace across it’s edges.  My heart races as I feel the crowd shift and edge forward.  The moment is near.   I think back to my training for this moment.  I think back to all those early morning runs with Nacho urging me on.  I think about every moment of my life leading up to this instant.  “BANG!”  Electricity flows through my body and my heart races as I explode into a flurry of motion.  Tears well up in the very corners of my eyes.  I am running.  I am smiling and, once again, I am happy.  You see, I’m not really an Olympic athlete but on my RUSH Foot® I feel like one … every … single … day. With this foot, I am UNSTOPPABLE!   Watch here as I conquer the Terrain Race: Phoenix 5k   Be sure to tune in next month for more fun and adventure with Marky5Toes and his Sidekick Nacho.  Visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot.  Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals.

As an amputee, finding prosthetic care can be tricky.  Finding an experienced prosthetist who works with amputees of your amputation level, lifestyle, and activity level are key.  In this week’s #WednesdayWisdom we take a look at important questions every amputee should keep in mind when selecting a new prosthetist. Take a moment to watch the informational video and then download the accompanying list of questions to help you find the best prosthetic care to fit your needs. To learn more, visit The BUZZ here and check the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQtIWgYgp1s To download the accompanying list of questions, click here: https://rushfoot.wufoo.com/forms/z3foshm1npn9xu/ Be sure to check The BUZZ regularly for more #WednesdayWisdom and to keep up with our Bi-Weekly blog!

Hello, everyone, RUSH® ReBELLE Jenny Pollreis here with this month’s nutrition and fitness advice.  This month we’re going to focus on some basic but important nutrition information; more specifically, two common issues that cause volume fluctuation and can affect the fit of your prosthetic device. One very common problem that can affect our limb volume is dehydration, a lack of water in your body, will not only make your residual limb shrink, but can also result in your prosthesis not fitting correctly. Along with volume fluctuation, dehydration causes increased heart rate and blood pressure, this makes your heart work harder to circulate your blood throughout the body, leaving you even more dehydrated.  There are some physical indications that are obvious assign of dehydration. When you stand up or sit down and you get dizzy, feel light headed or faint. You may also feel moody, get headaches, or even feel depressed. Another side effect may be bad breath due the body not being able to produce saliva.  You may notice patches of dry skin resulting from your body trying to hydrate from the inside.  Muscles may cramp due to the heart working harder in effort to pump thick under-hydrated blood through your body. Your skin may feel thin and urine can appear a dark yellow and have a strong odor.  Dehydration can also lead to fevers, chills, and even food cravings, especially sweets. Worst of all, cramping due to dehydration can also trigger phantom pains. How can you fight off and prevent dehydration? First off, drink more water!  Keep a bottle of water handy and add fresh fruit or sugar-free flavor additives to your water to enhance flavor and hydration.  Prepare snacks of fruits and vegetables; they are packed full of water and vitamins. Always be sure to drink water during meals.  It also helps to drink water at room temperature rather than cold water.  Your body can absorb it faster. While lack of hydration can lead to volume-loss, excess hydration can lead to volume-gain issues. How you ask?  Too much salt in your diet leads to water retention and bloating. To keep your residual limb at a consistent volume, it is important to watch your salt intake.  As delicious as it is, too much salt can be bad for you. Processed and fried foods, as well as many restaurant foods have a very high sodium content which may enhance flavor, but as a result of eating such foods we are taking in more salt than we think or ultimately need.  When you consume too much sodium your kidneys keep more water in the system, an affect called edema (swelling in the extremities) which can lead to high blood pressure over time.  Too much sodium also makes you thirsty because salt dehydrates you.  Aside from edema, Excessive salt may bring on stomach ulcers, infections, make stomach cancer worse and disrupt the stomach lining.  If you feel like your skin is about to “rip open”, you probably have consumed too much salt.  Some salt is essential for normal body functions but there is enough salt in fruits, vegetables, and meats that you don’t need to add more.  Try a salt substitute or whole spices to flavor your meals or look for “low-sodium” products while shopping. As you can see, these two thing are essential to monitor and easy to guide.  Change doesn’t happen overnight but with a little practice at increasing water intake and decreasing salt intake will help you maintain consistent limb-volume. With consistent limb size you will not only stabilize the fit of your prosthesis, but also increase your quality of life and improve your overall health. If you’re currently having issues with cramping be sure to hydrate accordingly. Simple stretching exercises may also help you loosen up those tense muscles; be sure to check out this video “Simple Stretches You Can Do Anywhere” for some tips on how you can quickly and easily stretch out those sore muscles. Or, you can download a step-by-step written copy by simply clicking here. Be sure to tune in next month for more tips and advice on health, nutrition. Visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Jenny: [email protected] Facebook.com/peglegtrainer Instagram: @peglegtrainer

Thanks to the unique sole plate and virtually indestructible unique glass composite material, the RUSH HiPro® delivers the smoothest transition from heel strike to toe-off of any prosthetic foot in the industry. Patients will experience unparalleled comfort, range of motion and zero dead spots in every step. To learn more visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJe0RjqvdII

This week’s #WednesdayWisdom sheds a little light on why it’s important to be your own advocate and learn all you can about insurance navigation. To learn more visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2rb2K1eii4

Adventure, Insight, and Humor. … a monthly blog featuring RUSH® Rebel Mark Ferrell (aka Marky5Toes) and his dog, Nacho Getting to know Mark Ferrell… When first meeting Mark, you may find him a bit of a timid or even a shy fellow; don’t be fooled. His quiet, calm demeanor is not all it seems. Beneath the surface lays a man of deep thought, uproarious humor, self-sacrificing kindness, and an unrelenting passion for all things active. A transtibial amputee for 25 years and champion of his prosthetic leg, nothing holds him back (expect maybe the old carbon fiber feet prosthetic feet he’d broken before discovering fiberglass). As we aim to bring you a monthly blog on a variety of topics relating to amputee life, we’ll be sharing Mark’s stories and insights as he and his sidekick, Nacho tackle the world head-on. Whether he’s training for a 5k, or simply taking his four-legged sidekick for a walk, follow Mark and Nacho while the dynamic duo paints a vivid picture of the life of a true superhero. Mark Ferrell is a Team RUSH® Customer Service Representative by trade however it doesn’t stop at the day job. Not your average below-knee amputee, Mark has a true passion for adaptive sports. Hiking, mountain biking, BMX biking, skateboarding, longboarding, running, mud-runs, obstacle courses, there is nothing Mark won’t push himself to do; he’d even stand in front of a train for you (pun intended). Enough from us….let’s hear from Mark…. “I drifted in that gray predawn haze that often visits after a long cool night. Such comfort, such amazing tranquility except for that annoying voice calling my name. ‘Mark’ … I just wanted to float there, wrapped up in sheer joy. ‘Mark’ … sigh … who was that? Why wouldn’t she just shush? ‘Mark!’… ok, apparently there was no ignoring her. I began to stir, searching for the source of my tormenter. ‘Mark!’ … … ‘WHAT!?!’ I blurted out in frustration. Then, silence hung thickly in the air. After what seemed like an eternity or was it only an instant, her disembodied voice returned. ‘Mark, do you know where you are?’ I thought for a moment. Then a sudden realization swept through me. I really didn’t know where I was! My voice sounded again, this time softly. ‘No’. Before the significance of that could sink in, her voice again; it had changed. All at once, I no longer found it frustrating and annoying, pulling me from the amazing place I had been. It now seemed to be guiding me back to where I belonged, to where I was supposed to be. I decided to follow. ‘Mark, do you remember what happened?” I began to sense that something wasn’t right as I searched my mind for the memories that would allow me to answer her. They weren’t there. ‘No’, my voice was but a whisper this time. A sense of dread stirred somewhere deep inside me as I realized I couldn’t see the source of the voice, even though she seemed mere feet away. ‘You’ve been involved in an accident with a train.’ My mind reeled. Thoughts, maybe memories, began to churn. It started coming back to me. ‘I’ll be right back, I’m going to get your doctor.’ Those were the last words I heard before doing the single coolest thing I have ever been blessed with the opportunity to do. In a rush, it all came back to me. Well, the Cliff’s Notes version, at least. I knew what had happened and if years of watching television medical dramas had not failed me, I knew what my doctor’s first words to me would almost certainly be. I knew, also, that I would never have this opportunity again. I simply could not let it pass. I didn’t have to wait long as a rush of people, I could hear and sense more than see, swarmed into my surgical intensive care room. The flurry of movement settled and I felt the bed shift as someone approached and leaned over me. A new voice, this one male, sounded. ‘Mark?’ … this was it, my heart raced as I waited for what would surely come next. ‘Mark, how do you feel?’ Without missing a beat, I took a long deep, deliberate breath. Then, as I dramatically lifted my left hand (the only part of my body I could move) and let it trace over my now mostly bald scalp, scuffing across the pin cushion of surgical staples that was my head, I let out a long exasperated sigh. ‘Ahhh, doc, I feel like I’ve been hit by a train.’ Total silence fell across the room. Seconds passed. Then, some distance away, someone stifled a chuckle. A snort and a giggle followed next and I swear, even though I couldn’t see him, I somehow ‘felt’ my doc smile as I dropped my hand back to my side and asked: ‘So, how bad is it?’ Thus began my new life and all the adventures it would entail. I had no idea just how amazing of a journey it would be. Fast forward years later and here I am with my best friend beside me and my RUSH foot under me. Together we are a team. Together we will take on the world. Come follow along. Share my story and be a part of The Adventures of Marky5toes and his Sidekick, Nacho, a new monthly RUSH® Foot blog. “ Be sure to watch Mark’s INTRODUCTION VIDEO video for an amazing story you don’t want to miss. Visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/RUSHFoot. Be sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Mark: email: [email protected] Facebook.com/Mark.Ferrell.92 Instagram: @Marky5Toes

The unique design and superior reliability of the highly-dynamic RUSH LoPro® foot is unprecedented in the industry. PROTEOR USA has utilized an innovative glass composite, that makes the RUSH LoPro® foot three times more flexible than carbon-based prosthetics. The unique glass composite has been proven not to break down in heavy use like carbon fiber. Glass composite is a far cry from the rigid carbon fiber materials found in most prosthetic feet. It is a specially-formulated composite fiber material that is nearly indestructible, sensationally flexible and only available on Ability Dynamic prosthetic devices. With the upper and lower struts comprised of this glass composite, the RUSH LoPro® foot carves out superior engineering and delivers the most realistic and responsive foot and ankle motion available on the market today. With three times more flexibility than most conventional prosthetic feet, comfort and ease of motion are dramatically increased. To learn more, view https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vXpcn7L8Tc&feature=youtu.be

The RUSH Chopart® is specifically designed for people with Chopart amputations as well as Lisfranc, Pirogoff, Boyd and partial foot prostheses. A dynamic design, providing users the ability to be active and do more of what they want to do without limitations. The unique glass composite outperforms carbon and is engineered to be more flexible and durable than any other Chopart available today. For more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNhvXOOJWo8

This week’s #WednesdayWisdom provides a bit of advice for all the parents out there. For more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I09ePOrzFRI

Let’s Get Moving! Fitness and Nutritional Guidance … a monthly blog featuring RUSH® ReBELLE Jenny Pollreis (aka PegLeg Trainer) Ready to Make A Positive Lifestyle Change and Get Yourself Moving? After a motorcycle accident in 2001, Jenny Pollreis faced limb-loss and underwent a transtibial amputation in effort to restore her quality of life. While facing the major life changes and insecurities an amputee encounters, Jenny sought a way to regain control of her life and in turn, change the lives of others. As a below-knee amputee, Jenny waded into the waters of fitness and nutrition. As we aim to bring you a monthly blog on a variety of topics relating to amputees and adaptive athletes, we’ll be sharing Jenny’s exercise and nutrition tips, and a host of other topics geared at making you a more active amputee; with that said, Let’s Get Moving! Jennifer Pollreis is a Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor, Group Training, Competitive Coach, Competition Posing Coach, and offers nutritional advice for muscular gain or weight loss. Anything your body needs, she is here to help! Visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/rushfoot. Make sure to LIKE our page and visit regularly for upcoming blog posts, informative videos, and to meet and chat with all your favorite RUSH® Rebels, ReBELLES and Rascals. To contact Jenny: [email protected] Facebook.com/peglegtrainer Instagram: @peglegtrainer

This week’s #WednesdayWisdom shines a little light on K-Levels. What they are, and what they mean to you, the amputee. For more information visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JBetqFEquw

RUSH Foot® Collection Product Showcase Featuring the RUSH ROVER®. With a clearance just over two inches, even the most extreme low or high clearance patients will benefit from the dynamic toe-off and superior energy return of the RUSH ROVER®. Capable. Strong. Comfortable. From rocky trailheads to the sidewalks of a concrete jungle, navigate even the most demanding terrain with ease. To learn more visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6Atdgehf6w

Built kid tough, the RUSH Kid® pediatric foot can handle even the most extreme low or high clearance patient. Run, jump, play…the ultra low profile build delivers the most dynamic energy return and smooth roll-through of any pediatric foot on the market today. Mud, water, sand….no problem! The all-terrain RUSH Kid® was built with active kids in mind. Say goodbye to broken carbon feet! The next generation of RUSH® Rebels has just arrived. To learn more, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG-wD-GqFQ0

Much like snowflakes, no two amputees are the same; neither is your interaction with the medical community. This weeks #WednesdayWisdom aims to shine a little light on some of the Doctors you may meet on your journey. #educatelikeaRebel For more information visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKo_RyD-KeI

TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — With prosthetic technology evolving, there is little scientific data to aid in the clinical prescriptive prosthesis process, aiding component selection for lower extremity amputee patients. Dr. Kenton Kaufman, PhD, PE of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. recently conductedtwo comprehensive studies to quantify the mechanical properties and overall patient satisfaction between carbon fiber and fiberglass composite materials in prosthetic foot design. He presented his findings at the recent AOPA 2016 National Assembly in Boston. Two Studies were conducted: A cross-over design study utilizing gait analysis and patient evaluation questionnaire (PEQ): “Comparative Performance of a Fiberglass Dynamic Elastic Response Foot” and a mechanical test utilizing Static Proof Testing with ISO 10328 standards,“Instantaneous Stiffness and Hysteresis of Dynamic Elastic Response Feet”. Both studies showed results supporting the use of fiberglass composite materials in prosthetic foot design relating to both performance as well as patient satisfaction. Download a pdf of the “Comparative Performance of a Fiberglass Dynamic Elastic Response Foot” abstract via this link:  https://rushfoot.com/…/u…/2016/09/Kaufman-Study-for-print.pdf  Download and watch Dr. Kaufman present his findings at the AOPA 2016 conference via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j2nac5buAo For further information on the RUSH Foot® collection visit https://rushfoot.com or call 855.450.7300 today. PROTEOR USA, based in Tempe, Arizona, is a full service manufacturer of next generation prosthetic devices. The company offers a wide range of superior quality products and services, deriving from its unparalleled understanding and experience in the industry.https://rushfoot.com Media Contact: Holly Sanger, RUSH Foot®, 480-361-1303,[email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

“Walking with a fiberglass composition foot (RUSH® FOOT) resulted in a 31% increase in power production.” For several years, we have heard that the RUSH® Foot is “just hype”. Today at the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association National Assembly conference in Boston, Kenton Kaufman, PhD, PE presented his findings proving that the use of FIBERGLASS COMPOSITE MATERIALS in prosthetic design relates to INCREASED PERFORMANCE, as well as PATIENT SATISFACTION. Fiberglass is the EXACT material utilized in the ENTIRE RUSH®FOOT collection. There is now scientific data supporting what we’ve known all along…FIBERGLASS OUTPERFORMS CARBON!  Read the abstract, “Comparative Performance of a Fiberglass Dynamic Elastic Response Foot”  here:  https://rushfoot.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Kaufman-Study-for-print.pdf  OR watch the live video on our RUSH Foot® page: https://www.facebook.com/RushFoot/videos/vb.222117564580846/975544625904799/?type=2&theater&notif_t=like&notif_id=1473444291871697

TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — AOPA will be presenting two awards for students and residents at the 2016 AOPA National Assembly – The Edwin and Kathryn Arbogast for the best prosthetic poster presentation and the Otto and Lucille Becker Award for the best orthotic poster presentation. The purpose of these awards is to encourage students and residents to share their research through outstanding poster presentations. The 2016 Winners are Tyler Klenow, Morgan Oxenrider and Megan Kelly. The Edwin and Kathryn Arbogast Award will be presented to Tyler Klenow, MSOP, CO(L), BEP, CPT. Tyler Klenow, “A Metric to Quantify the “Dead Spot” Phenomenon in Prosthetic Gait: An Analysis of Sagittal Center of Pressure Progression and Its Velocity” “A favorable trend in the ‘dead spot’ phenomenon (DSP) metric values was found in feet that utilize continuous plantar rockers as a design element. The occurrence of the DSP is clinically significant as it requires the amputee to produce additional force to resume progression of the foot through stance which can result in an inefficient, compensatory gait pattern. This increased ambulatory energy requirement can reduce walking speed, stability, and activity.” The results of Tyler’s work found that continuous-lever prosthetic feet had the smallest dead spot. “These feet had no detectable DSP when tested on the TT subjects.” The RUSH Foot® is “FOOT 4” in this study and the ONLY continuous plantar rocker lever foot on the market today. Visit rushfoot.com for more information on the entire RUSH Foot® collection or stop by Booth 1022 at the upcoming 2016 AOPA National Assembly in Boston, September 8-11, 2016. To view this video on YouTube, please visit: https://youtu.be/jkZMKY8XKUI Media Contact: Holly Sanger, RUSH Foot®, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

At RUSH Foot®, we encourage our end users to LIVE THE LIFE THEY LOVE. A strong part of the RUSH Foot® community spirit is self-empowerment. We encourage amputees to ask questions, do research, find support and self-educate themselves. This week’s #WednesdayWisdom features Rebel (and RUSH Foot® Customer Service Representative) Mark Ferrell providing a few tips on the best sites and sources to help you find support, ask questions, do research….AND, most importantly, empower yourself to happily live the life YOU love! #RebelEmpowerment https://youtu.be/tXqSYXo-Isg

Check out this amazing compilation video of actual RUSH® Foot users out living their #RUSHLife! What are you waiting for? Gotta getta RUSH®! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkZMKY8XKUI

“For the makers of prosthetics, every patient is a unique case. This demands not only a solid educational foundation, but a desire to help each patient realize their fullest capability.” This week’s ‪#‎WednesdayWisdom‬ is a great read not just for the clinician, but for the amputee as well. ‪#‎themoreyouknow‬ EDUCATION & RESEARCH For the makers of prosthetics, every patient is a unique case. This demands not only a solid educational foundation, but a desire to help each patient realize their fullest capability. A prosthetist is a health care professional that is uniquely qualified to help persons with amputations return to a functional status through the delivery of comprehensive prosthetic care. The training required to provide that care includes two years of specialized post-graduate classroom education, clinical rotations and a post-graduate prosthetics residency. The minimum entry-level educational requirement to enter the profession is a master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics. These rigorous academic and clinical standards are the prerequisites required to sit for a board exam leading to national certification or state licensure as a qualified prosthetist. Without such standing, individuals are not allowed to practice in licensure states. Equipped for more While prosthetists have historically been labeled as “limb makers,” they are highly educated and trained health care professionals. Their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, physics, pathology, biomechanics and other areas forms the broad foundation upon which their areas of responsibility are based. “The quality of every step a person takes with a lower-limb prosthesis can be linked to the skill and expertise of the prosthetist who designed and fit the individual with a prosthesis.” The prosthetist’s primary responsibilities are to evaluate, design, fabricate, fit and deliver an artificial limb or prosthesis. The prosthetist also provides follow-up care once the prosthesis has been delivered. All of these important functions contribute to a patient’s functional outcome. The quality of every step a person takes with a lower-limb prosthesis, for example, can be linked to the skill and expertise of the prosthetist who designed and fit the individual with a prosthesis. Life made whole Because prostheses are custom designed and fabricated, their cost varies depending on the components and care that are indicated to help each individual arrive at an optimal outcome. In most cases, third-party payers dictate the reimbursement—not the prosthetist. The type and level of the amputation, the specific design of the prosthesis, the labor involved in the fitting and fabrication processes, the specific materials and components used, the required training for appropriate prosthesis application, care, and use, and the necessary follow-up visits to ensure long-term success, all factor into the cost. It is important to recognize, however, that the prosthesis itself is not the end product. Rather, it is a part of an overall treatment plan that represents the culmination of planning and execution designed specifically to maximize the functional potential of the person for whom it was designed. Simply stated, the ultimate goal of the prosthetist is to restore people to as normal and active a lifestyle as possible. It is the realization of that goal that provides the prosthetist with the greatest satisfaction. BRUCE MCCLELLAN, FAAOP, PAST PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOTISTS & PROSTHETISTS, [email protected] Shared via this link: http://www.futureofpersonalhealth.com/education-and-research/why-prosthetists-require-a-well-rounded-education

This week’s #wednesdaywisdom provides a bit of insight as to what you can expect to find in the RUSH Foot® shipping box and tips on how to properly align and wedge the foot. Tune in every Wednesday for more helpful tips!

This brief video shows how you can easily remove and replace the foot shell on your RUSH® Kid and/or RUSH® Rover feet. To view, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaGasZ0d7Is&feature=youtu.be

Want your 15 seconds of RUSH® Foot fame? This is a small informational guide on where to find us, how to get yourself featured, and what type of content is acceptable for RUSH Foot®’s social media channels. To view, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWU3s_EZ3WQ&feature=youtu.be

SPLISH SPLASH! Your RUSH Foot® is waterproof! This video touches on how to clean-up after a day at the beach. To view, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyTxcw8GUVU

This video gives some maintenance tips to help you clean and care for your RUSH Foot®. To view, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-MT-BsIh3M

This video is a brief explanation of how to remove and replace your foot shell on your RUSH LoPro® and RUSH HiPro® Foot. To view, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsFtrzRzEG4

TEMPE, Ariz., June 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA, LLC an innovative developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced a new exclusive distribution relationship with Korean-based Sunglim Trading Co. for its flagship products the RUSH HiPro® and the RUSH LoPro® prosthetic feet. Blount Swain, President of PROTEOR USA stated, “We couldn’t be more excited about this new endeavor with Sunglim Trading Company.  We’ve already seen great success with expansion into Southeast Asian markets.”  Swain continues, “By teaming up with Sunglim, we look forward to continuing this growth trend into new international markets.” With distribution throughout North America, Australia, Ireland, UK, Benelux, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hong Kong, China, Russia South Africa, Scandinavia and Israel, and continuing to grow in to every corner of the globe, this new partnership pushes the RUSH Foot® brand in to South Korea for the first time. About PROTEOR USA Company PROTEOR USA, based in Tempe, Arizona, is a full service manufacturer of next generation prosthetic devices. The company offers a wide range of superior quality products and services, deriving from its unparalleled understanding and experience in the industry. https://rushfoot.com About Sunglim Company Since the establishment in 1995, SUNGLIM TRADING CO. has been providing all variety of products not only prosthetics, orthotics but sports or medical rehabilitation items in Korea market.  We are leading Korea P&O market under the management philosophy of “Externally, we provide good quality items and service for customers on the basis of customer Intimate philosophy. Internally, we focus on development of creativity and create the corporate culture of dynamic and lively atmosphere”. www.sunglimtrading.com Media Contact Sunglim Trading Co: Ms. Heidi Im, Sunglim Trading Co., (82 2) 2068-8191,[email protected] Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com  

PROTEOR USA, LLC, an innovative developer of next-generation prosthetic devices, announces its distribution relationship with PEL, LLC., the most reliable independent distributor in the country. Under the relationship, PEL will distribute PROTEOR USA’ flagship products the RUSH HiPro®, the RUSH LoPro®, RUSH® Rover, RUSH® Kid, and RUSH Chopart® prosthetic feet. “As the RUSH Foot® brand continues to gain momentum, relationships like this are paramount to our growth within the industry,” explained Stephen Sherman, PROTEOR USA Vice President of Sales. “Teaming up with PEL is very exciting, not only for PROTEOR USA and PEL, but also for the community we serve.” “For more than five decades, PEL has provided O&P practitioners a broad range of high quality products, backed by industry leading service,” stated PEL President and CEO Mike Sotak. “Adding the innovative RUSH® brand strengthens that commitment, allowing us to offer a state-of-the art, American-made foot product.” Sherman continued, “We look forward to working with PEL as we push forward into the future with this exciting and empowering partnership.” About PEL Established in 1959 and based in Ohio, PEL carries more than 200,000 orthotic and prosthetic products from more than 300 companies. Standing by a simple mission to provide the very best service in the industry, PEL ensures that every part sold, every call received, and every question asked receives full and undivided attention. https://www.pelservice.com About PROTEOR USA Company PROTEOR USA, based in Tempe, Arizona, is a full service manufacturer of next generation prosthetic devices. The company offers a wide range of superior quality products and services, deriving from its unparalleled understanding and experience in the industry. https://rushfoot.com. Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

TEMPE, Ariz., April 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA, a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices, announces the completion of enrollment in a definitive clinical study of the Comparative Performance of Dynamic Elastic Response Feet performed by Kenton R. Kaufman, Ph.D. of the Mayo Clinic. The purpose of the study is to compare the functional performance of individuals with transtibial amputation using two types of prosthetic foot designs: carbon fiber vs. fiberglass composite. The study design has two outcome measures: change in gait function and change in patient satisfaction. J. Blount Swain, President of PROTEOR USA stated, “We are pleased that Dr. Kaufman, one of the world’s leading mobility research clinicians, is conducting this study. We are optimistic that this study will begin to quantify the feedback received from amputees and certified prosthetists since the launch of the RUSH Foot® in September 2012. Amputees in the United States and 22 foreign countries have consistently reported significant improvement in their quality of life since switching to the RUSH Foot®.” About PROTEOR USA PROTEOR USA is a developer of next-­generation prosthetic devices (https://rushfoot.com), which offers customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. For more information visit: https://rushfoot.com Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

TEMPE, Ariz., April 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA, LLC a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced today the release of the ultra low profile RUSH ROVER® prosthetic foot. Determined to remain at the forefront of patient outcome focused innovations, PROTEOR USA continues their momentum with the addition of the RUSH® ROVER. The ROVER joins the expanding RUSH Foot® product line along with the RUSH HiPro®, RUSH LoPro®, RUSH Chopart® and RUSH Kid® feet. In addition to its dynamic toe-off, the ROVER maintains the same durability, comfort and smooth roll through for which the RUSH Foot® collection is best known. “This product launch is another milestone for us. We are addressing a segment of patients (inclusive of Symes amputees) that, in the past, have had little to no quality options”, states Keith Smith, PROTEOR USA VP of Engineering. Smith continues, “The RUSH ROVER®, with a build height just under 2.5″, was designed to meet the needs of the highly active amputee with a long residual limb. Historically, this class of users has been stuck with stiff short feet that break under the high loads a long limbed individual can generate. The RUSH ROVER® has all the dynamics of our 6.5″ tall foot and more durability to take the abuse. This could be the toughest RUSH Foot® yet.” Now available in sizes 22-30cm. For further information and to order the RUSH ROVER® visit https://rushfoot.com or call 855.450.7300 today. PROTEOR USA, based in Tempe, Arizona, is a full service manufacturer of next generation prosthetic devices. The company offers a wide range of superior quality products and services, deriving from its unparalleled understanding and experience in the industry. https://rushfoot.com Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA CONTINUES International GROWTH WITH EMO PROTEOR USA a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced a new exclusive distribution relationship with Spain-based EMO, for its flagship products the RUSH®HiPro and the RUSH®LoPro prosthetic feet. The agreement offers exclusive distribution of PROTEOR USA’ products in Spain and Portugal to O&P customers. “We are extremely pleased to have EMO as our newest European partner”, states Blount Swain, President of PROTEOR USA. Swain continues, “We believe their expertise and reputation in the industry will be invaluable to introducing Spain and Portugal to the RUSH Foot®’s innovative and life-changing technology.” PROTEOR USA has also secured distribution in Australia, Canada, Ireland, UK, Benelux, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hong Kong, China, Russia, South Africa, Scandinavia and Israel. Additional distributorships in several other countries are being pursued. About PROTEOR USA PROTEOR USA is a full service manufacturer of next-­generation prosthetic devices (https://rushfoot.com) offering customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. PROTEOR USA understanding and experience in the industry is unparalleled. About EMO EMO (www.emo.es) has four specialized production centers capable of manufacturing a wide range of products. Knowledge, experience and production capacity enable the company to offer the widest range of products on the market. EMO has strategic allies all over the world that enables it to offer the latest orthopedic technology. EMO offers technical support to both orthopedists and clients themselves. Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

PR Newswire TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA announces the launch of its RUSH Kid® pediatric foot designed to meet even the most extreme needs of active child amputees. This highly dynamic, ultra low profile foot is far superior to any other pediatric foot on the market today. Active pediatric amputees have specific and advanced needs regarding their prosthetic foot/feet. As Huffington Post[1] published on November 2nd “Equipment – prosthetic limbs, pacemakers – designed specifically for children often lag five years to 10 years behind new technology for adults. Parents are pushing for that to change.” Now, PROTEOR USA, makers of the RUSH Foot® collection, offers the ultimate solution to address the void of a non-breakable pediatric prosthetic foot. With the introduction of the RUSH Kid®, the frustrating days of broken carbon prosthetic feet are gone. The company has developed the highly-dynamic and extremely durable RUSH Kid® pediatric foot to keep up with even the most active children. It is the only ultra low profile pediatric foot on the market today with a dynamic toe-off and the ability to handle the extreme loads that children place on their prosthetic feet. This amazing innovation is an all-terrain, all-weather solution that also boasts reduced socket, knee and hip pain, as reported by patients. Finally, a pediatric prosthetic foot that allows kids to be kids. Stephen Hernandez is an active, athletic 14 –year-old bilateral below-knee amputee who wears the RUSH Kid® pediatric foot. As he emphasizes, “In the past, I would break one to two carbon feet a month. As a result, I couldn’t do the things I loved… play basketball, run, or basically anything that was high impact. When I was first fitted with the RUSH Kid® foot, I felt the difference immediately. It was more comfortable, more stable and I had much more balance. Since being on the Kid® Foot, I have played in a two-day basketball tournament, I am trying out for the basketball team and have run my best mile to-date! Most importantly, I have done all this without breaking a foot!” The positive results that the RUSH Kid® pediatric foot delivers, extends well beyond the patient. As Stephanie Hernandez, sister of Stephen, wrote to PROTEOR USA, “ever since Stephen’s had his RUSH® feet, he has become unstoppable. He’s so much more comfortable on the court, he’s able to push himself to new limits and, most importantly, he’s able to truly be himself. I’ve seen a change in his confidence, self esteem and his overall outlook in life. And for that alone, I can’t thank you all enough.” What more can anyone ask for? Now available in sizes 19-21cm. For further information and to order the RUSH Kid® pediatric foot visit https://rushfoot.com or call 855.450.7300 today. [1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/smaller-medical-devices-for-children_56376ad3e4b00aa54a4ea996 Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151111/286635

Meet the new KID on the block! Introducing the ultra low profile RUSH Kid® pediatric foot by PROTEOR USA. In just under 2” (1.75″ to be exact), the RUSH Kid® can handle even the most extreme low or high clearance patient. Run, jump, play…the unique design delivers the most dynamic toe-off and smooth roll-through of any pediatric foot on the market today. Mud, water, sand….no problem! The virtually indestructible, all-terrain RUSH Kid® was built with active kids in mind. Say goodbye to broken feet! Available now in sizes 19-21cm.

Medicare has issued a shocking new proposal that could severely limit access to prosthetics for people with limb loss. Please sign the online petition at http://1.usa.gov/1eKd4EO. These proposed changes have the potential to drastically change amputee care in the Medicare system and beyond. These changes could eventually affect ALL Amputees! The petition needs 100,000 signatures and currently only has 9300! The deadline is August 30th. Please help by signing and sharing with friends and family! Anyone can sign. For additional information visit www.amputee-coalition.org, the Amputee Coalition of America Facebook page andwww.AOPAVotes.org. You can also create additional awareness by using the hashtag ‪#‎NotALuxury‬ on your social media posts. Thanks for joining in on creating a LOUD and collective voice.

TEMPE, Ariz., June 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced the hiring of a new Northeast Regional Sales Manager, Kate Baldino. Baldino will be assuming the territory covering RI, CT, MA, NH, VT, NY and ME. Steve Sherman, Vice President of Sales, said “Kate brings a unique perspective to our incredible team. Her accomplishments within the industry are outstanding. Our northeast region is exploding, and we are excited to have such an accomplished member join our continued growth.” A graduate of Northeastern University, Kate’s experience includes over a decade of solid sales experience including several prestigious performance awards. Specifically, Kate has worked within the medical sales community for over half of her career ranking #1 in consecutive years. About PROTEOR USA Company PROTEOR USA is a full service manufacturer of next-­generation prosthetic devices (https://rushfoot.com), which offers customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. PROTEOR USA understanding and experience in the industry is unparalleled. For more information visit: https://rushfoot.com Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced a new exclusive distribution relationship with German-based Protheseus GmbH, for its flagship products the RUSH® HiPro and the RUSH®LoPro prosthetic feet. The agreement offers exclusive distribution of PROTEOR USA’ products within the borders of Germany, Austria and Poland to O&P customers. “We couldn’t be happier with this new agreement”, said J. Blount Swain, President of PROTEOR USA.  Swain continued, “Central Europe is key to our International expansion plans, especially the German market.” “Wolfgang and Johanna Neuhof’s reputation as a leader in the O&P industry makes this agreement a perfect fit for PROTEOR USA.” Swain added.  “These are exactly the types of relationships we are seeking” Additionally, PROTEOR USA has also secured distribution in Australia, Canada, and Israel and is actively pursuing distributorships in several other countries. About PROTEOR USA Company PROTEOR USA is a full service manufacturer of next-­generation prosthetic devices (https://rushfoot.com) which offers customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. PROTEOR USA understanding and experience in the industry is unparalleled.  For more information visit: https://rushfoot.com About Protheseus GmbH With more than 20 years of experience in the O+P field Wolfgang and Johanna Neuhof founded the Protheseus GmbH, Germany, in 2012. Together with their highly motivated team of professionals they provide best service to their customers, they offer same day shipment and educational programs for latest technologies in their seminar-center.  Protheseus is located in Schwabach, Germany, near the city of Nürnberg and is serving customers in Germany and Austria as well as some other European countries.  The personal and trustful relationship with customer and supplier over all the years is their most valued asset.  For more information visit:  www.protheseus.de Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

TEMPE, Ariz., Dec. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices announced the hiring of their new Regional Sales Manager, Paul Thrower. Thrower will be assuming the territory covering TX, OK, LA, AR and MS, previously handled by retiring Regional Sales Manager, Marvin McKinney. J. Blount Swain, President of PROTEOR USA said, “Paul has some big shoes to fill.  Marvin was an incredible asset to our company and was well respected in our industry.  We are confident in Paul’s superb communication skills coupled with his extensive medical sales background to service this incredibly important territory for PROTEOR USA.”“ Paul’s experience includes over 23 years serving in the U.S. Army Reserves, 4 years as a Combat Medic and over 7 years as a Physical Therapy Assistant.  He also brings over 10 years in medical sales to the region; most recently employed by Ottobock Health Care as an Orthotic Medical Device Sales Specialist. About PROTEOR USA Company PROTEOR USA is a full service manufacturer of next-­generation prosthetic devices (https://rushfoot.com), which offers customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. PROTEOR USA understanding and experience in the industry is unparalleled.  For more information visit: https://rushfoot.com Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — PROTEOR USA, a developer of next-generation prosthetic devices, announced a new exclusive distribution relationship with Israeli-based Gilron Medical Care Supply, for its flagship products the RUSH®HiPro and the RUSH®LoPro prosthetic feet. Ilan Binder, Gilron’s CEO said “The Israeli Ministry of Health (MOH) has added the RUSH Foot® as part of their approved list.  One of the advantages that MOH found is the durability of the foot.  Patients can use the all-terrain foot without encountering failure or breakage while enjoying Israel’s beautifully diverse landscape from land to sea.” Binder continued to say “We expect that a lot of young active patients will choose the RUSH Foot® as their next prosthetic choice.” J. Blount Swain, President of PROTEOR USA said “Ilan’s comments reinforce that there is an unmet need for our products for a variety of reasons. The durability of the RUSH® feet continues to be a driving force behind our rapid expansion both stateside and globally.” Swain continued, “Working with a company as established and as strategically located as Gilron Medical Supply is critical to our commitment in selecting partners who understand and exemplify the high standards PROTEOR USA and our products have meant to our extended RUSH® family of patients and prosthetists in the United States.” Additionally, PROTEOR USA has also secured distribution in Australia, Canada and is actively pursuing distributorships in several other countries. About PROTEOR USA PROTEOR USA is a full service manufacturer of next-­generation prosthetic devices (http://abilitydynamics.com) which offers customers a range of quality products and services to suit their needs. PROTEOR USA understanding and experience in the industry is unparalleled.  For more information visit: http://www.abilitydynamics.com About Gilron Medical Care Supply Gilron is an Israeli importer and distributor of orthopedic, rehabilitation and daily living (ADL) products. The company was established in 2002 and offers a wide and exclusive range of items from the world’s leading specialists.  As a supplier, Gilron is authorized by the Israeli Ministries of Health and Defense. Gilron clients include private and government hospitals, orthopedic clinics, and Israeli Public Health Services. For more information visit: http://www.gilron.com Media Contact: Holly Sanger, PROTEOR USA, 480-361-1303, [email protected] News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

TUCSON- Tucson native Richard Sainz was born with a birth defect. When he was just 6 months old, his parents decided to amputate his leg. But not one to be easily deterred, Sainz played every sport he could, excelling in sports throughout high school and college. Sainz picked up golf at the age of 13 and immediately noticed his disability made it hard for him to grip a club. This first experience led Sainz to start thinking about ways to improve the game for others like him. According to Sainz, he felt the strongest need was in prosthetic feet. “There’s always been a dilemma with prosthetic feet you could either have something flexible but not durable or durable and not flexible,” Sainz said. Now, Sainz is the co-founder of a state-of-the-art prosthetic foot for other disabled golfers. And this Thursday and Friday, Sainz will be teeing off at a disabled golfers event, the Paralong Drive in Mesquite, NV.