Rich
    Location: Terre Haute, IN
    Your Disability AKA
    How long have you been an amputee? 20+ years
    How did you become disabled? Bone Cancer
    What type(s) of prosthesis do you use? Mauch with a Ossur Ceterus foot
    About Me I am a 35 year old male. I was diagnosed with osteosacoma and lost my left leg above the knee when I was 16 (1988). I am on my 4th leg (C-leg). My others were two Mouch SnS and one Ca-Tech, all with flex feet. I have always been somewhat active. I weight train, ride my bike and play church league softball. I play first base because there isn't too much ground to cover and as long as I can hit the ball far enough to make it to first base, I can use a designated runner the rest of the way. I also am a percussionist in a band. I play congas, bongos, timbales with a full wrack (cowbells, blocks etc) and an assortment of hand instruments. The band Jimmy Dix (www.jimmydixband.com) is a rock band of the jam band persuasion. I am actually going to be quitting soon though because of time restraints.
    Music Classic rock, classic metal, latin, blues, Celtic. Some favorites: Rush, AC/DC, Ozomatli, Indigo Girls, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Santana.
    Movies MAFIA MOVIES!!! Rocky I, II, Rocky Balboa, The Graduate.
    TV Favorite Sitcom: The Simpsons, The Office probably comes in second.
    Favorite hour long show: The Sopranos.
    Books The Godfather, anything by Ken Follett, history books, Catholic theology books, politics.
    Dislikes G.W.B.
    Hobbies Bike riding, darts, organizing my digital photo collection, newbe video editor, playing congas.
    Vices Road Rage swearing while I'm driving.
    Heroes Rocky Balboa, Mother Theresa (in no particular order :)
    Here For Dating, Friendships, Networking, Relationships
    Relationship Status Single
    Orientation Straight
    Children Maybe Someday
    Body Type Average
    Height 5'6"
    Religion Catholic
    Ethnicity White / Caucasian
    Smoke No
    Drink Socially

    ACA Conference

    Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 2:50 PM [General]

    Hey everyone, I've been away for quite a while now but I'm back.  Hey, I was wonderring, who all is planning on attending the ACA Conference this June?  I plan on going.  It will be my first time attending.

    Rich

    0 (0 Ratings)

    New leg

    Thursday, August 14, 2008, 3:55 PM [General]

    I got me new leg and I like it.  I have the same socket which still fits and helps with adjusting to a new leg.  I love the Ceterus foot.  It is very comfortable and it does not rotate too much like I worried about.  I am back to a Mauch knee and being a 15 year veteran of this knee, I am comfortable with it.  I am having trouble getting it set up just how I like it though.  For one, the foot is heavier than I am used to so that effects the swing phase a little; not too much with sneakers, but it makes it hard with regular shoes which are heavier and I have to wear all day at work.  The other issue is getting it right for walking down stairs.  I've got the flexion set good for walking, but no matter what I do with the stance control, it still reaches a breaking point where it breaks fast.  So adjusting the stance control only sets the point where it will break (earlier or later on my decent down a stair).  I don't want it breaking hard like that at all, but smoothly.  If I set it too aggressively, it makes the knee to stiff for walking.  So here is what I am thinking.  I am thinking that maybe the socket alignment (front to back) has something to do with that.  I don't want to mess with the socket because I am not any good with that.  So, I have to wait until Tuesday to have my prosthetist do it (he's only in town on Tuesdays).  Anyone have any thoughts or insights on the matter?

    0 (0 Ratings)
  • Josh
    Josh

  • chrislbk
    chrislbk

  • Melissa
    Melissa

  • John
    John

  • Rafa
    Rafa

  • Sarah
    Sarah

  • Victoria
    Victoria

  • Cali
    Cali

  • Erin
    Erin

  • Erik
    Erik

  • Daniel
    Daniel

  • JO
    JO


    your welcome and this year I am staying with my sister if I go. Ann

    Ann
    March 20, 2009
    9:33 PM
    Delete Comment

    Hi Rich, I have been to the last 2 of them for they have been held in my hometown for the last 3 years now this is the last one in my hometown. I go and stay a month when I go to the conference and visit my children and grand babies. I had a blast last year. I ended up even getting to help teach some of the children in the first swim class. Does it cost a lot yes, for the rooms or a lot, so if you like there or other places across the street you can stay half price what it cost to stay there and get breakfast free. A lot of people did that last year. Or get a room mate you can trust to go with you. Do not take someone you do not know that is a bad idea. Know from experience what can happen. I got so much out of this last year for I became a peer visit certified though the ACA and I also leaned how to deal with a lot of problems to bring up to my prosthetist which I did not really know how to bring them up. I met so many friends this year for I went alone and did not take my husband who just hangs all over me and will not let me talk. So if I go again this year I will most likely stay with my sister and just come to the events. For I am losing my knee and may not be able to drive there this year. I hope they move it more west this next year. Ann

    Ann
    March 20, 2009
    8:30 PM
    Delete Comment

    Rich, I only lived in Indianapolis while I was in the Army and attending DINFOS at Ft. Benjamin Harrison in 1981. My ex was from there, and I visited for a couple of Christmas holidays with her family in the early 90's.

    Gary
    March 18, 2009
    8:34 PM
    Delete Comment

    I'm Mimi, and I was reading your blog. Very familiar things you have written about! My leg was amputated JUST above the knee, so after few years I was told that surgeons should have taken a little bit more to be able to have good/realistic looking leg. But they never did another surgery, I didn't wanted that either

    Mimi
    March 17, 2009
    4:38 PM
    Delete Comment