Gerald Evans

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Gerald Evans is a basketball man. Simply put, he loves the sport. A keen player for many years, Gerald has been talking about it since we first met him.

Gerald has been playing basketball all his life, starting with playing on youth teams. He also played for Woodward High School and started as a center.

In his college years, Gerald continued to play ball. He started for two years as a forward for Cincinnati State University.

He went on to play many years of pick up games after he finished college. Gerald would often play several times a week.

When we began his rehabilitation from his amputation, basketball was always part of the conversation.

At first he would joke about getting his jump shot back. This was when he was getting measured for his first prosthesis.

After fitting him with his initial prosthesis which included a highly efficient energy storing foot, Gerald quickly transitioned to a cane, then walking without assistance in just a couple of months.

Gerald keeps himself in shape at home using a treadmill, which he uses daily.

More recently, he was fit with an elevated vacuum system, which provides greater control of the prosthesis. This system has really helped Gerald on the court. He has been working hard with the new prosthesis on perfecting his jump shot. He told us that the new system has really helped with the control needed to jog around the court and to jump in the air without having to worry about the landing.

So with the jump shot now perfected, there is just the matter of working on the slam dunk!

When we asked Gerald if this was a goal of his, he replied,

“It’s been many years since I last did that! Maybe it’s something to look forward to, but not today.”

Keep up the great work Gerald. Once you get that slam dunk down, you’ll be ready to play a little one on one against Tom!

Benefit Questions

Although most people know about Social Security retirement benefits, far fewer know that people with disabilities—those who can no longer work because of injury or illness—may also qualify for Social Security benefits, regardless of their age. The process of obtaining such benefits can be confusing and as a result there are many misunderstandings. Here are a couple of myths explained from the inMotion Magazine May Edition.

1. If I am disabled, it is easy to obtain disability benefits.
Actually it can be a difficult and frustrating procedure. Initially you must be interviewed either in person or via phone. The majority of applicants are turned down upon initial application. However chances of approval increase when you file an appeal, which can take differing forms in each state.

2. Disability benefits and Medicare benefits are unrelated.
Once you have received disability benefits for 24 months, you qualify for Medicare benefits, regardless of age. The rules for disability are complicated, and you should seek assistance to determine whether you are eligible for benefits and to assist you in applying for them.