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Area Realtors Support Local Veteran

The American Warrior Initiative and area realtors presented Abilities In Motion’s Josh Sust a $5,500 grant last week. Josh became an amputee as a result of his service in the US Marines during his third deployment in Afghanistan. The grant will allow him to hire a personal trainer to aid him in his recovery.

Lori Boswell, Sean Parnell and Louise Thaxton present $5,500 grant to Josh Sust.

Louise Thaxton and Sean Parnell of the American Warrior Initiative came to Cincinnati to educate area realtors on how to best interact and assist veterans. “My goal was to stir them, bring out their patriotic spirit and help thousands of veterans like Josh. None of us can do everything, but each of us can do one thing,” said Thaxton.

Area realtors gather to learn how to best assist veterans returning home.

The group recognizes the important role realtors can play in helping veterans once returning home from deployments. “Guys come back forever changed, sometimes with physical and mental injuries. It’s important for them to have a support group that reminds them that even though they come back different, it doesn’t change the core of who they are,” said Parnell.

Josh made it clear that he intends to pay forward this opportunity, and that attitude is on display everyday at work. Josh’s injury has put him in a unique position to connect with the amputee patients he sees everyday at Abilities In Motion. “Every day he reminds our patients that their injuries do not define them, and he motivates them to overcome the challenges they face,” said Tom Walsh the Lead Prosthetist at Abilities In Motion.

More information about the American Warrior Initiative can be found on their website at www.americanwarriorinitative.com.

Abilities In Motion has two locations in Cincinnati and is always seeking new and innovative ways to meet the needs of lower limb amputees. More information, including stories of other veterans can be found on their website at www.abilitiesinmotion.com.

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Get Moving!

Bob Haggard serves as an active reserve in the US Army. As a typi- cal 23 year old, he enjoys many high energy, outdoor activities such as cycling and running.

In January of 2012, Bob was involved in an automobile acci- dent. Due to his accident Bob had his right knee fused in slight flexion.

This caused difficulty sitting in tight spaces, such as bleachers at sporting events. He has had multiple surgeries to his elbows, as well as amputa- tions of fingers and thumb of his right hand. Bob continued to have pain in his left knee and limited range of motion in his left ankle.

In April of 2013, Bob decided to undergo an above knee amputation on his right leg. This was a big decision, but one that he felt was right for him. On June 6, 2013 we fitted Bob with his above the knee prosthesis.

Bob’s rehab has gone very well. He quickly learned to walk without assistance. With his youth, strength and agility working in his favor, he even taught himself to run.

Bob’s next goal is to be able to cycle. As seen in the photo, he has converted his bike into a stationary unit. This allows him to learn how to

balance and pe- dal safely before hitting the trails.

His prosthetic knee has the option of turning off the stance resistance and functioning in a free swinging mode.

We can certainly say as far as Bob is concerned, he is definitely moving forward!