Students Gain Hands On Experience

Students Gain Hands On Experience

The Physical Therapy Assistant program at the University of Cincinnati, Clermont gained valuable, hands on experience today at Premiere Physical Therapy and Abilities in Motion.

Carolyn Shisler, who leads the program at UC, Clermont said that this experience gives future physical therapist assistants the opportunity to hear stories and ask questions to recent and veteran amputees. “They are real people and students are able to hear their story and empathize with their life situation. Our students get to see the person and not the diagnosis,” said Shisler.

Caitlin Rausch participates with PT Training

Caitlin Rausch is a student at UC, Claremont and she echoed those feelings. “It’s so different than being in the classroom. There, you don’t get to see patients and hear their backgrounds”.

Students heard an hour long presentation from experts and then broke into smaller groups to see demonstrations and interact with patients. The patients participating in the program had below knee, above knee and bilateral leg amputations. Each had different experiences that informed students and each saw this as an opportunity to invest in the future.

Andy Beardslee is the PT director at Premiere Physical Therapy and he understands the value of these types of experiences. “Many times, new students are apprehensive when meeting with amputees. They may have a fear of saying the wrong thing and this experience gives them a change to get comfortable with real people.”

Jay Estoquia is a resident at Abilities In Motion

Students would be hard pressed to find a better environment for this type of learning as Premier Physical Therapy is the regions leader in working with amputee patients. Their partnership with Abilities In Motion allows a patient to meet with their prosthetist and physical therapist all in same visit.

Shisler summed up the experience this way, “PTAs work in many different areas of physical therapy, Amputees are one facet of the field. It’s important that they are able to work with people and help them reach their full potential.”

Look Who’s Moving!

Rodney Jones first came to Abilities In Motion in the summer of 2013. A truck driver for several years, Rodney was injured while on the job. After several failed attempts to reset his leg for healing, the decision was made to amputate Rodney’s left leg.

Rodney worked incredibly hard over the past 1.5 years to get to this place in his life. When Rodney started coming to AIM, Rodney also started working with Premier Physical Therapy (AIM’s inhouse PT). By coming in multiple times each week, Rodney has progressed from using a wheelchair, to parallel bars, to a walker, to a cane and finally has reached unassisted walking. The AIM and Premier teams are extremely proud of Rodney’s progress.

Rodney’s work-related injury forced him to live a very sedentary lifestyle before his amputation.

Though it took a good attitude and a lot of effort, Rodney is now 196 pounds lighter and living the life that he wants to live.

Recently, Rodney started driving by himself again. He has loved being able to regain the independence that he has lacked for so long. Along with AIM’s prosthetic care services and Premier’s physical therapy services, Rodney’s positive attitude has helped him come this far. To him, the amputation was just a “little speed bump” and he finds it important to have fun even in the midst of challenging times. Whether he is driving himself to the hardware store or riding his bike around the neighborhood, it is evident that Rodney is moving forward.

Rodney’s Hardware

As a part of the rehabilitation process, Rodney initially used a prosthesis with a locking knee for 12 months. He then transitioned into using the technologically advanced Orion2 knee from Endolite.

This microprocessor controlled knee unit uses Motion Integrated Intelligence (Mi2), which allows Rodney to feel more secure ashe stands, rides his bike, and walks. This knee can lock at various angles and features progressive speed control. Also,the sensors within the knee allow for Rodney to walk up ramps and hills with more security.

These components have allowed Rodney to progress from initially using a walker to now walking unassisted at variable walking speeds and negotiating ramps and stairs.