Sports and Recreation for Those with Lower Limb Amputation or ...
Sports and Recreation for Those with Lower Limb Amputation or ...
Sports and Recreation for Those with Lower Limb Amputation or ...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Hiking<br />
Most individuals <strong>with</strong> amputation<br />
hike while wearing a prosthesis<br />
rather than relying on crutches<br />
alone. A below-knee prosthesis<br />
<strong>with</strong> a silicone gel liner may be<br />
helpful in preventing trauma to<br />
the residual limb.<br />
The previously discussed<br />
S .A.F .E . (stationary attachment<br />
flexible endoskeletal) Foot, <strong>or</strong> a<br />
rotat<strong>or</strong> unit, is often recommended<br />
<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> avid hikers, especially those<br />
<strong>with</strong> above-knee amputation.<br />
F<strong>or</strong> the hiker <strong>with</strong> below-knee f<br />
amputation, a g!utea!-isuhial<br />
weight-bearing thigh c<strong>or</strong>set is<br />
generally helpful in providing mediolateral<br />
stability when hiking<br />
over rough terrain (Fig. 22) . This<br />
complement to the below-knee<br />
prosthesis is typically fabricated of<br />
heavy leather. The rigidity of the<br />
leather makes it ideal <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> maintaining<br />
quadri}aterol shape <strong>and</strong> preventing<br />
hyperextension of the<br />
knee. Leather is also desirable because<br />
of its compatibility <strong>with</strong> the<br />
bionnechanical principles of<br />
weight supp<strong>or</strong>t in the thigh area.<br />
(Body weight is b<strong>or</strong>ne high above<br />
the knee joint.) Equidistant spacing<br />
between c<strong>or</strong>set eyelets is imp<strong>or</strong>tant<br />
<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> optimal per<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>mance<br />
of the g\ut*a!-isnhial weightbea<br />
ring thigh c<strong>or</strong>set.<br />
Severnl facilities provide outdo<strong>or</strong><br />
re<strong>or</strong>eatiunal programs <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> individuals<br />
<strong>with</strong> physical disability<br />
interested in hiking . The Col<strong>or</strong>ado<br />
Outdo<strong>or</strong> Education Center in Breckenridge,<br />
Col<strong>or</strong>ado is one such<br />
facility. This ioa non profit <strong>or</strong>ganization<br />
dedicated to the concept<br />
that everyone, including those<br />
<strong>with</strong> severe disability, can enjoy<br />
the great outdo<strong>or</strong>s . Hiking can improve<br />
the disabled person's selfconfidence,<br />
eliminate souiol <strong>with</strong>drawal,<br />
increase independence,<br />
<strong>and</strong> develop outdo<strong>or</strong> adaptive<br />
skills . Situated on 38 acres of<br />
wooded mountain l<strong>and</strong>, the Col<strong>or</strong>ado<br />
Outdo<strong>or</strong> Education Center<br />
Fig . 22 . A hiker <strong>with</strong> unilateral below-knee amputation using a suspension belt <strong>and</strong> thigh<br />
c<strong>or</strong>set. (Photo courtesy of Prosthetics Research Study)<br />
is ideal <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> individuals <strong>with</strong> disability<br />
who want to hike, h<strong>or</strong>seback<br />
ride, fish, <strong>and</strong> enjoy nature. The<br />
center offers mevenal year-round<br />
courses of 1, 2, 3, 5, <strong>and</strong> 10 days<br />
<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> persons ranging in age from 4<br />
to 74. These courses are limited to<br />
six <strong>or</strong> eight students, so every<br />
attendee receives individual attention<br />
. Fees depend on the length<br />
<strong>and</strong> kind of program that one<br />
chooses. Scholarships are also<br />
available.<br />
F<strong>or</strong> m<strong>or</strong>e in<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>mation, contact:<br />
- Breckenridge Outdo<strong>or</strong><br />
Education Center<br />
c/o Mike Mobley, Exec . 0c<br />
9O. Box 697<br />
Breckenridge, CO 80424<br />
(3U3)453-6422<br />
A similar facility is the Vinl<strong>and</strong><br />
National Center located some 20<br />
miles west of downtown Minneapolis.<br />
Vinl<strong>and</strong> offers a wide range<br />
of recreational programs <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> those<br />
<strong>with</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>with</strong>out disability who<br />
are 16 years of age <strong>or</strong> older.<br />
F<strong>or</strong> m<strong>or</strong>e in<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>mation, contact:<br />
. Vinl<strong>and</strong> National Center<br />
c/o Joan Saari<br />
3675 1hduhapi Road<br />
L<strong>or</strong>etto, MN 55357<br />
(812) 479-3565<br />
Another facility in Minnesota,<br />
Wilderness Inquiry II, offers weeklong<br />
summer trips <strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong> people of all<br />
ages <strong>with</strong> physical disability.<br />
These trips are conducted in the<br />
Boundary Waters Canoe area of<br />
n<strong>or</strong>theastern Minnesota.<br />
F<strong>or</strong> m<strong>or</strong>e in<strong>f<strong>or</strong></strong>mation on these<br />
trips, contact:<br />
- Wilderness Inquiry II<br />
c/o Greg Leis, Direct<strong>or</strong><br />
SuitaO<br />
2929 Fourth Avenue South<br />
Minneapolis, MN 55408<br />
(612)827-4001<br />
Shared Outdo<strong>or</strong> Adventure <strong>Recreation</strong><br />
(S.O.A.R .) in Oregon caters<br />
to people <strong>with</strong> disability who are<br />
16 years of age <strong>and</strong> older. S.O .A.R.<br />
22
Change language