I work for Orthotic & Prosthetic Centers as a Patient Advocate. OPC has been gracious enough to sponsor me to facilitate support groups, compete in amputee and non-amputee related sports events, Peer Counsel patients, meet prosthetic equipment manufacturers and participate in various other amputee related activities.
OPC also has provided me with different prosthetic devices. They have afforded me the chance to experiment with different feet, try different socket styles and various design ideals. It has been a dream position. I sometime forget how fortunate I am. There are many out there that don't even have one decent prosthesis.
In my short time as an amputee I have seen a lot of different attitudes in the orthotic and prosthetic business. I have met staff members that only care about sales, others that back stab to get ahead, practitioners that are sloppy, competitors that are cut throat and owners/CEO's that only care about profits.
It's been a very nice change working for Orthotic and Prosthetic Centers. It has been so pleasant working for a company where patient care is paramount.
I mostly use this site for expanding on personal thoughts and general unbiased information that is geared toward amputees. The only true agenda I have ever tried to pursue with this site is to give helpful and hopefully inspirational information to others affected by limb loss.
I do have a 'Personal Links of Interest' tab for those that might be interested in what I am into. I also have a page that gives information about OPC. I figure it is the least I can do considering they sponsor me. OPC has always given me total leeway and discretion when it comes to my position. For that I am most thankful.
I did not want to throw a link up here without stating I work for OPC. Even though I love them, I do not espouse them as the only good company around. I do think OPC is the best and most professional in the Florida Gulf Coast area. If I didn't I would not be working for them.
Be sure not to blink or you might miss me in the video:
Orthotic And Prosthetic Centers Video
Advertising Inspiration - Ty
My name is Ty Wilson.
I am a left leg below the knee amputee.
I post blogs about life as an amputee and amputee quality of life issues.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Amputees Believe
I'm been talking to some friends, my work and sponsors. I will coming out with a new Organization called Amputees Believe very soon.
Amputees Believe does not have a formal mission statement yet...but will definitely be dealing with inspiring amutees to live a more full life. I will be looking to host/attend amputee support groups, peer visit amputees, become involved in amputee related activities, and help amputees in need obtain funding for prosthetic devices.
Of course, this is all nothing new for me. I just want to put things in the forefront and form a serious brand to promote and obtain the cause I feel so strongly about. A name to get behind and promote amputee causes and awareness AMPUTEES BELIEVE
More details will be fourth coming! I will need a formal logo, to decide if I want to obtain non-profit status with my group and many, many other decisions. I am anxiously looking to taking things up to the next level.
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About the bike
I still have not forgotten about the last cycling instructional segment. Pre-production is still being done. I am hoping to complete video shoot and edit within a weeks time.
Amputees Believe does not have a formal mission statement yet...but will definitely be dealing with inspiring amutees to live a more full life. I will be looking to host/attend amputee support groups, peer visit amputees, become involved in amputee related activities, and help amputees in need obtain funding for prosthetic devices.
Of course, this is all nothing new for me. I just want to put things in the forefront and form a serious brand to promote and obtain the cause I feel so strongly about. A name to get behind and promote amputee causes and awareness AMPUTEES BELIEVE
More details will be fourth coming! I will need a formal logo, to decide if I want to obtain non-profit status with my group and many, many other decisions. I am anxiously looking to taking things up to the next level.
For those that may have caught this blog earlier...After further discussion with management and others the name will be Amputees Believe instead of Ampu Believe. I think there was some worrying about people who are not as immersed in amputee related manners figuring out the name. So a compromise has been met. See that members of congress...how hard is it??...lol
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About the bike
I still have not forgotten about the last cycling instructional segment. Pre-production is still being done. I am hoping to complete video shoot and edit within a weeks time.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Advanced Amputee Cycling
Firstly, I wanted to take a minute and say thanks to all whom have checked out this site. I just passed the over 6,000 unique viewers landmark recently. I have only been keeping this blog for a little over a year now and knowing someone uses it once in a while is a great feeling. My latest instructional video also got over 600 hits in less than a months time! So, to say the least, it has been a landmark of sixes for me recently.
Seeing how the 2011 Tour de France is well underway I have become inspired enough to finish my series on Amputee Cycling. I have completed 2 instructional cycling segments. One series on 'Getting Started Cycling' that shows how to use a stationary spin bike and another on regular 'Everyday Cycling'. The last piece I have been planning to do has been on 'Advanced Cycling'. The advanced series will concentrate on using a road bike as an amputee. The series will be geared toward the amputee that would like to take cycling to the next level.
As I have always said cycling is one of the exercises that was instrumental in my recovery. Riding a bike was something I could sink into that helped me build confidence, improve overall health, work the range of motion in my residual limb, and so much more. It was also something I often could do as well as other "able bodied" individuals.
Speaking of the Tour de France, it has been a nail biter so far this year. My predictions appear to have some validity. George Hincapie has not won a stage yet, but has been looking very strong. The 16 time TDF competitor has done a remarkable job leading out for teammate and yellow jersey contender Cadel Evans. I am still looking at things to fall into place for Hincapie in a stage win.
Alberto Contador is not out of the running for yellow, but he is having a somewhat difficult tour. Last year Contador got ahead and then rode the wheel of his main rival. This year going into the mountains the Spaniard must make up a lot of crucial time. Gaining time in the mountains is often nothing new for yellow jersey hopefuls. Usually the sprint and flat stage type of riders have an edge and then fall behind once in the mountain stages of the race. This year due to crashes Contador finds himself behind other cyclist known as climbers. It should be a very interesting week.
Mentioning crashes, there have been some horrific wrecks this year, especially in stage 9. Dubbed as "The Tour de Carnage" by the media and "The Tour de Crash" by Tour announcer Phil Liggett there has been no shortage of downed cyclist this year. As witnessed by this unnerving WRECK Footage . Believe it or not both riders finished the stage! That is one reason why I find this race so epic. Can you imagine the courage and determination it must have taken to finish after a wreck like that?
Very sorry to take up so much of this blog talking about the TDF. It is such a roller coaster ride and test of human endurance. I encourage you to check it. The mountain stages are awe-inspiring. The first mountain stage starts
I hope to finish up the 'Advanced Cycling' segment by next blog. I plan on getting some video in the can this week. Once done with cycling I plan on putting together something on 'Amputee Running'.
May you be able to dig deep and reach the finish when the time calls - Ty
Seeing how the 2011 Tour de France is well underway I have become inspired enough to finish my series on Amputee Cycling. I have completed 2 instructional cycling segments. One series on 'Getting Started Cycling' that shows how to use a stationary spin bike and another on regular 'Everyday Cycling'. The last piece I have been planning to do has been on 'Advanced Cycling'. The advanced series will concentrate on using a road bike as an amputee. The series will be geared toward the amputee that would like to take cycling to the next level.
As I have always said cycling is one of the exercises that was instrumental in my recovery. Riding a bike was something I could sink into that helped me build confidence, improve overall health, work the range of motion in my residual limb, and so much more. It was also something I often could do as well as other "able bodied" individuals.
Speaking of the Tour de France, it has been a nail biter so far this year. My predictions appear to have some validity. George Hincapie has not won a stage yet, but has been looking very strong. The 16 time TDF competitor has done a remarkable job leading out for teammate and yellow jersey contender Cadel Evans. I am still looking at things to fall into place for Hincapie in a stage win.
Alberto Contador is not out of the running for yellow, but he is having a somewhat difficult tour. Last year Contador got ahead and then rode the wheel of his main rival. This year going into the mountains the Spaniard must make up a lot of crucial time. Gaining time in the mountains is often nothing new for yellow jersey hopefuls. Usually the sprint and flat stage type of riders have an edge and then fall behind once in the mountain stages of the race. This year due to crashes Contador finds himself behind other cyclist known as climbers. It should be a very interesting week.
Mentioning crashes, there have been some horrific wrecks this year, especially in stage 9. Dubbed as "The Tour de Carnage" by the media and "The Tour de Crash" by Tour announcer Phil Liggett there has been no shortage of downed cyclist this year. As witnessed by this unnerving WRECK Footage . Believe it or not both riders finished the stage! That is one reason why I find this race so epic. Can you imagine the courage and determination it must have taken to finish after a wreck like that?
Very sorry to take up so much of this blog talking about the TDF. It is such a roller coaster ride and test of human endurance. I encourage you to check it. The mountain stages are awe-inspiring. The first mountain stage starts
I hope to finish up the 'Advanced Cycling' segment by next blog. I plan on getting some video in the can this week. Once done with cycling I plan on putting together something on 'Amputee Running'.
May you be able to dig deep and reach the finish when the time calls - Ty
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