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NEWS
Dean Kamen interviewed on The Colbert
Report demonstrating how his prosthetic arm invention helps
soldiers feed themselves.
EVENTS
Veterans Count
 Next
Step has partnered with an Easter Seals project called Veteran's
Count. This project was formed to meet the diverse needs
of veterans and their families through rehabilitation, childcare
and early intervention services, adult day programs, family
support services, and state-wide transportation.
In 2007, Next Step joined the golf tournament committee
to help raise money for the Veterans Count project. The
1st Annual Veterans Count Golf Tournament took place in
May, 2007, at Candia Woods golf Links, Candia, NH. Over
$15,000 was raised at the golf tournament and was given
directly to the Veterans Count program. Mark your calendar
for the 2nd Annual Veterans Count Golf Tournament, May 13,
2008.
For more information about Veterans Count, please visit
www.eastersealsnh.org.
You may also contact Mike Cormier, Senior Director of Development
& Corporate Relations, at 603.621.3457.
 8th
Annual Justin Laverdiere
Memorial Golf Tournament
The 8th Annual Justin Laverdiere Memorial Golf Tournament
is scheduled to be held on September 25, 2010 at Chemawa
Golf Course in North Attleboro, MA. Registration cost is
$125 per player and includes cart, 18 holes of golf, and
dinner.If you have any questions or would like to be added
to the mailing list, please contact Katie
Ralls.
Wounded Soldier Welcome
Soldiers wounded in the global war on terrorism arrived
in New Hampshire on March 26th to learn how to ski and snow
board as part of the Wounded Warrior Project.
The all-expense paid program was organized by AbilityPLUS,
a nonprofit organization in Waterville Valley, NH, dedicated
to helping disabled people fulfill their dreams through
adaptive recreational opportunities, the North East Adaptive
Sports Coalition (NEASC), the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled
Sports USA and Next Step Orthotics & Prosthetics. The soldiers
skied at Waterville Valley, Loon Mountain, and Bretton Woods.
Next Step held the 4th Annual Wounded Warrior Welcome dinner
at the Manchester office. After being escorted from Manchester
Airport to Next Step by the local fire department, the soldiers
got a tour of Next Step and enjoyed a dinner catered by
Fratello's Restaurant.
To
see more, click here.
 Next
Step Client Creates Limb Defense Products
Next Step is happy to work with David Harper on the release
of his new products. He has created an all natural skin
conditioner and moisturizer to help amputees fight MRSA
infections, skin breakdowns, irritations, and small cysts.
He has also created a limb wash and liner cleanser to help
keep silicon liners and sleeves clean and safe, naturally!
The active ingredients are known worldwide for their antibacterial,
anti fungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic
healing properties. The highest pharmaceutical grade melaleuca
alternifolia oil (tea tree oil) approved for use by the
Australian government.
For more information on these products, please visit www.whitemountainnaturals.com
or call 603.606.2497.
Wounded Soldier Welcome
Next Step is working with Disabled Sports USA and Ability
PLUS to welcome wounded soldiers to New Hampshire for a
weekend of ski instruction at Waterville Valley. Soldiers
will be arriving at Manchester airport on March 26, 2008.
They will then travel to our facility in the millyard for
a welcome reception, catered by Fratellos Restaurant.
Next Step is looking to help the project by raising money
to cover the cost of travel and accommodation for the soldiers.
Any person(s) who donate $1000 or more will also receive
two tickets to the welcome dinner as well as two ski passes
to Waterville Valley to ski with the soldiers for the weekend.
If you or someone you know would like to make a donation,
please contact Katie Ralls at 603.314.0011.
Next Step's Circle of Support Program
As you began your journey as an amputee, there may have
been times when you wished you had another amputee to talk
to. Someone who had an idea about how you were feeling and
who could answer your questions.
Here at Next Step, we have always done our best to provide
peer support for new amputees, but a structured system has
never been formed. As the importance of this support system
has become more apparent to us, we have decided to begin
the Next Step O & P Circle of Support Program. The system
consists of consenting amputees and family members who are
willing to provide emotional support and advice to other
amputees and their families along with the staff at Next
Step coordinating requests and visits.
A database has been compiled so that when a peer visitor
request is made we can properly match up the new amputee
and the peer visitor, based on age, level of amputation,
and desired activity levels.
If you would like more information on the Next Step Circle
of Support Program or would like to request a peer visit,
please contact Katie Ralls at 603.314.0011 or katie@nextstepoandp.com.
Matt Albuquerque is Honored by 8 Year-Old Client
Matt was honored on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 by a client
of his, 8 year-old Sammy at the 6th Annual New Hampshire
Capital St. Patrick's Day Breakfast & Roast hosted by the
Demers Group. The event benefits the annual holiday party
and gifts for Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD). This
surprise award was presented to Matt after this introduction
given by Sammy.
 "Good
Morning. I am so happy to be here today to present this
award to Matt Albuquerque.
In 2006, I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer.
I met Matt in 2007, right before my leg amputation. I wound't
have met Matt if it hadn't been for Jim Demers and Bob Blaisdell.
So thanks, guys! Let's give them a round of applause. Anyway,
Matt had me come to Next Step before my surgery so I could
meet him and learn something about prosthetics. He showed
me around the kids' waiting room where there were lots of
fun things to play with and a jungle mural in which Matt
was painted as a safari explorer and Peter, his business
partner, was painted as a sloth.
Matt took time to get to know me and the things that are
important to me, like dancing, basketball, high heels and
short skirts. He showed me pictures of some of his other
clients; there were sky divers, dancers, body builders,
rock climbers, skiers, scuba divers and runners. He told
me that I would be able to do all of those things too. All
I would need to do was to put my mind to it. He introduced
me to some of his other clients and to one of the other
prosthetists, Jason Lalla, an amputee, who is a champion
skier.
 In
May 2007, I got my new leg, who I named Miss Walker. It
was shiny with losts of colors in the knee, like blue, red,
and yellow. Matt made sure I had it for a trip I was taking
to Los Angeles with my parents and my big sister, Becca.
Of course. the night before I was about to fly to California,
my parents were still having trouble getting Miss Walker
on the right way. Matt opened up his office at night to
give my dad an extra lesson. No charge. I met Heather Mills
in Los Angeles and showed her my new leg. She was very impressed
and called it "state of the art." After a few months, Matt
told me I was ready to have a cover put on my metal leg.
I couldn't wait because, like I said, I like short skirts.
I also like to fill out my pants! Matt saw how much I didn't
like the covers that get put on prosthetic legs. They either
look like nylon or painted foam...So without telling me,
Matt made some phone calls and arranged to have a very special
silicone cover made for Miss Walker. These covers are made
in England and are usually just for grown ups. Now I proudly
wear Miss Walker. She looks great with short skirts and
heels. I can even paint her toenails.
Thank you Matt and everyone else at Next Step for all you
have done to help me through the last year. You have been
so patient, kind, and supportive. I am only one of the many
people whose lives you have touched and made better. Your
job is so important to kids and grown-ups like me and I
think you are a great guy."
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"Each year
Next Step holds a variety of special events designed to
raise awareness of the work we do and educate our clients
about the tools they need to lead the most fruitful, productive
life possible."
Next Step
Vice President
Matt Albuquerque, CPO
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Active Step