Altimate Medical Happenings

For the third year, Altimate Medical is making a donation to one of our favorite charities in lieu of a traditional Christmas card. For the 2008 holiday season, we have chosen United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). UCP is an advocate for people with cerebral palsy and all disabilities, and Altimate Medical is proud to contribute to their cause.

To help us reach our goal of $3000, simply goto www.easystand.com/holiday and take Santa’s EasyStand Challenge. In less then 30 seconds, you can answer 4 fun (and easy) questions, and if you answer them correctly, Altimate Medical will donate $1.00 to UCP, up to $3000.

So here is what to do to help us reach our goal of $3000 by December 31st, 2008:

1. Go to www.easystand.com/holiday and take Santa’s EasyStand Challenge
2. Forward the link to your friends, family and colleagues so they can do the same
3. If you would like, make your own tax-deductible donation to United Cerebral Palsy
4. Have a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends!

Merry Christmas from the staff at Altimate Medical!

Because I sit in my wheelchair most of the day, my trunk muscles are not strong enough to steady my gun. Standing in my EasyStand helps me to steady my hand, making it easier to hit my targets.

One of the many activities I enjoy while standing is target practicing in from my patio. By utilizing my EasyStand Evolv stander, I feel it gives me the true position needed to target practice.

First of all, Iʼm in a standing position. Second, the tray on top of the standing frame helps steady my shot. Third, I have a better view. Finally, the support and balance the standing frame gives me is by far the most beneficial.

With all things considered, the stander helps prepare me for the real hunt. Thanks to EasyStand for improving my quality of life as a T5 paraplegic.

To read more about Jadian Foley, his activities, and standing routine, read his EasyStand customer story.

Does standing help you perform tasks or activities that are otherwise more difficult when in a wheelchair? What activities do you do while standing?

Bill Fertig and I are proud to have raised $6596.00 for the NSCIA

As you know Bill Fertig and I raced in the Marine Corp Marathon on Sunday. I had my personal best of 4:03:48 but I know I could have gotten below 4 hours if all those people would of just gotten out of my way. This was Bill’s first time hand cycling a marathon and he did it in 3:04:45. Here is what he had to say about it, “It was big fun as you say! But I was humbled by the experience of competing next to so many combat injured solders who returned as single or double amputees. I haven’t been addressed as ‘sir’ so many times in my life as I was by the many hundreds of Marines who worked the MCM!”

Bill and I raised $6,596.00 for the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, which was short of our goal of $10,000, but we are hopeful there are a few late supporters yet to sign up.

The most moving sight for me was a group of three runners with the US Marine Corp and MIA full size flags running ahead of me. Just as I was catching up to them they suddenly turned off from the race and stopped at the Vietnam Memorial to bow their heads in respect for about one minute, then continued running.

Many runners had pictures or messages on the backs of their shirts, stating they were running for brothers or sons killed or injured in the line of duty. This made me think about the reason I was running, for the many more people in civilian life that have also suffered, from SCI/D. This stopped me from whining about the pain and helped me get through the last six miles. It is an experience I will never forget.

Happy Halloween from the Marketing Team at Altimate Medical! Be safe & have fun!

Are you going to the Medtrade show October 28-30 in Atlanta? Historically, Medtrade has been the show of the year for DME Suppliers and Rehab manufacturers to gather. Seeing new products, attending educational seminars, and networking is on everyone’s agenda. Despite the decreasing attendance at Medtrade over the years, Altimate Medical is excited to be going to Atlanta once again:

1. The greatly anticipated EasyStand Bantam makes it first appearance at Medtrade! After a thorough design & evaluation period, we are excited to show suppliers and therapists the new stander that their schools and families were waiting for!
2. Our standers are Evolv-ing! A prototype of the EasyStand Evolv with an optional Swing Away Front will be in our booth. This allows the front table and kneepad to swing to the side, providing maximum transfer room.
3. The Evolv E3 was designed to make standing more attainable to the customer- come talk to us about it to see if it’s the right fit for you!
4. We can see old friends! For us, Medtrade is a great place to talk to our friends and customers in person; with the product right in front of us to play with!

Are you going to Medtrade this year? Why or why not? If you are attending, be sure to visit our crew in booth #1637A! We want to show you what the new Bantam and Evolv are all about! If you are not attending the show, let us know, and we will send you the new Bantam literature and price list when it’s available.

Isabel standing with her mom and grandma!

Yesterday we had a photo shoot at a school with kindergartner Isabel Koegel. Isabel is adorable, and this is the second time we have met Isabel. The first time was a couple years ago, when we did a photo shoot of Isabel in Magician-ei. Now Isabel uses an Magician Comfy, not only at school, but she also just got a Magician Comfy for home. This photo shoot was for the upcoming EasyStand Bantam, and Isabel is our second child to have an official photo shoot in the Bantam stander (see also Ryan Kane EasyStand photo shoot). Isabel’s Mom and Grandma/PCA were also there, and it was neat to get photos of all three of them together.

The other cool thing about our day, was all of the other familiar faces that we saw, and the progress that they have made. We saw six other kids, who we have also been EasyStand models before. A couple of them were scooting around in walkers or standing up with little help. They all had grown so much and it was neat to see those familiar smiles!

Watch for more photos of the new EasyStand Bantam and Isabel soon!

Bill Fertig, wheelchair athlete, and Andy Hicks of Altimate Medical and will be participating in a marathon to raise money for spinal cord injury awareness and research.

Hello Friends! On Oct 26th I will run the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC, after saying that I would never subject myself to such agony again. I am coming out of my very sane retirement to participate with Bill Fertig, who is a wheelchair athlete, to raise funds for the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA). Bill and I are working hard to prepare for this challenge, as we will be competing with world class athletes. However, that challenge is small compared to the challenge of regaining a productive, fulfilling life after a paralyzing injury or disease. NSCIA is there every day as the leading resource for those individuals and their families.

Please help me raise money for the NSCIA and support me and Bill in our personal challenge of completing the marathon. Knowing we have your support will make the miles go by faster, and more importantly your generous gift will make a real difference in the lives of people with SCI/D. Simply visit my personal fundraising page to contribute any amount to our cause. Supporting this effort is quick, it’s easy - and you will make a difference! I greatly appreciate your support!

Help Andy raise $7000 for the National Spinal Cord Injury Association

And if you have any words of wisdom for me, as I tackle this endeavor, I would love to hear them.

Altimate Medical employees at annual summer outing.

Yesterday, Altimate Medical had it’s annual summer outting. This year, AMI employees participated in a Best Ball Golf Game with six teams taking part in the festivities. The day was beautiful, and the golf course and club house deck sported a fantastic view. There were just as many rookie golfers as seasoned golfers, which kept a great balance. The winning team consisted of Steve Schmidt (Customer Service), Jeff Schmidt and Leo Schweiss (Product Development), and Allison Larsen (Quality). It is noteworthy to mention that Allison is nearly nine months pregnant with baby number two! Way to go Allison!

Andrew Gardeen with a fantastic drive- Can you see the ball?

Other golf prizes given out include Closest to the Pin-Jeff Schmidt (Product Development), Longest Putt- Levi Knobloch (Quality), and Longest Drive- Dave Nesje (Customer Service).

Overall, a fantastic day, great teamwork, and some pretty good golfing too. Now back to work!