APMA News - September 2012 - (Page 15)

APMA Member and Daughter Help Disabled Find their Freedom Participants in the Greek Peak Adaptive Snowsports program in Cortland, NY, enjoy the freedom of downhill skiing, snowboarding, and mono-skiing thanks to the help of volunteers like APMA member Robert Weber, DPM, and his daughter Elizabeth WeberLevi, DPM. The Adaptive Snowsports program offers individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, partial paralysis, visual and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, amputations, and other functional differences the chance to experience winter sports. As a podiatrist for 43 years, Dr. Weber is well-accustomed to helping patients with their mobility issues. So when he was given a chance to instruct special-needs individuals, it was a perfect ﬁt. The feeling was contagious. Dr. Weber-Levi said, “Helping out with this program has been one of the best things I’ve done in my life.” She has been involved for four years, with the encouragement of her father. Dr. Weber and Dr. Weber-Levi help ﬁt braces into ski boots or snowboard shoes; adjust foot beds; adjust equipment for limb-length discrepancy; and order custom-made orthotics to ﬁt into ski boots or snowboards. Both father and daughter are avid skiers themselves, and their podiatric background is critical to getting program participants onto the slopes. Greek Peak began when a professor from Binghamton University-SUNY, the late Robert Lovejoy, PhD, wanted to ﬁnd a way to ski with his friends 38 years ago. Dr. Lovejoy was visually impaired and originally opened the doors at Greek Peak for the blind. The program expanded over the years, and today, the program includes both physically and mentally challenged athletes. Dr. Weber said one of the reasons he volunteers is “for the enjoyment.” The participants agree. Henry Keibel, a new participant, said, “It gives you a little more freedom from your disability … you’re out there, going down the hill, and you forget about it a little.” Dr. Weber was ﬁrst introduced to a similar ski program for amputees when he was chief of podiatry at the Valley Forge Army Hospital (now closed) in Phoenixville, PA, in 1971. “I knew eventually I would become an active instructor,” he said. As an adaptive ski instructor for the Snowsports program, he became a certiﬁed level-one Professional Ski Instructor of America after a comprehensive written and mountain test. Volunteers for the Greek Peak program come from many professions—gastroenterology, psychology, neurosurgery, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, industrial engineering, teaching, and of course, podiatric medicine. ■ Editor’s Note: APMA News thanks Susan R. Girolami Kramer, communications director for the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association, for submitting this article. Clockwise from top left—Left to right: Scott Dibble, Dan Dougherty (instructor), Doreen Rowe (instructor), Katie McLaughin, and Chuck Laws. Participant Katie McLaughin, using a mono-ski, zips down the slope. Robert Weber, DPM, right, takes a break with a fellow instructor whose twins have cerebral palsy and are program participants. Instructor Chuck Laws, who says he became an instructor to “pay forward” after being a participant in the program, is close behind participant Scott Dibble on left. Michael Szabelski, left, is all smiles after skiing with instructor Matt Weston. APMA News September 2012 15

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - September 2012

APMA News - September 2012
President’s Message
Contents
US Surgeon General Addresses APMA at The National
2012 is a Milestone Year for APMA, and for Other Institutions as Well
APMA Member and Daughter Help Disabled Find their Freedom
Dr. Caporusso Promotes Podiatric Medicine on Capitol Hill
Use eAdvocacy to Reach Your Elected Leaders Today!
APMA by the Decade: 1982–1991
2012 Podiatric Practice Survey: Net Income Statistics
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
List of Cosponsors to the Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Website Wisdom
Technofile
Bylaws Propositions Due
Small Business 101
APMA All Stars
Resolutions Deadlines
In Short
Worthy of Note
CPME Invitation for Comments
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - September 2012