POA patient Franklin, Mejias, Jr., Quadruple amputee, his story of survival, 9/7/2012

Franklin Mejias, Jr. of Venezuela was on a family vacation in Miami when the unthinkable happened – he contracted an aggressive bacterial infection. Doctors fought to save his life, but in order to do so they were forced to amputate his hands and both his legs. The infection nearly killed Franklin, but he battled back and won the fight.  It didn’t break his spirit either; he’s a fighter, with a

South Orlando Rowing Open House Event on 9/8/2012!

Here’s a great opportunity for our Orlando friends! South Orlando Rowing recently received a donation for adaptive rowing which allowed them to purchase 2 fixed seats along with an adaptive rowing shell, oars, and stabilizing pontoons. They are having an Open House event on Saturday, September 8th from 8:00am -Noon. No experience necessary! They will teach you to row!

April Holmes, “A run with purpose,” Orlando Sentinel, 8/30/2012

Great article on 39-year-old April Holmes, who is set to compete in the 2012 Paralympics, and fully intends to win both the 100 and 200-meter sprints.  This will be April’s third Paralympics.  She competed in the 2004 Athens games, and won a bronze medal in the long jump. In the 2008 Beijing games, she was in first place when she stumbled and fell.  Although bleeding and devastated, April got back

Amy Purdy, bi-lateral amputee, competing on CBS reality show, “The Amazing Race,” this Fall!, 8/29/2012

Look for POA’s Amy Purdy on the CBS Reality Show The Amazing Race Season 21 which will premiere on September 30th! She and her boyfriend of many years, Daniel, are competing together as a team. Following link contains team photos and video introduc tions. Amy is a double amputee who lost her legs – but not her spirit – to meningitis; it only made her stronger. Since then she has

An RPG took Josh Olson’s leg, but not his Spirit,” Washington Post, 8/21/2012

As the start of the 2012 Paralympic Games approaches, many of the athletes have been spotlighted by the media. One such athlete is Josh Olson, an Army Sharpshooter and the first active duty soldier to compete in the Paralympics. We are proud and blessed to know Josh, and forever grateful to him and all our service men and women for the sacrifices they make for our safety and freedom. “An

POA’s Josh Olson, Hip Disarticulate Amputee, will represent U.S. in Paralympics, 8/13/2012

POA’s Josh Olson, a hip disarticulate amputee, is representing Team USA in shooting at the Paralympic Games. Josh is the first ever active duty service member to be nominated to the Team.  POA’s NPS hip disarticulate prosthetic system, also known as “the Olson socket,” was developed for Josh by Stan Patterson in response to a request from Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. The following video link shows Josh preparing for