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“Life Without Limitation”
“Many people don’t have the choice when becoming
an amputee and some do, but whether the choice is yours or not, becoming an
amputee is an extremely life-changing experience.
When I say life changing, that doesn’t mean for the
worst. Even if you didn’t have the choice of becoming an amputee, you
DO have the choice of how you are going to respond  to that life-changing
experience. You have to reach way down deep inside of yourself and choose to
face the new challenges with a positive determination and drive. I look at
these challenges as new adventures and a chance to make myself knowledgeable.
When I realized that there was a good chance that I would
become an amputee, my husband and I researched what challenges I would face
as an amputee, and we went to speak to the staff at SRT Prosthetics and
Orthotics prior to my surgery.
The people at SRT Prosthetics and Orthotics are a
tremendous resource and strength for me; not just as an amputee but as a
person. They have always only been a phone call away at any time. They have
been there for me before my surgery, during my surgery, and every day since
my surgery. They help me with any concerns, questions, or fears. They pray
with me/for me, and even assist me in all the different things that I choose
to do, such as: walk a mini-marathon 14 months after becoming a BK (below the
knee) amputee! Something I could not do before having my foot amputated. I
can walk and hold hands with my husband and chase after my grandson. I play
putt-putt golf, go swimming, fishing, camping, and I can now go to yard sales!
I am not saying everyone wants to walk a mini-marathon but
my point is: SRT will help in anything you want to do and will assess the
prosthetic or orthotic device that will best suit your needs for your life
style. SRT stands for Superior Rehabilitation Techniques and they are all of
that! They can customize the look of the device for you; for example: I have
a pattern of the American flag on my prosthesis and my second prosthesis had
an eagle on it. They can match your skin color and shape the prosthesis for a
more natural look. Once again, the choice is yours.
SRT Prosthetics and Orthotics has calmed my fears of the
unknown in the life of becoming an amputee. My challenges become their challenges
and it really makes life much easier when you have a whole team helping you
out, no matter what the challenge may be. The people at SRT Prosthetics and
Orthotics are not just my problem-solvers, but they have become like family
to me. I look forward with optimism, confidence, and excitement to what the
future holds for me because of the guidance and support from the staff at SRT
Prosthetics and Orthotics!”
Holly Stroup
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“On June 10, 2002, I came to a roadblock in my
life. I was involved in an
industrial accident that left me with a right arm that was only 4 inches
below my elbow and a left hand that barely had an index finger and a thumb.
For someone that was deeply involved in football,
basketball, and baseball as a high school student, this created a dramatic
change in my life style. I was
always a “hands-on” type of person. Aside from sports, I enjoyed helping
my dad and brothers build our home and horse barn. I enjoyed riding my dirt bike, water
skiing, and just about any outdoor activity. During the summer of 2002, I had
picked up a job working with a stamping powerpress. About half way through my shift,
there was a miscommunication between the operator and me. The press was activated while I had
reached in to readjust a part.
The amputation was immediate; the machine didn’t budge an inch
at the presences of my arms in its way. I was rushed to a local hospital and
later life-flighted to MCO. I
went through four different surgeries and was in the hospital for eleven
days. After about a month of
trying to salvage my index and thumb with therapy, the doctors needed to
amputate all that remained of my left hand.
It seemed to me like life was starting all over
again. I was going to have to
learn to do everything in a new manner. That is, of course, if I would be
able to do them at all.
One of my uncles was visiting someone in a hospital and
while briefly discussing my story, Sam Santa-Rita from SRT overheard. Sam, wanting to help and knowing he
could help, offered his business card.
By this time, I was already assigned to a prosthetist by my
orthopedic surgeon, but my gut was telling me, “There should be something
better.” I made an appointment
with Sam just to see what he could offer me. He quickly got my attention with a
demo of a myo-electric prosthetic, and I have been seeing Sam ever
since. I do not believe there
is someone in the field that would be a better fit because of what I have
asked of Sam, and what I have put him through. Being a bi-lateral amputee at
twenty-two years old, I can be fairly rough on these prosthetics. Because I frequently made short work
of a new or newly repaired hand, I had the attention of the largest upper
extremity company. They flew
out to specifically sit down with me to discuss how to get longevity out of
their myo-electric hands that I was using. I was challenging the leading
myo-electric company, and I was challenging Sam at SRT. Thankfully, it has been a challenge
Sam has welcomed.
Sam has helped make a “dramatic change in my life
style,” not so dramatic.
He makes himself readily available, and he has worked around my
schedule. We’ve held late
night appointments, and we have even had appointments at his home on
Saturdays. He always strives to
make my prosthetics better and my life better by working with me to achieve
what I want to achieve. I can
be fairly picky at times and anytime I have “complained” about
something, he finds a way to make it better. I have asked him to create an air
suction socket for better suspension; he developed one for me. I told him I wanted to play football
again; he created padding for me.
I told him I wanted to play baseball again; he developed a way for me
to do so.
I have since graduated from college and have been in the
workforce for one and a half years as a program manager for a tool and die
shop. There are many things I
accredit to overcoming the roadblock I was faced with. A few of those would be my faith, my
family, my friends, my high school football coaches, and SRT. Everyday can be a challenge but with
the right people, those challenges are much easier to overcome. Today, I enjoy an active life style
with the help of SRT. I have a
full-time job which requires typing emails and writing. I enjoy playing church league
softball, and of course, cruising around in my four-speed dune
buggy.”–Brad Hurtig
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Norman Terrill is 78 years old and resides in Hicksville, Ohio,
with his wife Vada of 52 years. They have 4 children together and 5
grandchildren. He worked at General Tire in Bryan, Ohio,
for 25 years and retired in 1992. During that time, he was also a Volunteer
Fireman for the village
of Hicksville for 25
years. He currently works part-time delivering flowers for the Posey
Peddler in Hicksville. Norm and Vada spend
a lot of time during the summer at Branch County Campground on Messenger Lake
in Coldwater, Michigan. While he is there, he gets to
spend much time fishing, which is one of his favorite things. Norm also
likes to garden, spend time with his family and friends—and of
course—watch Ohio State Football. Norm lost his leg in June 2006
because of poor circulation. He received his prosthetic leg in November of
that year. He is back to doing normal, everyday tasks. Norm would like to
thank SRT Prosthetics for giving him his life back.
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"Since I have been coming to your facility, I have been relieved to
know that the design and care of my prosthesis is of paramount concern. I
am very happy with the treatment and personal attention I have received. It
is refreshing to know that quality is still being practiced over quantity.
The time you take to assure things are correct is a refreshing change in
the 'get them in, get them out' philosophy of other facilities." -Michael
Merryman
"I have had my prosthesis for six years and have
always been treated with great care by all the staff at SRT. If I ever have
a problem, I know they will take care of me promptly and efficiently."
-Reg Primeau
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"When I moved from Tennessee
to Indiana,
I had already lost my lower right leg below the knee. I had honestly given
up on myself; I considered myself a half of a person, through my eyes and
others.
I started to need supplies and adjustments to my leg. That's when I came
across SRT in the phone book, so I contacted them and made an appointment.
They asked me about my leg, and how I am adjusting with my leg. And
honestly I wasn't doing too good.
When I told them how I considered myself half a person, they shared
their experiences with me; I knew that they wouldn't give up on me either.
They aren't just doing their jobs; they really care about their
patients. The gang at SRT does more than build legs, arms, or whatever your
needs are. They are friends, and I'm very thankful to have met each of
them. It doesn't matter if I need supplies or just someone to talk
to—they are there. Thank you Kokomo SRT."
- Kay Kerlin
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We would like to thank
all of our SRT Patients for the courage and fortitude they show, for the
life experiences they share with us, and for enriching our lives!
-- The Staff at SRT
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We invite you to contact us with any questions,
or if we can be of service to you in any way.
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