More than 70 Amputees to Gather in San Diego for an Össur Running and Mobility Clinic Presented by CAF
Össur’s #MyWinningMoment Global Contest Winner, 10-year-old Amputee Joel “Diego” Mercado to Attend
San Diego, CA. — October 21, 2016 — More than 70 individuals with lower limb loss from around the world will gather on Saturday, October 22 at the Jewish Community Center (JCC), in San Diego, for an Össur Running and Mobility Clinic presented by the Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF).
The winner of Össur’s #MyWinningMoment global contest, Joel “Diego” Mercado, a 10-year-old amputee from Texas, will be attending the clinc as well as the 2016 Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge the following day. In his winning video that was submitted, Diego is shown working out with Marine Sergeant Jose Luis Sanchez, flipping a tractor tire that’s taller than he is and outweighs him by several hundred pounds. Diego was born with a congenital condition that resulted in the loss of his left leg and most of the fingers on his left hand.
The clinic, organized through a partnership between CAF and Össur, a global leader in prosthetics innovation, provides a safe and encouraging environment where attendees learn proper running form and technique through fun drills and exercises. The clinic is being presented at no cost to people with limb loss of all ages and skill levels from all over the world including Brazil, Australia and Great Britain.
World-renowned gait experts Dr. Robert Gailey and Peter Harsch, CP, will teach new and experienced amputees how to achieve their running and mobility goals – whether learning to walk again, or fine-tuning their speed skills in sprinting. Participants will be supported by dozens of local volunteers.
A number of Team CAF athletes and Össur ambassadors will join the clinic and help mentor the participants as they work together side-by-side. Jami Marseilles, who became the first female bilateral amputee in the world to complete the Chicago and Boston Marathons will be in attendance along with Mike Coots, a professional surfer from Hawaii who lost his leg in a shark attack, Paralympic Snowboarder Nicole Roundy, and Sarah Reinertsen, who was the first female amputee to finish the Kona IRONMAN® World Championship.
“We are thrilled to have so many Team CAF athletes from around the world come experience the power of sport, learn from the best coaches and incredible mentors. CAF believes that involvement in sport at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life, and this clinic provides opportunities and support specifically to people with limb loss, encouraging them to pursue more active lifestyles through physical fitness,” said Team CAF Athlete, four-time Boston Marathon finisher and Challenged Athletes Foundation Programs Director Dawna Callahan.
“Össur is pleased to have partnered with CAF over the past two decades, and to offer clinics like this one across the U.S. As a company, we are dedicated to continuously innovating so that more people like Diego may enjoy life without limitations,” said Kim De Roy, CPO/PT, Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Education, Prosthetics for Össur Americas.
Individuals interested in participating in the clinic can register here.
Individuals interested in volunteering can register here.
About the Challenged Athletes Foundation
The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy lifestyles. CAF believes that participation in physical activity at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $76 million has been raised and over 13,000 funding requests from people with physical challenges in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give opportunities and support to those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles To learn more, visit challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.
About Össur
Össur (NASDAQ: OSSR) is a global leader in non-invasive orthopaedics that help people live a life without limitations. Its business is focused on improving people’s mobility through the delivery of innovative technologies within the fields of Prosthetic, Osteoarthritis and Injury Solutions. A recognized “Technology Pioneer,” Össur invests significantly in research and product development—its award-winning designs ensuring a consistently strong position in the market. Successful patient and clinical outcomes are further empowered via Össur’s educational programs and business solutions. Headquartered in Iceland, Össur has major operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, with additional distributors worldwide. To learn more, visit www.ossur.com.