Winter Safety

Winter is here, which means the temperatures dramatically drop, car doors are frozen shut and roads and sidewalks get icy. Whether or not you use a cane, walker or mobility device, walking on ice is still a difficult task. If you or someone you know has a disability which results in them being able to walk properly, the risk of falling on ice increases dramatically. For those with disabilities, it is important to take extra precaution with icy conditions.

1. Remove any snow or ice from sidewalks and other walking areas. Contact a local family member, friend or a professional that can do it for you. After this has been done, put kitty litter, sand or salt on any areas where you most commonly walk to help melt the ice.

2. Wear appropriate shoes or boots. When outside walking on an icy surface, wearing proper footwear makes a huge difference. Avoid wearing slick bottom shoes at all costs, and wear a sturdy winter boots or a slip-resistant shoe. Make sure your winter boots are waterproof, have thick insulation with a non-slip sole, and are lightweight.

3. Take your time and walk slowly on icy patches. We've all heard the phrase “Better be safe than sorry” before, and it is especially important to keep in mind when walking or using a mobility device on slippery surfaces. Give yourself more time to get to your destination by leaving early and taking your time. 

4. Attach ice picks to your cane or walker. This will help chisel out hard patches of ice, which will make it easier for walking across icy surfaces. Even with an ice pick, be sure to take your time!

By taking these safety precautions, you will have a safer winter season which will reduce your chance of slipping and falling. We want you to enjoy the beautiful winter season and worry less about slipping on ice. 

Gary Leither: Standing on Two Feet

At Great Steps, we pride ourselves in helping others through their difficult times by helping them receive the necessary assistance to get back on their feet and continue to enjoy their everyday life and that is no different with one of our great patients, Gary Leither.

Gary Leither, 60 years old, from Cold Spring, Minnesota discovered he had type 2 Diabetes back in 1994 after experiencing sores on his feet. Gary was referred to Great Steps where we proceeded to help him out with the correct orthotics to make him feel more comfortable. Unfortunately for Gary, he lost his toes due to his struggle with diabetes later in 2005 and ultimately in January of 2014, after constant sores on his left foot, he had below the knee amputation on his left leg.

Once again, that is where we, at Great Steps, stepped in to help Gary out with the necessary prosthesis and in March we fitted him for his first prosthetic. Gary was very eager to get back on his feet, that he only needed 2 rehab sessions before he was comfortably walking on his own. According to Gary, “the fit was fantastic,” and he was relieved to be done with the countless surgeries and the need to walk around wearing a boot, which is another reason why the transition period was very smooth for Gary, stating that he “accepted the change real well.”

While providing him with the necessary prosthetic, Great Steps continues to assist him with the necessary orthotics for his right foot that currently has Charcot Foot to help improve his posture and assist in walking.

One of the main factors for his smooth transition into accepting that he would need a prosthetic was when he met and talked to the staff here at Great Steps and realized that many of them were also living their lives with prosthetics. Gary was very surprised by the fact that some of the staff members he spoke to had prosthetics and he didn't realize it for quite some time.

After many years of working and even a brief period of owning and managing his own floral shop with his wife, Gary is enjoying the retired life with his wife of 29 years, Ione, whom is also retired after teaching for 25 years, and his three kids (two daughters and son). Gary enjoys every moment of his life and likes to keep himself busy by reading, fishing, golfing and watching the Minnesota Twins. He also volunteers for his church and at the St. Cloud Hospital 2-3 times a week. After multiple years of experiencing sores and enduring surgeries, Gary is just excited to finally be on his feet and wants to enjoy every moment by keeping himself busy.

He thanks Great Steps for providing him with the necessary orthotics and prosthetics to continue living the life he enjoys with his family and friends stating, “Great Steps is a very good company, with wonderful staff.”

The Special Care of Nancy Wasilowski

Nancy Wasilowski has 8 children, all adopted through the Minnesota Adoption Resources Network (MARN). She currently has 5 children living with her; Tony, Ian, India, Logan and Kennedy ranging from 15 years old to 2 years old and her 3 angels looking over their family; Sky, Analee and Paul. Nancy and her longtime partner, Morgan, whom she has been with for over 18 years, have adopted all 8 children and they love them as if they are their own. Each child requires constant care from Nancy, Morgan and several other nurses. Nancy understands that her children will not be with them for long, so she makes sure she enjoys every moment with them and strives to put a smile on each one of their faces.

Nancy has always enjoyed taking care of kids with special needs, dating all the way back to when she was in elementary school and would help out with the special needs children in her school. After graduating with a degree in psychology and business from St. Cloud State University, Nancy went on to work at a children’s home for 7 years working as a youth counselor for the children. Eventually her and her partner Morgan decided to run a home study to care for their children.

For the past 13 years, all 8 of her children have gone through Great Steps and John Held, C.O. Nancy had tried out other O&P facilities, but it wasn’t until she was referred to Great Steps that she found the right fit for her children. Whether it’s been helping get the right AFO’s, SMO’s, Helmets or other necessary equipment, John and the Great Steps staff have been there to help Nancy and her children along the way. Nancy stated, “John has a great attention to detail as opposed to other places.”

 

 

Our goal at Great Steps is to provide quality care to all of our patients in any way possible. This is another great thing Nancy loves about Great Steps. Having 8 children with disabilities, each one requires a different type of special care and whether it’s finding a solution to keep one child’s head facing straight or keeping another child from putting his fingers in his mouth, John and Great Steps have been very creative in assisting Nancy with her kids every need, “John thinks outside the box to come up with solutions for everything."

Nancy cares for her children more than anyone before her did and has seen the potential that they have that others previously wouldn’t acknowledge. The last thing on her mind is the money that is involved in adopting these children stating, “its not as expensive as some may think but regardless it’s a drop in a bucket to help these kids.”

When asked if she would see herself continuing to adopt more children, Nancy paused before saying, “If there is room in the house, room in our hearts, then there is room for some kids.”