Latest News and Events

"I was drawn to Next Step. There was something that I felt in common with them. They gave me another possibility and opened my eyes to something I didn't use for 25 years, my left arm. I feel I can now connect more personally in my game…I will play a better game of golf."
Mike Gibson, golf professional, age 47
Above-elbow amputee

Read more about Mike's story…

Veterans Count

Next Step has partnered with an Easter Seals project called Veteran's Count. This project was formed to meet the diverse needs of veterans and their families through rehabilitation, childcare and early intervention services, adult day programs, family support services, and state-wide transportation.

In 2007, Next Step joined the golf tournament committee to help raise money for the Veterans Count project. The 1st Annual Veterans Count Golf Tournament took place in May, 2007, at Candia Woods golf Links, Candia, NH. Over $15,000 was raised at the golf tournament and was given directly to the Veterans Count program. Mark your calendar for the 2nd Annual Veterans Count Golf Tournament, May 13, 2008. For more information about Veterans Count, please visit www.eastersealsnh.org. You may also contact Mike Cormier, Senior Director of Development & Corporate Relations, at 603.621.3457.

6th Annual Justin Laverdiere Memorial Golf Tournament

The 6th Annual Justin Laverdiere Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled to be held on September 27, 2008 at Chemawa Golf Course in North Attleboro, MA. Registration cost is $150 per player and includes cart, 18 holes of golf, and dinner.If you have any questions or would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact Katie Ralls.

www.tomorrowfund.org

Wounded Soldier Welcome

Soldiers wounded in the global war on terrorism arrived in New Hampshire on March 26th to learn how to ski and snow board as part of the Wounded Warrior Project.

The all-expense paid program was organized by AbilityPLUS, a nonprofit organization in Waterville Valley, NH, dedicated to helping disabled people fulfill their dreams through adaptive recreational opportunities, the North East Adaptive Sports Coalition (NEASC), the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled Sports USA and Next Step Orthotics & Prosthetics. The soldiers skied at Waterville Valley, Loon Mountain, and Bretton Woods.

Next Step held the 4th Annual Wounded Warrior Welcome dinner at the Manchester office. After being escorted from Manchester Airport to Next Step by the local fire department, the soldiers got a tour of Next Step and enjoyed a dinner catered by Fratello's Restaurant.

To see more, click here.

Next Step Client Creates Limb Defense Products

Next Step is happy to work with David Harper on the release of his new products. He has created an all natural skin conditioner and moisturizer to help amputees fight MRSA infections, skin breakdowns, irritations, and small cysts. He has also created a limb wash and liner cleanser to help keep silicon liners and sleeves clean and safe, naturally!

The active ingredients are known worldwide for their antibacterial, anti fungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic healing properties. The highest pharmaceutical grade melaleuca alternifolia oil (tea tree oil) approved for use by the Australian government.

For more information on these products, please visit www.whitemountainnaturals.com or call 603.606.2497.

Wounded Soldier Welcome

Next Step is working with Disabled Sports USA and Ability PLUS to welcome wounded soldiers to New Hampshire for a weekend of ski instruction at Waterville Valley. Soldiers will be arriving at Manchester airport on March 26, 2008. They will then travel to our facility in the millyard for a welcome reception, catered by Fratellos Restaurant.

Next Step is looking to help the project by raising money to cover the cost of travel and accommodation for the soldiers. Any person(s) who donate $1000 or more will also receive two tickets to the welcome dinner as well as two ski passes to Waterville Valley to ski with the soldiers for the weekend. If you or someone you know would like to make a donation, please contact Katie Ralls at 603.314.0011.

Next Step's Circle of Support Program

As you began your journey as an amputee, there may have been times when you wished you had another amputee to talk to. Someone who had an idea about how you were feeling and who could answer your questions.

Here at Next Step, we have always done our best to provide peer support for new amputees, but a structured system has never been formed. As the importance of this support system has become more apparent to us, we have decided to begin the Next Step O & P Circle of Support Program. The system consists of consenting amputees and family members who are willing to provide emotional support and advice to other amputees and their families along with the staff at Next Step coordinating requests and visits.

A database has been compiled so that when a peer visitor request is made we can properly match up the new amputee and the peer visitor, based on age, level of amputation, and desired activity levels.

If you would like more information on the Next Step Circle of Support Program or would like to request a peer visit, please contact Katie Ralls at 603.314.0011 or katie@nextstepoandp.com.

Matt Albuquerque is Honored by 8 Year-Old Client

Matt was honored on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 by a client of his, 8 year-old Sammy at the 6th Annual New Hampshire Capital St. Patrick's Day Breakfast & Roast hosted by the Demers Group. The event benefits the annual holiday party and gifts for Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD). This surprise award was presented to Matt after this introduction given by Sammy.

"Good Morning. I am so happy to be here today to present this award to Matt Albuquerque.

In 2006, I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. I met Matt in 2007, right before my leg amputation. I wound't have met Matt if it hadn't been for Jim Demers and Bob Blaisdell. So thanks, guys! Let's give them a round of applause.

Anyway, Matt had me come to Next Step before my surgery so I could meet him and learn something about prosthetics. He showed me around the kids' waiting room where there were lots of fun things to play with and a jungle mural in which Matt was painted as a safari explorer and Peter, his business partner, was painted as a sloth.

Matt took time to get to know me and the things that are important to me, like dancing, basketball, high heels and short skirts. He showed me pictures of some of his other clients; there were sky divers, dancers, body builders, rock climbers, skiers, scuba divers and runners. He told me that I would be able to do all of those things too. All I would need to do was to put my mind to it. He introduced me to some of his other clients and to one of the other prosthetists, Jason Lalla, an amputee, who is a champion skier.

In May 2007, I got my new leg, who I named Miss Walker. It was shiny with losts of colors in the knee, like blue, red, and yellow. Matt made sure I had it for a trip I was taking to Los Angeles with my parents and my big sister, Becca. Of course. the night before I was about to fly to California, my parents were still having trouble getting Miss Walker on the right way. Matt opened up his office at night to give my dad an extra lesson. No charge. I met Heather Mills in Los Angeles and showed her my new leg. She was very impressed and called it "state of the art."

After a few months, Matt told me I was ready to have a cover put on my metal leg. I couldn't wait because, like I said, I like short skirts. I also like to fill out my pants! Matt saw how much I didn't like the covers that get put on prosthetic legs. They either look like nylon or painted foam...So without telling me, Matt made some phone calls and arranged to have a very special silicone cover made for Miss Walker. These covers are made in England and are usually just for grown ups. Now I proudly wear Miss Walker. She looks great with short skirts and heels. I can even paint her toenails.

Thank you Matt and everyone else at Next Step for all you have done to help me through the last year. You have been so patient, kind, and supportive. I am only one of the many people whose lives you have touched and made better. Your job is so important to kids and grown-ups like me and I think you are a great guy."