Newsletter

AST - AMPUTEE NEWSLETTER - July 2004

JUNE MEETING: Thank you Gary Reinhold, of HANGER Prosthetics for a great buffet. Everyone enjoyed the hot meal, it was delicious. Also, Mark Leonard, and AST Director, also known as our Hershey connection, brought lots of Hershey candy for desert, and I am happy to report that there wasn't any food left over. Again, thank you Gary and Mark for your support to our AST Program.

After the opening of our AST Meeting, and announcements about past and future events from our President, Richard Nickle, Rachel Edwards, Community Rehab Liaison for HEALTHSOUTH Acute Rehabilitation Hospital, made an announcement about a group of amputee bikers, who are bicycling across America, and making a stop at HEALTHSOUTH in Mechanicsburg on Wednesday, July 21. We as a support group are invited to meet and greet the bikers at an 11 AM barbecue, and to later return for an evening Program at 6:30 PM about their trip - the obstacles & the rewards of their experience and perseverance. Both Programs will be interesting and rewarding- Let's support their courageousness.

Following the business and announcements of the Meeting, our own Alan Bittner gave a testimony about his life as an amputee, from the time as a boy, when he lost his leg through trauma, until today, as a retired business man. Alan's words were both positive and inspiring, a good example for all of us. Finally, before our delicious meal, Mark Leonard, our AST Chaplain, led us in words of thanks.

After our meal, our very own Rod Shields, and his Bluegrass Group, , The Green Mountain Porch Pickers entertained us with some great music, and even some renditions from our audience, including David Brown, one our newest members. We love you guys and gal!!!!!!!!

In August we will be having at least eight of our AST members attending this year's ACA Expo and Convention in Nashville. A concern has been stated that Rod Shields may not return home if he is "discovered". We hope that those attending will enjoy the Convention and bring back some new information and inspiration to our support group.

Special thanks to Chad Kettler for hosting at his Wormleysburg Rehab Facility of HEALTHSOUTH. We appreciate all his hard work in setting up for our AST Meeting. Thanks also to Kathy Brock, who came over from the Main HEALTHSOUTH Rehab in Mechanicsburg to help Chad in setting up.
News Release about our next AST Meeting: The AMPUTEES ACROSS AMERICA bicycle into Mechanicsburg at 11 AM July 21. The Amputee Support Team invites everyone to join us in inviting this special group of amputees who are bicycling across America from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans.

Leaving San Francisco, California, on June 2, the bikers are scheduled to arrive at New York City's Rockefeller Center on August 6, 2004. But on Wednesday, July 21, the riders will be biking into the HEALTHSOUTH Acute Rehabilitation Hospital at 11:00 a.m. and the community is invited to meet and greet the AAA and have a free barbeque lunch with them. HEALTHSOUTH's main building (the largest building) is at 175 Lancaster Boulevard.
Also, at this same building at 6:30 PM, we will have another opportunity to meet with the amputee riders and hear their personal stories and about their ride across our wonderful country. So please come and again meet these brave bikers who are riding across America for a great cause. There will also be refreshments at this 6:30 meeting.
Respectfully submitted, Barbara Nickle, AST Secretary