Meet TeamUP

7/27/2019 Meet TeamUP

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(888) 678-6548

300 Forge Way, Ste 3 www.allardusa.com

Rockaway, NJ 07866 [email protected]

www.getbackuptoday.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/getbackuptoday

www.twitter.com/getbackuptoday

www.allardusa.com/beth

Info SheetMission: To share our personal challenges & triumphs to motivate others to Get Back UP!

2013 TEAM ROSTER

Beth Deloria (TeamUP Captain)Cause of Footdrop: Congenital Defects & Spinal Surgery ComplicationsBeth Deloria took up distance running as a way to keep fit. It quickly becameher passion. Within a couple of years of buying her first running shoes, she wascompeting in half marathons, & now has many marathon runs under her belt,including five Boston Marathons.In 2004, a severe spinal trauma & subsequent surgery resulted in her foot

drop. Not willing to give up an activity that had become an integral part of herlife, Beth spent countless hours researching a treatment that would makerunning possible for her again. She found the answer in the Allard ToeOFFbrace. While she continues to increase her marathon count, her goal is not toaccumulate medals, but to demonstrate to people that they don't have tosurrender their mobility to foot drop.

Barbie BarnettCause of Footdrop: Back Surgery ComplicationAfter a back surgery complication left her with footdrop, school teacher,Barbie Barnett lived with it for 4 years. Simple things she took for granted likewalking down the street or mowing the lawn became nightmarish tasks as shestruggled to keep from tripping (especially in front of her students). After afriend who heard of Beth Deloria through the local news told her about themarathon runner with footdrop, she contacted Allard & was connected withRick Lusiak, who had her fit for a brace. 6 months later, she is 30 lbs lighterwith a new outlook & lease on life.

Craig VogtsbergerCause of Footdrop: Traumatic Spinal InjuryCraig sustained the injury that caused his footdrop when he was pinnedbetween two Humvees during a military training exercise, but when he tellsyou about his athletic achievements, you would never guess it. Since he wasfitted with a BlueRocker by his orthotist in 2009, Craig has earned suchprestigious titles as Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Regional & NationalChampion, & USA Paratriathlon National Team Member, & Champion.
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Darren SmithCause of Footdrop: Spinal Stroke During SurgeryWhile in surgery, a clot in one of Darrens spinal arteries caused paralysis inhis left leg. Currently, he still has paralysis below the knee, but after trying onfriend, Craigs BlueRocker, he was fitted for one of his own & continues to livean active lifestyle. Notable accomplishments include the San Diego HalfIronman, Ironman Florida, Ironman Canada, the ITU World ParalysisChampionships, Xterra Canada National Champion, Canadian NationalParatriathlon Champion, & PanAM Paratriathlon Champion just to name a few.

Jill WalshCause of Footdrop: Multiple Sclerosis (MS)Most people buy a sports car when they have a midlife crisis. Me, I decided tosign up for an Ironman. Says Jill, who was diagnosed with MS in December of2011 shortly after paying the registration fee for the event. With some internetsearching & a never say never attitude, Jill found an article about BethDeloria & was fit for her first ToeOFF. With a whole lot of determination & alittle help from the brace, she completed the Ironman in less than 17 hours.Her next goal is to make the National Paratriathlon team.

Rod FulmerCause of Footdrop: Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD) Muscular DystrophyRod Fulmer had struggled with FSHD Muscular Dystrophy for 12-15 years &hated the usual plastic AFO braces so much that he had tendon transfersurgery in an effort to avoid them. One day, while his sister was in the hospital,he tried on a ToeOFF that her Dr. had prescribed & begged her to let himwear it for the rest of the day. For Rod, the simple act of walking & being able

to be somewhat active is something he is very proud of. He has also created &chairs an annual FSH benefit dinner which grows every year.


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Shannon PoortengaCause of Footdrop: Ruptured DiskShannon developed footdrop as a result of a ruptured disk in July 2011. Whileon a shopping trip to find shoes that fit her first brace, one of the young men atthe store told her about the Allard ToeOFF. When Shannon hesitated tolook further than the website, her mother tracked Beth Deloria downpersonally & arranged for the two to speak. Weeks later, she was in her firstToeOFF & though she misses wearing heels & boots, being able to walk herfirst 5K & get back on the golf course have helped make up for the styledeficit.

Virginia MamoneCause of Footdrop: Charcot-Marie Tooth (CMT)Virginia is a young vibrant mother of 3 with CMT, a degenerative diseasethat affects the peripheral nerves. When she was finally diagnosed after 15years of mysterious symptoms, it was a very rough adjustment, especially onceshe found out that 2 of her 3 children also had the hereditary disease. But thislittle woman has a big attitude & refused to resign herself to the dark abyss ofself-pity. She began participating in & moderating CMT support groups(where she found out about the ToeOFF) & now happily educates & providessupport for CMT sufferers in the Las Vegas area. She also writes a blog calledemBRACING my CMT in an effort to educate the public.

Prospective Teammates

For those wishing to join team up, we thank for your interest! Just by contacting us & others to share

your story, we already consider you a valued member of our GetBackUp team! We're very proud of the

inaugural 2013 TeamUP & look forward to adding new members (possibly later this year, but likely in

2014).

To submit for consideration as a part of Team UP, please send your story & any photos you think might

help illustrate it to [email protected]. Until we officially decide on new membership, you're

both welcome & encouraged to participate on any of our social media sites to share your ideas on how

we can all help more people faced with physical challenges GetBackUp!

Meet TeamUP

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