Hi guys! I have been meaning to contact you and let you know how Ezra is doing. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to come home with our new braces. Seeing Ezra back on his feet has been such a huge relief for my husband and me, as well as for Ezra. This has been such a long stretch of not walking and the physical and mental weight of that was getting pretty heavy. We are so grateful for your artistry, Mitch. You are our own personal miracle worker! I so appreciate your methods as well as your ongoing quest for new information and techniques to add to your "toolbox". Ezra is doing fantastic.
We are taking it slow, as 7 months off his feet took a toll. Yesterday, Ezra walked down to our creek for the first time in what seems like forever. It is quite a feat for him, as it is challenging at the best of times due to it being steep. It was definitely a "Yahoo!" moment for me seeing him come down. I am including a few pictures of him in his element (our backyard). We are so pleased with our braces. Remember Mitch, you are not allowed to retire for many, many years, what would we do without you? Thank you so much for your methods, ideas, time, visions of ambulation, and pure artistic skills. We will stay in touch! Thank you for everything. As always, the whole experience was incredible. Until next time! Sincerely, Lesley
I was born in 1977. As a child, as I learned to walk, I found myself tripping/falling quite a lot, and my parents took advice from a consultant who stretched/lengthened the achilles tendons in both of my ankles. This, however, did not really stop me from falling. After further consultation and tests I was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth. In turn, I began using standard AFOs from about the age of 5. I have used AFOs, and more recently the Blue Rocker AFOs since that time, yet my balance has never improved and I remained unsteady on my feet. I found Ortho Rehab Designs in Las Vegas by searching on the internet, and in August 2010 I traveled to Las Vegas from my home in Ireland to be fitted with the Helios braces. I stayed in Las Vegas for two weeks, since the distance from Ireland made it prohibitive to travel back and forth. My experience with Ortho Rehab Designs and particularly Mitch was excellent.
I needed my new braces adjusted, and Mitch and his team carried out these adjustments immediately. I must say, I quickly became accustomed to walking with the Helios. Through using the Helios braces I have much better balance. I do not dread having to stand in the centre of a room (previously I would always have positioned myself near a wall or bench to ensure I could support myself), and can even stand while holding a glass at a party, something I would never have done for fear of falling or spilling the contents. Since having my Helios braces I have married Mary, the mother of my beautiful daughter Valentina. I had always put off the wedding for fear of walking down the aisle. I had a fantastic day at our wedding and did not have any trips or falls, and even danced the first dance. I have no hesitation in recommending Mitch and everyone at Ortho Rehab Designs, as they have improved my balance, my mobility and the quality of my life immeasurably.
On February 1, 2010, Mitch took videos of me walking with AFO braces and barefoot, then casted my legs. The next day I received "diagnostic braces," custom-made from the casting. Mitch asked me to stand. After talking for a while, Mitch told me I had been standing for ten minutes without holding onto anything. I hadn't done this in years. Mitch spent the next while making adjustments, checking for comfort, fit, etc. Mitch gave me the "finished" Helios on February 4, 2010. I put them on. My wife and Mitch watched as I did things I hadn't done in years; stood, walked in circles, bent over and touched my toes, did pirouettes, walked backwards, and danced all with near perfect balance and no support. This was very emotional for Mary and I. The sensation of weakness around the ankles was gone completely. Outside Mitch's office, I walked 50 yards and back with confidence and delight. The Helios were incredibly comfortable because the foot section was custom fitted to each foot. Every day since February 4, 2010 has been pure delight whether I'm standing, walking from the car to the Giant Store, or walking 2 to 3 miles. My legs feel "normal" and strong from the moment I put the Helios on every morning. Here is what I want people to know about the Helios:
1. The Helios have been life changing every day. They are not just a little bit better than the other braces I've had. They are exponentially better because they are custom made for my feet and legs and have completely changed my ability to walk, my enjoyment of walking and my self image as a "disabled" person. I can't believe I walk at least two miles several times a week and enjoy it. I can stand anywhere hands free without fear of losing my balance.
2. The Helios are energy-storing. I didn't understand the concept of "energy storing" until after I had the Helios for a while. The Helios flex behind the calf, not at the ankle. They store energy like a bow stores energy right before you release the bow cord holding the arrow. When I walk through a shopping mall, I feel like I am "gliding." I walk almost as fast as I did before CMT. I sense the "stored energy" of the Helios most when I'm simply standing in a store line or in the kitchen, moving a little, then stopping, or when I'm standing on a street corner or in an elevator; I feel like I have new muscles "flexing" in my lower legs as I make slight adjustments for balance. I marvel daily at this simple pleasure.
3. The results that I have achieved from the Helios are unquestionably worth the cost of the Helios and the expense of travel.
Thank you Mitch for the genius of the Helios' design; for treating Mary and I while we were in Las Vegas, as if we were your only, and most important, patients and for what is for me no less than a miracle in having mobility, balance and dignity that is to say, my life restored.
Hello. My name is Traci. I am a 21 year old female who was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease when I was 15. My life was difficult throughout high school because I have bilateral foot drop and have always walked "funny". A couple of months ago, however, my life completely changed. I went to visit Dr. Glenn Pfeffer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to see if he could help me with my situation. He was absolutely wonderful. He was the first doctor that I have met who actually knew what CMT is! He recommended that I visit Mitchell Warner in Las Vegas to get the Helios braces. In November, I made the trip from Florida to Nevada to receive my braces. Now I walk completely normal with them on!!! I LOVE THEM!
They are the most wonderful things in the world and I never want to be without them again. Before getting them, I was falling at least three times a week. Now, I never fall. I can walk faster than some of my friends. My boyfriend calls me "fast-walker" now. It's so awesome. Everyone with CMT should know about the Helios braces. Dr. Pfeffer was wonderful in sending me to see Mitch to receive them. Mitch was incredibly nice and very thorough. He explained everything to me very well. Not only did he change the way I walk, but he changed my life completely. I am the happiest that I have been in five years.
Hi Mitch, Now that some better weather has arrived and my time commitments have lessened, I have been able to get out on my bicycle with my Helios. In the last 9 days, I have done three 20 mile rides and today a 51 mile ride. That has been my longest ride in 3 1/3 years since my peripheral neuropathy exacerbated. The route today had numerous hills and a strong head wind. The ride out was 45 minutes longer than the ride back. While I was the slowest of the 5 riders, I made it up every hill. There is no way I could have done this ride without my Helios. Pat
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