Patient Stories: Alan Lyles

“Many thanks for your professional assistance in designing and making my orthotic work.” 

This was Alan Lyles’ response to our August call for entries to win a new Dankmeyer T shirt.  He was specifically referring to his orthotist, Marlies Beerli-Cabell, CPO.  For a bonus entry to the contest, he submitted some pictures of himself wearing his orthosis – both at home, and in Finland.  Yes, that ankle foot orthosis gets around!  We asked Alan to tell us more about his travels.

As it turns out, Professor Lyles (Alan Lyles, ScD, MPH, is the Henry A. Rosenberg Professor of Government, Business, and Nonprofit Partnerships in the College of Public Affairs at the University of Baltimore) was living, travelling and working on a Fulbright Specialist project in Finland last spring, and some of the orthosis pictures were taken in the airport in Vantaa, Finland.  In his lectures as part of this project, he stressed that “managing the health and social services reform … in a sustainable way requires courage and strong will from decision-makers and management.” (Alan Lyles. Finland’s Lesson: Being Happy Takes Work. The National Interest Blog. August 16, 2022. )

(If you have access to LinkedIn, you can read a post in LinkedIn from the institution where Alan spoke. While the post is in Finnish, you can click on the Translate button to get an English translation. Click here.)

Alan Lyles has experienced social reform in a very personal and direct way.  A child of poverty in the rural South, he was surrounded by illiteracy in the majority of his family members and he had poor health – having tuberculosis at a young age.  An aunt took over his care when he was seven, and despite her own limited formal education, she realized that Alan should have what she did not.  Her persistent pushes and in high school his mother’s setting more ambitious goals, lead to his eventual advanced education.  Two years ago, Alan wrote describing his upbringing and the challenges of achieving literacy in the Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, NC). Click here to read the article.

Eventually having achieved his Doctor of Science (ScD) and his Master of Public Heath degrees, he is currently a professor at the University of Baltimore – a far cry from his rural South roots of seventy years ago. His social and economic environment as a child formed his views on the need for education, healthcare communication, and to some extent happiness.  He has come to understand that happiness takes work, compromise, trust and what the Finns call sisu – or grit.  Alan writes, “These are the same things that allow us to face the complex issues of our times, whether you are wearing an orthosis, have some limb difference, or face any variety of social or economic challenges.”

We appreciate that Alan chose to share his story with us.




Patient Stories: Mr. Eddie Chapman

Meet Mr. Eddie Chapman!! He received his new osseointegrated body-powered transhumeral (above the elbow) prosthesis just the other day and he could not be happier!!!

Dankmeyer is at the forefront of and working alongside our various referral sources to incorporate osseointegration as an alternative method to traditional prosthetic fittings.

What is Osseointegration?

An osseointegration procedure is one that aims to enhance the function and mobility of people who have had an amputation. A metal implant is surgically implanted into the bone of the residual limb, which is attached directly to a prosthesis, removing the need for a prosthetic socket. In some cases, the surgery may take place in stages depending on which implant system is used. While osseointegration has been around since the 1950s in the dental field, the first osseointegration procedures for limbs were not done until the 1990s. There are pros and cons to this type of prosthetic use and you should work with your care team to determine if the osseointegration path is the right one for you.

We have a short video where Mr Chapman shows just a little of the osseointegrated device.

On this auspicious delivery day, his son even took off from a school field trip to take part in this new milestone for his dad!!

If you have any questions about the procedure or would like more information from your prosthetist, you can email info@dankmeyer.com or give us a call at 410-636-8114.

Story from Danny Weiser, Board Eligible Prosthetist Orthotist

Patient Stories: Ms. Laura Platter

Ms. Laura Platter has recently worked with our Western Maryland office staff, Rebecca (Becca) Frost, CPO and Heather Iman, Patient Services Representative , on a new Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis or KAFO.

Ms. Platter was diagnosed with cancer of the pelvis and spinal cord at 7 years old. She underwent extensive surgeries, including resection of the tumor, radiation, and reconstruction of the sciatic nerve (which provides control of the muscles of the left leg). Her first orthosis from Dankmeyer was an AFO, or ankle foot orthosis, for her left leg.

In 2015 her mobility was further impacted by a car accident. Her left leg was fractured, resulting in more surgeries. One operation fused the bones in her leg - meaning she has no movement in her left knee, ankle, or foot. As a result of all of the trauma, there is damage to her nerves, skin and bones which leaves Ms. Platter’s leg very sensitive to touch, as well as a limb length discrepancy (the left leg is shorter than her right leg).  

Ms. Platter has tried a number of different orthotic options over the years, but more recently has been using a walker and hopping to get around, which is tough on the rest of her body. While she has considered amputation, it is not an option at this time, so she has come back to Dankmeyer to find a creative solution.

Becca, along with our clinical and fabrication teams, has designed a new, unique KAFO for her. This new KAFO has a prosthetic foot at the bottom, allowing her to bear weight on both legs, correct her leg length discrepancy, and protect her sensitive skin. It also allows her to wear a regular shoe to match what she wears on the right side. The prosthetic foot helps to provide motion similar to an ankle, making it easier to walk around. In Historic Western Maryland, which has a lot of hills and brick sidewalks, this is a great mobility advantage.

Using this orthosis has allowed her to take her first steps without a walker for the first time in 15 years! Ms. Platter is so very happy with her new KAFO and relieved that for the first time in a very long time, she can walk without pain in her hands or legs, and without fear of falling.

We are so proud to be a part of Ms. Platter’s care team and can’t wait to see what she does with her new mobility! Take a look at this change from test walk to delivery video clip!

Patient Stories: Carly Pays It Forward

We have a very special story to share about something coming from a child’s heart.

Carly is one of Dankmeyer’s pediatric prosthetic patients. Her prosthetist is Mary Reedy, CP. Carly was very kind to bring beautiful pink spring tulips into the Baltimore Washington office on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, to thank everyone at Dankmeyer for helping her. They were placed on the counter in the administration area so everyone at the office that day could see them. Pictures were shared with satellite office staff so they could enjoy them as well.

Carly’s thoughtfulness did not end there. She came bearing gifts - gifts for other children.

During the early days of Carly’s rehab, she received a book called Molly the Pony. The story is about a horse who had its leg amputated and then received a prosthesis. Carly gifted three of these books, each with inspiring homemade bookmarks, and packaged in its own gift bag. She has requested we provide the books to any children who may need a little inspiration.

We are very honored that Carly entrusted us to pass on this kindness. She hopes that a new recipient could take a photo to be shared with Carly during her next appointment!

Patient Stories: Video Stars Isiah, Megan and Peter

One of the things we love at Dankmeyer is the appointment when we are able to provide the finished prosthesis or orthosis for a patient that gets them back to improved or first time mobility! These appointments can be joyful celebrations with family and Dankmeyer team members celebrating this significant “step”! As part of this delivery appointment, the patient learns how to take the device on and off (don and doff), how to care for and clean the device, the importance of monitoring the skin for redness or irritation, and discussion of fit and function. A followup appointment is made so that any questions are adjustments can be made after that initial use.

Today we have three different videos to share that show some of these first steps. We are so excited that Isiah Brown, Peter McDevitt and Megan Norton agreed to share this occasion to show others their experience.

Mr. Isiah Brown’s delivery day was an appointment with his prosthetist Robb Brown, CPO, at our North Baltimore office.

In another delivery appointment, Megan Norton receives her orthoses. Her orthotist, Jeremy Halteman, CPO was joined by Resident Danny Weiser (our narrator) at our Baltimore Washington office for this appointment. In this video, we see Megan’s gait before she wears her new orthoses, and then after - so you can see the improvement.

Once more video to share this time. This is Peter McDevitt, also at our Baltimore Washington office, with his prosthetist Jeremy Halteman, CPO. Peter is a bilateral lower limb amputee and we see him both in the office, and in a video from home which he contributed.

Thank you to each of our contributors, Isiah, Megan and Peter, for sharing these very special events with everyone.