My name is John Heffner, and I have a disease probably most of you have not heard of. It’s called RSDS - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome/Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. It’s a disease that takes control of your nervous system and your muscles, causing chronic pain seven days a week. It can go from mild to severe in an instant.

Back in 2002, I was in a work accident where 1500 lbs of steel came loose, pinning me down, doing a lot of damage to my body. One leg was twisted all around and the accident also injured my back. After many different surgeries and much therapy, I was so glad to get out of my wheelchair - even though I still suffer from relapses which put me back in there occasionally.

To be able to get around I have to wear KAFO (Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis) braces, which go from the top of both of my legs down to my toes. These have been made by Dankmeyer. I also use forearm crutches. I can’t stand for very long, nor can I sit long, but without the equipment that Dankmeyer makes for me every year I would be permanently stuck in a wheelchair. I appreciate the good products they make and quality of care that they provide.

I am working on a fundraiser for RSDS - it is the second annual Virtual Walk Event on June 26, 2021. My team is the “Jay Heffner” team, and you can join me by clicking on this link. - John Heffner

Mr. Heffner’s orthotist is Rebecca Frost, CPO, in our Cumberland area office. Becca has provided some close up images of KAFO examples. You can also see Mr. Heffner wearing his KAFOs in the photo he provided below. Becca explains that a KAFO supports muscle weakness affecting the knee, ankle, and foot. This would include knee buckling, joint laxity or muscle balance causing hyper extension, deformity, etc. Muscles affected would include everything BELOW the hip - the front and back of the thigh, the lower leg, and foot.