Paralympic Medalist to Help Mentor Northern California Amputees at Össur Running And Mobility Clinic Presented by Challenged Athletes Foundation

San Francisco, CA. — September 22, 2016 — More than 40 individuals with lower limb loss will gather on Saturday, September 24 at the Bladium Sports & Fitness Club in Alameda for an Össur Running and Mobility Clinic presented by the Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF).

Bronze Medalist from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Paratriathlon, Mohamed Lahna, will join the clinic and help mentor the participants as they work side-by-side with the Team CAF athlete and Össur ambassador.

The clinic, organized through a partnership between CAF and Össur, a global leader in prosthetics innovation, provides a safe and encouraging environment where attendees learn proper running form and technique through fun drills and exercises. The clinic is being presented at no cost to people with limb loss of all ages and skill levels in Northern California.

World-renowned gait experts Dr. Robert Gailey and Peter Harsch, CP, will teach new and experienced amputees how to achieve their running and mobility goals – whether learning to walk again, or fine-tuning their speed skills in sprinting. Participants will be supported by dozens of local volunteers.

The clinic will begin with a special grant presentation of an Össur Flex-Run foot with Nike Sole and Össur Cheetah knee to above-knee amputee Alex Henry of Sacramento, CA. The 14-year-old, who was very active as a swimmer, equestrian, and soccer player, lost her left leg two-years ago to Osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, but she kept her spirits high and continued to be involved in her passions. Alex dreams of competing as an elite-level equestrian.

Alex was first introduced to CAF in 2015 through her friend Breezy Bocheneck, who had experienced a similar situation. Alex attended CAF’s annual Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge (SDTC) shortly after her amputation. Although she was not ready to be fitted into a prosthetic leg and participate in the event at the time, she witnessed dozens of amputees running, swimming and biking, and realized what she would be capable of doing once she had the prosthesis to do so. Since then, Alex has participated in the Össur Running and Mobility Clinic presented by CAF in New York, with her every day leg. She also attended CAF’s 10-year anniversary of A Celebration of Heroes Heart and Hope Gala in New York, and was a participant of the Junior Seau Foundation Adaptive Surf Program Presented by CAF. The Mobility Clinic in Northern California will be Alex’s first experience with her new Össur Flex-Run foot, which will allow her to participate in every aspect of the clinic without limitations and continue to stay active.

“CAF believes that involvement in sport at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life, and this clinic provides opportunities and support specifically to people with limb loss, encouraging them to pursue more active lifestyles through physical fitness,” said Team CAF Athlete, four-time Boston Marathon finisher and Challenged Athletes Foundation Programs Director Dawna Callahan.

“Össur is pleased to have partnered with CAF over the past two decades, and to offer clinics like this one across the U.S. As a company, we are dedicated to continuously innovating so that more people like Alex may enjoy life without limitations.,” said Kim De Roy, CPO/PT, Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Education, Prosthetics for Össur Americas. 

Individuals interested in participating in the clinic can register here.

Individuals interested in volunteering can register here.

About the Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy lifestyles. CAF believes that participation in physical activity at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.  Since 1994, more than $76 million has been raised and over 13,000 funding requests from people with physical challenges in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give opportunities and support to those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles To learn more, visit challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

About Össur

Össur (NASDAQ: OSSR) is a global leader in non-invasive orthopaedics that help people live a life without limitations. Its business is focused on improving people’s mobility through the delivery of innovative technologies within the fields of Prosthetic, Osteoarthritis and Injury Solutions. A recognized “Technology Pioneer,” Össur invests significantly in research and product development—its award-winning designs ensuring a consistently strong position in the market. Successful patient and clinical outcomes are further empowered via Össur’s educational programs and business solutions. Headquartered in Iceland, Össur has major operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, with additional distributors worldwide. To learn more, visit www.ossur.com.

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