When a looming leg surgery threatened to keep Reece Barham out of the dugout, the Hartfield Academy student and baseball statistician handled the challenge like a major leaguer.

Reece and his parents chose Methodist Outpatient Therapy for his post-operative care, knowing he would need therapy equipment and technology only available at MRC.

“I think I have probably touched nearly every machine they’ve got in there,” Reece said. Reece completed outpatient therapy and is pleased with his progress. “I am definitely in less pain, and I can tell my endurance is better,” he said.

After a visit to MRC’s Assistive Technology Seating Clinic, the Barhams also decided to upgrade Reece’s wheelchair. Its expanded features will help Reece as he plans to navigate college campuses after high school.

With stronger legs and a new wheelchair chair for backup, Reece is ready to step up to the plate.

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For Whitley McQueen, getting her driver’s license means a path to greater independence.

The 20-year-old from Kiln has restrictive lung disease and is dependent on a ventilator to breathe. After graduating from college last fall, she’s ready to get out into the workforce and into the driver’s seat for the first time.

Whitley recently enrolled in Methodist Outpatient Therapy’s Driver Rehabilitation Program, which provides evaluations and training for people with disabilities.

Led by occupational therapist Ashlee Ricotta, one of only three Certified Driving Rehab Specialists in the state, the program works closely with each student to meet their specific needs and get them certified to drive.

“Driving was stressful when I first started, and I thought it would be easier,” McQueen said. “But Ashlee has been really nice and helpful the whole way.

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“You do what you have to do.”

That’s the attitude J. Carmen Arevalo took when he was told his leg needed to be amputated after it was crushed in an on-the-job accident.

And it’s the mantra he adhered to as he learned to walk again with an above-the-knee prosthesis from Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics. And one he repeated as he continued to amaze his caregivers at Methodist Outpatient Therapy.

“I’ve seen very few people at any age with his type of injury do what he can do,” said his physical therapist Karen Klein.

At 60, Arevalo is thankful he can remain independent and continue to do household chores like yard work. And he says it’s thanks to the people at MRC.

“Everyone is so nice and good at their jobs,” he said. “They do everything they have to do to make you better.”

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After an ATV accident led to an above-the-knee amputation of his left leg at age 17, Chandler Norman was determined to walk again.

“I had to go through a lot of healing, but I knew I would do whatever I had to do to walk again with a prosthetic leg,” he said.

And he did just that with the help of physical therapy at Methodist Outpatient Therapy and the expertise of Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics, both located at Methodist Rehabilitation Center’s Flowood campus.

Working closely with Norman’s physical therapist Karen Klein, certified prosthetist Taylor Hankins fit him with the military grade Otto Bock X-3 prosthetic knee.

“Somebody as young and active as him needed something pretty robust,” Hankins said.

It’s allowed the outdoorsy Norman to get back to his active lifestyle and back to work for his grandfather’s landscaping company.

“Taylor and Karen are awesome,” Norman said. “I wouldn’t ever go anywhere else. Methodist became my family.”

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In 2015, Nancy Smith had to undergo a complete hip disarticulation to save her life. It’s an amputation of the entire leg through the hip joint, one of the rarest.

When she came to Methodist Rehabilitation Center for rehab after the surgery, she was surprised to find there was hope for her to walk again.

Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics prosthetist Taylor Hankins had helped build prostheses for two patients with the same amputation. Most prosthetists may never see one in their entire career, as they account for less than 1 percent of all amputations.

Using his experience and the latest technology, Hankins built a device that allows Smith to walk and even keep up with her two beloved pooches, Rowdy and Crash.

“I can’t imagine having gone anywhere else that could do what Methodist has done for me,” Smith said. “I’m lucky that God put the best people ever in front of me.”

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After losing his right foot in an on-the-job accident, Brandon Vickers of Sturgis thought his summer pastime of wake boarding might be left high and dry.

Not so, thanks to a special waterproof prosthesis he wears that was customized by Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics.

The Flowood clinic has the expertise, tools and technology to build whatever patients may need. So staff clinicians ask patients about which hobbies and interests they would like to get back to doing.

Now Brandon’s back on the water where he belongs, doing what he loves.

“I don’t like being inside just cooped up,” he said. “I’ve always been an outdoors kind of person—I like to hunt and fish, all types of sports.”

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As a former boxer, bull rider and construction worker, tough guy Roy Eavenson was never the type to ask for help.

So imagine his frustration when he lost his left hand in an industrial accident. “I was real blue,” he said. “There were so many things I couldn’t do.”

But ever since Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics custom-fit Eavenson with a bionic hand, he’s found few activities out of reach on his 30-acre spread in Covington County.

He gives a big thumbs-up to the device’s five-finger functionality—particularly the pinch that lets him get dressed independently. “A one-armed fellow has a hard time buttoning his Levis, particularly when they’re kind of small,” he says.

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Houston, Miss. native Shaquille Vance thought his days of excelling at sports might be over after a 2009 sports injury forced an above-the-knee amputation of his right leg.

His athletic career began anew when Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics custom built a hi-tech prosthetic running leg centered around a carbon-fiber blade known as a “cheetah” foot. And their continued support helped him make the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team as a track and field competitior.

“This has really been a blessing for me,” Vance said. “I wouldn’t be where I am right now without Methodist Rehab. They did a lot for me.”

Vance has surpassed everyone’s expectations. He took silver in the Men’s 200-meter T42 race at the London Paralympics, the first shining achievement in what is sure to be an amazing career.

Back at home in Mississippi, Vance’s accomplishments are inspiring others and garnering awareness for athletes with disabilities.

“I love being able to inspire the kids to know that life comes with a lot of difficult obstacles, but there is always a way to overcome,” Vance said.

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When she was asked to model her prosthesis for an Ossür ad, Ann Marie Rivera couldn’t say no to the Icelandic company that manufactured her left foot and ankle. 

“Being a nurse, I always like to help people,” she says. “I was glad to show that people can do whatever they love to do without any limitations.”

After a sports injury forced the amputation of her lower left leg, Ann Marie sought the expertise of Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics staff. They test prosthetic breakthroughs for companies across the world, and they knew Ossür’s revolutionary Unity vacuum system would be a good fit for a busy pediatric nurse.

Now Ann Marie doesn’t worry when she kneels to comfort frightened children or hurries to handle emergencies. And she credits Methodist for making her a “model” patient.

“They have been absolutely wonderful since the moment I walked in the door,” she said. “They’re so knowledgeable and fit me with the perfect prosthesis. I have no trouble at all being on my feet.”

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Josie Azlin loves following Daddy everywhere he goes, and Matt Azlin is happy to oblige. The jaunts are a joyous reminder that life is back to normal at the Leland family farm. “Whatever Daddy is doing, Josie and her big brother, Hayes, love to be with him,” says their mom, Katherine.
 
Azlin faced an uncertain future after an accident forced the amputation of his lower right leg. But he now feels comfortable and secure as he tromps across fields, climbs onto tractors or horses around with his two favorite farmhands.
 
Credit for his confident stride goes to staff at Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics. They custom designed a limb that handles the demands of Delta farming – and the hijinks of curious kids. Hayes took the leg to Show-and-Tell, and Josie added her own special touch – pink toenails!

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After his lower left leg was amputated, Kenny Buford of Crystal Springs expected a life full of limitations.

Then the Navy veteran met Brad Kennedy, a Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics staffer who once bicycled across Europe to showcase the capabilities of his high-tech artificial leg.

“He’s an above-the-knee amputee, and he really inspired me,” says Kenny. “He made me realize I can do anything I want.”

Kenny trained to become a prosthetic technician at Methodist O&P. And now he and Brad share a common passion – road-testing new equipment for prosthetic manufacturers. “I like it because I feel like I’m helping bring new technology to market,” Kenny says.

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