Sheila's and Dan Foust's powerpoint presentations on February 2nd were a success!  Dan started with his description of the hand transplant program at UPMC, followed by Sheila's segment of the Life-Changing Medicine video by Discovery Channel, and finally, Sheila's presentation of her experiences from surviving meningococcemia to her bilateral hand transplant surgery and post-surgery therapy.  I even spoke about my feelings and impressions regarding what Sheila had gone through and still does while she was making faces at the audience.  People lined up to meet Sheila and have their photos taken with her and Dan was peppered with questions about the Hand Transplant Program at UPMC even after we've left the room.

Both made a shorter presentation on February 3rd.  Mr. Kevin Carroll, the Vice-president for Prosthetics at Hanger invited me to say a few words which I kept short.  What we didn't know at the time was that Harold Sears of Motion Control in Utah was in the audience.  He had to leave shortly after the conference to catch his flight but we gave our cards to his colleague to let him know how much we regretted not to have met him.      
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The Hanger Orthopedic Group's Annual Education Fair will be held in Las Vegas from January 31 to February 4, 2012.  Sheila has been invited to speak on February 2nd and 3rd.  This will be a great opportunity for her to share her story.
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Youtube views 01/11/2012
 
I am surprised and tickled pink!   After just a week, my book trailer has had about 1700 views!  Check it out.
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I just uploaded a book trailer in youtube.  Check it out.  Here is the link:

http://youtu.be/0jGyHn6Lbw4
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_
Below is the link to order the book either in paperback or ebook format.  It is also available in amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and other internet booksellers.

http://www.booklocker.com/books/4311.html
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_ Sheila was part of UPMC's amazing program, Life-Changing Medicine.  It was aired on Discovery Channel at 8 am on September 10, September 17 and 24.  Here is the link:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1150157078001?bclid=1150154420001&bctid=1156023991001
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__September 18, 2011 was the first anniversary of Sheila's bilateral hand transplant.  She drove to Pittsburgh for her checkup at UPMC.  It's amazing how time goes.  The surgery has been a real blessing for her.  She works hard at her occupational therapy and we all marvel at her progress.

Here is a recent report from CBS Pittsburgh following Sheila's checkup at UPMC for the first anniversary of her bilateral hand transplant:

Double Hand Transplant Recipient Gaining Sensations, Functions « CBS Pittsburgh
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Sheila has taken up painting (acrylic) and has done several pieces.  I love her latest one, Fluidity.  From afar, it looks like an abstract piece but on closer look, you can see a face surrounded by long curly hair.  That the painting was done only in two colors makes it all the more interesting.
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