Cascade Workshop Program Grows

Our passion is to improve kids’ mobility using the best techniques available. It’s something we share with you, and it’s why we make education a top priority. Through workshops, we can partner with you to bring the latest developments in the Cascade bracing strategy right into your clinic. Our goal is to be part of your team, teaching you as well as learning about your clinical applications.

In Cascade’s 27 years in business, thousands of orthotists, therapists, physicians, and other clinicians have taken part in our bracing workshops. Whether in a high-tech university conference center, a hotel meeting room, or the basement of a rural-town hospital, we’ve come to you to share our approach to dynamic pediatric bracing.

A common learning experience is a great foundation on which to build your team relationship. We encourage you to attend one of our upcoming workshops and invite your clinical associates.  There are several workshop options, from a half-day Fast Fit® orientation to advanced workshops on special topics. For a list of upcoming sessions, visit www.cascadedafo.com/workshops.

Which workshop is right for you?

• For practitioners new to pediatric bracing:
  Intro to Dynamic Bracing (1 day)
  An overview of the Cascade Dafo bracing strategy and the range of Cascade braces available.
  
  
• For clinicians who choose brace styles and may cast:
  DAFO® Casting Workshop (2 day)
  All the material in the introductory workshop plus hands-on casting techniques and in-depth case-study-based problem solving.
  
  
• For practitioners experienced with Cascade DAFOs:
  Advanced Topics in Dynamic Bracing (1 day)
  Brace-specific help for difficult presentations; may include strategizing to solve participant-driven challenges.
  
  
• For clinicians in need of off-the-shelf solutions:
  Fast Fit In-Service (½ day)
  Presentations common to children whose feet are fully correctable to a balanced position; highlights Fast Fit products — JumpStart® braces and shoe inserts.

Gearing up: new workshop coordinator

We are pleased to welcome Jessica Spencer to Cascade Dafo. The newest addition to our Business Development team, Jessica will help coordinate and grow our workshop program.
 
A 2002 graduate of Arizona State University, she has a background in public relations and business administration. Jessica planned events for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and most recently worked in the homebuilding industry. When Jessica is not working, she can be found training for marathons or exploring the outdoors with her husband and their dog.
The Business Development team, from left: Jessica Spencer, Annie Shannahan (manager), Jenny Klinski, and Karen Christenson.

You are the perfect host

Don’t see a workshop on our calendar that fits your schedule or location? Consider hosting a workshop in your area. It’s easy. All you need to do is to help us find a suitable location (your facility or another conference venue).

We’ll do all the rest—promote the workshop, handle registration, arrange travel, and apply for CEUs (if applicable). An added bonus: as the initiator, you pay a reduced rate for our courses.

There are distinct advantages to hosting a workshop. You can ask for special treatment of certain topics as needed. And by attending with your clinical associates, you set the stage for reaching consensus in a multi-provider bracing strategy.

If you’re curious about hosting a workshop, please talk with Jessica Spencer, Workshop Coordinator, jessicas@dafo.com, 800/848-7332.

Meet Our Presenters

These orthotist-clinicians work for Cascade P&O (Cascade Dafo’s sister company) or are longtime associates with a highly-developed working understanding of the Cascade bracing philosophy and its application. Through their practical experience, they inform the direction of Cascade Dafo.

Don Buethorn, CPO
Don, the founder and owner of Cascade P&O and Cascade Dafo, devotes his energies to serving patients through the development and application of dynamic ankle foot orthoses. Teaching courses to fellow clinicians throughout the country allows Don to share the knowledge he’s gained during 30 years of  innovation and experience  to help patients beyond the scope of his own practice. Don  enjoys canoeing and kayaking. Many of his best ideas are born while riding the waves. (University of Washington, 1980)

Cindy E. Diener, CPO
Cindy has been with Cascade P&O and Cascade Dafo since 1994. Her path to orthotics and prosthetics began with an interest in physical therapy, which led her to volunteer at an amputee rehabilitation facility. Now managing Cascade’s Ferndale office, she combines her desire to help her patients gain their best mobility with teaching opportunities nationally and internationally. She is an expert in biomechanical assessment and pediatric bracing. In her spare time, Cindy loves to hit the trails with her four horses. (Univ. of Washington, 1994)

Debbie Donaldson, CPO
Debbie discovered the P&O field at a young age, as her mother was a prosthetist-orthotist serving in India. Debbie enjoys working with people to make a difference in the quality of their lives. She manages Cascade P&O’s Mount Vernon, Washington, office and travels northwest Washington to evaluate and cast children for DAFOs. She is an avid golfer and enjoys woodworking. (Univ. of Washington, 1992)

Cidny Fox, CPO, FAAOP
Cidny has specialized in pediatric orthotic work since 1986.  She works at Orthotic Solutions, LLC, in Fairfax, Virginia, and has been teaching for Cascade Dafo since 1994.  A highly respected practitioner, Cidny maintains exacting standards and a wealth of knowledge that greatly benefit her patients and students alike.  When not working, Cidny enjoys competitive rollerblading.  (Univ. of Washington, 1982)

Bill Kunst, CO
Bill as been a practicing orthotist since 1982, and is the clinical pediatric manager at Wright and Filippis in Michigan. He has successfully founded two O&P businesses. Bill is frequently asked to teach courses and has written articles in his area of expertise, biomechanics. He enjoys hiking and the outdoors with his wife as well as spending time with his grandchildren. (Northwestern University, 1981)

Larry Paise, CPO
Larry spent an afternoon observing at a P&O clinic during his senior year in high school. When he saw a young boy run out of the office on his refurbished prosthetic leg, Larry knew this was what he wanted to do.  He completed his P&O residencies in Salem, Ore. and continued practicing there for seven years. He’s the latest addition to the Cascade clinical team. (Univ. of Washington, 2002)

 

Loretta Sheldon, ROA, CFo
Loretta Sheldon is the clinical assistant to Don Buethorn and manages the Education Resource team at Cascade Dafo. In her 11 years of service at Cascade Dafo, Loretta has worked with many aspects of the company from the technical support of practitioner customers to product development and clinical problem solving.

Register Online!

It just got easier to sign up for our workshops. You can now register online with a credit card. Simply click the online registration link at www.cascadedafo.com/workshops, fill in your information, and you’re enrolled!

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Workshop Highlights

• abundant use of video case studies

• instructors knowledgeable about Cascade bracing

• clinical problem-solving

• hands-on

• networking with other clinicians in the area

• patient demonstrations where applicable

• outstanding reference materials

• Cascade workshop kit (samples, swatches, casting items if applicable)

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Other Educational Tools for Practitioners

Product Selection Guide
A patient-centered evaluation of brace choices on an easy-to-read poster—a handy reference suitable for hanging in your facility.

Introduction to DAFO Braces
A practical resource booklet for patients and families. Cascade’s bracing philosophy, products (30 of them!), socks and shoes, and common bracing terms.

Cascade web videos
Case studies, Before-and-After demos, and educational videos to help you use our products, at www.cascadedafo.com/videos.

Optimization Index
A 12-page visual guide of 33 brace options you can order to handle 12 different challenges (like adding comfort for boney anatomy).

The Orthotist’s Role in Pediatric Mobility
An auto-running video presentation for orthotists to use as they detail their services to physical therapists and other members of the bracing team.

For more information, or if you would like to use these materials in your practice, tell Business Development (800/848-7332).