Augusta Orthotics & Prosthetics Inc.            

I am sincerely grateful for everything that AOPI has done for my son.  He is now almost 11 years old and received his first functional prosthetic arm from AOPI when he was four years old.  When he was six, he was fitted with a myoelectric arm which had an incredible impact on his self-esteem.  Then, the Air Force reassigned us to California and we were not able to find anybody out there that would work with TRICARE (the military’s insurance company).  We returned to Augusta just as he turned 9 years old and TRICARE sent us to another company in

Augusta who spent 13 months making an arm that was completely not functional.  I decided to leave the Air Force and get better health insurance with the intent of returning to AOPI so I could get him an arm.  By this time, he had gone almost three years without a proper arm.  With my current insurance, we were able to return to AOPI 5 months ago (JAN 07).  They warmly welcomed us back and immediately began making him the arm that he desired.  Being a kid, he wanted something cool to show off at school.  They put together an incredible arm that features Captain Jack Sparrow of Pirates of Caribbean.  The combination of the arm being so functional and “cool” has revolutionized his outlook on how he does normal day-to-day activities.  We will be forever grateful for all the beautiful kindhearted people at AOPI.  They are a blessing to the community and a very important part of my son’s life.  Therefore, the following is from him:

 

I’m very happy because this helps me with a lot of stuff that I could not do before.  When I took my arm to school mostly everybody in the fourth grade classes said that the arm is awesome.  When my friend Charlie got in the room he said, “cool!”  Thank you for making this arm for me, it is very cool and nice!   

                       

 

Jihad Shakur

 

I would like to thank the wonderful folks at Augusta Prosthetics (AOPI) who helped me get my life back and who still continue to meet my needs. I am a 51-year old FBI Special Agent assigned in the Republic of Turkey. Three years ago, while on leave in Augusta, GA, I was involved in a motorcycle accident that nearly severed my left leg below the knee and broke my right leg. The left leg was amputated that same night. Soon after the accident, I visited Augusta Prosthetics in my wheelchair. I realized immediately everyone there was genuinely concerned about both my physical and mental needs. I also knew I wouldn't need to look any further for a prosthetist. As soon as the broken right leg healed, AOPI had me walking again. A couple weeks later, I was riding a bicycle (and a Harley) again. Four months after I started walking, the FBI declared that I was fit to return to duty in Turkey (The FBI doctors originally believed it would be at least a year before I was even ready to be evaluated). After passing a State Department physical, I was back at my old job, working long hours everyday in Turkey. Later, AOPI built me a fantastic prosthetic that I use when I'm swimming or SCUBA Diving so I am able to enjoy these things again, as well as, golf, tennis, basketball and hiking/camping. Prosthetics are not a "one size fits all" science and every amputee is different. The AOPI team has the education, skills and experience necessary to meet these individual needs. Due to their commitment and compassion, they make sure that every customer is satisfied that he/she has the best possible prosthetic. My special problem is that I live 5,000 miles away from Augusta, GA. To meet that challenge, AOPI taught me how to make minor adjustments to my prosthetic leg, gave me plenty of spare parts and educated me on skin care and other related issues before I returned to Turkey. Now anytime I need a new Gel-Liner, prosthetic sock or other item, AOPI is only a phone call or e-mail away and they ship me the needed item immediately. About once a year, I travel back to the states and I always look forward to my visit to AOPI. I don't think I have ever bonded with anyone so quickly and I'm proud to now call everyone there my good friends. My sincere hope is that every amputee will find a prosthetic company like AOPI. Sincerely, E. Keith Owens

The Website link is:

http://Owens2.gotfamiliesonline.com

Words with ...
  ALAT E. KEITH OWENS

 

Chasing after international terrorists and global criminals in Turkey is dangerous enough, but it was a motorcycle accident here in the U.S. that nearly took the life of Ankara

Assistant Legal Attache E. Keith Owens in the summer of 2003. ALAT Owens lost a limb that tragic day, but got through the tough times and is now back on the job, thanks to unwavering support from across the  Bureau. In gratitude for that support, he approached us  with his story, and we talked with him recently about his  ordeal, the compassion of his colleagues, and his 
renewed appreciation for the FBI family.

HOW DID THE ACCIDENT HAPPEN?
I’d come back to the states for some R&R, specifically to take a motorcycle trip with my children and their families. Later, my wife and I went to visit our friends in Augusta, Georgia, where I had been assigned to an RA for 15 years. On July 1, I was riding by myself on my rented Harley-Davidson when two SUVs on the other side of the road slammed into each other. One crossed the center turn lane, smashed into the left side of my bike, and crushed my leg. At first, I didn’t know I was hurt, but when I tried to stand up I realized my left leg was almost severed.

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING IN THOSE FIRST TERRIBLE MOMENTS?
It’s funny, I wasn’t thinking about dying. I was only wondering, “Will I be an agent tomorrow?” It’s times like that when we realize we’ve become the job. We can’t take it off when we come home or leave it behind when we go on vacation. As corny as it may sound, we are the FBI 24/7.

WHAT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT?
I was taken by helicopter to the Medical College of Georgia. The doctors recommended amputating my left leg below the knee. They told me that they might be able to save the leg through a series of operations over the next two years, but the prospect of putting my life on hold for that long and going through all those operations wasn’t very appealing. I talked with my wife about it, prayed to God for strength, and told the doctors to get on with the amputation.

WHEN DID THE SUPPORT FROM THE BUREAU START?
Almost immediately. When I was in the trauma room waiting for an operating room to open up, my old friend Bill “Omar” McBride, the chief of police at the hospital, started bringing in friends of mine who had hurried to the hospital after the accident. One of the first people I saw was my former SSRA Ed Reinhold. When I woke up the next morning after the operation, standing there were Atlanta SAC Ted Jackson, ASACs Harry Bowen and Arthur Webster, and SSRA Reinhold. A short while later, Deputy Director Gebhardt and then Director Mueller both called. I also got phone calls from EAD Charlie Prouty and SAC Rod Beverly of International Operations, as well as a ton of letters, e-mails, and phone calls from around the FBI. EAD Prouty, a former Navy Seal, also introduced me to a Navy Seal who had lost his leg years earlier and returned to active duty. That individual steered me to a prosthetic manufacturer near  Columbus, Ohio , where I found the amazing prosthetic foot I wear today. Perhaps most supportive of all was my boss, Legat Mike Dorris. When I suggested that my recovery would take a while and that he might want to post my job, Mike said he didn’t want anyone else as his ALAT and that no one in the Bureau could do the job as well as me.

HAS THE EXPERIENCE CHANGED THE WAY YOU SEE THE FBI?
Absolutely. I was overwhelmed that a relatively unknown agent like me could receive so much love, support, and encouragement from all levels of the Bureau. It makes me realize even more what a great organization this is and what an honor it is to be part of it. It’s reassuring to know that the Bureau still takes care of its own and that we really are a family.

 

Keith Owens