Fit-Well would like to congratulate one of our patients, Donna Page, who was selected to carry the Olympic torch on February 7, 2002 through Park City on its way to the opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics on February 8, 2002. Donna lost both her legs below the knee, and all of her fingers and thumbs on both hands in March of 2000, as a result from a very tough battle with Strep-A infection from toxic shock. This put Donna in the hospital for a stay of over four months.
There were many prayer groups around the world, along with family and friends who gave Donna tremendous support. Donna was very active, and also a marathon and triathlon runner prior to the infection. She has shown determination and spirit in her fight to regain back her life style and fulfill her goals. Donna has six children and eleven grandchildren, and she has been married for forty-five years. She is a tax consultant and enjoys all sports, including tennis, skiing, hiking, running, and bicycling.
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Donna is using a new type of suspension system, called the Harmony system, which uses V.A.S.S. technology. This system was developed by TEC in St. Cloud Minnesota. The system uses a vacuum pump in addition to a one way air valve to vacuum the air out of the socket and maintain suspension of the prosthesis. Donna loves the new sockets stating that they are very comfortable.
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Donna stated that she recommends being a torch bearer to every one, it was a wonderful experience. “About twenty thousand of my closest friends lined Main Street and rang bells, cheered and really hooped and hollered,” says Donna. “I kept hearing ‘Here comes Donna’ and ‘Go Donna’ from the rooftops and people around me.” Donna was able to share her torch run with her husband Dick, as she passed the torch to him and he also ran with it. Donna stated that Dick was kissed by more pretty girls than he could imagine and yes, he loved it.