Young Kosovo Veteran Grateful for Help From U.S. Friends

Haxhi (Hod-gee) Dervisholli, a 29-year-old ethnic Albanian, was enjoying an opportunity to work in the United States for a roofing company until early in 1999 when hostilities erupted between Serbian and ethnic Albanian Kosovars in Kosovo, his homeland. Haxhi decided to return home to serve in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and, within a few months, his right leg below the knee was destroyed by a grenade. He was being treated at a makeshift Kosovo hospital when a visiting Geraldo Rivera film crew made arrangements to airlift him to the United States for prosthetic care. The subsequent film segment about Haxhi, aired on CNBC's "Geraldo Live," was brought to the attention of Stuart Weiner, C.P.O., Director of Nouveau Prosthetics and Orthotics, Hazlet, New Jersey.

"I believe in giving back to the community," Weiner said, "so I donate my services at least once a year to a patient who can't otherwise afford a prosthesis." Weiner was particularly impressed by this self-sacrificing young man from Kosovo.

The television producer put Weiner in contact with Haxhi last summer and, after an initial examination, Weiner discovered his new patient had severe infections in his amputated limb as well as in his left leg which was injured by shrapnel. Brooklyn physiatrist Kevin Weiner, MD., provided medical attention and, in a few weeks, antibiotics cured the infection and prosthetic fitting could begin.

"I had Haxhi's temporary prosthesis ready early last summer," Weiner explained. "The Geraldo crew was still following his rehabilitation and showed up at our Hazlet office for the initial fitting. As soon as he received his new leg, Haxhi walked through the parallel bars and climbed up and down 30 steps without any assistance whatsoever. It was just amazing. Of course, he's young and strong. But you rarely see a new amputee just get up and take off walking."

In addition to his initial training prosthesis, Weiner designed, fit, and fabricated a high-performance prosthetic limb and a specially-adapted swimming leg for Haxhi. He was able to return to Kosovo by September 1999. In January, he returned for an interim examination and final fitting of his prosthesis.

Asked whether his future included returning to the U.S., the former solder replied, "I am going to stay in Kosovo and work in the KLA veteran's society to try and help other soldiers injured in the fighting. A European international organization is training Albanian doctors to fit artificial legs for our soldiers and for civilians. But, of course, those legs won't be as beautiful - as high quality - as my leg. I feel so beautiful now; I can walk, I can run, do what I want to do - same as before."

In addition to expressing gratitude to his American prosthetist, Haxhi is trying to coax Weiner to visit Kosovo and provide first-hand instruction in prosthetic fabrication. And Stuart Weiner may just take Haxhi up on the offer.




STARscanner, STARband cranial helmets making a difference in the lives of New York children
New York City infant benefits from cutting-edge treatment

NEW YORK CITY – May 21, 2009 – Infant Mary Caulfield spent too much time laying on her back in a crib while in foster care in Guatemala before being welcomed into the New York City home of Bruce and Cathy Caulfield. As a result, Mary developed plagiocephaly, a flattening of the back or side of the head caused by resting for prolonged periods in one position.

Stuart Weiner, CPO, a specialist at Cranial Remolding Center evaluated Mary and fit her with Orthomerica’s STARband cranial helmet, a custom fabricated helmet made from plastic and foam from Mary’s unique head shape measurements.  The helmet is worn 23 hours per day for several months, channeling front head growth by applying gentle pressure on protruding areas while leaving room for growth in depressed areas, redirecting growth.
“After four months of treatment and a few adjustments, Mary is a happy and healthier child,” said Mary's father Bruce Caulfield.

Cranial Remolding Center uses the STARscanner, a revolutionary eye-safe Class 1 laser system that allows a child’s head to be scanned in less than two seconds.  Providing detailed measurements, the scanner process is faster and cleaner than plaster casting formerly used to obtain the same information. STARscanner measurements are regularly obtained before, during and after treatment to ensure the best helmet fit and optimal outcomes.
"This conservative form of treatment often eliminates the necessity of more extreme intervention," Weiner said.  "The use of this scanner provides an exact helmet fit and the data reveals to physicians and reimbursement sources just how well cranial remodeling is progressing."

Morganville infant benefits from cutting-edge treatment

HAZLET, NEW JERSEY – May 21, 2009 –  When little Max Kornhauser was six months old, his parents were shocked to note that Max’s head was becoming very flat on one side. The family immediately sought medical attention.

The diagnosis? Plagiocephaly.

Plagiocephaly can develop when babies rest for prolonged periods in one position in an infant carrier or crib.  It can also be acquired as a result of crowding intra utero or in twins or multiple births.
Joe Ghizzone, a specialist at Nouveau Prosthetics and Orthotics, first evaluated Max at six months of age and fit him with Orthomerica’s STARband cranial helmet, a custom fabricated helmet made from plastic and foam from Max’s unique head shape measurements.  The helmet is worn 23 hours per day for several months, channeling head growth by applying gentle pressure on protruding areas while leaving room for growth in depressed areas, redirecting growth.
“Joe was very friendly and patient, and his easy manner made an otherwise nervous and anxious experience pleasant,” said Max’s mother, Anne Kornhauser. 

Nouveau uses the STARscanner, a revolutionary Class 1 eye-safe laser system that allows a child’s head to be scanned in less than two seconds.  Providing detailed measurements, the scanner process is faster and cleaner than plaster casting formerly used to obtain the same information. STARscanner measurements are regularly obtained before, during and after treatment to ensure the best helmet fit and optimal outcomes.

"This conservative form of treatment often eliminates the necessity of more extreme intervention," said Stuart Weiner, CPO of Nouveau Prosthetics and Orthotics.  "The use of this scanner provides an exact helmet fit and the data reveals to physicians and reimbursement sources just how well cranial remodeling is progressing.

Morris Plains infant benefits from cutting-edge treatment

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY – May 21, 2009  –  When Grace Helmer of Morris Plains was four months old, her parents discovered her head was becoming very flat on one side. When the problem hadn’t corrected by Grace’s six-month checkup, her pediatrician referred Grace to a neurosurgeon who diagnosed her with plagiocephaly.

Plagiocephaly can develop as a result of babies resting for prolonged periods in one position in an infant carrier or crib.  It can also be acquired as a result of crowding intra utero or in twins or multiple births.

Stuart Weiner, CPO, a specialist at Cranial Remolding Center evaluated Grace and fit her with Orthomerica’s STARband cranial helmet, a custom fabricated helmet made from plastic and foam from Grace's unique head shape measurements.  The helmet is worn 23 hours per day for several months, channeling head growth by applying gentle pressure on protruding areas while leaving room for growth in depressed areas.

“I can’t imagine the consequences of not seeking treatment,” said Grace’s mother, Nicki Helmer.  “It corrects the shape of your child’s head and helps prevent them from having vision and jaw problems.  It was well worth it, and her head shape is beautiful now!” 

Cranial Remolding Center uses the STARscanner, a revolutionary Class 1 eye-safe laser system that allows a child’s head to be scanned in less than two seconds.  Providing detailed measurements, the scanner system is faster and cleaner than plaster casting formerly used to obtain the same information. STARscanner measurements can be easily obtained before, during and after treatment to ensure the best helmet fit and optimal outcomes.

"This conservative form of treatment often eliminates the necessity of more extreme intervention," Weiner said.  "The use of this scanner provides an exact helmet fit and the data reveals to physicians and reimbursement sources just how well cranial remodeling is progressing."