GelO News July 2013

RETURN of the BRUISER !!!
Problem: People forget. They really do. Sometimes it's because they get really busy or because enough time has passed that memory grows dim. In this case it would seem that many of you have forgotten about 'The Bruiser'. That's my name for our almost unbendable 180 degree Swing-away Lateral Support Hardware. Now some of you may see this as our problem, but I like to believe that for those of you for whom this product really solved the problem of "gorilla" care givers, bariatric patients and clients with high tone all unintentionally relocating or bending their lateral supports, this is a product you didn't mean to forget. Solution: I'm taking the time to remind those of you who loved it (and to introduce those of you are new to it) why this is simply the best Heavy Duty lateral support on the market today. For high tone, or bariatric clients (or "gorilla" care givers) this is the lateral that uses Sta-Rite's unique positional integrity design to assure correct positioning. Features: The interlocking crown arrangement on the lateral arm allows you to adjust the pad in or out. The position forward or back on the pad can be adjusted 2 ways: sliding into the desired position along the pair of 2" slots (spaced 1" apart to fit most lateral pads, though we recommend the Dimensions(TM) lateral pads - 5 standard sizes up to 8" x 9") on the portion of the bracket where the pad is attached. For extra forward length or to move further in or out, simply add extra links of the 'interlocking crowns' to lengthen the arm. These attach to the back of the back cane, either via StaRite Accessory clamps (7/8" or 1") or sturdy rail mounts (WARNING: don't use flimsy ones because the force exerted by high tone or weight can cause THEM to bend). Locked in place, they will not move, yet with the simple push of a button they swing away 180 degrees, locking in back until you want them returned. Newly improved to make use even easier, Gel Ovations is re-launching 'The Bruiser". It is available as left (SRLHL), right (SRLHR), or pair(SRLH). And as always, when you put them where you need them, they StaRite THERE. Cheers, Chris These Lateral Supports meet REAL client needs. Managers... who make a difference Many managers think that the cause of employee unhappiness and poor performance is beyond their control. They look at criteria like salaries and believe that since they have no control over the budget that they are powerless to grant raises or bonuses and, consequently, to affect change. But this just isn't true. Managers are often the number one reason why employees aren't performing at the level of which they are capable. In his book Drive, [http://www.danpink.com/books/drive/] Daniel Pink details the three major drivers for today's information based worker: autonomy, mastery and purpose. Employees look to have more control and independence in how their work gets done; they look to get better at what they do and they want to believe that the work they do has value, even a connection to a higher purpose. photo courtesy morguefile.com [http://www.morguefile.com/] The Harvard Business Review has identified five things that managers can do to affect positive change in low performing employees: Genuinely connect to your workers. Understanding what motivates an individual can keep you from treating all your employees the same. They aren't and when you treat them as if they were, you send a message that they aren't important to you. Keep communication open. Managers who make decisions in a void are seen as distant and unconcerned. Even when the news isn't good, it's good to share it. Be honest. Managers need to learn how to deliver difficult messages to employees. Too many shy away from the "hard conversations" that can earn them the respect that will make them more effective. Be encouraging. The work employees do is often thankless. Good managers inspire and motivate, not with flattery or platitudes, but by "catching people in the act of doing good". Trust your people and let them grow. Good managers recognize that delegating responsibility can be a powerful reinforcer. Managers sometimes fear that employees with a growing skill set can be a threat. The reality is that as your people grow and perform, your skills and talents become more evident as well. The bottom line is, whether you're managing a department or running a business, that you, as a manager, are often the single most powerful element in how your people perform. Stump Supports There are typically five issues relating to the use of stump supports. 1. Ease of installation 2. Adjustability 3. Maintaining set position 4. Ease of removal 5. High quality pads Our stump support addresses all of these issues brilliantly. Rather than using a ball joint which is difficult to manipulate, the stump support allows you to set each angle independently and using Sta-Rite(TM) technology, once position is set, it stays precisely where you've set it. The Sta-Rite(TM) technology isolates every angle to a single joint thereby greatly simplifying the task of both adjustment and installation on any 7/8" or 1"round tubing: Translation - you know longer need three hands to install it. Since the stump support fits the standard receiver, it can easily be interchanged with a standard leg rest when the client is wearing a prosthetic leg. The great pad is one of our Dimensions(TM) gel pads as noted below (You can use the larger 8" x 9" pad if you need it for a small additional charge) Sta-Rite Swing Away or Removable Stump Support w 6" x 7.5" DSSP 7/8" SRSSC Sta-Rite Swing Away or Removable Stump Support w 6" x 7.5" DSSP 1" SRSSD Sta-Rite Swing Away or Removable Stump Support w 6" x 7.5" DSSP Flat SRSSF OPTIONAL Dimensions 8" x 9" pad 89DSSP