Our Legacy

The BBB International Torch Awards program recognizes outstanding businesses and individuals. This year Snell’s Orthotics • Prosthetics was awarded the Consumer Commitment Award.

Consumer Leadership Award – Snell’s Orthotics • Prosthetics was presented this award for significantly advancing marketplace trust through consumer advocacy, protection or education, through a specific action or lifetime achievement.

Photo: From left Robert Wilson, Janet Parker-Executive Director The Arc Caddo-Bossier, Clint Snell.  Seated:  Mattie Wilson.

Since 1954 The Arc Caddo-Bossier has led the state in the implementation of innovative and effective programs that meet the ever-growing needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  The Arc Caddo-Bossier Foundation’s Society is a group of people who know the value of The Arc’s programs and are helping ensure the future of these essential services in our community.

As Secretary of The Arc Caddo-Bossier Foundation, I attended the organization’s annual Appreciation Dinner on April 9, 2013. This is always an enjoyable event that I look forward to each year.   The evening is devoted to celebrating the people, companies and organizations that support the work of The Arc Caddo-Bossier Foundation.

What makes this dinner so special is that it gives all of us who support The Arc a chance to connect with each other, in a pressure free environment.  We have the opportunity to hear a first hand account from a beneficiary every year about how The Arc has made individuals’ lives better and how they, and we, have been enriched by the organization’s work with disabled people in our area.

The work The Arc does has a tremendous positive and practical impact on the quality of life of so many individuals, families and friends.

A few of the many ways they support those with developmental and intellectual disabilities include:

•  Respite care
•  Advocacy
•  Employment services
• Children ‘s services
• Community living
• Recreation and leisure 

This year, Mattie Wilson shared her story with us.  While each person’s situation is unique to that person and family, the constant is that The Arc was instrumental in enhancing their quality of life.

I encourage you to click on this link to read Mattie and Robert Wilson’s story.

Check out the story here.

Mattie and Robert Wilson’s Story as told the evening of April 9, 2013 at The Arc Caddo-Bossier Foundation Appreciation Dinner

In 1978, The Arc Caddo-Bossier developed the first respite service in Louisiana.  Today The Arc continues to offer both in-home and out-of-home respite services for families in our community who care for a child or adult with developmental disabilities at home.  Mattie Wilson discovered The Arc Caddo-Bossier’s services through a friend.

While living in Dallas, Mattie Wilson was traveling back to her hometown of Shreveport in the back seat of a vehicle with her children, and they were involved in a horrible accident.  Robert was a toddler, and her daughter was only 3 ½ years old.  Mattie does not remember much from that day, but she later learned the miracle of what happened next when her young daughter placed Robert by their mother and walked to get help.  She walked three miles before she was discovered by women passing by on the interstate.  They picked up the young girl who took them back to the scene of the accident which could not be seen from the road.  Mattie was in Baylor Hospital in a coma for two months.  After much hard work and therapy, Mattie developed the ability to use a wheelchair for mobility.

Two years later Mattie decided to move back to Shreveport.  As a single mother she would be near her family and long-time friends like JoAnn Gines who was a member of The Arc Caddo-Bossier Board of Directors.  JoAnn suggested that she contact The Arc for help, so Mattie called to find out what services were offered.

Robert who has developmental disabilities was 11 years old the first time he stayed in the Guest Home, The Arc Caddo-Bossier’s home for respite services.  All of The Arc employees are certified and trained, and after Mattie met with them, she felt that it would be a safe and enjoyable environment for Robert, and she was right.  Robert will soon be 30 years old, and he still visits the Guest Home.

The respite services at The Arc Caddo-Bossier have given Mattie the opportunity to continue to do things in her life that she would have not been able to do without their support and care for Robert.  She knows that when she leaves him at the Guest Home that Robert is in a safe place where people enjoy being with him and know how to care for him.  And Robert enjoys his time there.

“The Respite Services at The Arc Caddo-Bossier have allowed me to live independently and not give up on life.  I am able to go and still do things I want to do in life, but know that my child is being well cared for.  I am at ease – at peace.” – Mattie Wilson, April 2013

Healthcare Heroes: Rebekah van Gessel, Chris Snell, Ashley Snell, Clint Snell, Carlos Garcia, Norma Garcia, Clyde Massey, Karla Spero.

Again this year, members of our staff attended and thoroughly enjoyed the LSU Health Sciences Foundation’s An Evening for Heroes.  As a company, Snell’s O&P was also proud to be a Valiant level sponsor of this very worthwhile endeavor.

The Foundation recognizes and honors health care professionals each year, from 911 operators and EMS responders to nurses, physicians and therapists who helped save lives in trauma and emergency situations. This year’s event featured a new mother’s survival story and a young burn victim who found his voice after a devastating fire. In addition, military heroes were honored from Barksdale Air Force Base.

Each year that we attend An Evening for Heroes, we are all inspired by the stories of the professionals who were involved in life saving care, as well as by the patients who survive and thrive after a life-altering situation.

LSU Health is the largest employer in Shreveport and contributes an impressive one billion dollars annually into our local economy. Support from our community is essential to attracting and retaining world-class physicians who are there when we need them.  This event provides a way to connect to the teaching, the healing and the discovery that go on right here in Ark-LA-Tex.

You may remember Rebekah Van Gessel from her appearance on Your Hometown Show last year.  She and resident Trevor Johnson were interviewed about requirements, education and training for young people coming into the O&P field.

We feel that the enthusiasm, “built in” technological savvy, energy and vitality of this new generation is contagious and refreshing.  So, we thought we would share an update on Rebekah’s progress, in her own words, so that visitors to our site can share in the passion she and others like her are bringing to today’s P&O:

“I just got back from Prosthetics school at Northwestern University Prosthetics Orthotics Center (NUPOC) in Chicago, which was five months online and three months on site learning in Chicago.  I graduated from NUPOC in orthotics on March 30, 2012 and prosthetics on March 30, 2013. I will be starting an 18 month dual orthotic and prosthetic residency very soon at Snell’s through NCOPE (National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education).

I am from Alexandria, now living in Bossier and working at Snell’s Line Ave office.

NUPOC’s O&P program was a great advanced program to be accepted into, which offers the student the ability to work full time while taking online classes the first 5 months. The on site portion provided hands on experience in the fabrication lab and with clients with amputations.

The best part about living in Chicago is the bond that is created with your classmates during the short three months you are there.  We became a family and still talk almost every day. The field of O&P is so small, we can’t help but become family, because no one else understands our experiences.

(Also, I will never forget the view out of my bedroom looking out on Lake Michigan, it is forever imprinted in my brain)!

Now, that I am graduated, I have been very busy in Prosthetics, Orthotics, & Cranial Remolding. Clyde (Massey) has been showing me the ropes out at Willis Knighton South Hospital during Dr. Ghali’s pediatric clinics every other week, twice a week.

I love getting to see the little babies and learn the process of corrective helmets.

I have also been traveling to the Monroe office with Russell (Bellamy) on Thursdays for more prosthetic experience.

As you can see I’ve jumped in, feet first, ready to learn and grow. I am so excited to get back into my routine here at Snells and I couldn’t be more thankful for all of their support and confidence in me.

Everyone here has become my family. I am so excited for the future.  I am loving being busy at work, it makes me feel important.  After the 18 month dual residency I get to sit for my ABC boards for certification.

Snell’s O & P | Hometown Show