Press: NuStep Hosts Kristina Ripatti at APTA-CSM
February 2, 2009
ANN ARBOR, MI - Former Los Angeles police officer, Kristina Ripatti, who was shot in the line of duty and subsequently paralyzed, is the special guest of NuStep, Inc. at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (APTA-CSM) held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Feb. 10 to 12, 2009.
Ripatti, who is a NuStep, Inc. spokesperson, will share her story of hope and recovery at the NuStep booth (# 339) Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
On June 3, 2006, Ripatti, then 33 and a 10-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, was shot twice by a man she and her partner were pursuing. With one of the bullets severing her spine, Ripatti – also a wife, mother, and athlete – was paralyzed from the chest down and facing life in a wheelchair.
In the two years since her injury, Ripatti, armed with a fierce determination and the support of family, friends, fellow officers and even strangers, has rebuilt her life. Her story continues as one of triumph over tragedy.
Ripatti’s story caught the attention of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. In late 2006, Ripatti and her husband, Tim Pearce, also a Los Angeles police officer, and their young daughter, Jordan, were featured on an episode of the popular television program. Their home, which was not accessible, was redesigned by the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team, and rebuilt by scores of community volunteers to accommodate Ripatti’s special needs. The NuStep TRS 4000 Recumbent Cross Trainer and two Leg Stabilizer accessories were donated for the home’s new fitness and therapy room.
“It was a privilege to donate the TRS 4000 to Kristina,” says Steve Sarns, vice president of sales and marketing at NuStep, “but the bigger privilege has been the opportunity to get to know Kristina, Tim and their family (which now includes new son Lucas who was born February 13, 2008). Kristina is truly a hero and an inspiration and NuStep is honored to sponsor her and Tim as they tell their story.”
About NuStep
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., NuStep, Inc. is the manufacturer of the NuStep Recumbent Cross Trainers. These patented machines were developed by exercise physiologists to help people stay in motion regardless of physical condition. The company's products are used at fitness, wellness and rehabilitation centers around the world, including the Mayo Clinic, the University of Michigan, the Cleveland Clinic and the Duke Center for Living. For more information, call 800-322-2209 or visit www.nustep.com.