Bill.Baughn@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Baughn) (06/28/90)
Index Number: 8953
In a recent conversation with a representative of a major manufacturer
of prosthetic components, I was told about a lady who has been writing the
news media, government officials and insurance companies, complaining about
the abuse upper extremity child amputees are subjected to in the guise of
rehabilitation. Supposedly this lady is undergoing attempts to have her
committed to a mental institution because of her efforts.
I suspect that this is a fable, told to me as a warning not to continue
to displease these companies. However, if such a person does exist, I will
be most grateful for any information which will help me get in touch with
her. She may indeed be committable, but in the area of child amputees she
seems to be dead on the money.
The "Marketing Director" of a prosthetics company informed me that a
child born without arms will represent over ONE MILLION DOLLARS to her firm
before she reaches the age where she will reject these devices. This for
devices which will disable rather than enable her, while other children are
dying because of lack of funding for organ transplants!
If you have heard anything about someone like the person described
above please let me know. We just might be able to keep her out of a rubber
room.
Bill Baughn,
North Texas Amputee Support Group,
5427 Redfield,
Dallas, TX 75235
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Internet: Bill.Baughn@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.orgReed.Hopkins@f7.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Reed Hopkins) (06/29/90)
Index Number: 8988 >> I also don't recall any child reaching maturity and rejecting << >> his device. Why would they not use a artifical leg or arm << >> they had used all their lives? << I was one of the very first children to be fitted with a prosethetic device in the 1950's when they became lightweight enough for toddlers to use them. There were many unknowns at that time, and I am at the crest of the wave now - one of the oldest children, at 35. I have not worn my hok for a few years now, and regard the putting aside of the damned thing as one of the greatest liberating moments of my life. Prosethtics are heavy, hot and uncomfortable. In my case (I have an underdeveloped arm and no hand at all) the benefits gained from the hook weren't worth the aggravation. I developed nasty back problems because of the constant unbalanced torsion strains put on my back by the operation of the thing. I have a fused vertabrate "arm" (?) where it should ride free in my lower back. Without my hook I get the benefits of tactile contact, which are subtle but invaluable. I fought enourmous pressures from all sorts of unexpected directions in releasing myself from the contraption. The abled word wants to look at that and say "see, with that there's no disability." Yet my actual physical ability wasn't increased markedly (I struggle with cutting meat, that's about it!). The hook also served to keep my "deformity" out of sight, and helped me "pass." With a long sleeved shirt particularly it hid the fact that I have no hand quite well, and supported me in my denial of the fact. Today I roll up my sleeve to give me full use of my arm and walk the streets freely. This offends some people, but it also helps condition them to my presence, and I like the fact that that type of person is more easily identifiable now too. Those types will visit all sorts of subtle indignities on us, and they're a lot easier to deal with when forewarned. Enough. I haven't burned my hook in public yetm, but I'm considering it! :<) -- Reed Hopkins -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!125!7!Reed.Hopkins Internet: Reed.Hopkins@f7.n125.z1.fidonet.org
Joe.Chamberlain@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain) (06/29/90)
Index Number: 8993
BB> The "Marketing Director" of a prosthetics company informed me
that
BB> a child born without arms will represent over ONE MILLION DOLLARS to
BB> her firm
BB> before she reaches the age where she will reject these devices. This
for
The large cost for children's prosthetics is because they
continue to outgrow the devices. The includes both upper and
lower extremity devices. Most youngsters require a new device at
least once a year and many require more because of breakage.
I worked in a children's amputee clinic for five years
and watched many kids grow out of their devices. I also don't
recall any child reaching maturity and the rejecting his device.
Why would they not use a artifical leg or arm they had used all
their lives?
-=joe=-
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