Amp U T chat is for amputees.

AMPUTEE CHAT NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE

1. NOTES FROM John & Joyce Meyer
2. "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR"
3. GENERAL INFORMATION
4. HINTS and TIPS
5. QUOTE/THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

1.) NOTES FROM John & Joyce

Wow, we're making up for last week's short "NOTES..." with a L A R G E edition this week! :::smiles:::

Holidays are closing in Fasssssssssssssst! Looking at the possibility that you may be traveling for the season we are making a few travel tips/suggestions:

1. Check with the hotel/motel where you intend to stay and ask EXACTLY what type of handicapped provisions that provide. Many so called "handicapped" accommodations are merely equipped with a ramp, and seriously lacking in any other needs. For example, there should be safety bars in the bath, clearance for wheelchairs beneath sinks, desks, etc. Ask about transfer boards in the bathroom and wide doorways (needed by crutch users as well as chair users.)
   
2. When visiting the home of a friend or relative ask them to measure the bathroom doors, for example. See if someone will be available to help you carry luggage. Also, is there parking close by? Bathroom room on first floor? Large threshold to front door? Gravel vs. paved driveway? Ask them to reserve the closest parking spot, in case there is limited parking. Arriving a little early can help. You can't expect them to rebuild their home to accommodate you BUT at least you will know what to expect.
   
3. Remember to keep a spare blanket in your car, if traveling in colder climates. Jumper cables, communications device (see newsletter Vol. 1 #10) some food and beverage--these things can help prevent a tragedy should you break down. (This is good advice for ANY traveler.)
   
4. Traveling by air? Find out if the departure and/or arrival terminal provide wheelchairs and or assistance for luggage. If you wear a prosthesis make sure you arrive early...it will take you longer to go through the security check points and may avoid announcing to everyone in line that you wear an artificial limb. (The battery in my myo-electric really had the guards concerned and they needed to use a hand held scanner to search for contra-ban.) Explaining to one of the security people will speed things up. They may even take you into a private room/area.
   
5. Rental cars: Some rental car companies offer hand controls, etc. You'd best call in advance and verify the availability and "total" price, and reserve the vehicle.
   
6. Make sure you pack all your absolute necessities and valuables into a carry-on piece of luggage. This way, when you are in Florida, your batteries aren't in Montana. Don't for get medications and/or copies of prescriptions...in case you need a refill for any reason. (Bring your pharmacists and physician's phone number...just a little piece of paper can help a lot. Ideally, fill your prescriptions about a week before your trip.)
   
7. Types of luggage: Many stores, even Wal-Mart have a nice selection of handle-and-wheel, inexpensive luggage. Don't forget the convenient "fanny packs," they can even be strapped onto a wheelchair. If you are going to wear the "fanny pack" on your person, and you don't intend to keep valuables in it, you may want to look into a Velcro instead of zipper closure.
   
8. Carry a small flashlight. Beside emergency use, they are great to aid your visibility at night, as well as help others to see you. I have seen flash light for cyclist and joggers. They are inexpensive and work quite well.
   
9. Important tip, learned from experience: I used to use a mobility cart that had a "key" lock. We went into a Disney World exhibit and the key fell from John's pocket. He was lucky, he found it easily when the auditorium cleared. Carry a spare key somewhere, not on the same key ring with your other keys... [grin]
   
10. When traveling by car, it's best to carry photo and video equipment in a case UNDER the seat if it'll fit. The second best place would be the trunk. Remember, if you can see your equipment, then the sunlight can "see" it also...heat is not good for the equipment, tapes, or film. Additionally, it won't be a temptation to car-jackers, etc. NEVER put a camera in the glove box, on the dash, or on the rear deck (rear window.)
    
11. Lower extremity amputees may find a pair of crutches added insurance.
    
12. Your socks should be changed at least once a day; take plenty with you.
    
13. Take a night light with you. Your room may not have one, which means you will either have to leave a light on all night or negotiate in unfamiliar surroundings in the dark. You might also wish to invest in a portable door alarm for security in motels.
    
14. If you travel in an RV, you probably already have it equipped with your necessities and for comfort. But, in case you didn't know there are a few bargains in the RV "world." Most people have heard of GOOD SAM's and membership can get you a nominal discount. Also, a WOODALL's travel guide can be indispensable. BUT one of our favorite bargains is through federal and state governments. A park that is even partially federally funded, should honor the GOLDEN ACCESS PASSPORT. This card is issued by the National Parks System and is a lifetime membership.

"This passport is issued without charge to any citizen of, or person domiciled in the United States, medically determined to be blind, or permanently disabled, for purposes of receiving benefits under Federal law. It shall entitle the permitee and any persons accompanying him/her in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or alternatively a permittee and his spouse and children accompanying him/her where entry is by any means other than private, non-commercial vehicle, to enter any designated entrance fee area of the National Parks system.... At the rate of 50% of the established recreation use fees. (This passport does not cover any "special" recreational fees.)"

In other words, you and your family can get a discount at the campgrounds and/or national monument parks (such as Mammoth Cave Park in Ky.) The ones we have visited have been clean and well patrolled. We have even been allowed entry for free in certain areas.

Unlike many "government offers," the GOLDEN ACCESS CARD did not require countless hours of applications. We had our's issued on the spot, with verification of being disabled, at Mammoth Cave.

If you are interested in more information about the GOLDEN ACCESS CARD, email amps@mycottage.com and I will get you information.

NOTE: Hook-up of water, electricity etc. is not available at all sites. ALSO note some of these areas are NOT open year round.

These are just a few ideas, we bet that there are many more to share. Send us your thoughts.

The next newsletter will focus on Holiday shopping. We will have some gift ideas for amputees and non-amputees, the trip to the mall, and mail ordering tips. Most of our gift ideas will be under $10 many under $5. We encourage YOU to send in your gift ideas as well, at any reasonable price...and who knows...maybe you could print out the newsletter and "just happen to leave it laying on the kitchen table"...[grin]

2.) "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR"

(10/31/95)

Dear John and Joyce,

I read the posting about ham radio. Since I am one (KE6TF) and maintain some ties with the ham community locally (Thousand Oaks, CA) I will be happy to assist any amputee who lives in the west San Fernando Valley, the Conejo, Simi, Malibu or Ventura (area) with finding instruction (it's learnable), testing (it's passable and administered by other hams), and finding used equipment (which can make sense economically and technically if you know what to buy).

Most communities have amateur radio clubs, and many clubs have an active outreach. Ham radio has been the companion and connection for disabled since it began. It was a blind ham who first got me interested in the hobby, when I was about 14 years old. I tuned his transmitter and antenna and made repairs; he taught me operating skills and Morse, which he could "copy" by ear at 25 words, or so, a minute.

Some ham licenses no longer require code proficiency. But there is a certain joy to be had in firing up a little rig with less power than a bathroom night light takes, and "working" a station miles, even continents away.

Anyone interested can contact me Tskizi@aol.com, or by phone (818) 707-8660.

(Incidentally, I can also help folks who have problems "accessing" computers.)

Regards,
Tskizi
KE6TF (Bear)

(10/31/95)

Hi John & Joyce,

(NOTE: This is an excerpt from information provided by Bill--sorry we needed to shorten it a bit, but I am sure that Bill will be happy to supply you with any information you require.)

Below is the info on the One Arm Dove Hunt. Anyone who would like to be on the Hunt mailing list can send their Snail Mail address to me as I manage the list.

Bill Baughn

------------

OLNEY'S 25th ANNUAL ONE-ARM DOVE HUNT

SEPTEMBER 6th AND 7th, 1996

The 25th annual One Arm dove hunt will be held in Olney, Texas on September 6 & 7, 1996. What started in 1972 as a shooting contest between several local arm amputees has grown in the intervening years into an annual event that attracts over one hundred people, most of them amputees, to this small farming community 50 miles south of Wichita Falls, Texas. While still called a dove hunt, fellowship and helping recent amputees come to terms with their new situation is the primary focus of this two-day event.

... the founders of The One-Arm Dove Hunt Association, which is growing, add that the down home weekend Sept. 6-7 includes horseshoes, skeet shooting, cow chip chunking, a sidewalk sale along Main Street and a breakfast that costs ten cents a finger.

"The hunt is secondary. The friendship, the camaraderie is important - it's like a reunion," Northrup said. "New amputees particularly, have a lot of questions. We can share a lot of information."

For more information contact:

Jack Northrup
ONE-ARM DOVE HUNTER'S ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 582
OLNEY, TEXAS 76374
Phone (817) 564-2102 (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CST)

OR

The Amputee Information Center
7776 Pickett Street
Jacksonville, FL 32208
(904) 765-5630 Voice/Fax

(11/01/95)

More Information from Bill Baughn:

I-CAN (Information Children's Amputee Network,) a new mailing list has been established to provide information and support contacts to children with absent or underdeveloped limbs and their parents.

Parents who have a child born with a limb difference or lose a limb/s in childhood are starved for information. Pick up any book on disabled children and you will most often find limb defects not mentioned. If the subject is mentioned, it is touched on in a superficial manner. It is my hope that I-CAN will fill this void providing parents with a place to contact knowledgeable professional, experienced parents and adults who grew up with a limb difference.

To subscribe send a message to MAISER@hoffman.mgen.pitt.edu Make the first line of the message :

SUBSCRIBE I-CAN

Bill Baughn, Moderator

(EDITORS NOTE: Thanks for the information Bill, and thank you for what you are doing. We had been disappointed about the lack of support and information for other age groups and it is so nice to know that someone has started to address this.)

3.) GENERAL INFORMATION

THE ADVICE (DISCLAIMER)

Please be sure to read the information at this link at least once.

4.) HINTS AND TIPS

TIPS

For Lower Extremity:

If you are like me, you "pop" your leg off in the evening and store it beside the bed. By storing the leg upright, you can minimize the chance of "6-8 legged critters" invading the sockets. These little guys get in, no matter how clean you keep YOUR dwelling. I talked to a patient who put his leg in the socket, forgetting his sock, and got bit by a small spider.

Upper Extremity

Inexpensive accessories:

Large thick rubber bands placed over door knobs increase the gripping surface. Surgical tubing placed of "hook" fingers reduces slippage.

Have a hint, tip, or suggestion? Please email us and we will consider it for use in the newsletter.

5.) QUOTE/THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"Cherish the new friends as the old,
One is silver, the other gold."
-- Unknown

© Copyright November 6, 1995 J. Meyer. All rights reserved.