Amp U T chat is for amputees.
[amputee/_private/headerb.htm]| VOLUME 2 # 2 | JANUARY 15, 1996 |
IN THIS ISSUE
1.) NOTES FROM John & Joyce
We want to begin by letting you WEB surfers know about a wonderful multi-search engine we discovered. It is a single page that allows you to enter searches for multiple sources. Included are perhaps 25 listed engines: Magellan, Lycos, Infoseek, Excite, AltaVista, Yahoo, Ali-Web, Galaxy, LinkStar, NorthStar, and more. If you want to keep just one URL page to check numerous engines without filling up your favorite places and hotlist, this might be a good page for you.
http://www.searchallinone.com/
ALL-IN-ONE has received the TOP FIVE % web site recognition from POINT SURVEY and has been accessed 2.6 MILLION times in the last 6 months.
((NOTE: John found over 800 hits for the word amputee or amputees. Of course, he didn't have time to check out everyone of them. We won't recommend any unless we've been there and seen for ourselves. Let this be a cautionary statement: some of them are of dubious value, odd content, questionable taste. If you find a page and it requests confirmation of age [over 18/21] realize you may be entering a.....
NauGhTy ZoNe! --de de de de, de de de de.... [music by Rod Serling] L.O.L. [grin]
So far, AltaVista has produced the largest number of hits, but I'm still checking.))
--Now, enough of the computer "stuff"...
There is a newsletter we've discovered that has WONDERFUL content. We highly recommend it. This newsletter is from Garden State Orthopaedic Center and it's called "OPTIONS." It has excellent quality photos, diagrams, and articles--"99.9% pure" (almost completely advertising free <grin>.) For more information contact Garden State Orthopedic Center, Inc. (ask for Lisa) at (201) 337-5566.
We'd like to WELCOME the new members on our mailing list. Hope you enjoy reading along with us, getting to know one another, and sharing thoughts and information with each other.
Also, we wish "MJ" improved health and speedy recovery. You know, sending good thoughts and well wishes to anyone is not expensive and can't hurt one bit. So think a little good thought (or pray) for each other... :)
2.) "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR"
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is from personal email exchanged with one of the mailing list members. It is slightly edited for confidentiality. We have had other letters that touch on this subject, for example, R.A. was looking for ideas on how to help an old friend. While there is *no-way" we are trying to say this is the only approach, this is one approach.)
1/8/96
Dear Joyce & John:
This newsletter was right on target for _____. .I (know a) quad, who is experiencing long term severe depression and would like some suggestions.
T.B.
Dear T.B.,
Obviously someone suffering from long term *severe* depression should seek the help of someone, with some "letters" after their name and credentials.
I can offer some suggestions, however, it would be helpful if I had a little more information. I'm assuming the "quad" is quad amputee and not quadriplegic, though the approach to both would probably be similar.
(Remember, please, I am going by my experiences and the experiences of people I've met personally.) It's a given that mobility is a problem.
One way I have found, to keep myself from getting down, is to keep at least a medium profile, if not a high profile. Keeping a low profile, as (it seems) many disabled do, is the first step in isolation/depression. Sometimes it takes a forced effort and will to do this. Some people turn so sour that they drive people away, fulfilling their own withdrawal, and it might take determination and "tough skin" to be around them. BUT they should not be isolated.
I will attempt to avoid the clichés, however, there is one "boil-on-my-butt." I have read many articles, usually written by able-bodied people, which state with great authority, every single emotion I'm going to feel and in what order I will experience them. Any deviation from this list and order, means that I'm not being honest with myself (denial.) This is like the male doctor who is delivering a baby telling the mother that he knows exactly what she is going through.--Okay...boil lanced...on to other things...
By far the most helpful thing for anybody going through a difficult time is to communicate with others that have gone through similar situations. No one is going to go through the exact duplicate situation. While many of us still need to improve our communication skills, it's better in this case to learn by doing. Just go ahead and start talking. Eventually you'll make yourself understood or encounter someone who understands...but that won't happen unless you start talking.
Many people steer clear of thing labeled or like "group therapy" because there is a preceived notion that it means "there is something wrong with you." This is not true.
((Um...I think Joyce wants to write another article right now...<grin>))
I found at least 2 big "mistakes" commonly made, example:
"Uncle X" recently became a BK due to circulation problems. Obviously "Uncle X" is going to have some questions that can only be answered by someone with a similar experience. Friends and relatives, well meaning, take it upon themselves to make "Uncle X" feel useful. The mistake is when instead of finding out what "Uncle X" would like to do, they give him "busy work" or tell him what he wants to do, or can be, or etc. etc. etc. Often they will give him tasks that they themselves don't like to do, for example, folding laundry. This task is better than letting Uncle X retreat from interaction, however, a better approach would be to let "Uncle X" decide what he would like to do. (Short of isolating himself further.) Let Uncle explore the possiblities, that's an activity in itself.
#2 mistake, IMHO, is to tell Uncle X that they heard of a person who had even greater loss and recently climbed Mt. Everest.
There are going to be people that are very difficult to reach. I know this from experience. If "Uncle X" can get support from just one person who will listen and talk they are making progress to a better "being."
((This is rather long, deep and intense to try and cover in one quick email. I think we'll follow with something else in the newsletter--maybe even next week. Please forgive any omission--just can't do it all in one sitting and you can't cover all the variables.))
I've found that getting "Uncle X" out and about, as difficult as that may be at first, is over all the best therapy, especially, if possible, the first outing is with other disabled people. Friends and/or family may not be the best people to do this--there are so many variables....
During the first few outings, keep the conversation going, even if it requires "pulling" conversation...CONVERSATION DOESN'T HAVE (start out) TO BE ABOUT HEALTH...converse one-on-one getting to know each other. (Person to person, not person to amputee.) Going for a ride is a nice way to start--you don't even need a destination...makes things spontaneous and enjoyable. Don't make any deadline on return times so there is no pressure.
"It ain't gonna happen in one trip, one visit, one talk, one anything."
I hope this offers some help. I will be glad to ramble-on upon you request [grin], and will be more than happy to talk to you and your friend personally if you want.
The best thing is that you are there, that you are demonstrating that you are willing and ready to talk when they are ready.
Warmest Regards,
~~John (& Joyce)
THE ADVICE (DISCLAIMER)
Please be sure to read the information at this link at least once.
4.) HINTS AND TIPS
TIPS
For Upper Extremity
Body powered users may want to consider "stacking" wrist units to allow the greatest flexibility in use. Some prosthetists seem to feel that only bi-lateral users need this but in my own case I found "the more the better." Two combined can give you nearly 360 of rotation along with pronation/supination.
For Lower Extremity
(From John)
Due to the growing number of hi-tech feet available I thought I would give my opinion on the three types I have been using myself.
SACHS--This foot is great for climbing ladders. I have found that the same ridgid-ity which many athletes complain about offers the needed stability while going "up the rungs." If money is not a major concern, many new amputees may find this a great "starter" foot and go to a higher tech unit later if their needs require.
SEATTLE--This is a great all-around foot. It offers a good flexibility and is preferred by many users. In my case it provides me with the most "normal" gait.
FLEX-FOOT--This foot requires the least amount of effort to use in my case due to the energy storing capabilities. I am not an athlete but I do have MS and this foot allows me to go further and longer. I have noticed that my gait is not quite as good as when I use the Seattle unit and I have heard this from other users as well and I can offer no explanation for this at this time.
I feel that ALL foot manufactures should make feet in different widths-at the very least narrow, medium and wide!
I was surprised to find that most foot manufactures supply their feet in a variety of lengths but only one width, narrow. If your natural foot is narrow you probably don't have a problem, but if you have a wide foot, like me, you end up putting on 4-5 pairs of socks to build up the foot (but then you've also changed the height and the length again.) A wide foot is also more stable side-to-side.
There are companies that make custom foot covers, however, the cost is "rather steep."
NOTE: Remember that socket fit, level of amputation, condition of residual limb(s), other medical conditions, financial needs, life styles and other componentry all must be taken into consideration when making a foot selection. Also, I have mentioned these feet only as an example. There are many other quality units available but these are the units I own. As always, I recommend that you talk to your prosthetist and other users before making a decision. This is barely "scraping the surface" when it comes to "foot notes"--however, I hope this will be of some help to new amputees.
Have a hint, tip, or suggestion? Please email us and we will consider it for use in the newsletter or chat room.
5.) QUOTE/THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
(From one of Joyce's favorite authors.)
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest."
--Mark Twain
(In a letter to the Young People's Society)
© Copyright January 15, 1996 J. Meyer. All rights reserved.