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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Tue, 21 Jul 1992 11:15:50 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2805
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2805

                            Monday, July 20, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                              Re: ADA Violation
                                 narcolepsy
                             Speech Recognition?
                                Ankle fusion
                          Using a computer without
                            WHEN PLACARDS TRAVEL
                         Re: Conservative treatment
                                     rls
                              Let's get started
                                  Leg pain


                                ******


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
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Subject: Re: ADA Violation
From: ronald@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu (Ronald A. Amundson)
Organization: University of Hawaii


Leslie -- First, you could still pursue an ADA complaint after having
taken the driving test.  But I see your point -- if it were me I
wouldn't want to give them the satisfaction of violating my rights.

But there must be one other way.  You could get the kind of ID card
which substitutes for a driver's license for non-drivers.  I think in
most states the Motor Vehicle (drivers license) people handle them
anyway.  That kind of ID _must_ be as good as a driver's license in
establishing residency -- or else the law would be discriminating
against non-drivers (e.g. blind people) as well as you.  Surely having
a driver's license isn't a requirement for _all_ residents of the
state.

I would think that you could even keep your old driver's license while
you got the new non-driver's license.  (If they want to take it away,
just tell them you never had one, or you lost it.  What the hell.)

Good luck.




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Subject: narcolepsy
From: hfirek@norfolk.vak12ed.edu (Hilve Firek)
Organization: Virginia's Public Education Network (Norfolk)

Does anyone have any information on narcolepsy?  Anyone know
how I might obtain any information?

Thanks!

Hilve Firek






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Subject: Speech Recognition?
From: JOEL@jach.hawaii.edu (Joel Aycock)
Organization: UK Infrared Telescope, Joint Astronomy Centre, Hawaii

My Aunt has Multiple Sclerosis- she has almost no use of her legs
or her right hand, and only limited use of her left hand. She feels
very isolated.

I am very interested in getting her involved with computers, as a
way to "bring the world to her" (CD-ROM books, network/BBS news and
discussions, &c), and allow her more interaction with the outside
world.

The only real hurdle appears to be the input device- I think she
may have difficulty with a keyboard, I'm not sure how she will do
with a mouse (I should note that I live 2500 miles from her, across
an ocean, so it is difficult for she and I to get together to
experiment at my own computer).  I have seen the "1FINGER" and
"lookahead" programs, which I think may be of great help.

However- I have not seen much on this group about speech
recognition soft/hardware, which (it seems to me) might be useful.

Does anyone have experience with the currently-available
technology? Any advice for this particular situation? Can you point
me to sources? Would she need a very powerful (ie 486-33) machine
to make use of this?

I'd be interested in hearing from ANYBODY with similar problems-
I'd like to get her on-line without protracted and expensive
experimentation...

mahalo (thanks) and much aloha-
					joel.






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Subject: Ankle fusion
From: Marilyn.Johnson@p30.f1.n3608.z1.fidonet.org (Marilyn Johnson)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3608/1.30 - 221B Baker St, Panama City FL


Forgot who wrote asking about ankle fusion vs. amputation.  I have
not had that done, but have gone from a spring-loaded foot brace
(to lift the toes) to a fixed ankle-foot orthotic, to a hinged (but
not spring loaded) one.  I had no trouble with pressure sores
except where the orthotic did not fit correctly.  I DID have
trouble driving with the straight leg model, because I could not
get the gas pedal to go down!  Learned to lift my foot up onto the
pedal, so my heel would hit it in the middle or higher.  When the
speed was right, I would let my food slide down in place.

When I was placed in the hinged model, I had to learn to walk
again, going heel first.  My toes don't go up as they should, so I
am not totally satisfied with the new model, but the feet hurt less
than before and I have not tripped over any curbs, so I guess
everything is OK.

This has probably not been much help, but you will know how to make
the pedal work if you get an ankle fusion!  Let me know what
happens!

Flying high,

Marilyn

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Internet: Marilyn.Johnson@p30.f1.n3608.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Using a computer without
From: Rick.Sloan@f215.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Rick Sloan)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:163/215 - BitByters, Rockland ON


I would like to be of help. I own a company who design computer and
environmental controls. I am not trying to sell you anything! The advise
will be so you can better inform your friend.

Many different kinds of aids are available including voice input
technology. Devices range from single and double switch devices that can
be ativated via hands,legs,heads...etc This is probably not what is
needed. There are devices that can be sipped and puffed on that are
accessed in a morse code fashion or a alphabet scanning fashion, once
morse code is learned this method is pretty fast. Voice is the high tech
solution but tends to be expensive, if you would like more info on voice
technologies let me know, lots out there available.

Any other questions happily answered if you want....

Chow RICK
___
 X SLMR 2.1 X If this were an actual tagline, it would be funny.

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Subject: WHEN PLACARDS TRAVEL
From: ANDY.ANDERSON@p11.f116.n138.z1.fidonet.org (ANDY ANDERSON)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:138/116.11 - Group Medical BBS, Tacoma WA


Hello Vixen!

Monday July 13 1992 22:47, Vixen wrote to All:

 V> Hey, here is a question for anyone in the know, can I still use my parking
 V> placard when I am out of state.

FWIW,Mine is issued by the state of Washington and I have used it
on trips through Idaho,Utah,Wyoming,Colorado,Nevada,California,
Oregon and used Parking Places with the wheelchair symbol And Have
never been Questioned about it,But now that you ask,I think I will
double check by calling the department of licensing.I'll let you
know what our state says about it.

ANDY

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Internet: ANDY.ANDERSON@p11.f116.n138.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Conservative treatment
From: Cindy.Barnes@f22.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Cindy Barnes)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/22 - Ken's BBS, Montgomery AL


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 >I tried to discuss with him other pain management techniques but he is
 >hopelessly ignorant in the area of pain control.  He did agree to prescribe
 >Elavil so that I can get to sleep and hopefully sleep more than an hour at
 >a time.  He also stated categorically that there was no other pain med than
 >Tylenol 3 unless I wanted a really strong narcotic. He started me on
 >Flexaril again and all I have done is sleep hours on end and walk around as
 >if I am almost comatose.  I go to bed at 7 or 8 and sleep till 8 or 9 in
 >the morning. It is a very restless sleep because I feel as if the world is
 >constantly turning.  The other thing is that it has done absolutely nothing
 >for the pain in my hips, legs, feet or tailbone area.  I am beginning to
 >come to the conclusion that it is not muscle spasms that are causing the
 >greatest part of my pain.  After all this he finally got to the main
 >recommendation of the neuro and that is that the only treatment that will
 >really help is for me to lose weight.  That really upset me and made me
 >quite depressed.  My weight problem is a long standing one and the
 >inference that it is causing all the problems is crazy.  I was this weight
 >seven years ago when I had the surgery and I was absolutely without pain
 >for five solid years until I fractured the L1.  I carried this weight all
 >those years.  Now I *WOULD* very much like to lose every ounce of this
 >weight and hopefully I will get some of it off but to get it *ALL* off
 >would take me at least a couple of years and I would like to be able to
 >sleep, walk and sit before then.  The other thing is I remember my surgeon
 >telling me seven years ago that often when people lose a large amount of
 >weight they find their back problems increase.  Real encouraging!  And my
 >GP told me last fall when I went to him about diets that I would probably
 >never lose it at my age (47)!  So what do you and anyone else feel about
 >this?  I can't be the only overweight person with  back problems but I was
 >made to feel that I *CAUSED* it, that it is my fault.  Seems like an easy
 >answer for them and very hard for me to defend or argue against!
 >
 >Jocelyne

Sorry for butting in, but I just couldn't sit here and watch your pain. I
have had doctors like your GP and when they would tell me things like what
yours said to you, I would go out and find a new one. I see no reason why
you cannot talk personally to the neuro who did your lab studies. I would
rather hear him say what is wrong than to have it second hand. If your
weight problem wasn't a problem before, it shouldn't be now unless you have
gained more weight. As for your meds, I would definately look for a new
doctor if your old believes there is only one non-narcotic drug available
for you to use. It sounds more like he just doesn't want to bother finding
another one for you.

Why didn't your doctor mention surgery for your problem? I would definately
want to know what my options were in that area.

I will stop fussing , but I really think you are getting a raw deal from
someone.

Cindy

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Internet: Cindy.Barnes@f22.n375.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: rls
From: Arthur.Saus@p160.f72.n376.z1.fidonet.org (Arthur Saus)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:376/72.160 - Windows of the Worl, Columbia SC


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hello Jim!

11 Jul 92, Jim Mathis writes to Arthur Saus:

 JM> Heard of anything new for restless legs syndrome?  It's getting REALLY bad
 JM> in the last 5 years (45 y/o now).

NEW?  No, can't think of anything really NEW.  But on the other
hand, I'm not sure what you have already tried.

Arthur

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Subject: Let's get started
From: Arthur.Saus@p160.f72.n376.z1.fidonet.org (Arthur Saus)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:376/72.160 - Windows of the Worl, Columbia SC


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hello Linda!

11 Jul 92, Linda Cummings writes to Jocelyne Dever:

 LC> That's another message to Arthur I wrote about.  The right sciatic nerve
 LC> is getting painful further down the leg and almost into the foot full
 LC> time. Did you see his message to me about it?  Looks like there's nothing
 LC> I can do about it because it's caused from the Degenerative Disk Disease
 LC> (correct me if I'm wrong Arthur).

I don't believe I ever said that!!!  Remember, you are a unique
individual and pain is a subjective experience.  I believe you are
referring to my message when I was talking about the "natural
history" of disc disease.  Although with time, disc problems tend
to get worse due to the "wear and tear" they experience as a part
of life, this DOES NOT mean your particular pain that is associated
with your particular disc problem will necessarily get worse.  It
also DOES NOT mean that there is nothing that will help you with
it.

Arthur

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Internet: Arthur.Saus@p160.f72.n376.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Leg pain
From: Arthur.Saus@p160.f72.n376.z1.fidonet.org (Arthur Saus)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:376/72.160 - Windows of the Worl, Columbia SC


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hello Linda!

11 Jul 92, Linda Cummings writes to Jocelyne Dever:

 >> Hi there...well I am back on Flexaril but this time it doesn't
 >> seem to be doing much good.  If I take it after supper I am
 >> usually in bed by 9pm.  I can't drive with the stuff or even think
 >> straight!  I don't remember having so many side effects the other
 >> times I have been on the stuff but this is wicked!!  I still wake
 >> up during the night with terrible leg pain...I wasn't sure how to
 >> describe the pain to the doctor but he assured me Flexaril would
 >> help.  I know it is a muscle relaxant and that is all it seems to
 >> be doing...relaxing every muscle I own but doing nothing for pain.
 >> The pain seems more like a sore tooth kind than muscular.

 LC> I'm hoping Arthur will comment on this one, as my answer can only be a
 LC> guess.

OK, if you insist! :-)

 LC> Sometimes medications act differently on us.

Absolutely true!!  What works to relieve pain for a majority of the
population may not work at all for a particular individual.  Also
what relieves pain for a particular individual may not work for the
majority of the population.  This is one of those difficulties that
makes the practice of medicine difficult and a continuing
challenge.  As physicians, we have to try to understand the
scientific studies then try to apply that information to an
individual patient who obviously is different than the large group
that has been studied.

It was so much easier when I was a chemist, before I went to
Medical School. If I mixed the same chemicals together in a test
tube under controlled conditions, the reaction would always proceed
in the same way.  It just doesn't work this way with individual
people.   If Ii put the same chemical (drugs) into different
people, it is actually unlikely that they will have exactly
absolutely the same response in every detail.

 LC> See if your doctor won't try you on another muscle relaxer.

This sounds like pretty good advice.  It is important to work with
a doctor to find what is right for you as an individual.  Like you
suggested in your message, there are many different approaches that
can be used; if one drug doesn't do the job, another similar one
may very well be successful.  Can I give you a scientific reason
why?  NO, I can't, other than to again emphasize that as an
individual, you may be responding differently than how the average
person in the population may be responding to a particular
therapy.

 LC> And for
 LC> sleep, the anti-depressant seems to be working just fine, but it takes
 LC> anywhere from 4-6 weeks of taking it before it starts working.

Yes, but there's more to it than that.  Certain drugs we normally
consider to be anti-depressants also reduce pain.  Typically the
same drug is administered in a different manner by a psychiatrist
who is treating depression.  You are right, it takes a few days to
weeks to get the pain reducing effect, even when using thee drugs
religiously according to the instructions.  They can be a
tremendous help when treating chronic pain, however.  Sleepiness is
a side-effect that occurs with some of these "anti-depressants",
but not all of them.  Some of the drugs from this class have
exactly the opposite effect, and may even make it more difficult to
sleep.  If the "sleepiness side-effect" is helpful, that's great.
If it interferes, your doctor should know about this so that an
alternate approach can be tried.

Arthur

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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2805 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
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