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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
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Date:         Tue, 5 Jan 1993 15:44:17 EST
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 3081

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 3081

                          Tuesday, January 05, 1993

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                                Re: mattress
                            Chronic Pain Clinics
                            Pain (N)ever ending?
                                Re: mattress
                                  mattress
                              Re: ACTING #2....
                                    Hello
                                  Re: Hello
                             Endo or exo arms ?
                                  Re: Hello
                                Got to share
                                  Vitiligo


                                ******


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Subject: Re: mattress
From: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Stefan Welch)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:125/33.0 - BODY DHARMA ONLINE, Oakland CA


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 Hi Nancy, I'm new, sidling in.

 -=> Quoting Nancy Kowall to Linda Cummings <=-

 LC> I never thought I'd get any sort of approval from a medical doctor
 LC> for a waterbed...but it does work for me.  I don't know where I'd be
 LC> if I didn't have one.

 NK> For those without a waterbed, you might try zipping up in a sleeping
 NK> bag on a particularly painful night. I found it especially helpful for

 I've been wondering about these variable, air-inflatable
 mattresses (for beds not camping) that I've seen advertized in
 various magazines. Do you (or hello, anyone else out there) know
 anything about them?

 I've  only seen them advertized in comparativley exclusive
 magazines, so I've been shy of trying one out for avoidance of a
 corresponding exlcusively high price tag.

 Thanks,  :-)

 Stefan

... Catch the Blue Wave!

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Subject: Chronic Pain Clinics
From: Bill.Ferris@f106.n372.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Ferris)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:372/106 - The Medical Forum, Goose Creek SC


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

I am a retired Naval Hospital Corpsman.  Several times in the past
few years I have had a patient that was told he would have to
"learn to live with the pain".  I tried to find some help for these
folks but seemed to be getting nowhere.  I am now retired, but
still keep up with my old runnin' mates.  If anyone has any info on
Chronic Pain Clinics or such in the Charleston, SC area, please
drop me a note and I will pass it along to as many of the medical
types as I can.

                               Bill

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Subject: Pain (N)ever ending?
From: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Stefan Welch)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:125/33.0 - BODY DHARMA ONLINE, Oakland CA


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 -=> Quoting Michael Rooney to Stefan Welch <=-

 MR> Stefan, read what Linda said and the answer is there. You have to
 MR> accept that fact (if in fact it has to be) and until you do it will
  ......
 MR> get on with your life. Make whatever adjustments you must make in your
 MR> lifestyle and go to it. The more you dwell on it the worse it will
 MR> hurt. Do things that will take your mind of it for a while. If the

 Michael, thanks for your positive thoughts. If I look back even
 just a year, I can see that the preoccupation has dropped
 radically. It is rather that when I happen to think this might
 go on forever I hit a "that does not compute" in my brain. So I
 guess I've adjusted though not accepted.? Hmm. Interesting
 juxtaposition of thoughts maybe that is just fine and all there
 is to be clear about. (This is waxing obscurely philosophical!)
 :)

 A year ago I had just had most of my active life stripped away.
 I felt hugely disoriented.  Today, with 2 phone lines, a headset,
 and a computer I have generated more projects than I (also given
 sanity limitations of chronic pain) can cover. So I guess I'm
 getting on with things the best I can. At least for the moment.
 One day at a time.

 MR> One other thing, and to me the most important. You cannot do it alone.
 MR> I have a strong belief in a Higher Power whom I call GOD and this is a
 MR> great help to me. I do not believe HE is punishing me or anything like

 I have talked with a number of people who find sustenance in a
 Higher Power. The theme of Higher Power currently eludes me. It
 has not always been so. Right now the closest I come to finding
 meaning in this area is my deeply cherished gratitude for my
 small circle of close friends. So tell me, if you'd care to
 elaborate, for my perspective, how do you hold your concept/belief
 of GOD and what does that mean for you? How does that help you
 with pain and manifest in your life? This is not to generate
 spritual debate, but rather to educate my sense of curiosity.

 Happy holidays,

 Stefan

... Catch the Blue Wave!

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Internet: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: mattress
From: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Stefan Welch)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:125/33.0 - BODY DHARMA ONLINE, Oakland CA


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 -=> Quoting Linda Cummings to Nancy Kowall <=-

 > For those without a waterbed, you might try zipping up in a
 > sleeping bag on a particularly painful night. I found it
 LC> Not a bad idea, really.  Most of us complain the most when the weather
 LC> is cold.  The heated waterbed does make it nice and warm for me under
 LC> the covers, so I don't see why a sleeping bag wouldn't work, too! ;-)

 Hi Ms. Linda,

 I use a sleeping bag all winter long and, as we all know, the San
 Francisco Bay area has colder summers than winters.  :^)  Hehe.

 No, seriously, an unzipped sleeping bag draped over and then
 tucked under the edges of me all around keeps me toasty, keeps
 me from moving to unwanted positions in the night, and gives that
 oooh, so comfy illusive elusive back-to-the-womb sense.

 All the best, TTFN,

 Stefan

... Open mouth, insert foot, echo internationally.

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Internet: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: mattress
From: Michael.Rooney@f737.n106.z1.fidonet.org (Michael Rooney)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:106/737 - AirBoat OnLine, Houston TX


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

LC>Hi Nancy!

LC> >  For those without a waterbed, you might try zipping up in a
LC> > sleeping bag on a particularly painful night. I found it
LC> > especially helpful for youngsters with RA- the 'bundled heat'
LC> > allowed them a better rest than usual and kept their joints
LC> > 'quiet' all night. Might work for one or two of you under special
LC> > circumstances.

LC>Not a bad idea, really.  Most of us complain the most when the weather is co
LC> The heated waterbed does make it nice and warm for me under the covers, so
LC>don't see why a sleeping bag wouldn't work, too! ;-)

When I go to bed it is usually late when I get reeaalll tired because I know
it is going to hurt and I am just plain tired of pain. If I am very tired
I fall asleep faster and that means less discomfort to put up with. Lately
it had gotten to the point where I dreaded going to bed. Saturday night about
seven P.M. I fell asleep in "MY" chair and woke up about 11:30 P.M. I felt
pretty good and had no problems going to sleep but then I was wide awake.
I finally git tired about 4:30 A.M. and rather than bother my wife I went to
sleep in the chair. Again no problems. Soooo, Sunday night I went to "bed"
in the chair and went right to sleep and woke up feeling fine. Am going to
try it again tonight. May have found a temporary solution to a very
aggravating problem. My wife wants to know what the heck is going on. I
explained it to her but I don't think she really understands. When I first
lie down in bed I have to be absolutely still for about 15-30 minutes and
she does to. Any movement causes a great deal of pain until the spine
"settles" so to speak. The chair seems to have eliminated that wonderful
experience. Funny what sometimes works. Only problem so far is the cat
jumps up on my lap while I am sleeping and I wake up to her staring at me.<g>
Take care, Mike...
 ~ SLMR 2.1a ~ Don't worry, I'm go ng t bckup tdf-!&%#~%

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Internet: Michael.Rooney@f737.n106.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: ACTING #2....
From: Sheila.Fava@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Sheila Fava)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/68 - Diabetes Discussion, Austin TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

In a message to Sheila Fava <12-14-92 19:52> Wayne Briggs wrote:

WB> ...attention are you doing any semi-pro or amaturer acting now ?
WB> Bet you could do some great plays related to humans who are
WB> challenged in various ways.

    I did some off-OFF B'way plays when I was working as an art therapist in
 Hartford.  It was fun to be the costume designer and occasional thespian.
 Then I moved to a psych hospital in Washington, DeeCee, did some Art Therapy
 and more off-OFF B'way stuff.  You'd think I'd learn there's some higher pay
 in working ON-B'way!  Did I learn that money can't buy poverty?  Noooo.

Ever hear of "Kids On the Block"?  They are a group of kid PUPPETS with
 various disABILITIES (and a few puppets who think they are disABLED -- like
 the puppet who has four older brothers.  Gosh!  I had seven older brothers and
 didn't feel unduly threatened.  Now, if there had been eight brothers....)

So, I am a puppeteer.  These puppets are not the little "Punch'n'Judy"-size
 puppets.  These puppets are the size of an average 12-year-old and they must
 stand on a table with the puppet operator (dressed in black) behind them.  The
 puppets perform at schools -- because the student of today is the employer of
 tomorrow.  Children relate to a non-threatening puppet better than they relate
 to an adult.  The puppet teaches the child not to be afraid of the person with
 a disABILITY and that these puppets (all kid puppets) have probs as well as
 friends, support and family.

I am the hands of the two-person-operator deaf puppet, 'Mandy Puccini'.  She
 has become a very popular puppet (but not as popular as 'Mark Reilly', our
 Cerebral Palsy puppet.  'Mark' is very outgoing!) because she knows sign
 language, teaches the students to sign a song and goes to a special school.
 She is somewhat oral and the Moderator of the show is a good interpreter.
However, 'Mandy' cannot go off on a signing tangent because the Moderator is
 not -that- good of an interpreter.

We do shows for PTA's but only if the parents bring their kids to the PTA
 meeting.  Reason?  Adults are -incredibly- reserved at question-and-answer-
time...while kids will ask ay kind of question ...and that breaks the ice for
 the adult.  We are not councilors and have encountered some stickey wickets at
 those puppet shows.  They are fun to do....I can act with other puppets and
 inter-act with them and I enjoy talking about them.

Goll-eee....you've gone to as many schools as I have.....

I will be away from my computer from December 20th til after the Holidays.
 You would think my friend would invite me to -BOISE_IDAHO- for the 4th of July
 celebrations.  Right?  Did she?  Noooo.  I am already going into hyperthermia
 and computer withdrawal!  The thought of minus-four-degrees up there leaves me
 galvanized!  Well, I will dig out the musty thermals....Mush, you huskies!

Happy Holidays, Wayne....

                    ---Sheila

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Subject: Hello
From: Bruce.Fox@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Bruce Fox)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/5109.0 - National Amputee Co, Dallas TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

I'm new to the board and wanted
to say hello. I'm your garden
variety minor amp -- I lost my
left thumb earlier this year.
The good news is that it didn't
radically change my life. The
bad news is that they don't tell
you much -- just "sew him up and
send him out." Fortunately a
bilateral b/k acquaintance of
mine was available to talk and
answer questions. I was
wondering if there were any
finger amputees out there.
Please leave a message and say
"howdy." Also any other gay amps
that would be willing to chat.
In the meantime, Happy Holidays
to one and all.

--
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Internet: Bruce.Fox@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Hello
From: Wayne.Briggs@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Wayne Briggs)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/5109.0 - National Amputee Co, Dallas TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Hi Bruce. Welcome !
A good source of information is Jack Northrup in Onley, Texas, area
817. He is Onley cioty manager and is co-chairman of the 1 arm Dove Hunt
Assn. I remember meeting two or three guys with aamputated fingers
there. If you are interested, prosthetists make a device for folks who
have lost a thumb. I met a teenAger from  Brownwood. His doctor moved a
big toe to give him a thumb. He seemed pleased, although he said he
sometimes gets into trouble by giving guyes the "wrong toe."
What kind of work do you do and where do you live ?  My right arm was
amputated aat the shoulder in October. Some depression is normal,
grieving is a way to adjust to changes & losses that are not desired.
Jack is willing to talk with folks & you can call him at work or home.
His ecretary is used to getting calls from new & other amputees, & makes
an effort to give you good service. You are elligible to join the 1 Arm
Dove Hunt Assn. We meet once a year in Olney on a Friday & Saturday
during Dove season. There is lotsa of informal visiting, a trap shoot
with new Winchester automatics as prizes, entertainment Friday night,
lots of good free brisket & homemade pies, field huntiung Saturday after
a Cow Chip thropwing contest. My home phone is 915, 691-0722 in
Abilene,Tx.

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Subject: Endo or exo arms ?
From: Wayne.Briggs@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Wayne Briggs)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/5109.0 - National Amputee Co, Dallas TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Would you be willing to share your opinion with  me, if you prefer an
endo or exosketal arm for AE or shoulder prosthesis ?
Does anyone use either the Boston elbow or a or a Hosmer Dorrance NY-VA
electric elbow ?
Does anyone use a myeoeletric hook or the new type O hooks that are
flat, with searated inside edges & forged with vertical "pads" on the
end of the jaws ?

--
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Internet: Wayne.Briggs@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Hello
From: Bruce.Fox@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Bruce Fox)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/5109.0 - National Amputee Co, Dallas TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Hey, buddy -- thanks for the welcome. I see from the
backlog you have been eping in touch during your
process these past months -- good going!
I'm doing really well--there has just been a lot of
dealing with the unknown. Actually I just lost half
my thumb so it is about the size that a toe implant
would be. I function really well, just differently
in some situations. I've just been on my own in
finding information and having an opportunity to
compare notes.
I got laid off in September from the marketing
department of one of the Big Six accounting firms on
the management consulting side of the business. I
have been working on the Macintosh computer for 8
years in graphics and desktop publishing
applications. Currently I am temping for one of my
former employer's competitors. Thankfully they are
keeping me busy through the holidays (yay).
Hope you are healing well (inside and outside) and
begin the new year with a bright outlook.
Best Wishes,
Bruce

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Subject: Got to share
From: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org (John Hargrove)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/68 - Diabetes Discussion, Austin TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Have a funny for all.  Some friends of mind and I where discussing
what to do with all the leftover peglegs I have.  I pop up and said
why not a legtop computer.  Boy was that a leading remark.  But
think of it.  Motherboards and powersupplies are getting so same
that one could actually fit a m board and all the nesessary
hardware into a use pegleg just about now.  What a market.  Can see
and ad now...Come and see the latest things...Get a legup on your
friends...Get a kick out of the new rage...The legtop computer.

John

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Internet: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Vitiligo
From: Ian.Hebert@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org (Ian Hebert)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3602/24 - ADAnet One (tm) Net, Pinson AL


[This is from the Rare Disorders Conference]

JR>My wife (31YOWF) suffers from vitiligo and I'm trying to obtain as much
JR>information as posible on the subject.  She's been symptomatic for about
JR>3-4 years but the disease has not progressed over the past 12 months.
JR>(She attributes this to vitamin/mineral/amino acid supplementation on
JR>her part.

JR>Does anybody have any information or can direct me to available
JR>resources?

Jeff:

The following information comes from the 15th Edition of the Merck
Medical Manual--Section 241 Pigmentary Disorders, Hypopigmentation,
pages 2299-2300:

Vitiligo: An absence of melanocytes, causing hypopigmented areas,
          usually sharply demarcated and often symmetric, and varying
          from 1 or 2 spots to near universality.

The hair in vitiliginous areas is usually white, and the lesions
are white under a Wood's light.  Lesions are prone to sunburn.  The
cause is unknown; although vitiligo usually is acquired, it is
sometimes familial (autosomal dominant, with imcomplete penetrance
and variable expression) or may follow unusual physical trauma,
especially of the head.  The association of vitiligo with Addison's
disease, diabetes mellitus, pernicious anemia and thyroid
disfunction as well as a high incidence of serum antibodies to
thyroglobulin, adrenal cells, and parietal cells, has led to a
postulated immunologic and neurochemical basis. Antibodies to
melanin have been demonstrated in some patients.

Treatment is for cosmetic disfigurement.  Small lesions may be
camouflaged with cosmetic creams or the newly developed tanning
lotions that do not wipe off on clothing as other cosmetics do and
that may last for several days (Dy-O-Derm [registered trademark] is
widely accepted.) Sunscreens with SPF 15 protect against sunburn.
Oral and topical psoralens with ultraviolet A (UV-A) have been
used, but the treatment is protracted and results vary.  Cover-up
cosmetics are much more satisfactory for most patients where cure
is doubtful.

Post inflammatory hypopigmentation follows healing of certain
inflammatory disorders (especially bullous dermatoses), burns and
skin infections, and appears in scars and atrophic skin.  The skin
may not be ivory white as in vitiligo, and spontaneous
repigmentation may eventually occur.  Cover-up cosmetics or
solutions are again most satisfactory.

Ian Hebert

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                  End of Issue # 3081 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
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