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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
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Date:         Fri, 16 Oct 1992 01:31:35 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2975

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2975

                         Thursday, October 15, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                                Re: Aging....
                               Spinal Centers
                                HELL or NOT?
                                   spasms
                                   Spasms
                          Relocation to paradise??
                                 Wrong!!!!!!
                                  Re: Craig
                               Spinal centers
                              Re: HELL or NOT?


                                ******


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Subject: Re: Aging....
From: Patti.Bader@p0.f323.n202.z1.fidonet.org (Patti Bader)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:202/323.0 - SHENK'S EXPRESS, La Mesa


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

Hi Keith,

 > You got that right. By the time you're ready to leave, I guarantee you
 > will be sick and tired of that bathroom. Not only do the transfers into
 > the shower require you to be somewhat of an athlete (I went from
 > wheelchair to raised commode seat to shower chair and back out the same
 > way since you cannot get a wheelchair next to the shower) but it will
 > be so damn messy in there, it reminds of a rehab nightmare. Oh, don't

Gee, I thought I was the only one to perform these maneuvers<grin>!  I live in
Navy housing, here in San Diego, and for the past 8 years have NOT been able
to get into my bathroom, without assistance.  Well, the Navy finally came in
and widened the door and took out the vanity, under the sink, and put in a
"handicapped" sink that I can just roll under.  I had forgotten what it felt
like to use the facilities again.  I still have not figured out any other way
to use the shower, except by the method you use tool. It would be nice if I
could talk them into a roll-in shower, but I'm sure that would be expecting
too much.  Are you able to transfer yourself to the shower?  I use a board
transfer and have a difficult time by myself, what with sticking to the board,
etc.
Patti

... Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once

--
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Internet: Patti.Bader@p0.f323.n202.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Spinal Centers
From: John.Rougeau@p4.f184.n132.z1.fidonet.org (John Rougeau)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:132/184.4 - The Bulldog BBS !, Hudson NH


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 >     I'm looking for titles.  I'm looking for a book on sexual options for
 >paraplegics and quadriplegics put out in the early 70s.

I've seen and read that. You may want to try the local college
library <Which is where I found it> If the don't have it, they
should be able to get it from someplace that does. <I worked in the
reference dept for a year>

I found it interesting, anyways.

-Cyndi

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Internet: John.Rougeau@p4.f184.n132.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: HELL or NOT?
From: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Cummings)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/34 - Batteries Included, Montgomery AL


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to Derek,

 > I know Alan has got a lot of problems with pain, and when you mix it
 > with quadriplegia, as he put it, it's gotta be hell on earth.
<snip>
 > It becomes a day to day mental challenge. It has helped to stay busy
 > with different things as Joe and Keith had mentioned earlier, AND a
 > sense of humor is always a plus.

Although I'm not a quad, I do have the constant chronic pain.  I
agree with you, Tim...mental challenges, keeping busy, and having a
sense of humor are a must!  So, I tease the guys,
write..write..write messages, and laugh at everything!  ;-)

Linda

--
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Internet: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: spasms
From: John.Rougeau@p4.f184.n132.z1.fidonet.org (John Rougeau)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:132/184.4 - The Bulldog BBS !, Hudson NH


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message of <Oct 02 23:16>, Alan Hess (1:261/1000) writes vaguely:

 >Life sucks these days (more than usual).  Not only do I have my %$#@^
 >pains  and posture problems to deal with (making using my arms difficult),
 >I also am occasionally having spasms in my abdomen and back.  I'm tight as
 >a drum, and the docs have no idea what medication to give me to either
 >relieve my pain, loosen my muscles, or both.

There is a procedure called a rhizotomy (sp?) which can rid you of pain/spasms.
The surgical (nerve cutting) one is better than the needle (nerve burning)
one.....

<Do not attempt this at home.....> :-/

-John

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Internet: John.Rougeau@p4.f184.n132.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Spasms
From: Greg.Wick@f45.n343.z1.fidonet.org (Greg Wick)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:343/45 - The French Connecti, Edmonds Wa


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

My spasms have gotten a lot worse now that the cold weather is
coming... I have a wood stove going all the time and wear a
turtleneck and a sweater. The turtle neck is a cotton/polly blend
from LL Bean. It's probobly the best thing for the cold for me. I
keep the neck up all the way. Since I only feel from my neck up, I
must keep it covered to stay warm. But moving to Arizona is always
on my mind. I would rather be to hot then to cold.

===
 * SLMR 2.1 * Catastrophe -- an award for the cat with the nicest buns!

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Internet: Greg.Wick@f45.n343.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Relocation to paradise??
From: Greg.Wick@f45.n343.z1.fidonet.org (Greg Wick)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:343/45 - The French Connecti, Edmonds Wa


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

JR>I'm a C5-6 Quad who wants to hear of an ideal part of the Continental US
JR>of A to move to! I'm sick of NE Winters! Please be honest (and
JR>convincing!)... :-)

Well The Seattle area is GREAT in the summer, but it only lasts for
2 months. Florida sounds great but it's to muggy, that wet feeling
would be just as bad as cold. Arizona sounds the best to me DRY AND
HOT. Getting to hot can really bother me to, but I'd just get a air
conditioner. I'd rather try and cool off, then be cold. Being cold
makes me spasm, tighten up, stiff, sore, shake, and just feel
terrible. Being hot just makes me tierd. Plus I'd ratter drink a
cold Coke and eat ice cream than wrap up in a blanket and drink hot
coco. If it wasn't for the moving cost and that all my family lives
here in the Seattle area, I would REALLY REALLY think hard about
it.

===
 * SLMR 2.1 * "OUCH" I just my floppy caught in my unzipper!

--
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Internet: Greg.Wick@f45.n343.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Wrong!!!!!!
From: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Keith Jones)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:114/15.13 - St Joes Hospital, Phoenix AZ


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 AH> Too many of those books get too into religion for my taste.
 AH>  I'm glad the authors are helped by their religious faith,
 AH> but it isn't my cup of tea.  *adh*

 ES>         It seems many people overcome a traumatic experience
 ES>         like spinal injury or substance abuse by turning to
 ES>         religion. It sometimes seems like giving up one crutch
 ES>         for another. It is not my cup of tea either, but if it
 ES>         works for some I would not discourage it.

 Speaking for myself, having had a SCI and being a recovered alcoholic,
 I can tell you that MOST of the people recovering from alcoholism
 and/or substance abuse do not turn to religion. This is a very common
 misconception. I have begun to live my life according to spiritual
 principles. This is about as far from religion as you can get. Both
 talk about God but all similarities end there.

 Spiritual principles talk about what you should do. Every religion has
 main underlying principles about how one should treat their fellow
 man, for example. Religion, on the other hand, relies on doctrine which
 insists you MUST do this and more importantly, is always pointing out
 what you should not do. The best example of spiritual principles were
 the teachings of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, it is organized religion
 which has either taken literally, out of context, twisted or added to
 his teachings to make them something they were and are not. Organized
 religion through churches, over time, has gotten so far away from
 anything resembling spirituality that I can't blame anybody for being
 turned off.

 Spirituality says just believe in something that has all power. Religion
 says you had better believe and here's how. I have also heard it said
 that spirituality is for people who have been through hell, whereas
 religion is for people who don't want to go there.

 I hope nobody is offended by my personal beliefs. I do not wish to
 argue with anybody. I will gladly answer any questions and can suggest
 several books which sorted the whole mess out for me. Hero with a
 Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell (a man who studied myths around the
 world throughout his lifetime) and Sermon on the Mount by Emmitt Fox
 are two excellent ones that come to mind. Both are excellent spiritual
 books, neither is religious.

-Keith-

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Internet: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Craig
From: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Keith Jones)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:114/15.13 - St Joes Hospital, Phoenix AZ


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 S> As far as the Rhizotomy goes, I'm disheartened. The tightness in my leg
 S> has definitely returned accompanied by some low key spasticity -
 S> nothing like what it used to be but even THAT shouldn't be occuring.
 S> The first couple days after the procedure was done it was GREAT but
 S> the spasticity seems to be gradually returning.  They told me that
 S> sometimes it has to be done again but I got the impression that if
 S> that was the case it was months later.  A week hasn't even passed since
 S> I had this done. I guess I'll just quit talking about it as it just
 S> depresses me. Has anyone else had a similar experience with this?

 S> Just a quick comment about Craig - it's WONDERFUL!  Sure won't mind
 S> going back there in the future.  Might be sooner than I figured!

 Glad you liked the Craig. It is a great place. Sorry about the
 rhizotomy. Was it done to alleviate spasticity? They did some tests on
 my spasticity and said I qualified for a Baclofen pump. Was anybody
 having one put in while you were there?

 I do know that these surgeries sometimes do not help. Even they don't
 understand why. I talked to a guy there that had terrible pain in his
 rectum. Seems he had a rhizotomy and still had pain. Then he had his
 spinal cord cut above the original injury and still had pain. The
 doctor told him it was in his head, not believing this man could still
 experience pain. The doctor later apologized to this man. Seems they
 don't quite understand the pain mechanism in human beings. They thought
 it was transmitted from the pain site to the spinal cord and then to
 the brain where pain is registered. But in cases like the one just
 described it appears that the mind has a way of remembering the pain
 even when no logical transmission of the pain is possible. Anyway I
 wish you luck. Keep us posted.

-Keith-

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Internet: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Spinal centers
From: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Cummings)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/34 - Batteries Included, Montgomery AL


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 > As long as the posts are relevant, and credit is given to the
 > author(s) of any copyrighted material, I have no problem.  *adh*

Thanks, Alan!  I've found so many people to be so nice about
getting material out for the disAbled.  Our own newspaper here has
given me carte blanche as long as I cite them as the source.

Here's something interesting for you.  You, I believe, had the SCS
that had the transmitter on the outside and the receiver on the
inside.  Of course, you know I have the whole ball of wax on the
inside.  I have a friend with MPD who lives in Texas who had a
"temporary"  SCS for three days and then they removed it and are
now waiting for Medicare approval for implantation of the kind of
SCS like I have.  Anyway, they did the temporary implant while she
was awake!  I sure am glad I didn't have to have that done.

Linda

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Internet: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: HELL or NOT?
From: Derek.Juntunen@f950.n139.z1.fidonet.org (Derek Juntunen)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:139/950 - Amiga BitSwap Centr, Houghton MI


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 TS> Careful Derek,

 TS> I know Alan has got a lot of problems with pain, and when you mix it
 TS> with quadriplegia, as he put it, it's gotta be hell on earth. I
 TS> haven't
 TS> had the pain problem, but after almost 20 years as a quad it comes
 TS> close to hell. It may not seem bad to you now <which seems hard to
 TS> believe, cause it seemed bad to me at 2 years post>, but wait another
 TS> 18 years then think about it, you eventually get tired of all the
 TS> crap.
 TS> It becomes a day to day mental challenge. It has helped to stay busy
 TS> with different things as Joe and Keith had mentioned earlier, AND a
 TS> sense of humor is always a plus.

Yeh, I shouldn't have said that...I guess I wasn't in a great mood then.
I've apologized.

--
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Internet: Derek.Juntunen@f950.n139.z1.fidonet.org




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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2975 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******