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Date:         Sat, 10 Oct 1992 02:00:51 EDT
Reply-To:     "(Bill McGarry)" <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         "(Bill McGarry)" <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2966

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2966

                         Saturday, October 10, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                             Re: Spinal Centers
                                    Hello
                               Spinal Centers
                           Re: Spouse/nursing care
                              Re: New Mobility
                           Re: Spouse/nursing care
                                    Meds
                                   New...
                                Access Chair
                                Miami Project


                                ******


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Subject: Re: Spinal Centers
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]

 JC>      A good question for everyone:  What didn't they tell
 JC> you in rehab?  If you were able to design an ducation
 JC> program for the newly injuried, what would you include?

 I wasn't told many things, but then again I was not rehabbed out of a
 hospital that dealt primarily with SCI. I was mixed in with amputees,
 MS, stroke, Guillian Baret's. and head injuries. They did the best they
 could. I don't believe I could have had better PT or OT and I met my
 ex-wife there. So I guess I was meant to be there.

 Of the many things I was not told, the one that really stands out is
 about the future. I was told to do everything I possibly could for
 myself. As an ex-jock and fitness nut, I did everything to the max. No
 pain, no gain. Now years later, I wish I had been told to take it easy
 on my back and shoulders. Then again even if told, I probably would
 have ignored such advice. I had always had the notion that these things
 happen to other people. My own spinal cord injury should have been
 enough to make me realize that I was not indestructable. Now since all
 these assorted aches and pains have come to pass in my life, I realize
 that realistically it may not get any better and unfortunately most
 likely will get worse. I had a doctor who was the eternal optimist.
 Maybe I sound like a pessimist. I like to think of myself as a realist.

 Also very important would have been to have a support group of SCI
 people like this one. I would have learned alot more much sooner
 without the grief and misery caused by my own trial and error methods.

 I think a good program is like the one at the Craig Hospital. Cover all
 the bases physically, mentally, and spiritually. After intensive rehab
 covering various situations, let the patient live in a halfway house or
 apartment setting for awhile until they are ready to return to their
 "new" world. I did not see anyone leave the Craig when I was there with
 a bad attitude.

-Keith-

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!114!15.13!Keith.Jones
Internet: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Hello
From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/175.1 - Busted Flush BBS, New Castle DE


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to Joe Chamberlain <22 Sep 92 15:02> Alan Hess wrote:

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

I approach them as stories.  If religion is part of the story that
is fine, until it gets to be the only part.  We all believe in some
sort of supreme being and attribute certain successes to their
intervention.  However, as you say, there is a point where it gets
to be too much.

I learned as a child that God help those who help themselves
first.  In my book that means getting out there and doing and
giving thanks for the ability to do.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!175.1!Joe.Chamberlain
Internet: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Spinal Centers
From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/175.1 - Busted Flush BBS, New Castle DE


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to Joe Chamberlain <18 Sep 92 22:15> Keith Jones wrote:

 KJ> I wasn't told many things, but then again I was not rehabbed out of a
 KJ> hospital that dealt primarily with SCI. I was mixed in with amputees,
 KJ> MS, stroke, Guillian Baret's. and head injuries. They did the best they

I had the same experience and I think most SCI individuals are not
rehabbed in facilities like Craig.

 KJ> I think a good program is like the one at the Craig Hospital. Cover all
 KJ> the bases physically, mentally, and spiritually. After intensive rehab

Since rehab, what areas have you changed in your ADLs.  How can the
rehab facilities change their teaching to cover real life
situations.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!175.1!Joe.Chamberlain
Internet: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Spouse/nursing care
From: Kevin.Robinson@f15.n280.z1.fidonet.org (Kevin Robinson)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:280/15 - Writers' Block BBS, Raytown MO


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

One of the blessing/curses of a workman's comp permanent total
disability case is nursing case...often a task offered the spouse.  The
injury party can no longer work, the spouse can no longer work outside
the home, and the insurance carrier pays only a small percentage of what
they would have to pay a professional service...with no health or
retirement benefits, including no social security.  The arrangement
quickly becomes a trap, in that the newly traumatized family now depends
of that income, and the only way to break out is to find employment
income to offset the nursing care payments...something that is often
difficult or impossible for the quad and/or the spouse because the
day-to-day nursing duties cannot be turned over to someone else without
going cold turkey on the paychecks.  When I broke my neck in 1975, no
one counceled us about the long-term effect this arrangement would have,
but today, nearly every rehab center will suggest other options because
being a spouse/lover/caregiver is a gargantuan task...one that very few
people can juggle indefinately.
   Yours etc.,

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!280!15!Kevin.Robinson
Internet: Kevin.Robinson@f15.n280.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: New Mobility
From: The.Ranger@p0.f477.n104.z1.fidonet.org (The Ranger)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/477.0 - Jaguar's Networking, Denver CO


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

        Oh I'm positive most of the time, well 95% of the time anyway.  I
normaly set aside about 2 days a year just to feal sorry for my self.  But
that get's real depressing fast and doesn't get much done, so it lasts for a
hour or so and I'm set for another 6 months.  <grin>  I can see how someone
could fall into the depression trap though.  Guess we all have our little
copeing methods.

Terry

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!104!477.0!The.Ranger
Internet: The.Ranger@p0.f477.n104.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: Spouse/nursing care
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]

 KR> One of the blessing/curses of a workman's comp permanent
 KR> total disability case is nursing case...often a task
 KR> offered the spouse.  The injury party can no longer work,
 KR> the spouse can no longer work outside the home, and the
 KR> insurance carrier pays only a small percentage of what
 KR> they would have to pay a professional service...with no
 KR> health or retirement benefits, including no social
 KR> security.  The arrangement quickly becomes a trap, in that
 KR> the newly traumatized family now depends of that income,
 KR> and the only way to break out is to find employment income
 KR> to offset the nursing care payments...something that is
 KR> often difficult or impossible for the quad and/or the
 KR> spouse because the day-to-day nursing duties cannot be
 KR> turned over to someone else without going cold turkey on
 KR> the paychecks.  When I broke my neck in 1975, no one
 KR> counceled us about the long-term effect this arrangement
 KR> would have, but today, nearly every rehab center will
 KR> suggest other options because being a
 KR> spouse/lover/caregiver is a gargantuan task...one that
 KR> very few people can juggle indefinately.
 KR>    Yours etc.,

 I have worker's comp permanent disability and even though I got
 married, I have always had a nursing/housekeeping service that is fully
 paid for. Even with those tasks being taken care of, my ex-wife STILL
 had her hands full. Today I live alone with a housekeeper coming in 3X
 a week. It is still being paid for by workers comp (though they tried
 to eliminaate this 3 years ago).

-Keith-

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!114!15.13!Keith.Jones
Internet: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Meds
From: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Cummings)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/34


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

Hi Keith!

 > Linda, I am very surprised to hear that you are taking narcotics after
 > going through the pain management.

Well, the Birmingham Pain Clinic are the ones that prescribed the
Tylenol #4 or Vicodin, Keith.  I know what I learned and wrote in
my Clinic.zip file.  However, I'm evidently very good with my pain
meds.  I only take 2 per day at the most.  I remember what it was
like when I was "mentally" addicted before, and I do recognize when
I'm tempted to take a pain med "just because it feels good."  I
don't do that anymore. [smile]

 > Almost every drug abuser
 > I have talked to said they just started taking one more every
 > night, then they quit working and they asked the doctor for something
 > else and before they knew it, they were taking several of this pill
 > and several of that one to combat the pain.

There has been two times in the last two months that I took a
Tylenol #4 and two hours later took a Vicodin.  This was after I
tried the relaxation techniques and it failed.  I was in so much
pain, that the additional pain med was what I needed to finally be
able to relax enough that the relaxation techniques finally did
work.  I know from experience, Keith, how NOT to abuse the pain
meds.  I'm watching myself very carefully fo ANY signs of
addiction.

 > Now I know that you are not the
 > kind of person to abuse medication. But most of the people I've
 > talked to never started out, at least consciously, to abuse the
 > medication.

You're absolutely right, Keith.  No one really consciously abuses
the medication.  It's extremely easy to do so, though.  That's why
I watch myself like a hawk.

 > What really puzzles me is that from all the reading I've done on pain
 > (I am currently reading Defeating Pain which I ordered from the Spinal
 > Network and is probably the most up to date book on pain) I have found
 > that one of the primary goals at ALL pain management clinics is to
 > get patients with CHRONIC pain problems off of prescription narcotics.

I know.  This is what we were told in Birmingham also.  But, *I*
was told that taking the Vicodin or Tylenol would not hurt me if it
was helping diminish the pain so I could at least function somewhat
in my daily activities.  They contradicted what they told me.  I
saw others in the group, however, have their medication diminished
greatly or stopped completely.  I have my suspicions about why they
prescribed the meds for me, but I have no proof.

 > I know you are in pain and I know you are looking for ANY kind of
 > relief. As a friend, I must tell you that I believe in the long
 > run you are headed for trouble with narcotic pain medications.

And, that's why I monitor myself so closely and will continue to do
so. I appreciate your concern, Keith.  You're a very good friend.

Linda

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!375!34!Linda.Cummings
Internet: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: New...
From: Hezekiah@f5257.n397.z1.fidonet.org (Hezekiah)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:397/5257 - Hezekiah's Tunnel, Edinburg TX


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

  Hello from S. Texas. I'm a C5-6 quad as well as sysop of this bbs,
Hezekiah's Tunnel. I'd like to get this rolling on our board, and at this
point I'd very much appreciate confirmation that I'm getting through to you
all VIA the NET. If anyone out there is reading this, please reply VIA the
NET.
 Business aside, my name is Con Cherry, age 36, and have been a quad since
1975. I was married in '85. My wife's name is Debbie, and we have a 3 1/2
year old son. Nice to meet ya'll!

                          Con Cherry

        DEDDD  Hezekiah's Tunnel BBS l 512-380-6332 l Directmail  DDDED
     Christian Ed l Homeschool l Family Issues l Lightcom 14.4 - 300 Baud
 VNET 5724 l WWIV 5257 l Fido 1:397/5257 l Edinburg, Texas l VBBS Ver. 5.52

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!397!5257!Hezekiah
Internet: Hezekiah@f5257.n397.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Access Chair
From: John.Lynch@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (John Lynch)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

Hey I told you I would forget who you are!  But the Access
stairclimbing "tank" wheelchair is made by Quest Technologies
Corp., 766 Palomar Ave., Sunnyvale, CA. 94086-3550, with a phone
nmber (408)739-3550.

Sorry it took so long, I just stumbled over the paperwork.
Goodluck and say hello to Polly if she is still working for them.

Regards, John

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!John.Lynch
Internet: John.Lynch@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Miami Project
From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/175.1 - Busted Flush BBS, New Castle DE


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to Joe Chamberlain <27 Sep 92 21:34> Allison Cozzi wrote:

 AC> I could often produce a neurogenic erection. The erections were usually
 AC> pretty transitory but were adequate enough to assist in donning an
 AC> external catheter

Yep.  This is a normal reaction.  However, the nurse on our unit
just advise direct stimulation to the penis to obtain the same
results faster and for a longer period of time.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!175.1!Joe.Chamberlain
Internet: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org




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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2966 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU