X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Thu, 17 Dec 1992 17:17:19 EST
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 3070

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 3070

                         Thursday, December 17, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                                Injury Level
                                  Re: Synex
                              Re: Sweet cheeks
                                  Armrests
                                    Synex
                             Anybody Out There?
                             Anybody Out There?
                          Re: voice activated telep
                                    Synex
                            Bye Bye Prince Valium


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Subject: Injury Level
From: Jerry.Pickup@f1.n360.z1.fidonet.org (Jerry Pickup)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:360/1 - Augusta Forum, North Augusta SC


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to Jerry Pickup <16 Nov 92 23:07> Keith Jones wrote:

 KJ> Wow, I didn't realize your injury level was this high. What kind of a
 KJ> job did you ever find? I presume you must have recovered an awful lot?

Yep, it was a high one but you are correct.  I recovered an awful
lot.  I feel that God was really with me and have no trouble at all
dealing with the loss I've taken.  All I have to do is take a look
at what I COULD HAVE lost.

I call my injury 'weird' in the sense that some of the first things
that quads (and even paras) loose, I have retained.  On the other
hand there are things I've lost that low or mid level quads usually
have.  I don't remember ever having any diminished sensation
anywhere.  That in itsself is worth all the gold in the world to
me.  I'm not too sure about the first two or three months after the
accident.  Besides the C-1 injury I suffered a head injury and was
eventually diagnosed with hydrocephalus (sp).  I don't remember the
first three months after the accident.

During that time I wore a halo (I was no angel) and could not move
at all.  I was on a respirator for a couple of weeks.  One of the
toughest things I do remember was having sensation but not being
able to move.  You can never be comfortable without being able to
squirm around.

Because of the paralysis all of the way up I could not swallow
right and every time I tried to drink anything it would go down the
wrong way.  Due to the head injury I had lost my sense of smell and
my taste was all screwed up. Between not being able to taste and
smell it and having such a hard time getting it down I really lost
interest in eating.  I'm 5'11" and got down as far as 80 pounds.  I
looked really sick.  They fed me through an NG tube in my nose and
it was not fun.

When I began to be able to move it was my arms and legs at the same
time.  My shoulders were the weakest but my biceps were ok.
Triceps were not too bad and get this - my grip was excellent!  In
the right hand anyway.  My right side is still alot stronger than
my left.  I have great extensor strength in my legs and if I get my
feet positioned just right I can stand with no problem.  However, I
can't "flex" my leg to pick it up and take a step.  I can also not
lift my arms high enough to reach the top of my head!  Weird
enough?

I eventually got to where I could eat and drink ok and I'm back up
to about 160 or 170 pounds.  However while not drinking I managed
to form my first kidney stone.  OUCH!!  In all of my experiences I
have never felt such pain.  I get them every so often now and they
are less painful than the first but still hurt badly.

 KJ> Do you use an electric chair and how? Sorry for all the questions, it's

I use a standard electric chair and have no trouble operating it.
I retained (or more correctly - recovered) the fine motor function
of my hands & wrists so this is not a problem.  I'm still not
strong enough to push a manual chair.  I have one and on a flat
smooth surface if I'm not in a hurry I can get from one end of the
house to the other.

Don't apologize for the questions.  I like a few questions every
now and then.  I guess I'm like most people, I like a chance to
talk about myself every now and then.

 KJ> just that I have never met anyone with that high of an injury that was
 KJ> able to find employment.

Well, voc rehab wanted me off of SSDI real bad and I took advantage
of it while it was available.  My VR counselor found out I was fond
of computers and told me about a training program on the Ga. Tech
campus called the Georgia Computer Programmer Project.  It was run
by the state and was free.  I had graduated from high school about
a year before my accident and had not gone to college because I 1)
didn't want to and 2) didn't have the money anyhow.  This was free
and was 40 hours a week of nothing but computer programming.  It
lasted only a year and had a 95+% placement rate.  It was a tough
program to get into but I went after it with an 'I can' atitude and
alot of prayers and once more God came through for me.

After finishing the course my VR counselor and other friends I had
made helped me to locate a job opening for a computer programmer at
the VA hospital here in Augusta.  I interviewed and got the job.  I
truly started at the bottom of the ladder.  They hired me and
another guy (not disabled) although there had only been one
opening.  I think they originally hired me because it would have
looked bad not to hire the crippled guy.

I soon came to the realization that people expected the other guy
to do the work and me to watch over his shoulder.  Well, lucky for
me the other guy didn't know what he was doing and I came up to
speed quickly on my own.  (Well, not really on my own, God was
still there.)  It still took awhile for people to realize what was
going on.  The boss gave the assignments to the senior programmer,
he brought them to me, I completed them, he took them back to the
boss and got the glory.

Well, it couldn't last long that way mostly because people began to
wonder why he couldn't answer questions about the software
intelligently but I could.  Finally he found a higher paying job
and I was left there on my own.  That was my chance to prove
myself.  I did and after five years I am now the software section
leader and have two other programmers under me.  They switched me
to four ten hour days and then offered me a chance to work for
overtime on the other two, thus a normal week is between 50 and 60
hours unless we have a special software install or something.

So far my longest day was about two weeks ago when things didn't go
well during a hardware upgrade.  When you upgrade the hardware you
have to make software changes as well so I had to be there.  I went
to work at 8:00 Thursday morning and didn't come home until 4:30
Friday afternoon.  I hope to never do it again!

Anyway I've rattled on and on to answer a few short questions and
I'll bet you'll be careful about asking any more!!  Now it's your
turn.  Tell me about your injury and other stuff about you.

                               God bless!

                                     -Jerry

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!360!1!Jerry.Pickup
Internet: Jerry.Pickup@f1.n360.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Synex
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]

 AH> Dennis Byrd of the New York Jets, who broke his neck at C-5 last
 AH> Sunday, was operated on the other day (a fusion, I suppose - whatever
 AH> it was, it took seven hours.)  He also was given a drug called Synex
 AH> that is supposed to help heal the spinal cord.  It isn't approved for
 AH> use in this country.  Has anyone ever heard of it?  What's the scoop
 AH> on it?  *adh*

After my injury, I was told I was given a drug simular to the one
you have described.  It could be it, I don't know.  I also heard it
is for reducing the swelling in the neck, causing less injury to
the spinal cord.  It must also be given within hours of the
injury.  I'm not sure if the drug I'm talking about is the same.
Correct me if I'm wrong.  Anyone else have anh insight on this?

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!139!950!Derek.Juntunen
Internet: Derek.Juntunen@f950.n139.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Sweet cheeks
From: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Hess)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a missive of <Dec 04 11:31> Tim Syfert (1:114/119)
writes to Alan Hess:

 TS> When you sleep on your back, do you have to do something with
 TS> your legs like put pillows under them or something? Also, do
 TS> you have any problems with leg spasms bringing your legs up
 TS> towards your chest?

I never put anything under my legs when I sleep.  Occasionally, I
crank up the knees of the bed, but that's it.

My leg spasms aren't that bad (it's the abdominal and back spasms
that drive me nuts).  If I do spasm at night, all that happens is
that I wind up with my legs spread.  They jump up a bit, and settle
back down.  *adh*

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




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Subject: Armrests
From: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Hess)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a missive of <Dec 05 08:41> Joe Chamberlain (1:150/175.1)
writes to Alan Hess:

 JC>      What did they say about the "Wilmington Jacket?"  It 'will'
 JC> reduce your scoliosis while you're wearing it, but as soon as you
 JC> take it off the spine collapes to its orginial curve.  Wearing
 JC> one can also cause some skin problems.

The docs are currently huddling together to try and figure me out
once and for all.  If I were them, I'd drop me off a bridge.  I
mentioned the Wilmington jacket to them, and that is a possibility
they're looking into.

 JC>      The "Wilmington Jacket" is designed to control and stabilize
 JC> the progress of scoliosis in a growing spine.  It is best used
 JC> for curves in the thorasic area.  The Rx is usually for the brace
 JC> to be work 23/24 hours each day over a period of years.  Any good
 JC> orthopod schould be able to supply full details.

My spine is no longer growing, except maybe further sideways.  :-(  *adh*

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




------



Subject: Synex
From: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Hess)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a missive of <Dec 06 17:45> Joe Chamberlain (1:150/175.1)
writes to Alan Hess:

 JC>      Never heard of it, unless it is of the GM-1 family.  The

But GM-1 is approved for test usage in this country, isn't it?  I
heard that Sydex wasn't approved for anything here.  *adh*

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




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Subject: Anybody Out There?
From: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Hess)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a missive of <Dec 06 17:50> Joe Chamberlain (1:150/175.1)
writes to Greg Tomerlin:

 JC>      I dove into two feet of water about 33 years ago.  I was
 JC> underwater for much too long, and some of my friends atrribute my
 JC> warped personality to this fact.  However, I believe it is my
 JC> choice of friends that has led me down this path of corrupt
 JC> degradation.

I did a racing dive into 4.5 feet of water, and missed the bottom
by three feet.  Unfortunately, I didn't miss the submerged log or
piling that got me.  I was under long enough to black out (I didn't
panic - had I known whhat was in store, I would have.)  I saw no
lights, or golden passageways, or anything - just green water, then
nothing.  *adh*

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




------



Subject: Anybody Out There?
From: Greg.Tomerlin@f5000.n116.z1.fidonet.org (Greg Tomerlin)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:116/5000 - Rx Shop 2, Nashville TN


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

    Hello Mr. Camberlain,

JC>     So, down to some serious business.  How did you wind up a member
  >  of this exclusive club?

      I'd love to make up some elaborate, heroic tale of how I joined
      this illustrious number, but the truth is I jumped in front of a
      bullet that was meant for three young children dressed as
      reindeer in the Christmas parade.  You see, this psycho maniac
      deer hunter went goomba during the Christmas parade 5 years ago
      when Santa's sleigh came by.  When he saw three reindeer with
      beautiful 10-point racks, he grabbed his 30-06 from the gun
      rack in his pickup truck and.... I dove into 3.5 feet of water
      five years ago.

JC>     I dove into two feet of water about 33 years ago.  I was
  > underwater for much too long, and some of my friends atrribute my
  > warped personality to this fact.  However, I believe it is my
  > choice of friends that has led me down this path of corrupt
  > degradation.

      Two feet of water?!?!?  I don't know about your personality, but
      I bet it warped that ole' spinal column, eh?

      So, you've been "thoughtful" (translated full of thought) for 33
      years.  Wow!  What wisdom can you share/give a five year member?

  > * Origin:  Joe's Point - A Tri-Pacer In The Sky - Delaware (RAX 1:150

            You're from Delawhere?

    ...Blood is thicker than water, and much more tasty!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!116!5000!Greg.Tomerlin
Internet: Greg.Tomerlin@f5000.n116.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: voice activated telep
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]

PB>I have a telephone that Pacific Bell's Disabled Services gave me. It's calle
PB>"Ameriphone Model RC-3000". I use a remote control button that I can push to
PB>either answer the phone or call out on. All I have to do is push one button
PB>(they can set it up for light touch) and a operator comes on and dials the
PB>number that I ask for. When the phone rings, I again push the button and can
PB>talk via a speaker phone. A headset also comes with it, when I don't want to
PB>use the speaker phone aspect of it. I wear the remote around my neck, for wh
PB>I'm transferring and no one else is home. If I fall, then I can at least cal
PB>the operator and ask for help.

Thanks, I found a nice one that you need to hit 1 button and it
dials. I already have 1 that I hit 1 button to get the name another
to dial on the spearker phone. But When I'm in bed I would not be
able to use it. I thought about a Sip&Puff but cost to much...
Thanks

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

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!343!45!Greg.Wick
Internet: Greg.Wick@f45.n343.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Synex
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]

AH>ever heard of it?  What's the scoop on it?  *adh*

I heard it is supposed to stop or try and control the damage from
swelling. I read today, he has gotten "some" volontary movement
back in his leggs. Good for him... I hope it helps...

===
 * SLMR 2.1 * There is no gravity, the earth just sucks...

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!343!45!Greg.Wick
Internet: Greg.Wick@f45.n343.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Bye Bye Prince Valium
From: Ed.Dobie@f101.n2380.z1.fidonet.org (Ed Dobie)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2380/101 - Fast Eddie's BBS, Monroe MI


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 >  Something to keep in mind when withdrawing from Lioresal
 > (Baclofen),
 >  rapid withdrawal will lead to bizarre hallucinations. I
 > experienced
 >  this when trying to rapidly get from 200 mgs. a day to 80.
 > Comparable
 >  to a bad acid trip with no colors.

I always wondered about the effect myself.  My daughter about 9 at
the time (42lbs) was on 15mg QID.  He was overdosed the day before
Mother's Day two years ago by a RN here at home.  I figure she got
150mg (was in a suspension) on Saturday at noon.  She was asleep by
1-1:30pm.  At 5pm the nurse tried to do somethings to her but she
was dispondent.  At 6pm when the nurse was leaving, she asked me
for MORE Baclofen.  Without thinking about it I gave her a spare
bottle I had.  She got another 15mg.  When my wife took over
nursing she (my wife) was in shock.  We could not communicate with
Jill.  Joanie thought that Jill had a stroke or something.

I started thinking about it, and suspected the overdose.  We rushed
her back to University of Michigan, they tried obsorbing it via
G-Tube with a charcoal substance.  It didn't do much good.  As you
know it is a very fast acting drug.  Her heart rate dropped into
the low 40's and before she really went out, all she could do was
scream like a cat.  It was reaaly spooky!  My wife stayed with her
that night while I spent the night with my other daughter at
Ronnie's. The next morning, Jill was wide awake, joking, etc.  She
couldn't remember a thing.  No side effects at all.  ???  I started
questioning hospital staff about long term effects, i.e. liver.
But, they all poo-pood this instance.  They had a special meeting
about Jill, and they had an expert? they studing her experience.

The real weird thing was later that day when I wanted to get her
started back on it again.  They all thought I was nuts, but a
questioned the withdrawal problems.  At that time there was a real
good resident on the floor that respected us, and respected her &
everyone elses lack of knowledge of this drug that knowbody really
knows how or why it really works.  She allowed me more or less
write the orders at the hospital while we got her back to her a
lower level of 50mg q day.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!2380!101!Ed.Dobie
Internet: Ed.Dobie@f101.n2380.z1.fidonet.org




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                  End of Issue # 3070 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
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