HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: gordon@ec.uwa.oz.au (Jennifer)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: epidural pump
Date: 27 Aug 92 14:43:42 GMT
Reply-To: gordon@ec.uwa.oz.au (Jennifer)
Organization: University of Western Australia
X-Fidonet: Chronic Pain Conference

Index Number: 23978

David.Venable@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org (David Venable) writes:

>Index Number: 23881

>Hi. My wife was injured on the job two years ago and has had hronic back
>pain since. After bone scans,MRI, Cat scans and nerve induction (EMG?)
>studies, they still can't find the cause.
> Two weeks ago they did an epidural with .03 mg. MS and she got some
>relief.
> Now they want to implant an epidural pump. My question is, Should she?
>anyone out there have one? what are the pros and cons?

Hello David,

greetings from Australia.

My name is Jennifer, I have been in chronic pain since a motor
vehicle accident in 1987. I sustained damage to two discs in the
cervical spine and nerve damage. Consequently I have to live with
substantial imobility and pain in the neck.

I have had four trial infusions of various pain killers, mainly
opiates and found substantial pain relief. Unfortunately I had a
hyper-sensitivity to opiates which resulted in large scale nausea.
Subsequently the decision to install the pump was reversed. The
procedure to put the pump and catheter was uncomfortable but
bearable. I have known a number of people who have had pumps
installed in the cervical and lumbar spine and most of them
experienced considerable relief and to date no substantial side
affects.

I have also tried a external TENS machine and a internal electrode
arrangement and found these to be ineffective. Nothing like the
relief supplied by the pump.

You may be interested to know that installation of these pumps is
now being performed on chronic pain patients in most major
Australian hospitals. One often observes articles that highlight
the benefits and success of such procedures.

If your wife has had the trial, found relief, could tolerate the
medication and the physical placement of the catheter, one would
have to be of the opinion that on the balance of probability relief
will be obtained and hopefully she will find restoration of her
previous quality of life.

Good luck and please let me know how your wife goes. I am not on
Internet, however I can be contacted via the account of my friend
on the bottom of this message.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Turner						Network/Systems Officer
Division of Economics Commerce Education & Law, University of Western Australia
email: gordon@ecel.uwa.edu.au    Phone: (w)+61-9-380 1855   Fax: +61-9-380 1068
--
From: Bruce.Couper@f401.n229.z1.fidonet.org (Bruce Couper)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: MS/HELP/Fatigue
Date: 31 Aug 92 12:27:36 GMT
Reply-To: Bruce.Couper@f401.n229.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:229/401 - The Connection HST!, Oshawa ON

Index Number: 24075

AF>Shalom Bruce, Good to hear from you. I guess you can see by my
  > notes that I am not at all optimistic. I did not mention that I had
  > MS to my employer having being told by the MS support group here
  > that this was the best policy. Now I dont know. Also I need a
  > physical for the job can they fire you on the grounds of what they
  > find from it?

I wish I could offer more Aaron, but even your last question I cannot
address; your laws are different and your country's attitudes towards
social programs rather harsher.

AF>My hardest task is sleeping at night.

A not too uncommon, though often sporadic, problem for MSrs.  I have
sometimes had to resort to mild over-the-counter sleeping  aids; I've
probably done so about once or twice a year for only a few days at a
time, so no drug dependance, but it was neccessary.

You're right about learning to listen to your body, Aaron and those of
us with MS, CFS etc understand the grinding fatigue.  Keep working at
learning to pace yourself and trying to get enough rest.

Peace

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From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: On Signing....
Date: 2 Sep 92 16:28:40 GMT
Reply-To: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference

Index Number: 24287

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 AS> Perhaps we should put the blame on deaf education in the US - on
 AS> the teachers who are not fully qualified - there seems to be
 AS> more of them who are not qualified than there are qualified
 AS> teaching Deaf Education.

Annie, I once met a HoH person who had applied for a clerical
position at a prestigeous deaf school.  She was told that no
clerical positions were open, but was offered a job as a teacher.
Upon protesting that she had no teaching credentials, she
was told "That doesn't matter, it's just babysitting anyhow."

And we wonder why some have difficulty with English. (arghhhh)

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From: Caleb.Burns@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Caleb Burns)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: General Interest
Date: 28 Aug 92 16:08:54 GMT
Reply-To: Caleb.Burns@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/14.0 - Busker's Boneyard, Portland OR

Index Number: 24010

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

It would be interested to look at addiction rates in Canada where
tylenol (and aspirin) with codeine is sold without prescription. (It's
not on the shelves -- one asks the pharmacists and can buy a largish
bottle of the stuff.) I doubt that there is a great problem with it for
people in chronic pain, but it would be very interesting to look at the
data.

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Internet: Caleb.Burns@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org
From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Fried Death !!!
Date: 3 Sep 92 12:56:15 GMT
Reply-To: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/175.1 - Busted Flush BBS, New Castle DE
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 24310

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to Joe Chamberlain <16 Aug 92 13:46> Karen Tackett wrote:

 KT> Thanks for mentioning this. I keep taking my daughter off her
 KT> recommended maintenance dosage. She's been healthier than ever. I
 KT> just make sure she gets plenty of liquids, and some cranberry
 KT> juice and alfalfa every so often. The docs give me grief, but
 KT> their just trying to cover their tail ends in case she gets a UTI.

Your daughtr has a long life ahead of her and any treatment should
be undertaken with the long range effects in mind.  I run a
constant low level bladder infection which seldom causes any side
effects.  However, every once in a while it combines with another
bug, causing a flare up which causes me to run a fever.  At this
pooint it gets treated.

I could get rid of the entire infection by taking a drug which
might cause blindness.  Just what I need.  A blind quad in an
electric wheelchair!

PARAPLEGIA will have a detail write up of the aging study in the
September issue.

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From: 34AEJ7D@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu (Bill Gorman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Starving Guide dogs?
Date: 31 Aug 92 19:55:02 GMT
Reply-To: 34AEJ7D@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu (Bill Gorman)
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 24077

The attached post, forwarded from my CANINE-L list, indicates that
there authorities may be blocking needed supplies from, among other animals,
Guide/Leader dogs in hurricane damage areas. Clearly, this both violates
the ADA and puts those needing the services of such dogs at risk.

Sez me,

W. K. [Bill] Gorman
--------------------------ATTACHMENT------------------------------------

On Sat, 29 Aug 1992 11:27:10 EST Judith Van Noate said:
|I just called the humane society here (Charlotte) about supplies for
|animals.  They told me that trucks with animal supplies are not being
|let through.  People supplies take priority.  They told me if I wanted
|to help I could send money to:
|the Putnam County Humane Society (the hardest hit area).  They didn't
|have the address but they are batching checks and will send them on to
|Putnam Co. H.S.  If you wish to contribute--make a check out to
|Putnam County Humane Society.  You can send it to:
|The Humane Society of Charlotte
|P.O. Box 221028  or 537 Rountree Road
|Charlotte, N. C. 28222
|Phone (704) 523 PETS
|...
From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Take Your Pick!
Date: 2 Sep 92 16:27:38 GMT
Reply-To: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference

Index Number: 24282

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

We were having some discussions here in ST about the limited
vocabulary of ASL, and I was lurking with interest.

 RC>  The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) declared this
 RC>  past year that the telephone used by the deaf shall be
 RC>  officially referred to as a "TT" (text telephone). This has
 RC>  not met with great approval so far, with one of the biggest
 RC>  criticisms being that when it is signed in ASL, it could be
 RC>  mistaken for "toilet."

Rick, are you telling us that ASL users could mistake a telephone
for a toilet?  Really?  Hmmmm, Could this explain the distinctive
fragrance I've detected occasionally in the vicinity of telephone
booths? ;-)

Seriously, if it is actually a problem, why not just modify the
sign for TT.  Use a "T" handshape as a prefix to the sign for
"telephone".  I believe most would understand this, and it
can be done without FCC sanction.

We have FAR MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES to resolve with the FCC.
This one impresses me as a "red herring" distraction.

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From: Mike.Adams@f10.n19.z1.fidonet.org (Mike Adams)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Reasonable Accommodation
Date: 4 Sep 92 20:26:18 GMT
Reply-To: Mike.Adams@f10.n19.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:19/10 - Majik Shoppe BBS, Altus OK
X-Fidonet: Able News Conference

Index Number: 24380

[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

RC>MA>Just a couple of questions since we're still all learning the
RC>MA>ropes when it comes to ADA:

RC>Let me add my 2 cents worth here....

You're selling yourself short <grin>.  Everyone's opinion here is
valuable <IMO>.

RC>First of all we're all people.... My next belief is that we all have
RC>disabling conditions! Some more pronounced than others... As the saying
RC>goes, "Nobody's Perfect!" We all have our limitations which may have
RC>been brought about by a mental, physical, and even an emotional
RC>condition. Or a combination of them.

I can see some problems with broad interpretations such as this,
though.  Does reasonable accommodation apply to all of us?  If so,
I believe the force of the law is significantly reduced.

RC>So... who has the authority to say who is "normal" or who is "disabled".
RC>Every human being is a combination of both. We just have to admit it...
RC>and work together to overcome mankind's greatest disabling condition,
RC>the need to discriminate and group ourselves into categories based on
RC>limitations.

I think you're opening up some serious issues here.  Overall, I agree
that too much is made of what is NORMAL and what is NOT NORMAL, since
the solution to that puzzle differs with each of us.  However, if
we're talking about accommodating certain groups of people to ensure
that they obtain access to the same benefits and privileges that
others have without accommodation, we need some guidelines as to
how those folks are to be identified in the first place.  That's the
thrust of my question.

RC>And, in my opinion.... the ADA is a step in that direction....

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, or so
the old Chinese proverb goes.  True enough.  ADA is full of good
intent and possesses the potential to serve many people well.  My
concern lies in diluting its intent through too broad an interpretation
of its purposes.

 * SLMR 2.1 *

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From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Cued Speech
Date: 2 Sep 92 16:28:51 GMT
Reply-To: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference

Index Number: 24288

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 EP> I'd like to! Do you know of any available texts on the subject
 EP> or the technique? (preferably both)

Contact:  National Information Center on Deafness
          Gallaudet University
          800 Florida Ave. NE
          Washington  DC  20002-3695
          (202)651-5051 v; (202)651-5052 tt; (202)651-5054 fax.

Ask for their catalog of publications..  Or contact the Gallaudet
Bookstore (same address).

Good luck.

Jack.

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From: Dale.Hayes@f5297.n3603.z1.fidonet.org (Dale Hayes)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Slimware
Date: 1 Sep 92 21:09:13 GMT
Reply-To: Dale.Hayes@f5297.n3603.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3603/5297 - Henter Joyce Suppor, St Petersburg FL
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 24219

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I can speak from personal experience that slimware has been very
poor in terms of customer support, product delivery, technical
support, and quality of product.  I have worked with a user and
have attempted to use Slimware products. The results have been 1.
The product did not work (ie. when loaded the program would crash),

2. I have talked at length with their technical support people and
been unable to reslove the problem, 3. They have promised a user
that "the product was in the mail" only to have 4 weeks or more go
by without the product arriving, 4. They have said in no uncertain
terms while dealing with them on the phone that I did not know what
I was doing (hopefully my B.S. in computer science and 8 yrs
experience with micros count for something) and 5. They promised
product updates and products which never "happened" to arrive.  I
have met representatives of the company personally at conventions
and shows and have found them to be abrasive and arrogant. I WILL
NOT PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN THEIR STEAD IN NEBRASKA and have
told potential users in this state as much.

I have also referred interested personsn to 4 former users who have
had worse experiences and whom I have tried to help (as part of my
job).  In my professional opinion Syntha-voice has not met the
standards necessary for me to mention their products as options for
users and until the demonstrate otherwise I will continue to advise
users to avoid them. I could give a very detailed list but the
whole sad saga occupies 26 pages of documentation.

Dale Hayes

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From: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Siren)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Braille Printers
Date: 1 Sep 92 21:08:23 GMT
Reply-To: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:396/5.18 - Pontchippi, New Orleans LA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 24214

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 RC> I am presently in need of a new Braille printer at work.  My place of
 RC> employment
 RC> is, like a lot of others, tightening their belts as much as they can, but
 RC> my boss has told me that as far as a new printer goes,
 RC> they will buy one for me.  He also feels that both price and reliability,
 RC> from his point of view, are important considerations.  However, he is not
 RC> going to let price stand in the way of getting a good product.

 RC> I am trying to decide whether to go with the Versapoint from TSI or the
 RC> Braille Blazer from Blazie Engineering.  I have an older Versapoint
 RC> (purchased in 1986).  It has been a good printer, but it printed its last
 RC> dot a few weeks ago.  I have been happy with it, and I like dealing with
 RC> TSI.  They always seem to have good products that last.

 RC> I got a look at the Braille Blazer while I was at the ACB National
 RC> Convention this summer in Phoenix.  It prints at only about 15 CPS, but it
 RC> would work for
 RC> me on the job.  It is also about 1300 dollars cheaper than the newest
 RC> Versapoint.

 RC> Both printers have the features I am looking for.

Hi RAy, I hae a blazer, and I have had it for almost a year now,
but I don't do a lot of braille, since this is mypersonal
brailler.  One thing you have to remember is that the blazer only
brailles on narrow paper 11 inches wide, and the others can braille
on wide paper.  This is not a problem for me since most of my
brailling is for narrow paper.  Since you need it at work, I did
not know if this would be a problem for you.  The blazer is a small
brailler, and it is easy portable which is another plus for it.  It
is also user friendly.

Walter

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From: Bill.Burgess@p0.f401.n229.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Burgess)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Carlos Costa's Swim
Date: 31 Aug 92 12:23:22 GMT
Reply-To: Bill.Burgess@p0.f401.n229.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:229/401.0 - The Connection HST!, Oshawa ON

Index Number: 24053

I regret to inform you that for reasons of personal safety, Carlos Costa
had to be pulled from the water after swimming most of the distance
across Lake Ontario.  A severe electrical storm, combined with tornados
and choppy waves of 5 feet in height forced the termination of the swim.
I watched the continuous lightning strikes over the lake for an hour and
a half and feared not only for Carlos but also for those in the
accompanying boats, as I have never seen so much lightning in many
years.  But Carlos would like to try again.  He set a very strong pace
and was doing remarkably well up to this point, and can feel proud of
what he has done up to now.  I have the newspaper coverage of the event
and will be forwarding it to Linda Cummings.  I am sure that Carlos will
tell us more after he rests up.  Carlos, you did very well and all are
proud of you.  TTYL
Bill

... Silver Xpress? Its tracks were washed out by a Blue Wave!

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From: Shelby.Sherman@f67.n123.z1.fidonet.org (Shelby Sherman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: General Interest
Date: 28 Aug 92 16:11:42 GMT
Reply-To: Shelby.Sherman@f67.n123.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:123/67 - Shelby's Swamp, Bartlett TN

Index Number: 24019

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 > It would be interested to look at addiction rates in Canada
 > where tylenol (and aspirin) with codeine is sold without
 > prescription. (It's not on the shelves -- one asks the
 > pharmacists and can buy a largish bottle of the stuff.) I doubt
 > that there is a great problem with it for people in chronic
 > pain, but it would be very interesting to look at the data.

Addiction is often confused with tolerance or physical dependence
which are quite different from addiction.  Addiction is quite rare
among cancer patients, less than one tenth of one percent.  I was
not aware that tylenol w/codeine was available without a
prescription in Canada.

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From: Karen.Tackett@p2.f42.n352.z1.fidonet.org (Karen Tackett)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Siggy's Perfect House
Date: 1 Sep 92 21:15:34 GMT
Reply-To: Karen.Tackett@p2.f42.n352.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:352/42.2 - The Pointless Fores, Olympia WA
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 24246

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

I just finished the rough draft of a picture book (around 32 pages)
for kids. It was about a little boy that builds his own little
playhouse.

But after I finished, I realized that I had a chance to teach a
little bit about "accessibility" to little kids by changing Siggy
to be a child in a wheelchair.

So Siggy, perhaps alone, or with his parents, siblings, or friends
is going to build his perfect house.

So help me out... what should he have in it?

(I'll post the final results in the echo, for sure)

thanks

kt

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From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Hi
Date: 1 Sep 92 21:18:11 GMT
Reply-To: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/175.1 - Busted Flush BBS, New Castle DE
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 24257

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to James Lubin <14 Aug 92 15:42> Greg Wick wrote:

 GW> I've been looking for a new live-in aide. I think I found one.
 GW> Not a lot to pick from though. Not many callers and out of not
 GW> many, only 1/3 showed up for the interview. A two week ad got 5

This is a constant problem.  Securing a good live-in aide takes a
lot of work.  DeGraft has a book called HOME HEALTH AIDES which
covers just about everything.  Available from Accent Publications.
[I have no affilation with Accent.  They won't even published my
stuff without chopping it down.]

I have made a list of all the churches in the area.  I call the
pastor or outreach worker and explain what I need and what I
offer.  I figure a person attending church is a step above some of
the clowns I get from a newspaper ad.

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From: Ann.Lemke@f9.n381.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Lemke)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Art and the Blind
Date: 1 Sep 92 17:36:58 GMT
Reply-To: Ann.Lemke@f9.n381.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:381/9 - Sky's The Limit BBS, El Paso TX
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 24173

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hello Cindy,
While I have never specifically had access to a project such as you
described, I've always had an interest in sculpture and other art forms.
Whether exhibits such as what you described are necessary is probably a
moot point.  We can't fully appreciate things we can't experience in
some direct fashion, no matter how well objects may be described to us.
I am reminded of visiting the Hemis-fair in San Antonio when I was a
child; there were many models of Mexican antiquities.  I'm sure the
models weren't designed for blind people, but it made Mexican
anthropology come to life for all of the visitors, yes, including a
visually impaired child.
I would be interested to learn more about what has been done nationally
to make art accessible to the blind.

Ann

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