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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Wed, 22 Jul 1992 16:57:51 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2813
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2813

                          Wednesday, July 22, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                                Hand Controls
                                cruise travel
                               Weather factors
                              Re: My trip back
                              Re: Chronic pain
                                  Swelling
                    Companion Dogs and epileptic seizures
                       Re: Myo-fascial pain & rolfing
                          Help with advocacy group
                               Companion Dogs
                          Up to my keester in cats!
                         Re: splitting of newsgroups


                                ******


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



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Subject: Hand Controls
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]

 To: rocker@desire.wright.edu (Ronnie)

 Ro> I'm looking for something that I could push forward for brack and
 Ro> pull back (not down) for gas.

Call Gresham Driving Aids and they will refer you.  800-521-8930.
I think the manufacturer you want is Kopecke.

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




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Subject: cruise travel
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 <Jul 13 16:35> Joe Chamberlain (1:150/175.1)
writes to All:

 JC>      Two passengers on a cruise ship returning from Jamaica were
 JC> arrested in West Palm Beach for allegedly trying to smuggle 58
 JC> pounds of marijuana in their wheelchairs.

That would've controlled their spasms for years!  *adh*

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




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Subject: Weather factors
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]

 >    I've decided that since I can't work as a paramedic anymore I'm
 > going to be a weather forecaster.  I'm a whole lot more accurate
 > than the guys on TV.  For me, it seems to be related to the
 > barometric pressure.  I thought it was when it dropped below 30,
 > but my husband thinks (having listened to my complaint :_) that
 > it's more to do with the direction.  Whenever a low front is over
 > us or coming in it's a killer!

What a coincidence!  I've watched the weather channel when my pain
increases and the first thing I see is the little "down" area with
the barometric pressure.  Yup...you guessed it!  My pain also
increases when the barometric pressure falls below 30.  I am also
pretty accurate with forcasting a front moving in, even days before
the weather channel says anything about it.

Linda

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




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Subject: Re: My trip back
From: John.Rougeau@f4.n30917.z1.fidonet.org (John Rougeau)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:30917/4


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message of <Jul 13 23:40>, Keith Jones (1:114/15.13) writes vaguely:

 > The neurosurgeon I saw seemed to be well versed in chronic pain and
 > spasticity though some literature I took in impressed him and he made
 > copies and said that they are able to do far more in Europe due to
 > looser restrictions than they can here. If I was looking for some kind
 > of alleviation desperately, I would check into going to Sweden. They
 > seem to be the most progressive country in that aspect. Besides you
 > might meet a pretty blond damsel that would make you forget about all
 > your pain.:)

Hi,

The neurosurgeon at Craig...most likely was Dr. Edgar. EXCELLENT Surgeon!
I've had several major spinal surgeries and I trust this man with my life....
[He's got a cute nurse too! ;-)]

This Guy's up to date.....

See Ya!

-John

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!30917!4!John.Rougeau
Internet: John.Rougeau@f4.n30917.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Chronic pain
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]

 -=> Quoting Keith Jones to Patti Bader <=-

 KJ> I am truly sorry to hear this but know that this is much more common
 KJ> of a symptom of rhizotomies than they would have you believe. I had a
 KJ> doctor who was willing to do a rhizotomy for me and despite the pain,
 KJ> I turned it down in lieu of what I read. What the MDs have told you
 KJ> about being locked into your head makes perfect sense to me for
 KJ> something that makes absolutely no sense if that makes any sense at
 KJ> all.

Keith, thanks for your thoughts on the above.  I WISH I had been an informed
patient.  At the time I was heavily medicated with Valium and other anti-
spasmotics and the docs could have very well told me about the pain that the
rhizotomy would bring, I just don't know.  My husband says that nothing was
ever said, at least when he was with me.  I'm very glad the spasticity is gone
but at what expense?  Now, when someone mentions a rhizotomy, I tell them to
read everything they can get their hands on.  It's funny, but the neurosurgeon
who did the surgery won't even discuss the pain aspect, except to refer me for
more surgery, but I guess that's his job, huh?

 PB> I'm going to discuss the above with my MD.  I've not been
 PB> on Clonopin since
 PB> 1987, and it wasn't used for pain at that time.

 KJ> I also was not on Clonopin for pain, I was on it for spasticity. I am
 KJ> now wondering if if did not foul up something in my brain chemistry
 KJ> that caused the pains I have had since I quit it. It is an
 KJ> anticonvulsant and even the doctors don't understand why it works for
 KJ> some people. Whoever said medicine was an exact science . I am
 KJ> starting to believe that if any relief can be obtained ffrom drugs it
 KJ> is by a doctor using a recipe like your grandmother's for spaghetti
 KJ> from scratch. No precise measures, just a little bit of this and that
 KJ> until it comes out right (and hopefully with few side effects or long
 KJ> term problems.

I think you're absolutely correct!  Besides Clonopin, they also tried me on
Tegretol and Dilantin (both anticonvulsants) for the spasticity also.

 PB> I feel this pain is much more disabling that my MS or paralysis is.

 KJ> I couldn't agree or empathise with you more. I wish you luck. It is
 KJ> always sad to hear stories like yours. But at the same time it is
 KJ> encouraging that you are able to hang in there with problems that make
 KJ> mine look minor in comparison.

I have no choice but to hang in there, well I guess I do, but the alternative
is sorta final...not my cuppa tea.

Patti

... ** Confidence is the feeling you had before you knew better. **

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!202!323.0!Patti.Bader
Internet: Patti.Bader@p0.f323.n202.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Swelling
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]

I don't know if anyone else here has experienced this or not, but here goes.

Tonight, I'm sitting at the computer, corresponding with a friend
here in Montgomery.  My legs and feet start feeling very tight.  I
roll back my chair, and look at them.

The feet are swollen almost twice their normal size and my legs
appear to be swollen also.  When I get up to go into the living
room to rest and get my legs and feet up, it's very difficult to
walk.

It may be that I just sat too long and all the blood settled in my
legs and feet?

Anyone else experience this?  Remember, my problem is failed back
surgeries, and chronic pain.

Linda

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




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Subject: Companion Dogs and epileptic seizures
From: 34AEJ7D%CMUVM.BITNET@VM1.nodak.edu (Bill Gorman)

Here's a note about this from my CANINE-L discussion list. I thought
someone here might find it of interest.


Sez me,

W. K. (Bill) Gorman
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>On dogs pridicting epileptic seizures:   I have heard of them being
>used.  Studies have proven that during a certain time period before a
>seizure, people who have epilepsy perform particulat behaviors that
>they might not be able to recognize.  The dogs can sense these
>behaviors and are taught to warn the victim before the seizure at
>which point the victim would take precautions to prevent the seizure
>eg.  take medicine, sit and relax, or whatever the doctor recommended.




------



Subject: Re: Myo-fascial pain & rolfing
From: kak@crux1.cit.cornell.edu (Kim Kohler)
Organization: Cornell Information Technologies



renee@tso.uc.EDU (Renee Alper) writes:
>Index Number: 22811

>Yes, I know a fair amount about myo-fascial pain, and it can
>definitely be the cause of the problem. Myo-fascial pain can be
>caused by knots in trigger poin which can refer pain, nerve
>problems, spasms, etc. to virtually anywhere else in the body--but
>along certain known pathways. One way to treat this prob iby
>trigger point injections--somewhat painful, but fairly effective

Generally the initial treatments may be more conservative, including
trigger point "massage" and "stretch and spray" (spray the muscle with
vapor/coolant then stretch ).  "Dry needling" is
currently gaining acceptance as well.  This is not the same as
accupuncture.  There is some evidence that the "dry needling" technique
is as effective as injections.

>I believe the name of the doctor who first worked with this is
>Janet Travell (sp?). Many pain management facilities work with

yes.  Janet Travell and ?? Simons have a 2 volume book out (they
are red, and i believe the name is "Myofascial ????".  The first
edition came out a several years ago and covers the upper body.  It
is a great work, and contributes much to the study of soft tissue
.  Everyone eagerly awaited the 2nd edition which had been promised
for quite some time.  Janet Travell is getting up there in years
(80's ? 90's ??) and there was some concern that the 2nd volume
wouldn't actually be published.  It is out now. I believe it
became available within the last year.  The illustrations in these
books are quite interesting.

I had trigger point work for over a year with some relief.  I
believe that my underlying condition results in (quite a bit of)
myofascial pain and that it is important for me to keep that under
control.  However, the primary problem was not helped.

>trigger point therapy now. A word of warning though: I don't
>recommend using cortisone as an injectant--lydocaine or carbocaine
>are ok for anesthetization, but cortisone can get you into more

why is this ?  I though the "depot" steroids were, relatively speaking, ok.
what problem did you run into ??????????


-kim
--
Kim Kohler				kak@crux1.cit.cornell.edu
220 CCC
Cornell University, Ithaca NY




------



Subject: Help with advocacy group
From: ronald@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu (Ronald A. Amundson)
Organization: University of Hawaii at Manoa


We in Hilo, Hawaii, are in the process of forming a "consumer- based"
advocacy group for disability rights.  We've finally realized that
government committees and most private agencies have too much inertia
and bureaucracy to engage in much activism at the local level.

I know that there are lots of other organizations of this kind
out there.  Does anyone have the bylaws, statements of purpose,
etc. for such an organization?  If so, I would appreciate it if
you could post or email them to me so we can use them as samples.

Even titles of similar groups would be helpful.  Or (best of all)
an address list of local disability rights activist groups.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Ron Amundson
Disability Rights Advocacy Group Without A Name
Hilo, Hawaii



ronald@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu   (Internet)
ronald@uhunix.bitnet            (Bitnet)



------



Subject: Companion Dogs
From: 34AEJ7D%CMUVM.BITNET@VM1.nodak.edu (Bill Gorman)

Here's a piece about companion dogs from my CANINE-L Discussion List.
I thought some of those on this echo might find it interesting.


Sez me,

W. K. (Bill) Gorman  <34AEJ7D@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
|Bill,
|There was an article about companion dogs in one of the recent issues of
|Dogfancy and Science Diet gave away free calenders last year featuring
|companion dogs with lots of info about the program. The most commonly
|used breeds are Labradors and Golden Retrievers. People volunteer
|to raise puppies for one year to a year and half- training them in good
|behavior. House breaking and basic obedience commands and socializing
|them to different kinds of people and different types of situation. Then
|the dogs are trained for another year and learn over 100 commands. Then
|the dogs are matched with a disabled person who has had to go through a
|rigorius selection process to make sure they are a suitable candidate.
|The dogs and their companions then go to camp for six weeks to learn the
|commands together. Its a great program. We have a student at our College
|who has a companion dog, Golden Retriever named Teddy. Teddy's a love.
|He lays quietly under the student's desk when not needed, and carries
|the students books etc, in packs. Disabled people who have companion dogs
|say that they are real ice breakers. People stop to talk about the dog-
|and go on talking when before they might have ignored the disabled person.



------



Subject: Up to my keester in cats!
From: 34AEJ7D%CMUVM.BITNET@VM1.nodak.edu (Bill Gorman)

Anybody want a calico cat? How about a kitten?

I have  recently rescued an  abandoned, pregnant  calico on a
temporary basis until a home can  be found for it... or homes for
*them*,  as the case may be.  This  has brought  about  the
founding of  an  electronic Feline  Underground Railroad  (FUR),
using  the  net  to  try  to  place  abandoned  pets  facing
destruction. We  hope to "pass  along" a  pet when and  as we can,
if someone wants it,  until it arrives at  its new home. Most  of
this happens on  my Cat Fanciers' Discussion List <FELINE-L@PCCVM>,
but I thought I'd share the wealth (or in this case the cat) with
friends on L-HCAP.


Sez me,

W. K. (Bill) Gorman

Station #1, Feline Underground Railroad (FUR)




------



Subject: Re: splitting of newsgroups
From: kiser@taronga.com (James Kiser)
Organization: Taronga Park BBS

In article <22818@handicap.news> 34AEJ7D%CMUVM.BITNET@VM1.nodak.edu
(Bill Gorman) writes:
>If it were to come to the formal CFD and CFV regarding splitting
>the misc.handicap newsgroup into misc.handicap.*, I would vote against it.
>I think it is a bad idea.

I have Cerebral Palsy and I only read misc.handicap occasionally
because of the time it takes to get through all the articles for
the ones of interest to me.  As a matter of fact, the above is the
first I saw of a split discussion, the others must have expired
before I saw them.

I think a split is long over due and while we are at it, how about making
it unmoderated?

--
      "Never send a bunny to do a duck's job."  - DW




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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2813 of the Handicap Digest

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