Want to Learn? Check out this important webinar

The best consumers are informed consumers. Whether you are a clinician, a consumer, a caregiver, or even a citizen, you should be informed! Please check out this very important opportunity... it might just impact your life.
And then get involved, Take a stand about this issue and consider becoming active in the Amputee Coalition.

Attend the Amputee Coalition Webinar on Medicare's Proposed Changes to Amputee Care on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 1pm EDT.

The Amputee Coalition invites you to attend this important Webinar to find out more about Medicare’s proposed changes to covering prosthetic care and learn about what you can do to help ensure amputees continue to receive the most appropriate device for their needs. This presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, and will be followed by an open Question & Answer session to address any additional questions that you may have on this issue. If you are not able to attend the Webinar on Wednesday, August 19, 2015, it will be posted on our Web site after the conclusion. Register now! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. View System Requirements We hope that you will join us to discuss this important topic.

A Call to Action: We Need to Enact Change...

Dear All;

As you know, I am an occupational therapist specializing in upper limb prosthetic rehabilitation and in single-handed strategies for those who do not use this technology. I am also a consumer; I have a congenital upper limb deficiency. I have worn and used a prosthesis since I was 14 months of age; at the current age of 59 years, I continue to enjoy the opportunity to wear and use this technology. I truly believe that it has made a difference in my life. Am I able to complete activities without a prosthesis? Yes; but with great cost... cost to efficiency, energy, body integrity, social comfort and even quality of life. Is a prosthesis necessary for all amputees? Maybe not; however we deserve the opportunities to have the choice and to access the technology if desired or needed. These opportunities are currently under threat.

A new proposed coverage policy for lower limb prostheses drafted by Medicare’s contractors has raised significant alarms across the community because of the extremely negative impact it would have on amputees, with some stating it would set prosthetic patient care back four decades to a 1970s standard of care. 

 

As drafted, the proposed Medicare coverage policy could limit and delay access to prosthetics for people with limb loss.

 

Right now the government is listening while the draft policy is in a formal 45-day comment period. This comment period ends at the close of business on August 31, 2015. That’s why now is the time to speak up about concerns.

 

The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP) has initiated a petition to the White House to completely rescind the draft policy.  The petition needs to reach 100,000 signatures by the end of August to go to the Obama Administration for comment – a critical step to ensure the highest level of government pays attention to this issue.

I urge you, as a consumer, a clinician, a caregiver, a citizen to become involved and to advocate for better services.

 

To sign the petition, please visit:  

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/rescind-medicare-proposal-restricting-access-prosthetic-limbs-and-returning-amputees-1970s-standards-care. 

 

Immediate steps are being taken across the community to rally with one voice, and every one of us can be a part of this.  Please share this with friends and family and ask for their support!

 

To learn more about this proposal, watch this video at http://www.naaop.org/vid.asp?name=webcast_august-2015.mp4 and visit The Amputee Coalition’s Grassroots Advocacy Center at http://www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy-awareness/federal-issues/medicare-issue-alert/

 

I thank you for your support!

Single-Handed Solutions...

So, what do you think???!!!

This is my logo for my blog and my company! Can you tell what it is? Right!

It's my handprint and my residual limb print...

I love that my limb print makes a bit of a swirl... it reminds me of the creative thought process! Creativity, clinical reasoning and client-centered care is what I invest in the endeavors of Single-Handed Solutions!



Stand-Up or Skate Paddling, Anyone???

Are you interested in learning something new this year? Come on; it's the start of a new year! This sport is relatively new. It's conditioning and fun! -Even I want to try it! This company and it's message caught my attention. They have a multi-fold vision and a benevolent mission.  Read on, check out their website- http://skatepaddlesports.com and perhaps consider the crowd-funding opportunity.

Skate Paddle Sports is more than fun and fitness…it’s about changing the WORLD! Starting in our little corner of it – Imperial Beach, CA. Once we realized we were on to something – revolutionizing skate boarding for everyone with an amazing skate paddle – then it was only natural for us to figure out how this skate paddle can create jobs and economic development in our little town of 26,000 people in the 91932, just south of the city of San Diego, and feet from the border of Mexico. We can honestly say…

Our Skate Paddles and Boards WILL BE MADE IN THE USA…barely!

We are also uniquely situated near some of the toughest training sites for the Navy and Marines. We see Wounded Warriors everyday, and are excited to have created prosthetic paddles to allow amputees everywhere the opportunity to have fun too!

Our mission also includes using our profits to build sustainable orphanages in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, then working south! Not only sheltering the children who are homeless and live on the streets of Tijuana, but also uncovering and fostering their God-given talents so that they may build up the next generation of Mexico. Our mission really is about changing the world…

Are you in? Do YOU want to help?

Thank you and God Bless!

Footprints Adventures!

 This site was just forwarded to me: what a cool opportunity!!!  Check it out!

http://www.footprintsadventures.org/

 

I was wondering if you know of anyone ages 17-25 who would be interested in our 7 day Young Adult Program?  It is August 6-12 and is $500.  We do have both full ride and partial scholarships for this program.  I thought I would check and see if you know of anyone that would be interested.  

--

Footprints Adventures mission is to promote self-advocacy, personal-reflection, self-confidence, among teens with limb differences and limb loss; and to challenge them to set new physical goals through fun and adventurous activities.

Or simply… FUN EMPOWERING ADVENTURES

Texting and Driving

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzqVFlXDCoIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzqVFlXDCoI

 

Check out this movie, "BRAKE"... And share with all you know.... please.

Compelling and true.

I know that I won't be texting and driving.

As many of you know, I am an OT providing  prosthetic rehabilitation services to consumers. This story just came to my attention.... Please read on and be  sure to check out the link:
"This 6 yr old boy was born without part of his arm. He told Santa that he wanted an XBox and fingers to play it. A family friend started fundraising for a prosthetic arm for him because the parents' insurance will not cover a prosthetic arm for the little boy because it is not medically necessary. A little boy doesn't need an arm?Anyway, I thought, well, it is Christmas time. Miracles happen. Maybe someone can help... somehow...Thank you. xo"
http://www.myfoxny.com/story/24198927/long-island-boy-asks-santa-for-prosthetic-arm-and-xbox

Shame on the insurance companies.... and the reviewer who relays this sentiment. How despicable. The argument of the reviewer is that the responsibility of the provider is to prove that the (prosthetic) device(s) requested are medically necessary and that they did not likely submit such necessary evidence. -It is always the fault or the responsibility of someone else. It does not matter that the parents of this child, or any other consumer paying into an insurance policy for that matter; have been paying/contributing to that policy as stakeholders. Talk about being held hostage! We are required to have insurance, to pay into it; yet it provides little to nothing relative to our prosthetic needs. And what has happened to the basics of common sense, not to mention compassion for fellow human beings???? Are we so stupid or so callous that we cannot see the benefits of assistive technology... we have to prove the medical necessity, when the beneficial functional necessity is  apparent?
Please tell me that someone is going to come to their senses and assist ALL of the Christophers of the world...