Amputee-related lists and client vs. patient (long)
Bill Lifford
Description
Collection
Title:
Amputee-related lists and client vs. patient (long)
Creator:
Bill Lifford
Date:
5/11/1999
Text:
Ian wrote:
>In fact, the response Kim got from many on this list, differs little the
>response I received when I suggested more prosthetists on this list should
>be on amputee oriented lists more.....
>There are prosthetists and other medical professionals on amputee oriented
>lists, they listen and sometimes offer some direction. They have benefitted
>greatly from being on these lists, sadly I count no more that 5 or 6 on my
>list. Doesn't this tell you something? These prosthetists are not fishing
>for new business, but they are tuning in to something a lot of people on
>this list seem to be scared of. Regardless of how many clients you have,
>you have not tapped in to this community until you have sat on one of the
>amputee mailing lists and listened to the issues.
I subscribed to AMP-L about a year ago and left the list after noticing that
there was a LOT of anger / resentment towards prosthetists among the
listmembers. I was scolded rather harshly (I think it was by Kim and some
others) about the use of the word client versus the word patient. I
found that even after a sincere apology on my part for possibly having
offended anyone, the flames (both on- and off-list) persisted to the point
where I felt leaving the list would be better for all involved. And this
was after one post where I mentioned the word patient! Ian was very kind
in explaining to me how the list worked and why my response triggered the
flames it did, but I just felt like I didn't have the time to wade through
the negativity. I may subscribe again now that I use a laptop on the train
and have more time to devote to lists, etc. I'm hoping that like on most
lists, the general tone has its ups and downs and I perhaps stumbled onto
the list during one of its darker periods.
If you do join the list I would definitely recommend ONLY listening for a
LONG time. People on the amputee list don't really want your opinion....
the list is a forum for them to offer support to each other and vent about
issues that they face. If they ask any questions about prosthetics
(componentry, etc.) the listmembers generally are asking other amputees/
clients/patients/consumers/end users etc. for their opinion and NOT the
prosthetists' opinions. The general consensus (it seems) is that there is
no way you (if you're not a person with an amputation yourself) could
understand their situation and as such you should participate on the list in
a more passive way.
To some extent that is true; however, I don't think it's impossible for
prosthetist without amputations themselves to understand some of the issues
that our clients/patients/end users face. Feelings of loss, depression,
pain, questions about future independence, even loneliness are all things
that some of these people experience (though not everyone to the same
extent), and we as prosthetists probably understand more about those issues
than they give us credit for. Granted, we may not understand these issues
because we also have an amputation; however, who hasn't experienced the loss
of a loved one? Who hasn't felt depressed at times? Who hasn't worried
about the future? Or how other people view them? It may not be to the same
extent as our clients, but we feel the same things sometimes and I do wish
some of the stronger-opinioned people would realize that.
The amputee lists are a great way to be more in touch with those feelings
and with issues facing our client/patient/consumer/end user population in
general. Just be very cautious if you decide to post to the list, and you
should have a great time with it.
Bill Lifford, C.P.
ARIMED Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 875-8754 email: <Email Address Redacted>
>In fact, the response Kim got from many on this list, differs little the
>response I received when I suggested more prosthetists on this list should
>be on amputee oriented lists more.....
>There are prosthetists and other medical professionals on amputee oriented
>lists, they listen and sometimes offer some direction. They have benefitted
>greatly from being on these lists, sadly I count no more that 5 or 6 on my
>list. Doesn't this tell you something? These prosthetists are not fishing
>for new business, but they are tuning in to something a lot of people on
>this list seem to be scared of. Regardless of how many clients you have,
>you have not tapped in to this community until you have sat on one of the
>amputee mailing lists and listened to the issues.
I subscribed to AMP-L about a year ago and left the list after noticing that
there was a LOT of anger / resentment towards prosthetists among the
listmembers. I was scolded rather harshly (I think it was by Kim and some
others) about the use of the word client versus the word patient. I
found that even after a sincere apology on my part for possibly having
offended anyone, the flames (both on- and off-list) persisted to the point
where I felt leaving the list would be better for all involved. And this
was after one post where I mentioned the word patient! Ian was very kind
in explaining to me how the list worked and why my response triggered the
flames it did, but I just felt like I didn't have the time to wade through
the negativity. I may subscribe again now that I use a laptop on the train
and have more time to devote to lists, etc. I'm hoping that like on most
lists, the general tone has its ups and downs and I perhaps stumbled onto
the list during one of its darker periods.
If you do join the list I would definitely recommend ONLY listening for a
LONG time. People on the amputee list don't really want your opinion....
the list is a forum for them to offer support to each other and vent about
issues that they face. If they ask any questions about prosthetics
(componentry, etc.) the listmembers generally are asking other amputees/
clients/patients/consumers/end users etc. for their opinion and NOT the
prosthetists' opinions. The general consensus (it seems) is that there is
no way you (if you're not a person with an amputation yourself) could
understand their situation and as such you should participate on the list in
a more passive way.
To some extent that is true; however, I don't think it's impossible for
prosthetist without amputations themselves to understand some of the issues
that our clients/patients/end users face. Feelings of loss, depression,
pain, questions about future independence, even loneliness are all things
that some of these people experience (though not everyone to the same
extent), and we as prosthetists probably understand more about those issues
than they give us credit for. Granted, we may not understand these issues
because we also have an amputation; however, who hasn't experienced the loss
of a loved one? Who hasn't felt depressed at times? Who hasn't worried
about the future? Or how other people view them? It may not be to the same
extent as our clients, but we feel the same things sometimes and I do wish
some of the stronger-opinioned people would realize that.
The amputee lists are a great way to be more in touch with those feelings
and with issues facing our client/patient/consumer/end user population in
general. Just be very cautious if you decide to post to the list, and you
should have a great time with it.
Bill Lifford, C.P.
ARIMED Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 875-8754 email: <Email Address Redacted>
Citation
Bill Lifford, “Amputee-related lists and client vs. patient (long),” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/211720.
