Re: Amputee Consumerism and AOPA
Robert VanHook
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: Amputee Consumerism and AOPA
Creator:
Robert VanHook
Date:
10/19/1999
Text:
Ian,
I am certainly glad to hear that you enjoyed the AOPA National Assembly.
We were pleased to give you a complementary registration as a member of
the press.
You are correct in noting that AOPA has no specific consumer focus.
Organizing and educating consumers is not a part of AOPA's mission
statement. Despite that fact, AOPA contributes thousands of dollars each
year to the Amputee Coalition of America and to the O&P Athletic Fund. In
addition, AOPA member companies are also big supporters of consumer
organizations and educational programs.
We think that AOPA can do the most for consumers by sticking to what we do
best, i.e., promoting the highest standards for the O&P profession and
industry through education of our members and through legislative and
regulatory action.
Thank you again for your interest.
Bob
Robert T. Van Hook, CAE
Executive Director
American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
1650 King Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703/836-7116
Fax: 703/836-0838
Email: <Email Address Redacted>
Webpage: www.opoffice.org
On Tuesday, October 12, 1999 5:45 PM, Ian Gregson
[SMTP: <Email Address Redacted> ] wrote:
> Fellow OandP'ers:
>
> As many of you know I attended the AOPA conference over the weekend in
Reno.
>
> It was my first large scale prosthetic conference, I have attend CAPO
> and ACA events in the past which have been about a sixth the size.
>
> I attended AOPA for numerous reasons, but mainly to see how the other
> half lives. People had told me what it would be like and how
> different it would be from ACA events - I guess I was expecting only
> a fraction of what I finally ended up seeing and believing.
>
> First of all I had AOPA explained to me - its a business organisation
> made up of facility owners and prosthetists (does this sound right).
> Amongst other things it lobbies in Washington for legislation to
> protect the prosthetic industry.
>
> After getting over the size of the whole thing and talking to many of
> you from the list I believe I received an accurate picture of the big
> picture.
>
> I knew there would be little in the way of amputee consumerism at
> AOPA, but I was still taken aback by the total and complete lack of
> it. About the only thing I did notice was that some of the more net
> savvy companies used the term consumer at least around me - but
> most still used the term patient.
>
> A number of you asked me about the Amputee Union that George Boyer
> was drolling an about a few weeks back. A few even congratulated me
> on shutting old George up. I didn't dismiss the idea of an amputee
> union - I just didn't think George Boyer was the right person to
> extolling the virtues of such a concept.
>
> After arriving back home I have passed along my first impressions
> back to my SJU list members. I have also received word that one of
> the companies that I am currently reselling products for, has
> received complaints from prosthetists due to me selling products
> directly online. I suppose prosthetists have a right to complain
> about competition from upstart amputees like myself, especially when
> they threaten to boycott the manufacturers who sell direct.
>
> However, since I do have the names of the prosthetists and companies
> they work for, do you not think that amputee consumers have the same
> ability and rights to boycott said prosthetists ? When such a
> monopoly is more than apparent the atmosphere for the creation of an
> Amputee Union is ripe. And you have no one to blame but yourselves.
> When people or insurance is being billed 200-300 per cent over cost
> for a pair of liners don't you think this creates the right
> environment for some consumer activation ? And don't whine to me
> about overheads, business is business he who sells low wins, keeping
> overheads down is part of operating a succesful business.
>
> We are not talking about knees or feet here. We are talking about
> products that are usually handed over to the amputee. Nothing more
> technical that an ak or bk sleeve. The orthotic industry sells more
> technically complicated products over the counter - why can't the
> prosthetic industry follow the same?
>
> The whole premise of amputees buying direct is just the tip of a very
> large iceberg - let me clarify for those who don't see the
> connections.
>
> Let me tell you more about how an Amputee Union will work. It won't
> depend on the industry for support and cash, it won't have any
> mandate to provide support for amputees, it will simply be an
> industry watchdog, reporting to the right governmental agencies and
> insurance companies about falling industry standards - sounds scary
> doesn't it ? They would probably start picketing AOPA events and
> garnering the media attention that AOPA severely lacks and
> underestimates. The American public love a David and Goliath
> wrestling match don't they ?
>
> What can you do to stop this ?
>
> First of all there is a misconception that an active amputee consumer
> body somehow translates in to reduced revenue for the industry. These
> consumers still need prostheses - they still need them to be serviced
> etc. - that isn't going anywhere.
>
> Secondly there are far more unethical prosthetists out there that
> people will admit to. Now is the time to start weeding them out,
> because if the industry does not, a well organised, well funded
> consumer group WILL and it will look a lot uglier. Can you spell
> WITCH-HUNT ? Increased licencing standards are one way to go with
> renewals needed every five years.
>
> Thirdly, open up at least one day of AOPA to the general public, if
> only for educational purposes. There is too much mystery, smoke and
> mirrors and general misunderstanding about prosthetic limbs, you can
> even charge an entrance fee for extra revenue. Other industries do it
> - why not this one ?
>
>
> Yes I know I am naive and don't operate a facility - but I can tell
> you I can spot a trend and if you think there are too many uppity
> amputees out there now - just keep going the way you are going and
> you will think this era as the glory days. Five years from now an
> active consumer group will make your business even more of a
> challenge.
>
> Finally, many of you admire the tenacity of how amputees deal with
> their amputations. You have seen countless numbers of amputee's come
> though your doors. Many of you respect (or at least recognise) how we
> deal with loss and the recovery - even if it brings out the best and
> worst of us. Imagine if that power of recovery was channeled (even
> partially) in to a consumer oriented group that has in its sights an
> industry that no longer seems to care about them. Once organised this
> would be a force so motivated and powerful that all the dollars you
> have could not combat it. An amputee jihad maybe. And don't think
> it can't happen - people with other types of disabilities are already
> doing it all over the world - we won't have to look far for succesful
> examples.
>
> Why should you let it get to that point ?
>
> You have the capabilities to do something about it now.
>
> Yes, I learned a lot from AOPA, but I also had a lot of issues
> confirmed. You might not have an active consumer group right now -
> from someone who knows amputee issues trust me it is coming.
>
> You can choose to fight it as you have been doing or work with it.
>
>
>
> =================================================
> Ian Gregson ( <Email Address Redacted> )
> Amputee WEB Site <> AMPUTATION Online Magazine
> <URL Redacted>
> Moderator Amputee & D-Sport Listservs
> icq # 27356900
> =================================================
>
>
I am certainly glad to hear that you enjoyed the AOPA National Assembly.
We were pleased to give you a complementary registration as a member of
the press.
You are correct in noting that AOPA has no specific consumer focus.
Organizing and educating consumers is not a part of AOPA's mission
statement. Despite that fact, AOPA contributes thousands of dollars each
year to the Amputee Coalition of America and to the O&P Athletic Fund. In
addition, AOPA member companies are also big supporters of consumer
organizations and educational programs.
We think that AOPA can do the most for consumers by sticking to what we do
best, i.e., promoting the highest standards for the O&P profession and
industry through education of our members and through legislative and
regulatory action.
Thank you again for your interest.
Bob
Robert T. Van Hook, CAE
Executive Director
American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
1650 King Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703/836-7116
Fax: 703/836-0838
Email: <Email Address Redacted>
Webpage: www.opoffice.org
On Tuesday, October 12, 1999 5:45 PM, Ian Gregson
[SMTP: <Email Address Redacted> ] wrote:
> Fellow OandP'ers:
>
> As many of you know I attended the AOPA conference over the weekend in
Reno.
>
> It was my first large scale prosthetic conference, I have attend CAPO
> and ACA events in the past which have been about a sixth the size.
>
> I attended AOPA for numerous reasons, but mainly to see how the other
> half lives. People had told me what it would be like and how
> different it would be from ACA events - I guess I was expecting only
> a fraction of what I finally ended up seeing and believing.
>
> First of all I had AOPA explained to me - its a business organisation
> made up of facility owners and prosthetists (does this sound right).
> Amongst other things it lobbies in Washington for legislation to
> protect the prosthetic industry.
>
> After getting over the size of the whole thing and talking to many of
> you from the list I believe I received an accurate picture of the big
> picture.
>
> I knew there would be little in the way of amputee consumerism at
> AOPA, but I was still taken aback by the total and complete lack of
> it. About the only thing I did notice was that some of the more net
> savvy companies used the term consumer at least around me - but
> most still used the term patient.
>
> A number of you asked me about the Amputee Union that George Boyer
> was drolling an about a few weeks back. A few even congratulated me
> on shutting old George up. I didn't dismiss the idea of an amputee
> union - I just didn't think George Boyer was the right person to
> extolling the virtues of such a concept.
>
> After arriving back home I have passed along my first impressions
> back to my SJU list members. I have also received word that one of
> the companies that I am currently reselling products for, has
> received complaints from prosthetists due to me selling products
> directly online. I suppose prosthetists have a right to complain
> about competition from upstart amputees like myself, especially when
> they threaten to boycott the manufacturers who sell direct.
>
> However, since I do have the names of the prosthetists and companies
> they work for, do you not think that amputee consumers have the same
> ability and rights to boycott said prosthetists ? When such a
> monopoly is more than apparent the atmosphere for the creation of an
> Amputee Union is ripe. And you have no one to blame but yourselves.
> When people or insurance is being billed 200-300 per cent over cost
> for a pair of liners don't you think this creates the right
> environment for some consumer activation ? And don't whine to me
> about overheads, business is business he who sells low wins, keeping
> overheads down is part of operating a succesful business.
>
> We are not talking about knees or feet here. We are talking about
> products that are usually handed over to the amputee. Nothing more
> technical that an ak or bk sleeve. The orthotic industry sells more
> technically complicated products over the counter - why can't the
> prosthetic industry follow the same?
>
> The whole premise of amputees buying direct is just the tip of a very
> large iceberg - let me clarify for those who don't see the
> connections.
>
> Let me tell you more about how an Amputee Union will work. It won't
> depend on the industry for support and cash, it won't have any
> mandate to provide support for amputees, it will simply be an
> industry watchdog, reporting to the right governmental agencies and
> insurance companies about falling industry standards - sounds scary
> doesn't it ? They would probably start picketing AOPA events and
> garnering the media attention that AOPA severely lacks and
> underestimates. The American public love a David and Goliath
> wrestling match don't they ?
>
> What can you do to stop this ?
>
> First of all there is a misconception that an active amputee consumer
> body somehow translates in to reduced revenue for the industry. These
> consumers still need prostheses - they still need them to be serviced
> etc. - that isn't going anywhere.
>
> Secondly there are far more unethical prosthetists out there that
> people will admit to. Now is the time to start weeding them out,
> because if the industry does not, a well organised, well funded
> consumer group WILL and it will look a lot uglier. Can you spell
> WITCH-HUNT ? Increased licencing standards are one way to go with
> renewals needed every five years.
>
> Thirdly, open up at least one day of AOPA to the general public, if
> only for educational purposes. There is too much mystery, smoke and
> mirrors and general misunderstanding about prosthetic limbs, you can
> even charge an entrance fee for extra revenue. Other industries do it
> - why not this one ?
>
>
> Yes I know I am naive and don't operate a facility - but I can tell
> you I can spot a trend and if you think there are too many uppity
> amputees out there now - just keep going the way you are going and
> you will think this era as the glory days. Five years from now an
> active consumer group will make your business even more of a
> challenge.
>
> Finally, many of you admire the tenacity of how amputees deal with
> their amputations. You have seen countless numbers of amputee's come
> though your doors. Many of you respect (or at least recognise) how we
> deal with loss and the recovery - even if it brings out the best and
> worst of us. Imagine if that power of recovery was channeled (even
> partially) in to a consumer oriented group that has in its sights an
> industry that no longer seems to care about them. Once organised this
> would be a force so motivated and powerful that all the dollars you
> have could not combat it. An amputee jihad maybe. And don't think
> it can't happen - people with other types of disabilities are already
> doing it all over the world - we won't have to look far for succesful
> examples.
>
> Why should you let it get to that point ?
>
> You have the capabilities to do something about it now.
>
> Yes, I learned a lot from AOPA, but I also had a lot of issues
> confirmed. You might not have an active consumer group right now -
> from someone who knows amputee issues trust me it is coming.
>
> You can choose to fight it as you have been doing or work with it.
>
>
>
> =================================================
> Ian Gregson ( <Email Address Redacted> )
> Amputee WEB Site <> AMPUTATION Online Magazine
> <URL Redacted>
> Moderator Amputee & D-Sport Listservs
> icq # 27356900
> =================================================
>
>
Citation
Robert VanHook, “Re: Amputee Consumerism and AOPA,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/212731.
