Mrs. Barreda
Marcus Boren Resident
Description
Collection
Title:
Mrs. Barreda
Creator:
Marcus Boren Resident
Date:
10/14/2000
Text:
An open letter to Kimberly Barreda
Dear Mrs. Barreda,
I appreciate your opinions on the client vs. patient issue, but have to
disagree with you in the majority of cases.
Orthotic and Prosthetic rehabilitation is best utilized in a team approach.
A 'client' is a 'patient' of the team. Our industry is only one part of
it, and yes, we do sell items. Your physician will also be happy to sell
you any orthotic goods he can buy off the shelf. Does this make you his
client? If you want a cad-cam prefab job without any facilities or
specialized knowledge on what to do with it, just ask him. You should be
able to do this in a few years. He does not have the time or experience to
make custom prostheses.
People like you and your husband, who make their living off their
disability, may no longer need to be educated about what their life will be
like without a limb. But the little old lady in the hospital who is scared
out of her wits needs reassurance and information to readjust
psychologically. Can I help with this? Yes, this is the first part of my
job, and one of the most important. Maladjusted amputees can dwell on the
fact for the rest of their lives. Do I dwell on being an amputee? No. On
being a father? Constantly!
I prefer to be a patient. When I am trying to hurt myself, I WANT my
prosthetist to tell me I�m being an idiot. I do not want him to just sell
me a device. A doctor or prosthetist is hired for his mind, not his
materials.
Instead of berating an entire profession, why don�t you take the time to
make a true difference in quality of care. Go after one person at a time
who provides substandard care and workmanship.
Since you are the moderator of Cripworld, I would also like to take issue
with providing a forum for devotees to prey on myself and the people I care
for. I find your lack of attention to this matter unconscionable.
I seem to remember something about sin and a first stone. . .
Sincerely,
Marcus Boren
Dear Mrs. Barreda,
I appreciate your opinions on the client vs. patient issue, but have to
disagree with you in the majority of cases.
Orthotic and Prosthetic rehabilitation is best utilized in a team approach.
A 'client' is a 'patient' of the team. Our industry is only one part of
it, and yes, we do sell items. Your physician will also be happy to sell
you any orthotic goods he can buy off the shelf. Does this make you his
client? If you want a cad-cam prefab job without any facilities or
specialized knowledge on what to do with it, just ask him. You should be
able to do this in a few years. He does not have the time or experience to
make custom prostheses.
People like you and your husband, who make their living off their
disability, may no longer need to be educated about what their life will be
like without a limb. But the little old lady in the hospital who is scared
out of her wits needs reassurance and information to readjust
psychologically. Can I help with this? Yes, this is the first part of my
job, and one of the most important. Maladjusted amputees can dwell on the
fact for the rest of their lives. Do I dwell on being an amputee? No. On
being a father? Constantly!
I prefer to be a patient. When I am trying to hurt myself, I WANT my
prosthetist to tell me I�m being an idiot. I do not want him to just sell
me a device. A doctor or prosthetist is hired for his mind, not his
materials.
Instead of berating an entire profession, why don�t you take the time to
make a true difference in quality of care. Go after one person at a time
who provides substandard care and workmanship.
Since you are the moderator of Cripworld, I would also like to take issue
with providing a forum for devotees to prey on myself and the people I care
for. I find your lack of attention to this matter unconscionable.
I seem to remember something about sin and a first stone. . .
Sincerely,
Marcus Boren
Citation
Marcus Boren Resident, “Mrs. Barreda,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed December 25, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/215155.
