Re: DIY Repair kit

Re: DIY Repair kit

Paula Pivko

11/1/2010

I guess my answer to the first question would be that as a technician you can build yourself a prosthesis but I can see a real problem with someone who has no experience trying to laminate something without making a right mess out of things. Granted I was not mechanically inclined when I started learning how to make a socket but I do remember it was very frustrating. I admit the fabrication process did not come easy to me. What if, worse case scenario, a client gets resin in his eyes, his mouth? It has happened. And you still have to buy the prosthetic parts like the foot. And align everything. What if the client has a flexion contracture or other problems? He's got an ulcer he ignores or he's numb from circulation problems and can't feel the pressure points? Thirdly, the client has a real problem with the fit. Who will he call? It isn't as though this seller has tech support . On the other hand most prosthetists at least will provide free of charge follow up visits for a certain period of time to adjust the fit. I just can't see this happening, not a DIY self sufficent kit. There is too much to learn. Hey I could be wrong. Lots of amputees design sockets of course. I'm sure it's not done in a vacuum though. I would bet at some point there is a prosthetist involved to give information. The amputee can accept or reject the information, but he still learns from it.
 
  I agree that there should be programs out there for average joe amputees. I think we prosthetists all wish there were. I know I do. But I don't grudge a veteran who got his legs blown off in Afganistan or Iraq the best technology there is out there. Anyone who loses a leg in the line of duty, be it military, firefighting, police, whatever, should be first in line. They are fighting our war, risking their lives for us, and suffering mentally, emotionally and physically for it.

In the end it's like me trying to install windows in my house. Yep I could do it. I could go on eHow.com and watch a video. I could also find out in the next hurricane or tropical storm that I didn't know what in God's name I was doing. Now I have real damage in my house from the storm. Or I could be smart, realize that just because I can make a prosthesis doesn't mean I know anything about installing a window. I can pay a professional to do it and survive the next storm. You get what you pay for.

Paula, LPO
 
> Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2010 22:28:29 -0400
> From: <Email Address Redacted>
> Subject: [OANDP-L] DIY Repair kit
> To: <Email Address Redacted>
>
> --
> Von Ruder
> Gainesville, Fl
> displaced O&P Technician and Left BK Amputee Rockclimber
>
> I sense a hint of rascism in the jabs at the Build it Yourself Leg
> . This guy may not have a superior product, but I'll be darned if he
> does not have a superior idea. Why should this not be run with and
> turned into a viable possability for the MANY of us with no insurance
> or extra money. Cheaper and more immediate than high tech
> advancements - or at least the high tech money has not been directed
> towards this playing field - and who the hell is against self
> sufficiency?
> And while I'm on my rant as an average joe advocate with real
> technical experience, and I am sure I'll take blows for this - why are
> there so many programs for Vets - and not your average joe I have
> to work too many hours a week to worry about a new leg - I'll just
> live with the pain awhile longer type of guy? Of which we are MANY!
> Ther should be special programs for Vets - but just as important are
> programs for every one else. We give our lives every day to be a
> working , giving example to society, our communities and our families.
> Many don't know we are amputees. And few know we are in need of basic
> human necessities.
> There seems to be a metaphorically imbalanced see-saw here.
> There. I don't have spell check either. But I'm not stupid, and I
> might have a better idea than you.
> Von Ruder
> aka Aspen
>
> ********************
> To unsubscribe, send a message to: <Email Address Redacted> with
> the words UNSUB OANDP-L in the body of the
> message.
>
> If you have a problem unsubscribing,or have other
> questions, send e-mail to the moderator
> Paul E. Prusakowski,CPO at <Email Address Redacted>
>
> OANDP-L is a forum for the discussion of topics
> related to Orthotics and Prosthetics.
>
> Public commercial postings are forbidden. Responses to inquiries
> should not be sent to the entire oandp-l list. Professional credentials
> or affiliations should be used in all communications.

 
                          ********************
To unsubscribe, send a message to: <Email Address Redacted> with
the words UNSUB OANDP-L in the body of the
message.

If you have a problem unsubscribing,or have other
questions, send e-mail to the moderator
Paul E. Prusakowski,CPO at <Email Address Redacted>

OANDP-L is a forum for the discussion of topics
related to Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Public commercial postings are forbidden. Responses to inquiries
should not be sent to the entire oandp-l list. Professional credentials
or affiliations should be used in all communications.