tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31387283929572691312024-03-19T07:12:06.654-04:00brenda-piebrendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-9392211572862666852012-02-11T20:40:00.000-05:002012-02-11T20:44:40.910-05:00Amputee Self-Image - survey results<span class="font-size-3" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Summary of responses</strong></span><br />
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<span style="clear: right; color: #444444; float: right; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img class="align-right" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/0yFN-nEcmw*P8PtvOPl5cjDD17BrWlDI0eh4NQi2GTVdsGReVJXQY1OwkAuHBecPjGySIOUQVsHN9m4wRfbtGGiZkZ-12U4x/selfimage1.jpg?width=400" width="400" /></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>62% of amputees responding to this survey stated that their self-image continues to change,</strong> while 33% reported that their self-image has not changed since they became an amputee.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>23 members of Amputee Empowerment Partners responded</strong> to this survey. All respondents did not answer all questions.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">46% of respondents selected 'yes' they consider themselves disabled while 54% do not consider themselves disabled.</span></li>
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/mt8TYkNIkDOTLGdd16LKR-gWKc*SkaEisJmOjq7sSYh6PSe6P2BA0CGm6Ew7-gK7i9P3-p5oVRMApZ3RBN3qthcipZ3DPoO2/selfimage2.jpg?width=400" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://api.ning.com/files/mt8TYkNIkDOTLGdd16LKR-gWKc*SkaEisJmOjq7sSYh6PSe6P2BA0CGm6Ew7-gK7i9P3-p5oVRMApZ3RBN3qthcipZ3DPoO2/selfimage2.jpg?width=400" style="padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px;" width="400" /></a>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">87% of respondents are lower limb amputees, while 13% are upper limb amputees. Of the lower limb amputees, 62% are BK and 38% AK.</span></li>
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<strong><span class="font-size-3" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Comments From Respondents</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Comments from respondents help to explain the difference in self-image revealed by this survey. In discussing whether or not they felt "disabled," some individuals expressed acceptance and contentment with comments similar to "I consider myself inconvenienced" and "I can do all things I put my mind to doing," expressing the belief that they were "no more [disabled] than anyone else in the world."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On the other hand, other respondents' comments indicated frustration and lack of self-confidence. "There is so much that I can't do that I did before," said one respondent, and "even though I do my best to return to normal, I am hindered by the actions of others," said another. More than one respondent mentioned a fear for his/her safety, either in the home or out in public.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Six people offered comments on the main question "Since you became an amputee, how has your self-image changed."</b> One in six was despondent, while the other five offered hope. "My self-image changes are part of growing, not due to my limb loss," stated one respondent, and "I keep self-evaluating and adapting," said another. "I have changed for the better," said a third.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Time may play a factor in the experience of respondents and therefore their comments and survey responses. <b>On average, survey participants had been living with limb loss for over seven years; the median years was only two years</b> however, because three of the respondents had been amputees for 20 years or longer. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Reviewing comments from all questions, <b>an overall sense of the strength and adaptability of people with limb loss emerges</b>. Even where there is doubt, there is hope:</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"I do hope that one day I can look in the mirror and just accept who I am" </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"[sometimes] I wear shorts and don't give a rip what others think" </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"When the limb is healthy and the prosthesis fits, I am going strong because I feel confident"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"My self- image continues to build as I build competency in new and different skills."</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"I believe I am beautiful within and out and just because I lost a leg does that mean you are going to love me any less, my light shines bright."</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Even with the loss of my legs I can still fly."</span></li>
</ul>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-47843600863261103412012-02-11T17:17:00.001-05:002012-02-11T17:17:58.087-05:00Alternative Medicine - survey results<br />
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Unfortunately there were only two responses to this survey; nonetheless, I post the results here for your information. If you would like to <strong><a data-mce-href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/87JXMV6" href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/87JXMV6" target="_blank">participate in this survey</a></strong>, I will keep it open indefinitely.</div>
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<strong>Both survey participants reported 100% satisfaction with the outcome of the treatments they received and on average ranked the success of the treatments as between "somewhat successful" and "successful"</strong> (average rating of 83%)<strong>.</strong> The types of complementary and alternative medicine experienced included chiropractic and botanical medicine. </div>
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One respondent was an upper-extremity amputee, one was a lower-extremity amputee; the respondents' length of time as an amputee ranged from one to 39 years.</div>
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<strong>Surveys currently open:</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/87JXMV6" href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/87JXMV6" target="_blank">What is your experience with complementary and alternative medicine?</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T9XVBWL" href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T9XVBWL" target="_blank">Since you became an amputee, how has your self-image changed?</a></div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-66240777837283312002011-11-29T14:31:00.001-05:002011-11-29T14:33:26.959-05:00Have you tried alternative medical treatments? Have you had success?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Like most amputees, <strong>I suffer from non-specific chronic pain</strong>. Since I was released from the hospital, I've been on pain meds (Neurontin and Percocet). Though decreased, the daily dosage has plateaued. I still feel foggy and disoriented at times and would like to be able to stop or reduce further the meds I'm taking.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For the past six months, I've been receiving acupuncture treatments to relieve chronic pain in an attempt to reduce the daily dosage of pain meds I'm taking. Almost immediately, I was able to go down from four to three Percocet per day. That reduction in pain meds has improved my mental clarity (and reduced constipation related to pain meds), along with the unanticipated benefit of decreasing my anxiety level. For me, acupuncture treatments have been very beneficial. I've shared this information with my physicians -- and they're also happy to hear that my intake of pain meds has reduced.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>Do you see a chiropractor? Use herbal medicine or homeopathy? If you're an amputee, I'd like to collect information based on your experiences with alternative medicine.</strong> Visit my survey "<a _mce_href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/87JXMV6" href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/87JXMV6" target="_blank">What is your experience with Complementary and Alternative Medicine?</a>" -- it'll take just a few minutes of your time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Results from the survey will be posted in January.</span></div>
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</div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-27421813274910162332011-11-29T13:34:00.001-05:002011-11-29T13:46:54.764-05:00Survey Results: Has your self-image (as an amputee) changed over time?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last month I posted a link to this survey -- and received 10 responses from the <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AEP</a> community. I'm reposting this survey in the hopes that even more amputees will reply. I appreciate your time; if you could spend 60 seconds taking this brief survey, it will provide interesting data for further discussion.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>So far, the results are 50/50 </strong>in response to the question "Since you became an amputee, how has your self-image changed?" 50% of respondents say "My self-image continues to change" and 50% of respondents say their self-image hasn't changed since they became an amputee.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>How about you? If you're an amputee, I'd like to hear from you and share with others the transitions you have experienced</strong> -- Do you label yourself "disabled?" -- is "amputee" part of your self-image? I've created a brief survey asking the question "<strong><a _mce_href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T9XVBWL" href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T9XVBWL" target="_blank">Since you became an amputee, how has your self-image changed?</a>,</strong>" and invite amputees share their experiences. After completing it, the results to date are provided; I will post final results in January. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong><a _mce_href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T9XVBWL" href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T9XVBWL" target="_blank">Click here to take the survey.</a></strong> (If you have already taken the survey, you will now be able to re-take it if you like.)</span></div>
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</div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-89969704157427860502011-10-22T11:42:00.004-04:002011-10-22T11:48:25.416-04:00How has my self-image changed?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #006db1; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As a relatively recent amputee, and because of progress in my gait training, this has been on my mind lately. My self-image has changed since the day I woke up in the hospital and learned I was an amputee. <strong><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T9XVBWL">I'd like to hear from others about the transitions they have experienced</a></strong> -- How do you identify yourself? Do you label yourself "disabled?" -- is "amputee" part of your self-image? <b>I've created a brief survey asking the question "Since you became an amputee, how has your self-image changed?," and invite all amputees to take it. </b>After completing it you will be able to view the results to date; I will post results in two weeks. <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T9XVBWL" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Click here to take the survey.</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Over time, my self-image has changed from freak to (relatively) normal, and for me "amputee" has become integral to my self-identity. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Coming out of the hospital, I felt like a lump, a mutilated freak. I still had bandaged wounds and was too weak and uncoordinated to dress myself in anything but loose clothing with an elastic waist. (I'm sure many of you can relate.) My hair had been shorn and I weighed 89 lbs. My self-image was as an invalid, dependent upon others. Full rehabilitation seemed so distant that I couldn't image a future where I would be independent.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gradually I became more mobile, my hair grew back, I returned to my regular weight, and eventually began to walk with a prosthesis. Anxious to look as normal as possible, I bought jeans as soon as I could. My self-image began to shift: now I was a disabled person in rehabilitation, I was making progress, I was able to think about the future.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now that I am as physically "normal" looking as I am going to get, I am taking charge. I still walk kind of funny; my gait is slow and awkward and I use a cane. To make myself feel better, I try to look as good as possible physically -- I style my hair, wear makeup, make sure my outfits are put together. (I'm also trying to fit into the professional business world.) Sometimes I'll flaunt my prosthesis -- I don't feel that I have to cover it up -- but I confess that I dream of the day when no one will be able to tell I'm wearing it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But it's not just about appearances. I enjoy being an advocate for amputees and the disabled. When asked questions about my prosthesis, for example, I happily answer. I use my disability to bring obstacles to the attention of business owners. I want to build awareness not just about disability, but also about ability. It's as if I'm saying, "Look at me, I'm disabled and I'm walking -- but if you take down these obstacles, you'll see me run!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: normal;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>22 OCT 2011, 11:29 AM</span></div>
</div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-71550369273070472252011-10-15T10:13:00.002-04:002011-10-22T11:40:59.817-04:00Sunday Mornings<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sunday mornings I choose the blue mug. There's only one, it doesn't match the others, and it's smaller in size than the white mugs that are part of my regular set of dishes. I choose it on Sundays because I love the muted turquoise color and the shape -- it's not ordinary like my weekday mugs. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On Sunday mornings I like to sit out back on my small porch, with my coffee and raisin bread toast and the Sunday New York Times. Maybe this was also one of my favorite things pre-accident, but now I savor it, as often as New England weather allows. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Post-accident, my life has in some ways slowed down. I'm not racing down mountainsides on my bicycle, I'm not darting about the house doing 17 things at once: carrying fresh laundry upstairs and chasing the dog down stairs; in this way I've been forced to slow down post-accident. So I've chosen to not only enjoy the slower pace but savor it. Sunday morning coffee is one thing I love, along with crispy raisin bread toast. Sitting on the porch and watching fall sunlight glow behind colored leaves, or lying in bed awakened by a full moon's light shining through the tree branches. Rather than cursing my mid-night awakening, I welcome the beauty of the moonlight and the quietness of night. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maybe it's less of a slowing down and more of a conscious acknowledgment of my change from a life constantly in motion to one of stillness. And also accepting that change with grace. Every day I acknowledge moments that give me joy, and I pause to smile and enjoy: sharing warm hugs with close friends, snuggling with my dog, laughing out loud, getting lost in the pages of a thrilling novel.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The turquoise of my blue mug reminds me of different colors on different days. Some mornings it's the color of the summer sky, other times it's a perfect robins-egg blue, and today it reminds me of the sparkling Caribbean Sea. This morning the sun is shining through brilliantly colored Fall leaves, a crisp breeze blows through the trees, my dog is asleep beside me and wisps of steam curl upward from the blue mug of hot coffee in my hands.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>15 OCT 2011, 11:13 AM</span></div>
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</div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-21560014816843688432011-09-15T21:29:00.001-04:002011-10-22T11:40:28.738-04:00Juggling, knitting and television<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sometimes it's startling how much my life has changed. Pre-accident, my evenings were spent hiking with the dog, followed by cocktails with friends and dinner on the evenings I wasn't training. Weekends were active, filled with mountain biking and rock climbing (often weekend getaways) in the summer and skiing in the winter. I have always enjoyed learning new things, and in those days it was often about learning new activities: having skied since I was five years old, I learned to snowboard at the age of 30; never having been good at rollerskating, I tried rollerblading as an adult. One summer weekend I was so determined to learn how to juggle that I stood outside for eight hours, practicing the same simple moves over and over again until I got it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now, post-accident, my time is spent in more sedentary activities. I don't complain about it anymore, but from time to time I recognize how the aspect changed every aspect of my life -- and I muse on the impact, both deep and superficial.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While recovering, I picked up knitting, a craft I learned as a small child. In my family, all of my aunts always had projects at their fingertips. At all family gatherings they were always working on something: needlepoint, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, rug hooking, etc. While I was still confined to bed, knitting seemed like a useful, constructive way to pass the time and now I'm hooked. The repetitive motion seems to put me in a meditative state, much the same way running or bicycling did before. While my body is occupied with physical motion, my mind is free to wander.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While in the hospital I also acquired the habit of watching television, a habit I still haven't kicked. In fact, I enjoy it tremendously, though tv programs are not the same as they used to be. Now I watch tv online, using <a _mce_href="http://www.netflix.com" href="http://www.netflix.com/" target="_blank">Netflix</a> or<a _mce_href="http://www.hulu.com" href="http://www.hulu.com/" target="_blank">Hulu</a> or <a _mce_href="http://espn.go.com/video/" href="http://espn.go.com/video/" target="_blank">ESPN live</a>. It's a completely different experience because I have to choose what I want to see rather than leaving it to babble on in the background. Now I can watch the full season of a series in a week (or less). I caught up on all of "<a _mce_href="http://www.nbc.com/30-rock/" href="http://www.nbc.com/30-rock/" target="_blank">30 Rock</a>" and three years of "<a _mce_href="http://www.amctv.com/shows/mad-men" href="http://www.amctv.com/shows/mad-men" target="_blank">Mad Men</a>" in just a couple of weeks. The quality of programming, if you pick and choose, is quite high, I think. And knitting and television go together well.</span></div>
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<a _mce_href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/ck2zX4QdNPENuw7QN9sEtiAy2rmgQrddOgmHWJhm8qCIMqOuFD1mZenTKhc-vIFIrDUuh3XPMw0ExYOBZcNMIUV*Jonf2*pk/jugglingballs.JPG" href="http://api.ning.com/files/ck2zX4QdNPENuw7QN9sEtiAy2rmgQrddOgmHWJhm8qCIMqOuFD1mZenTKhc-vIFIrDUuh3XPMw0ExYOBZcNMIUV*Jonf2*pk/jugglingballs.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_self"><img _mce_src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/ck2zX4QdNPENuw7QN9sEtiAy2rmgQrddOgmHWJhm8qCIMqOuFD1mZenTKhc-vIFIrDUuh3XPMw0ExYOBZcNMIUV*Jonf2*pk/jugglingballs.JPG" class="align-full" src="http://api.ning.com/files/ck2zX4QdNPENuw7QN9sEtiAy2rmgQrddOgmHWJhm8qCIMqOuFD1mZenTKhc-vIFIrDUuh3XPMw0ExYOBZcNMIUV*Jonf2*pk/jugglingballs.JPG" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both !important; display: block !important; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 5px !important;" width="300" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a _mce_href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6366713757585864298" href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6366713757585864298" target="_blank">Juggling</a> has re-entered my life more recently. Now that I'm relearning how to walk, I've started juggling as part of my self-imposed at-home PT program. Because of residual muscle stiffness (hip flexor contractures) and scar tissue, I have difficulty standing up straight. And, like every new amputee, I need to practice fully weighting my prosthetic leg. Juggling seems a natural fit to fill both needs. I use soft, bean bag type juggling balls (I actually knitted some using cotton yarn, filled with small beans enclosed in a nylon sock) so that they won't roll away when I drop them (and, because I am re-learning to juggle at the same time I am re-learning to stand, I drop them often) and stand next to the sofa or bed so that I won't have to bend over all the way to the floor to pick them up. Juggling requires that I stand up straight and distribute my weight between both legs, shifting gently from side to side and front to back as I toss and catch the balls. It helps to build balance and is also a great workout for your arms.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGESYUNX2nJuNWNpSEyBqLjdNZqTDUr2ry0RFU5i1p3HAVvwUBvyediJqZrDiv6c46ekqolv7IF0FurW9L9R355LLywV-5p4Z4FyJmjPgAFy51lbeY9LrkAdmQn-ADdhCirktFPytwos/s1600/IMG_1582-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGESYUNX2nJuNWNpSEyBqLjdNZqTDUr2ry0RFU5i1p3HAVvwUBvyediJqZrDiv6c46ekqolv7IF0FurW9L9R355LLywV-5p4Z4FyJmjPgAFy51lbeY9LrkAdmQn-ADdhCirktFPytwos/s1600/IMG_1582-1.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I am accommodating these changes well. Juggling is a terrific way to get exercise, it's highly entertaining and I feel as though I am building a skill. Knitting and television go hand in hand, both as sedentary activities that I enjoy in the evenings. And I also am happily productive: while watching a movie I can knit a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">complete </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">baby hat!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>15 SEP 2011, 11:13 AM</span></span></div>
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</div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-74925097868500199742011-09-11T11:13:00.000-04:002011-09-11T11:13:23.440-04:00TENNIS! US OPEN WHEELCHAIR FINALS TODAY & TOMORROW!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Are you a tennis fan? Today the US Open women's and men's singles finals will be played. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's the schedule:</span></div>
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<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">12pm, Court 11: Wheelchair Men's Singles - Finals</span></strong></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a _mce_href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/awc000001.html" class="blue" href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/awc000001.html">Shingo Kunieda</a>(JPN)[1] <em>vs.</em> <a _mce_href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/awc000002.html" class="blue" href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/awc000002.html">Stephane Houdet</a>(FRA)</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">12pm, Court 7: Wheelchair Women's Singles - Finals</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a _mce_href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/wwc000001.html" class="blue" href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/wwc000001.html">Esther Vergeer</a>(NED)[1] <em>vs. </em><a _mce_href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/wwc000006.html" class="blue" href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/wwc000006.html">Aniek Van Koot</a>(NED)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sadly, you won't be able to watch it online (at least I haven't found it). Much of the US Open I've been able to watch at <a _mce_href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/interactive/video/live.html?promo=USOpenLiveRightRailPromo" href="http://www.usopen.org/en_US/interactive/video/live.html?promo=USOpenLiveRightRailPromo" target="_blank">US Open Live</a> -- but only the Juniors wheelchair finals were televised. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a _mce_href="http://youtube.com" href="http://youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a> has many wheelchair tennis clips available -- here is <a _mce_href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZkFXqPZt-I" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZkFXqPZt-I" target="_blank">one official post from the 2011 US Open, the draw ceremony</a>. Let's hope that video highlights of play will be posted too.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>11 SEP 2011, 11:13 AM</span></span></div>
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brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-26339822915907332332011-08-26T11:30:00.000-04:002011-08-31T18:11:19.880-04:00Traveling<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today I’m traveling to California (from Connecticut). It’s been a while since my last flight, since last August when I went to Miami. That was my first post-amputation flight. This is the second.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I give high marks to the <a href="http://www.bradleyairport.com/home/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Hartford, Connecticut, Bradley International airport</a>. All of the staff were courteous, friendly and helpful. I got a wheelchair ride right away, no waiting, from the ticket counter to the gate. The <a href="http://www.delta.com/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Delta Airlines</a> gate agent came over, introduced himself and offered his assistance. I visited the rest room (in wheelchair) and was happy to find a commodious handicapped stall. It took a bit of maneuvering to get the door closed (ultimately I used my cane), but once situated in the stall I had plenty of room to move around.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At the security checkpoint, I asked the TSA officer to be gentle. "My balance isn't very good," I explained, "last time, in Miami, I was almost knocked over by the officer." She smiled and agreed. The gate agent helped me board even before early boarding was announced. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.bradleyairport.com/Services/index.aspx" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">airport</a> has free wifi throughout, so I was able to download email and even do a little bit of writing while I waited. On board, the flight staff were friendly and helpful. I loosened the pin and slipped off my leg. I was wearing a dress, which made doffing my leg easier. It reseted under my skirt for the flight. I also brought a light shawl with me, planning to drape it over my lap if I needed more privacy.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All in all, I found that by allowing myself extra time, asking politely and giving people big smiles, it was not at all difficult soliciting help from others. Of course I hope that I always treat others kindly, but for this trip I was on my best behavior. It's true: a smile is contagious. Pass it on.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: normal;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>26 AUG 2011, 02:30 PM</span><br />
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brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0Bradley International Airport (BDL), 11 Schoephoester Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, USA41.928687 -72.68387341.9050605 -72.723355000000012 41.952313499999995 -72.644391tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-68601305938944531882011-08-26T10:30:00.000-04:002011-08-31T18:25:41.635-04:00Oscar Pistorius<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div class="postbody" style="clear: left; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I thought that this had been settled, but according to an <a href="http://www.insidethegames.biz/bigread/13901-decision-to-allow-pistorius-to-compete-against-able-bodied-athletes-a-qcomplete-farceq-claims-leading-sports-scientist">August 14, 2011 article on insidethegames.biz,</a> the scientists that did the evaluation in 2008 have had a falling out and new information was released.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">In <a href="http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/athletics/13927-key-scientist-in-pistorius-case-insists-he-is-running-on-level-playing-field">this later article, posted April 16, 2011 on insidethegames.biz</a>, a key scientist involved in the research refutes the conclusion by Brueggemann in the August 14 article.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: normal;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>26 AUG 2011, 01:30 PM</span></span></div>
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brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0Hamden, CT, USA41.3977778 -72.921666741.3024888 -73.0795952 41.4930668 -72.7637382tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-66707616817853126522011-08-17T19:25:00.000-04:002011-08-31T18:25:59.183-04:00Get back to work!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I went back to work as soon as I could following my injury and amputation. It was helpful for me to have something other than my physical rehab to focus on. Because the work I do is primarily intellectual, such as research, analysis and writing, my schedule can be flexible. As long as I have a laptop and high speed internet access, I can work from home -- which was very convenient at the time since my mobility was limited. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How does work fit into your life? Did you return to your previous job? Have you been out of work for a long time? Were your capabilities changed so much as a result of your amputation that you can't do work that you did before? Or did you ultimately return to the same tasks and career path? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Please -- share your experiences. I look forward to hearing how you've gotten back to work.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: normal;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>17 AUG 2011, 10:25 PM</span><br />
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brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0Hamden, CT, USA41.3977778 -72.921666741.3024888 -73.0795952 41.4930668 -72.7637382tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-87500619800548148732011-08-02T21:33:00.000-04:002011-08-31T18:26:31.664-04:00Support our supporters!<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Being disabled sometimes means needing to ask for help. <strong>Unfortunately, those that help us -- family, friends, those that we love the most -- often feel that they don't have anyone to ask for help</strong>. Often they feel alone even though, according to the </span><a _mce_href="http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/index.cfm" href="http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/index.cfm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">National Family Caregivers Association</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, they belong to a community of 65 million. Whether our reliance on others is temporary or permanent, a few months or life-long, it's important to remember that our supporters need our support too. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Whether full-time or part-time, <strong>it's important for caregivers to take a break now and then</strong>. Or better yet, to schedule a regular day off and allow themselves an indulgence from time to time. A walk in the park or an ice cream cone are inexpensive (and not too time-consuming) ways for caregivers to get some down time. A walk in the park with an ice cream cone -- and a dog -- is even better!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Most importantly, like us caregivers need someone to talk to who shares their questions and problems. <strong>It's common for caregivers to feel that they can't or shouldn't complain.</strong> "How can I complain about caring for someone I love? They need me so much," is often rationalization for subsuming their own needs and feelings. Caretakers need to be reassured that it's ok to have a bad day, or that it's ok to dislike emptying a chamber pot. It's hard work! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>Just as there are support groups for amputees to share insight, advice and encouragement, support groups for caregivers provide a much-needed outlet to discuss common issues.</strong> Most communities now have local support groups for caregivers. Go online and </span><a _mce_href="http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=eppshb&xhr=t&q=caregiver+support&cp=12&pf=p&sclient=psy&source=hp&aq=0&aqi=g5&aql=f&oq=caregiver+su&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=31113ba7e477ce72&biw=1280&bih=692" href="http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=eppshb&xhr=t&q=caregiver+support&cp=12&pf=p&sclient=psy&source=hp&aq=0&aqi=g5&aql=f&oq=caregiver+su&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=31113ba7e477ce72&biw=1280&bih=692" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">google "caregiver support</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">" plus the name of your town. Contact your local community center or senior center (even if you aren't a senior) and ask about local support groups. And there are lots of resources online. At </span><a _mce_href="http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers/caregiver-topics-support.html" href="http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers/caregiver-topics-support.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">medicare.gov</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, you will find information on a number of topics: financial help, legal assistance, planning and more, including this PDF download (printable brochure), "</span><a _mce_href="http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers/SharedResources/shared/pdf/CMS_CareForYourself_6_508.pdf" href="http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers/SharedResources/shared/pdf/CMS_CareForYourself_6_508.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How can you care for yourself when you're caring for others</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">?" The US Department of Health and Human Services' Agency on Aging offers online an explanation of the </span><a _mce_href="http://www.aoa.gov/aoaroot/aoa_programs/hcltc/caregiver/index.aspx" href="http://www.aoa.gov/aoaroot/aoa_programs/hcltc/caregiver/index.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">National Family Caregiver Support Program</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and links to additional agencies that conduct research and work to improve public policy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In my quick search, I found some other more innovative online resources:</span><br />
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<strong><a _mce_href="http://www.caregiver.com/index.htm" href="http://www.caregiver.com/index.htm"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Caregiver.com</span></a></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: An online feature provided by <em>Today's Caregiver</em> magazine. Includes online access to the current issue of the magazine, archives of their newsletter, an advice blog, links to local resources and more.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong><a _mce_href="http://www.caregiver.com/articles/children/children_as_caregivers.htm" href="http://www.caregiver.com/articles/children/children_as_caregivers.htm" target="_self"><span style="color: #444444;">Children as Caregivers</span></a></strong><span style="color: #444444;">: An article from caregiver.com about children and the physical and emotional stress kids experience as caregivers in a home with a disabled or chronically ill adult. Written by a registered nurse, it offers an interesting point of view that I hadn't considered.</span> </span></div>
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<strong><a _mce_href="http://www.caregiving.com/" href="http://www.caregiving.com/" target="_self"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Caregiving.com</span></a></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: A collection of blogs by individuals who are caretakers of parents, children, grandparents, siblings, spouses, etc. This is a great resource for caretakers to read about others' experiences and also share their own. The site also offers downloadable podcasts and an internet talk show.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong><a _mce_href="http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/connecting_caregivers/" href="http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/connecting_caregivers/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Connecting Caregivers</span></a></strong><span style="color: #444444;">: three online resources provided by the </span><a _mce_href="http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/about_nfca/" href="http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/about_nfca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">National Family Caregivers Association</span></a><span style="color: #444444;"> include </span><a _mce_href="http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/connecting_caregivers/the_caregiver_story_project.cfm" href="http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/connecting_caregivers/the_caregiver_story_project.cfm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">The Caregiver Story Project</span></a><span style="color: #444444;"> (you can share a story, read stories by others, and find a penpal), </span><a _mce_href="http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/connecting_caregivers/e_communities.cfm" href="http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/connecting_caregivers/e_communities.cfm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">E-communities</span></a><span style="color: #444444;"> (linking caregivers in the same local area), and the </span><a _mce_href="https://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/ed/bb/index.cfm" href="https://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/ed/bb/index.cfm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Family Caregiver Forum</span></a><span style="color: #444444;"> (an online forum to ask and answer questions on a variety of related topics).</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of the nice things about all of these online resources is that you can look around and choose which one suits you best. You can take just a taste of each, watch from the sidelines, or jump right in. Have you found a particular resource that you enjoy interacting with (such as our own Amputee Empowerment Partners)? Please share it and your experience with us!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #444444;">POSTED ON </span><a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a><span style="color: #444444;">22 JUL 2011, 09:15 AM</span></span>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-75288899218008123022011-07-31T14:49:00.002-04:002011-07-31T14:59:28.933-04:00Kids say the darnedest things!<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Walking down the sidewalk with a friend, we passed a young mother with her five-year old son. After we had gone a few steps further, I heard the little boy say, "Mommy, where's her leg?"</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That is the most amusing and confounding remark I have ever heard in reaction to my missing leg. People have asked How? What? When? ...but never Where?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What are some of the difficult questions you've heard from children about your disability? The disabilities of others? And how do you answer them? </span><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>22 JUL 2011, 09:15 AM</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div></div></div></div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-80922494929314701322011-07-22T09:17:00.002-04:002011-07-22T11:56:05.379-04:00New socket, new day<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've had a new socket since last Thursday, one that I was awaiting with great anticipation. Now that I've been using it for a few days, I know that many of my hopes have been realized -- It fits well, in fact it feels 'right' -- snug all around but not too tight. But my greatest hope was dashed -- I didn't snap it on, jump up and run across the room. No spinning and twirling and jumping for joy. There was no miracle. No, my movements are still slow, small steps taken with great concentration and care.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My entire being is crying out for the ability to run across an open field, followed by my dog Tino, lightly scamper across the rocks in a stream, feeling cool water pass over my toes.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I KNOW I've made progress. I KNOW it's a long road. I KNOW it's slow, I have to take baby steps before I can run. But how long will it take? And what abilities will I have? Those are the questions that no one can answer.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm a positive person. I'm an optimist, I believe in the future. But sometimes doubt creeps in as I realize that I don't know what the outcomes will be and that fear makes me doubt the rosy future that I normally believe in. I have learned that those doubts are part of me, as much as my hopes and dreams are a part of me. And I can choose which to believe.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What I do know is that even though I can't predict the future, I can do a lot to make my future dreams come true. For example, if I don't take baby steps, I will never learn to run. If I don't practice swimming laps in the pool, I will never be able to swim across Lake George. If I don't believe in my own abilities, I will never reach my goals.</span><br />
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<div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>22 JUL 2011, 09:15 AM</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></div></div></div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-54550336000405891662011-07-22T08:40:00.002-04:002011-07-31T14:54:19.066-04:00Some days are better than others<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Let's face it -- some days I wake up and just feel lousy. The alarm goes off but I'm still tired, I want to sleep. My body aches all over. The dog barks, wanting to go out, and I really don't feel like getting up and out to take him for a walk. Can't I just roll over, go back to sleep, and dream it all away? Some days it's just all of the tiny little extra steps that wear me down. For me to get up and out of the house in the morning, it just takes longer than it did when I was able-bodied--and some of this will never change. </span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I've always enjoyed slow mornings. I'm not one of those people who jumps out of bed, raring to go. I'm fuzzy-headed and want to spend 30 minutes drinking coffee and reading the newspaper before I even speak to another human being. Then I like to exercise (I used to run three miles or do an hour-long yoga routine), shower and get dressed. When I was self-employed, I usually started work at 10am.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">As an amputee, everything takes longer. Morning coffee? Try walking around with a cup of coffee in your hand--on one leg. Showering? Just be careful while shampooing one-handed, holding a grab bar with the other. And putting on lotion afterward, I have to sit still, no walking into the kitchen for that second cup of coffee while I rub my hands together. Getting dressed, I have to follow a strict protocol: after making sure that all items are within reach, first put the pants on the prosthesis, followed by sock and shoe. Next, don the liner (and for me a second liner), then step into the other pant leg and put on sock and shoe. This is done sitting, with the prosthesis balanced between my legs and my pants likely dropping to the floor (which encourages good housekeeping). Next I stand up to don the prosthesis, trying to hold up my pants with one hand, steady myself with another by holding onto a chair or table, and simultaneously somehow using both hands to hold the prosthesis upright (usually my pants end up on the floor again). Once the pin is inserted and I have a secure fit, I can bend over and pull up my pants. Depending on the shirt I'm wearing that day, my camisole is tucked in or pulled over my pants (I usually wear a camisole because it makes my scarred belly feel protected). Tucking it in sometimes requires dropping my pants again.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">As you can tell, this--pants on the floor--is one of my pet peeves. Especially when traveling and using public restrooms, I get very annoyed at having to drop my pants. I've figured out many ways to bunch up my clothes, brace myself against the wall of a stall or otherwise contort myself to avoid letting my pants fall onto the public restroom floor (yuk!).</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">So some mornings I don't want to face all of the petty annoyances that I have to experience in order to get out and face the world in the morning. Some days I'd rather stay in my pajamas and stay in bed. Some days I get pretty close to that (some days I work from home), lounging in shorts and t-shirts. But except for those days, I do get up and get ready and get out. I know that it's necessary for me to do it every day or soon I would not be doing it at all. It's one of the small steps in my slow recovery to return to full functioning. And no one can make that happen but me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>21 JUL 2011, 02:55 PM</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-656592134280561492011-07-13T08:36:00.002-04:002011-07-31T14:54:30.115-04:00Dog park<div class="postbody" style="clear: left; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><div style="line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Every morning I take my dog Tino, a 20 lb Mini Schnauzer, to the local dog park. I've found the regulars to be an eclectic mix -- a programmer, an aerospace engineer, a single mother of twin boys -- but they all have in common a love of dogs and a friendly attitude. Even though I've been going to the park for only three months, everyone seems to know me already. I suppose I'm hard to miss: I'm an AKA and have been on crutches for most of that time. It must be quite a spectacle, seeing me crutching around the one acre wooded park following Tino. My phone is in the front pocket of my cargo pants, a headset usually in my right ear, and colorful plastic bags left over from the previous Sunday's New York Times poke out of the other pockets.</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Our visits to the park follow a predictable routine. At the entrance gate, Tino barks like mad to announce his arrival. Next he trots around the perimeter as if he were a sentry on duty, stopping to mark every tree and inspect all of the rocks (and marks most of them too). Three times I stoop to pick up after him; after that I know it's safe to let him wander without having to clean up after him again. Then I'll take a few minutes to check email or make a quick phone call before joining the other dog owners around a picnic table.</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">One of the regulars is also an amputee, an older man with two white German Shepherds. We met the first week I visited the park, and I learned that he's been an amputee since 1956. During the first couple of times we met we compared notes about prostheses and prosthetists, and talked about healing and tips for keeping liners clean. Now we've moved on to discussion of ordinary matters like our respective plans for summer vacation and what books we're reading now, but I will always treasure that opening conversation, the immediate intimacy and openness we both allowed, despite being strangers, because of the odd condition that we share.</span></div></div><div class="left-panel" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>13 JUL 2011, 11:00 PM</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="likebox likebox-ning" style="color: #006db1; float: none; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="ning-like" style="line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div></div></div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-27387979445301282702011-07-09T20:46:00.005-04:002011-07-31T14:55:00.794-04:00Controlled fall<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I've received advice from more than one amputee about falling -- 'tuck and roll,' they say, or 'learn to control your fall,' so I won't get hurt. During the past two years living without a leg and (mostly) without a prosthesis, I've been getting around on crutches. At home I'm in a wheelchair most of the time and sometimes will hop across the room (or rather I did, until I learned recently that hopping is especially dangerous and damaging to joints).</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Before I lost my leg I was an active skier (50+ days on the mountain each winter) and mountain biker in the Rocky Mountains and red rock desert of Colorado, Utah and Arizona. Both of these sports are essentially a series of controlled falls. You point yourself downhill and through a series of technical maneuvers, balance and plain old-fashioned luck, you guide you fall yet inevitably you move downhill; you experience the thrill of pushing your physical limits while in the grip of gravity. </span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Now my daily mobility is also dependent on gravity. Sometimes the movements feel similar to my past activities, but now it's a different game I play with gravity. Sometimes I use gravity to pull me down and forward, as when I'm moving from wheelchair to sofa. Other times I have to pull against it, lifting myself up and out of a chair, but then I'll use the momentum to continue to propel myself forward, as when taking steps with crutches. Sometimes I feel out of balance and almost out of control, as if I'm taking big chances to rely on my balance and land on my target seat. Yet so far I've fallen fewer times than I can count on one hand and haven't had any injuries worse than a big bruise on my behind.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">All of these experiences, this playing with gravity and learning to fall safely, give me insight into re-learning how to walk. A proper gait includes fully weighting my left leg (prosthesis) to trigger the knee function. Learning to walk down a slope or down stairs step-over-step using the C-leg is a more intense act of trust, requiring reliance on the prosthetic knee to fully support my body weight while I move through mid-air.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em !important; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The better I understand the functionality of my new prosthesis and my new physical limits, and the more experience I have using my prosthesis, the better I understand how to use my new 'gear' to play with gravity and learn to once again enjoy the controlled fall.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>9 JUL 2011, 08:44 PM</span></div></div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-87643152118943689452011-06-30T14:29:00.003-04:002011-07-22T08:43:26.746-04:00Will "Bionic Bodies" Offer High-Tech Hope to the Disabled?<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On June 28, <a _mce_href="http://www.pbs.org" href="http://www.pbs.org/" target="_blank">PBS Newshour</a> ran a segment about technological advances in prostheses -- the use of "bionics" -- that are now being tested with real people <a _mce_href="http://video.pbs.org/video/2030369120" href="http://video.pbs.org/video/2030369120" target="_blank">(you can view the segment online)</a>. The word "bionics" is gradually becoming accepted among researchers as a descriptor of the fusion of biology and electronics -- an apt application for advanced technology prostheses. In the segment, they talk about advances that have come out of military research (including the arm created by Dean Kamen, funded by <a _mce_href="http://www.darpa.mil/" href="http://www.darpa.mil/" target="_blank">DARPA</a>). Technologies that aid mobility, manipulation, vision and sight are demonstrated. I highly recommend viewing the piece.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">An avid supporter of technology and research, I have high hopes that someday I too will personally benefit -- that in the future my movements will become more and more natural and that I will be able to do more of what I did before. (Ah -- if I could once again ride my mountain bike through the aspen groves of the San Juan Mountains...) For all disabled people, this could improve quality of life and increase our ability to contribute to society.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Whenever the advanced capabilities of new prosthetic limbs are compared to natural limbs, however, I confess I feel a bit angry. This new stuff is amazing and wonderful, yet in the excitement and celebration of the new achievements there needs to be an acknowledgment that there is nothing like the real thing, that there is no real substitute. In the <a _mce_href="http://video.pbs.org/video/2030369120" href="http://video.pbs.org/video/2030369120" target="_blank">PBS Newshour segment</a>, I was pleased to hear Dean Kamen admit "I don't know anybody today that would say, 'yeah, I'd rather have your arm than the original equipment'," as he raised his hand and wiggled his fingers.</span></div><div><br />
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</span></div></div></div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-17312966454228987312011-06-30T14:28:00.003-04:002011-07-22T08:45:13.119-04:00"Merging Man and Machine: The Bionic Age," National Geographic, January 2010<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you've already educated yourself about the prosthetic options that are available and those that we'll see in the not-too-distant future, then this article won't offer any surprises. But it offers an easy read and great graphics for educating others -- useful for amputees to share with family and friends. It has explanations of how advances in technology have helped to create better prostheses. For example, in a "bionic" arm, neural impulses are transmitted to electrodes that then trigger muscle movements in the shoulder or upper arm; electrodes placed on those muscles capture the brain's impulses and relay those commands via wires to motors that operate the elbow, wrist and fingers. Similarly, neural implant technology is used to help the deaf and blind. View the entire article online at <a _mce_href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/01/bionics/fischman-text" href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/01/bionics/fischman-text" target="_blank">NationalGeographic.com</a>.</span><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">POSTED ON <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AMPUTEE EMPOWERMENT PARTNERS </a>27 JUN 2011, 08:34 PM</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div></div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-29632917265585735022011-06-30T14:27:00.002-04:002011-06-30T14:34:08.705-04:00I'm now a featured blogger on Amputee Empowerment Partners<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was recently invited by <a href="http://www.hanger.com/prosthetics/experience/patientprofiles/Pages/CarrieDavis.aspx">Carrie Davis</a>, founder of <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">Amputee Empowerment Partners</a>, to be a featured blogger on this social networking site created especially for amputees, families, caregivers and friends. AEP was founded as a safe place for people to share their feelings, thoughts, ideas and resources. I was introduced to the site by another AKA, Todd, who I met at the monthly <a href="http://www.gaylord.org/">Gaylord Hospital </a>amputee support group meeting. Not sure what to expect, I joined the site and before I knew it I was posting queries about knee technology and offering support to others. There are two million amputees in the U.S., and over half of those are lower limb amputees, yet I the first amputee I ever met was myself. It's easy to feel isolated and unique -- and difficult to remember that there are a million people out there who have had a similar experience.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm honored to be selected as a featured blogger and because <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AEP </a>is a members-only site, I hope to share my posts here as well. Of course, you can also join <a href="http://www.empoweringamputees.org/">AEP</a>.</span>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-68774819694012035542011-03-21T15:56:00.002-04:002011-07-31T14:55:46.186-04:00Loving skiing again<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On Saturday I joined the Gaylord Adaptive Sports Association on a ski trip to Bromley Mountain in Vermont. Because of my hospitalization in November, I've missed most of the ski season. I also have had mixed feelings about skiing again. It had been something I truly loved to do, and I knew it would never be the same. I learned to ski when I was about six years old. I remember pulling on my shiny black ski boots, lacing them up tight, strapping on my little wooden skis (painted blue with red and white stripes), snapping into the bear-trap bindings, climbing up the slope in our backyard (at the farm) and sliding down again. Maybe that's just a romantic memory, but it is true that I have been skiing for over 40 years.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, last year I learned that 3-track skiing was HARD. I could barely make it down the bunny hill without my legs burning from the effort. I was crippled for days afterward, limping along from my sore muscles. So I was concerned about suffering again, about not being able to recapture the grace and pleasure of doing something really well, and also just hurting while trying to make my way down the gentle slope at the ski mountain and then recovering once I got back home.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well, I had a great time. Today my calf is a bit sore, right in the meat of the muscle, and a little soreness in my forearms, but that is about it. What a relief! I guess I'm stronger than I thought. It was difficult, you better believe it, but I had fun. Now I better understand how the equipment works; the snow was warm, pure corn snow, which slowed me down (that's a good thing); and it was pure joy to glide down the slope. We did several runs on the bunny slope, then I graduated to the longer lift and had time for one long easy run.</span><br />
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</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I didn't get any video taken this time, but I'm sure it looked much the same as last year, so you can always revisit last year's video:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The entire staff at Bromley Mountain is terrific. Nancy, my instructor, and Jason, her teenage assistant, were warm, attentive and gave me helpful tips to improve my technique. They were aways right beside me when I took a tumble. They respected my request to try to do things on my own but were right there when I needed help. Joe, the manager of the adaptive program at Bromley, was also very accommodating and offered useful advice about finding my own gear, and invited all of us to return again. Bromley has a terrific team! (And they're all volunteers.)</span>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-6205765448325958282010-12-05T11:12:00.001-05:002011-07-31T14:56:02.648-04:00surgery and pain<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Success! That's the first and most important thing I want to note.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On Nov 19th I had surgery: abdominal reconstruction and revision to my residual limb (sounds gruesome, but those are the technical terms). Both surgeries were planned, and I was lucky to have them both done the same day. Three days later, I woke up (the day before Thanksgiving). As usual, I have dim memories of very bizarre dreams during that time. Anaesthesia seems to do that to me. Discharged on Nov 30th, I've been home for five days already.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Recently I participated in a study about chronic pain (actually, the study continues; I've completed the first portion of the study) and it has made me think more deeply about living with pain. Over the past two years, I had become accustomed to living with a certain degree of pain. Largely controlled by medication, my pain level ranged between 0-3 (on the standard pain scale of 0-10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable). If it reached 3, that usually meant that I had forgotten to take my meds. But now, recovering from surgery, it's different.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Every morning, I feel like I've been beat up. Everything is sore and achy and my surgery sites are particularly sensitive. Two percocet, one neurontin and a cup of coffee later, and I'm ready to move around a little -- enough to get myself bathed, dressed and fed. But my movements are limited, both by pain and by doctors' orders. I'll be ok with this for a short while, but I can't imagine living with pain for the rest of my life, as do some people. Already I've learned my limitations: pain impacts my ability to concentrate, to plan for the future, to maintain an upbeat frame of mind. Luckily for me, the pain will recede as my body heals.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Also, I try to keep meds to a minimum. They dull my thought processes and reduce my stamina. (I'm trying to get some work done!) I read about the success of acupuncture for treatment of phantom limb pain. Once I'm recovered from these recent procedures, I'm going to give it a try.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Best wishes to all for a pain-free year!</span>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-64583821081273699792010-12-05T10:36:00.001-05:002011-07-31T14:56:21.731-04:00hats<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0aC3ZhN1zjTd-P7OUoDTPIRk2n9-2mqHCC_S0jNbsohduax92Iwf0zIkl3MXgBhXmyDtg2gjQEyYpcgxWNmfVqldMa3BN5am1udEH5c7kyiWHOV7UXDE5ZZssYT0XiiMZf6GHnTMnic/s1600/IMG_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0aC3ZhN1zjTd-P7OUoDTPIRk2n9-2mqHCC_S0jNbsohduax92Iwf0zIkl3MXgBhXmyDtg2gjQEyYpcgxWNmfVqldMa3BN5am1udEH5c7kyiWHOV7UXDE5ZZssYT0XiiMZf6GHnTMnic/s1600/IMG_1570.JPG" /></span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been making hats -- lots and lots of hats. Because I've been experimenting with stitch patterns (and therefore learning how to calculate sizes), my results have come out to be all shapes and sizes. Some very large, some small. So far I've made 10 or 12 hats: some will go to friends and family, but so far I've finished seven for charity. Maybe I'll get 10 done by the end of the year.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8LV6567lADYVAlbuegZMIvaUydpcfI1K2PTvACZ1X8N9iyIQ5wJGcC2wEJrBiC6znoc-0PyZh6jaJ4WEl2Y76-QezRPnTJhvNd15VqqqVqcgQ8QCemJWBDXbE-ljexHK0P-2WDEgogk/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8LV6567lADYVAlbuegZMIvaUydpcfI1K2PTvACZ1X8N9iyIQ5wJGcC2wEJrBiC6znoc-0PyZh6jaJ4WEl2Y76-QezRPnTJhvNd15VqqqVqcgQ8QCemJWBDXbE-ljexHK0P-2WDEgogk/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While in Mali, I met a lot of Peace Corps volunteers (PCVs). I've decided that I'm going to send the hats I make to the PCVs in Bandiagara and have them distribute them as needed. Who better, I thought, to understand local needs and be able to receive and easily distribute my small gift?</span>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-35857556456948426882010-10-30T10:31:00.002-04:002010-12-05T10:15:45.829-05:00knitting for charity<div class="MsoNormal">I've been knitting. Most of my readers likely know that already. I learned to knit as a child; needlework is a skill shared by all of the women in my mother's family. But it was something I hadn't touched in years (probably not since I was a child). Shortly after I was released from the hospital, though, I thought of it as a useful activity I could do while in bed. Also, my good friend Sharon Turner is a master knitter, and she gave me inspiration (and books and yarn to get started).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I soon realized that it's the action of knitting that gives me the most pleasure. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sweater lover. (Really more of a sweater addict.) I love the textures and colors of yarns and the soft warmth of knitted fabric. But I quickly realized that it's the act, the craft of knitting, that I enjoy the most. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Last year, soon after I started knitting again, I looked for charities that take knitted items and distribute them to needy children. I found several:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.knit-a-square.com/"><b>Knit a Square</b></a>: South Africa. Collects 8 in x 8 in knit squares and stitches them into blankets which are distributed to children's charities.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.globalknit.org/index.php?p=1_23"><b>Haiti Earthquake Relief Project</b>:</a> <a href="http://www.globalknit.org/index.php">Global Knit</a>, based in Ohio, is collecting wash kits composed of a knitted washcloth, hand towel and bar of soap and is working with <a href="http://www.foodforthepoor.org/">Food for the Poor</a> to distribute them to earthquake victims in Haiti.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.globalknit.org/index.php?p=1_22"><b>Bulgarian Orphans</b>:</a> Another <a href="http://www.globalknit.org/index.php">Global Knit</a> project, collects clothing for disabled orphans of all ages and distributes it through <a href="http://www.cedarfoundation.org/">Cedar Foundation</a> in Bulgaria.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://knittingandgiving.wordpress.com/"><b>Knitting and Giving</b>:</a> based in Connecticut, this group collects knitted items and hand-delivers them to needy people all around the world. Their "<a href="http://knittingandgiving.wordpress.com/call-for-items/">Call For Items</a>" lists all the projects they are currently collecting for.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Lately I’ve been knitting hats. It keeps my hands busy and I get to experiment with new stitch patterns without making the long-term commitment required of a sweater or blanket. It also provides a use for all those extra bits of yarn that are leftover after a bigger project or that have been given to me by friends. It takes only one skein to make a hat or scarf. Usually I have to calculate too (keeps the quant side of my brain nimble), though it has taken me awhile to get the finished size right for different stitches (cables and so on come out smaller, for example). Consequently, many of the hats are small and two of them came out much bigger than I expected. I decided that I’d just keep going, keep making more hats – I have about eight so far – and donate them to people who need hats.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">Although all the charities above look very worthy, I’ve decided to send my hats to Mali. I'll ship a box to the Peace Corps Volunteers in the area where I worked and ask them to distribute them. Yes, the locals wear hats and coats during the “cold season.” (For those of us accustomed to northern winters, 70F is not “cold.” But if the temp is over 90F for most of the year, 70F feels pretty darn cold.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you're a member of Ravelry.com, you can follow my knitting progress. Even pictures of all the hats.</div>brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138728392957269131.post-61160773542896718832010-10-30T09:59:00.000-04:002010-10-30T09:59:08.321-04:00I'm backI'd almost given up on writing a blog. I'm a very private person and was feeling self-conscious about sharing my thoughts and ideas. But I've decided to give it another go.<br />
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My best thinking happens while I'm physically active. It seems that while my body is occupied, my mind is free to wander. And the less I try to direct my thoughts, the better I am at sorting them out. It may even be more enjoyable than dreaming.<br />
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Often, while I'm swimming, I compose posts to share. The thought, the word choice -- it all seems so entertaining and perfectly structured. But then, once I've had the pleasure of experiencing it, it seems unnecessary to write it down.<br />
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I would, however, like to capture my thoughts and experiences as an amputee. The challenges I face in everyday life, overcoming the simple struggles that all amputees face: I think that chronicling the process will be useful to other amputees. So here goes...brendapiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002269717892495512noreply@blogger.com0