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Great news! The deadline to apply for the Amputee Coalition scholarship has been extended to April 30^th. The scholarship is provided through the Amputee Coalition’s Bridge to Ability Fund and enables new amputees to attend the Amputee Coalition’s national conference. To be held June 1-4 in Kansas City, the conference provides amputees an opportunity to share, connect and learn from others. Make sure you get your application in by April 30th. You can find more information here: http://www.amputee-coalition.org/scholarship/bridge_to_ability/.

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USA Today reported that quadruple amputee, Frenchman Philippe Croizon, swam across the English Channel using customize flipper prosthesis in 13.5 hours.  This article is one that is both heartwarming and also provides a real life look at how an amputee can excel at anything he or she puts their mind to.  In my role of life care planner for an amputee, one of my primary goals is to gain a clear understanding of the types of activities and interests the individual has so that we can make sure that these interests and goals are factored into the plan.

Providing an amputee with the proper prosthetic devices is an essential part of the life care plan and is required (in addition to other equipment and services) to help the individual maintain their quality of life after an amputation.  Terminal devices, such as a swimming leg or golfing “hand” allows the amputee to be able to participate in activities that will also ensure that they are active and getting exercise, which in turn, prevents obesity, muscular atrophy, urinary tract disease and other conditions associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Philippe Croizon, the amputee who made this swim, is an inspiration to us all!

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Cody McCasland, 8 year old from Colleyville, Texas participated in the Ranger Triathlon at the Texas School for the Deaf.  Code is a double above the knee amputee.  He was born with a rare birth defect that caused his legs to form without knees and tibias (large bones of the lower legs).  Cody completed a 100m swim, 2.2 mile bike ride and 800 meter run in under thirty minutes.

Cody uses prostheses to walk around, but removes them for the swim.  He also uses a special push bicycle and racing wheelchair to complete the race.  He received assistance to carry him from each event to the transition area.

Cody is certainly inspiring for this abled body adult!  If you want to read more about Cody and see some other photos from the event, check out Statesman.com.

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Mack Hall of Arkadelphia, Arkansas (just south of my office location) is in his vegetable garden or flower beds every morning.  He just happens to be 77 years old and a double amputee.  Mr. Hall lost his feet after suffering severe frostbite.  He has been fitted with prosthesis, but is unable to walk or stand for long periods.

Mr. Hall started his gardening projects at Courtyard Gardens with just a hoe and some determination.  This year things got a whole lot easier.  “They brought in a tiller,” he said.  “I’ve been doing it by hand.”

Hall farmed with his family growing corn, cotton, hay, soybeans, and oats.  The family also had a garden for their own food that consisted of beans, peas, tomatoes, and squash.  “I love the smell of the dirt in the spring, ” he said.  “It’s life to me.”

Mr. Hall has lots of tips on gardening to share; from the best fertilizer to his favorite brand of tomato.  If you are in Arkadelphia, you just might want to look him up.  After all, it is time to get that dirt prepared for the next big crop.

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Because of my work with amputees, I am always researching and reading about the latest and greatest developments.  Today, I ran across a blog by Peggy, who is both an amputee and a mom to a precious 3 year old little boy.  She hosts a blog titled Amputee Mommy in hopes or providing support to others in her situation.  She chronicles her experiences and ideas and shares her store.

Peggy has an incredibly unusual story that includes having to request that her foot be removed in front of a judge.  Her amputation took place on July 3, 2003.  She explained that her physical recovery was difficult, but it was the emotional recovery that was the most difficult.  “It was not an easy journey,” says Peggy.  “[Luckily] my surgeon recognized my depression and set up counseling sessions with a specialist in the field.”

Peggy goes on to recount how her amputation was affected by her pregnancy.  She sought help, but found very few amputee moms who could provide information about the changes of her body.  An interesting comment about her new reliance on her handicapped accessories was an eye-opener for this life care planner.

If you want to learn more from Peggy, check out her blog at Tales of an Amputee Mommy.  Peggy says it best…”Many times after limb loss, hope is lost.  This is a testament that life continues after an amputation and that the amputee can thrive and achieve goals never imagined.”

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Commentary on Role of Legal Nurse Consultant and Nurse Life Care Planner in This Case

There were many issues in this posting that struck me both as a Legal Nurse Consultant and in my role as a Nurse Life Care Planner:

-Were the services of a Legal Nurse Consultant used in reviewing this young man’s chart?  How was the standard of care he received specifically evaluated?

The experience a certified Legal Nurse Consultant brings to medical records review and evaluation provides in-depth and detailed analysis due to the fact that nurses, in general, are the professionals most involved in keeping these records.  More to the point, a certified Legal Nurse Consultant is an expert in interpreting medical records, understands and is well versed in parsing out the subtext of these very complicated documents.  In this case, there are 15 physicians, and multiple treatment locations—all with records to be organized and reviewed.

-The post mentions that damages in excess of $25,000 were being sought.  If care was indeed sub-par, I sincerely hope that the services of a Nurse Life Care Planner were also sought.

The expenses associated with a bi-lateral above knee amputee are only beginning with the fitting, fabrication occupational therapy and training on the first set of prostheses.  If the amount mentioned is close to what the family is actually seeking, I trust that his health benefits provider has a very informed case manager advocating for technologically advanced prostheses, provided that he is a candidate for this technology.

In particular, lower extremity amputees require multiple prostheses over the course of a lifetime, due to wear and tear, changes in their weight and other conditions. At the age of 19 and being an athlete, he could potentially benefit from both high technology prostheses, as well as a second set of prostheses for sports activities.  Psychological counseling will probably also come into play as he deals with changes in body image and frustrations in adjusting to his new lifestyle.

Further, the family has already started down the road of adapting their home with ramps, etc.  There will be additional costs as he progresses back into more activities of daily living.

Finally, I would encourage the family, if they haven’t already, to familiarize themselves on the Ohio Prosthetic Parity legislation.  A link to more information about this law can be found at Arms and Legs are Not a Luxury.  This legislation covers such issues as pre-existing conditions when changes in health benefits carriers are made, as well as caps on coverage of prostheses that may be stated in the health care policy.

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The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is now accepting applications for the second annual Christina Skoski, M.D., Scholarship until March 15, 2010. The fund will once again award a one-time, $1,000 scholarship to a student with limb loss who has a special desire to learn and exhibits potential for success. The scholarship is only open to undergraduate students who will be entering or who are already attending a 4-year college.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be amputees and have a minimum high-school grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 and a minimum ACT score of 30 or SAT score of 1340. They must also submit a letter of recommendation from a high-school adviser. Additionally, the student or his or her parent/legal guardian must be a current member of the ACA. All majors are welcome.

Applications will only be accepted by online submission through the ACA Web site at amputee-coalition.org/scholarship. The application deadline for fall 2010 consideration is March 15, 2010. The scholarship recipient will be announced no later than May 31, 2010.

In my search for resources related to amputation I found some great articles regarding the different levels of amputation.  These articles are great for family members too.

Amputation Levels

“Know your options: An explanation to the Rotationplasty and Tibia Turn-up Procedures.” Kevin Carroll. inMotion. March/April 2005.

www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/mar_apr_05/rotationplasty.html

“Notes from the medical director (NFMD): Higher Challenges: The Hip Disarticulation and Transpelvic Amputation Levels.” Parts 1-3. Douglas G. Smith. inMotion. January/February 2005, March/April 2005, May/June 2005.

www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/jan_feb_05/higherchallenges.html

“NFMD: The Knee Disarticulation: It’s Better When It’s Better and It’s Not When It’s Not.” Douglas G. Smith. inMotion. January/Febuary 2004.

www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/jan_feb_04/kneedisartic.html

“NFMD: The Syme Ankle-Level Disarticulation: Heels and Healing.” Douglas G. Smith. inMotion. May/June 2003.

www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/may_jun_03/meddir.html

“NFMD: The Transfemoral Amputation Level. Parts1-5:” Douglas G. Smith. inMotion. March/April 2004, May/June 2004, July/August 2004, September/October 2004, November/December 2004.

www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/transfermoral.html

“NFMD: Transtibial Amputations: Successes and Challenges.” Douglas G. Smith. inMotion. July/August 2003.

www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/jul_aug_03/meddir.html

“Prosthetic Primer: Partial Foot Amputation: Sometimes Less Means More.” Douglas G. Smith. inMotion. March/April 2003.

www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/mar_apr_03/primer.html

“Support and Information for Upper-Limb Amputees: Just a few Keystrokes or a Phone Call Away!” Eric Westover. inMotion. May/June 2005. Pp. 56-57

www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/may_jun_05/upper-limbsupport.html

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The U.S. National Institutes of Health hosts Clinical Trials which lists all of the open trials for various conditions.  I was suprised to see the number of trials available for amputees.  I believe there are 38 studies, most of which are recruiting participants.  If you are interested in any of these trials, please follow the information on the site to learn more.

One of my favorites is a trial on Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain.  I have seen this used with an upper extremity amputee with great success.  I have recently recommended this therapy for a below knee amputee (BKA).  There are two separate trials for mirror therapy; one of which is home/self based.

To access the trials click here.

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Just today we learn that a police officer from Brooklyn, New York, who lost his leg in an on the job accident, has been released from Kings County Hospital.  Officer Eric Grimes left the hospital walking on crutches after having refused to use a wheelchair.  He is in good spirits and is anxious to return to work.  Grimes will soon be fitted with a prosthetic leg.  He has been with the force for five years and is on track to make detective.  The article can be found at the New York Times.

A Telegraph article in the news this week tells of a toddler who is finally able to take a few steps with his new prosthetic legs.  The little man lost his legs due to menengitis.  Read about it in the Telegraph.

Another toddler, also reported in the Telegraph, takes ballet to help him with his posture which in turns helps his walking on his prosthetic limbs. You can read this inspiring story here.

In this amazing story, you will learn of Vickery, the first ever double amputee who has earned PGA membership.  This is a feat for any two footed athlete, but for an double amputee it is amazing.  He is also missing to fingers of his left hand.  This story comes from The New York Times.

Lastly, I thought I would share a new website I found today.  360 Orthotics and Prosthetics is an online community dedicated to all things related to orthotics and prosthetics.  Take a look at some of their news articles.  They also feature success stories of individuals. Check them out at 360 O & P.

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