Re: Hope for those who are disabled

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Posted by Ernie on February 08, 19101 at 04:46:32:

In Reply to: Re: Hope for those who are disabled posted by Karen Downs on February 08, 19101 at 00:47:33:

: Dear Ernie:

: The C-leg provides an advantage by adjusting the hydraulic unit to the cadance of the amputee's gait. It does not provide any power assist.

: Even walking on a level surface requires energy levels far in excess of any battery system's ability to store energy. A power source must be carried by the amputee (no long extension cords!).

: Arm function often has modest power requirements. An upper extremity is considerably lighter than a lower. While there are some systems that will allow an upper extremity amputee to lift, oh say, 30 pounds, that is not for a protracted period of time. A body-powered elbow coupled with a myoelectric wrist/"hand" can provide some strength with dexterity.

: Yet, many U/E amputees cannot generate sufficent voltage in their stumps for myoelectrics to function properly. Another factor to consider is the fact that more than 50% of upper extremity prostheses are abandoned because there is no tactile sensation. Children especially want "out" of hot and heavy prostheses.

: Children often have U/E prostheses because their parents want them to. They are abandoned.

: There is no prosthesis that can replace a flesh and blood and bone limb. A prosthesis is not an arm. It is not a leg. It is a tool a person uses to help the rest of his/her body from point A to point B. Just like a wheelchair.

: A body powered B/E prosthesis with a Dorrence #5A hook is not a hand. It is a tool that can be used to pick up stuff, perhaps food, and get it into one's mouth.

: As for extensions to bones; research is on-going, "as we speak" in the field of "osteo-intergration". What has been attempted is the introduction of a titanium rod into a femor which pierces the skin and extends beyond the distal stump. An extremely strong mating of a prosthesis can be acomplished. However, there are all kinds of on-going problems. The most apparent is keeping the site where the rod exists the skin clean and free of infection.

: Another is the integrety of the bone when bending forces are applied through the metal parts. Just lifting the limb will load the femor with considerable forces.

: Now for my "soapbox bit". I believe the real problems of the "disabled" are socially constructed. Society has decided, perhaps unconsciously, that buildings will be, curbs will be, stairs will be, "their" opinion will be that we somehow are found lacking as a consequence of these things being as they are.

: This is, I believe, why so many leg amputees want to walk "so no one can tell". Arm amputees wear limbs that are useless to them so they appear "normal". Good grief, who made being seen as "normal" a virtue? What is "normal"? Can't you amputees see that "normal" is what makes you disabled. I say screw it! I do not want to be normal. I want to live my life as I choose. I do not want to run over people with my wheelchair, but by God, I am not going to put myself in a cubbyhole society chooses for me either.

: Comments? Questions? a "burning at the stake"?

: Karen

Dear Karen Society has already but people with disabilities into a cubbyhole, so you said, because That’s the nature of the Beast. The only burning at the stake is more than likely a phantom of your mind. I don’t understand your negativity on the subject of a Power assist. Even if the device provided 1/3 of the power needed to assist an amputee that’s one third less energy used. As a bilateral wearer I would think you would benefit from it. Have you ever seen or used a hand held cordless (Black and Decker Drill) did you noticed the power it produces with the small rechargeable batteries. Do you think it is possible to force Hydraulic fluid into a modified Mauch knee to cause the knee to extend? Therefore the combination of a coiled mechanical lift assist and 1/8 horsepower from small lightweight Electro Hydraulic pump would assist when walking up steps or even slopes. You see you don’t even need a power cord except when you are charging it. I used spring-loaded devices for Mechanical elbows to assist when moving the elbow with a hand or hook. So why is it so hard for you to understand the concept. I KNOW THERE IS NO WAY THIS BE DONE YOU CAN RIGHT?(WRONG) You said you once worked as a prosthetic tech, I wrote this message to inspire people not to cast dought. There are eyes that view this board that know it can be done, the fact I'm sure someone if not me will patient this and give the proceeds to LIMBS FOR LIFE I hope. It is up to the individual who refuse to conform to that given roll to use all means at their disposal to hold fast until the day of reckoning.
In all dew respect the question is not what weather a person will fully use a man made device that is foreign to their human biological system. Where the human body will reject in time a substance that it sees as an invader. A plastic leg for example, which is better a plastic leg that hurts or no leg. I and many other people were these devices in public or at home. If a person choose not to wear his or her man made device It’s totally up to them. Oh! yes striving to be as you said normal may be a crime to you and in the eyes of some people BUT NOT IN MINE.
I will use all means, and devices and never give up the fight, for this is what has kept me from becoming bitter and self-righteous and kept me creative and realistic.
I will not let negativity be part of my life as it was when I was a Child. In my case I wear my leg for three reasons
(1) It allows me to walk this earth that GOD created in some fashion even if I have to crawl to do it.
(2) It gives me the illusion of what I once was
(3) It helps me hide from those hypocrites who preach one thing and practice another.

* Oh lucky am I to be put to the test and tried in the fire, for great is my reward.
For It’s better to enter Heaven with no legs than to bust Hell wide open on all four

Some people would not know a good Idea If their wheel chair tipped over and
they fell Face down on it.

In his Service
The First And The Last
Ernie :)

Follow Ups:

Re: Hope for those who are disabled Karen Downs 13:57:47 2/08/101 (2)
- Re: Hope for those who are disabled Tim 17:54:57 2/09/101 (0)
- Re: Hope for those who are disabled Ernie 19:18:59 2/08/101 (0)

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: : Dear Ernie: : : The C-leg provides an advantage by adjusting the hydraulic unit to the cadance of the amputee's gait. It does not provide any power assist. : : Even walking on a level surface requires energy levels far in excess of any battery system's ability to store energy. A power source must be carried by the amputee (no long extension cords!). : : Arm function often has modest power requirements. An upper extremity is considerably lighter than a lower. While there are some systems that will allow an upper extremity amputee to lift, oh say, 30 pounds, that is not for a protracted period of time. A body-powered elbow coupled with a myoelectric wrist/"hand" can provide some strength with dexterity. : : Yet, many U/E amputees cannot generate sufficent voltage in their stumps for myoelectrics to function properly. Another factor to consider is the fact that more than 50% of upper extremity prostheses are abandoned because there is no tactile sensation. Children especially want "out" of hot and heavy prostheses. : : Children often have U/E prostheses because their parents want them to. They are abandoned. : : There is no prosthesis that can replace a flesh and blood and bone limb. A prosthesis is not an arm. It is not a leg. It is a tool a person uses to help the rest of his/her body from point A to point B. Just like a wheelchair. : : A body powered B/E prosthesis with a Dorrence #5A hook is not a hand. It is a tool that can be used to pick up stuff, perhaps food, and get it into one's mouth. : : As for extensions to bones; research is on-going, "as we speak" in the field of "osteo-intergration". What has been attempted is the introduction of a titanium rod into a femor which pierces the skin and extends beyond the distal stump. An extremely strong mating of a prosthesis can be acomplished. However, there are all kinds of on-going problems. The most apparent is keeping the site where the rod exists the skin clean and free of infection. : : Another is the integrety of the bone when bending forces are applied through the metal parts. Just lifting the limb will load the femor with considerable forces. : : Now for my "soapbox bit". I believe the real problems of the "disabled" are socially constructed. Society has decided, perhaps unconsciously, that buildings will be, curbs will be, stairs will be, "their" opinion will be that we somehow are found lacking as a consequence of these things being as they are. : : This is, I believe, why so many leg amputees want to walk "so no one can tell". Arm amputees wear limbs that are useless to them so they appear "normal". Good grief, who made being seen as "normal" a virtue? What is "normal"? Can't you amputees see that "normal" is what makes you disabled. I say screw it! I do not want to be normal. I want to live my life as I choose. I do not want to run over people with my wheelchair, but by God, I am not going to put myself in a cubbyhole society chooses for me either. : : Comments? Questions? a "burning at the stake"? : : Karen : Dear Karen Society has already but people with disabilities into a cubbyhole, so you said, because That’s the nature of the Beast. The only burning at the stake is more than likely a phantom of your mind. I don’t understand your negativity on the subject of a Power assist. Even if the device provided 1/3 of the power needed to assist an amputee that’s one third less energy used. As a bilateral wearer I would think you would benefit from it. Have you ever seen or used a hand held cordless (Black and Decker Drill) did you noticed the power it produces with the small rechargeable batteries. Do you think it is possible to force Hydraulic fluid into a modified Mauch knee to cause the knee to extend? Therefore the combination of a coiled mechanical lift assist and 1/8 horsepower from small lightweight Electro Hydraulic pump would assist when walking up steps or even slopes. You see you don’t even need a power cord except when you are charging it. I used spring-loaded devices for Mechanical elbows to assist when moving the elbow with a hand or hook. So why is it so hard for you to understand the concept. I KNOW THERE IS NO WAY THIS BE DONE YOU CAN RIGHT?(WRONG) You said you once worked as a prosthetic tech, I wrote this message to inspire people not to cast dought. There are eyes that view this board that know it can be done, the fact I'm sure someone if not me will patient this and give the proceeds to LIMBS FOR LIFE I hope. It is up to the individual who refuse to conform to that given roll to use all means at their disposal to hold fast until the day of reckoning. : In all dew respect the question is not what weather a person will fully use a man made device that is foreign to their human biological system. Where the human body will reject in time a substance that it sees as an invader. A plastic leg for example, which is better a plastic leg that hurts or no leg. I and many other people were these devices in public or at home. If a person choose not to wear his or her man made device It’s totally up to them. Oh! yes striving to be as you said normal may be a crime to you and in the eyes of some people BUT NOT IN MINE. : I will use all means, and devices and never give up the fight, for this is what has kept me from becoming bitter and self-righteous and kept me creative and realistic. : I will not let negativity be part of my life as it was when I was a Child. In my case I wear my leg for three reasons : (1) It allows me to walk this earth that GOD created in some fashion even if I have to crawl to do it. : (2) It gives me the illusion of what I once was : (3) It helps me hide from those hypocrites who preach one thing and practice another. : * Oh lucky am I to be put to the test and tried in the fire, for great is my reward. : For It’s better to enter Heaven with no legs than to bust Hell wide open on all four : Some people would not know a good Idea If their wheel chair tipped over and : they fell Face down on it. : In his Service : The First And The Last : Ernie :)

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