Employment and Financial Issues

September/October 2012 Volume 22, Issue 5 A magazine dedicated to living well with limb loss A Publication of the Employment and Financial Issues Getting Back Behind the Wheel PAGE 34 Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome PAGE 18 Tips for the Business Traveler PAGE 22 Kurt Yaeger Discusses Employment Challenges as an Actor PAGE 26 MOVE NATURALLY WITH THE FIRST & ONLY COMPLETE BIONIC LEG. Introducing SYMBIONIC® LEG, the fi rst complete bionic leg combining a microprocessor knee and powered microprocessor foot with proactive ankle fl exion. Feedback from users and prosthetists has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating feelings of increased safety, symmetry and confi dence that result in a regained ability to move naturally. Ask your prosthetist today if SYMBIONIC LEG is right for you, or visit www.ossur.com/symbionicleg to learn more. % % % of users report of users report of users report a reduction in increased less mental tripping activity. fatigue. Based on responses to an Össur survey by amputees and prosthetists who used SYMBIONIC LEG for at least weeks. Your results may vary. TEL FOLLOW ÖSSUR ON FAX WEB OSSUR.COM © Össur. All rights reserved. Össur and SYMBIONIC are registered trademarks of Össur. SYMBIONIC LEG inMotion 0912.indd 1 8/13/12 9:16 AM message from the editor BE AN INFORMED READER Editorial content (articles, news items, columns, editorials, etc.) in Employment and inMotion often contain healthcare information. As an informed reader, Financial Concerns you should never make a decision about managing or treating your Questions and Answers condition without consulting your own clinicians: They know you best. Sometimes, in our interviews with For over 25 years, the Amputee Coalition has provided information and support to people who are amputees, the person amputees, their families and healthcare providers. To further serve the needs of our being interviewed will say something constituency, we expanded our mission in 2005 to include an advocacy program to about his or her personal experience influence public policy regarding the fairness of prosthetic coverage. that may not be entirely consistent with standard practice. In these cases, The questions most frequently asked by amputees who contact the Amputee Coalition we print what the person said because relate to concerns about payment coverage for costs related to prosthetic fitting and we think it gives readers insight into associated services, home and vehicle modifications, and durable medical equipment that individual’s experience that we (DME) such as wheelchairs, ramps and other adaptive devices. believe will resonate with others. But: F We urge you to always check with your Other frequent questions include requests for information about finding resources for assistance in financial planning, finding a job or filing complaints regarding losing medical team before changing your employment due to disability discrimination. These issues all have two common own healthcare regimen. elements that are eternally linked – money and jobs. Advertisements in inMotion are Access to employment is a fundamental right for everyone, including the 2 million reviewed according to established Americans living with limb loss or limb difference. A job can provide financial stability, criteria and guidelines. We aim help maximize our potential and allow us to achieve our dreams. As Americans, to support public awareness of we possess a range of vocational opportunities to make the most of our talents commercially available products – and succeed in a chosen career; those with disabilities are entitled to the same things that might be helpful to you opportunities. But approximately two-thirds of Americans live from paycheck to and to avoid advertisements that paycheck. And living with a disability means you are more likely to be unemployed, might deceive or mislead the reader. even in prosperous years. Acceptance of advertisements in inMotion is not an endorsement by It is not surprising, then, that most people who undergo amputation are happy to be the Amputee Coalition. The Amputee able to simply return to their former jobs, or at least a similar position. For others, Coalition does not test advertised however, the loss of a limb provides them with the inspiration to reinvent themselves products, conduct independent and seek a new direction for their lives and careers (see page 26). scientific reviews of them or ensure This issue also addresses questions and concerns commonly expressed by people with their claims. Companies that sell limb loss, from tips for business travel (see page 22) and managing diabetes on the job through the mail must comply with (see page 16) to avoiding the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (see page 18). federal regulations regarding customer notification if the product is not We hope that you will find this issue both enjoyable and informative. available within 30 days. The Amputee Coalition reserves the right to reject Bill Dupes, Senior Editor any advertisement for any reason, which need not be disclosed to the party submitting the advertisement. Opinions expressed in signed “Every day I get up and look through the articles are those of the authors and Forbes list of the richest people in America. are not necessarily endorsed by the If I’m not there, I go to work.” Amputee Coalition. – Robert Orben Printed in the United States of America. Contact the Amputee Coalition at 888/267-5669 or amputee-coalition.org 3 I’m POSSIBLE Surfing, skateboarding, hanging with friends. Cameron Clapp epitomized “California teen” until one night when, in an instant, his life changed. At 15, Cameron was struck by a train. He lost both legs and his right arm. Encouraged and cared for by staff at Hanger Clinic locations nationwide, Cameron not only learned to walk again, he now surfs, runs competitively, swims and inspires others through peer-to-peer mentoring and motivational public speaking. In 700 clinics throughout the U.S., Hanger Clinic delivers integrated rehabilitative solutions to help more than 1,000,000 patients each year like Cameron turn their hopes and dreams into reality, break down barriers and move their lives forward. “IMPOSSIBLE IS AN To experience what’s possible at OPINION, NOT A FACT.” Hanger Clinic, call 1-877-4HANGER or visit www.hanger.com. 150 YEARS 700 CLINICS 1 VISION 1-877-4HANGER www.hanger.com Hanger Clinic Ads_8.37x11.25.indd 1 8/16/12 9:17 AM contents September/October 2012 sections Employment and 16 The Doctor Is In Managing Diabetes at Work Financial Issues Considering 18 Upper-Limb Perspectives Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome a Career 22 Travel & Accessibility Change? Tips for the Business Traveler Post-Amputation 24 Growing Up as an Amputee 26 Employment Mind Over Matter When Losing a Limb Means Finding Yourself 34 Technology Solutions Getting Back Behind the Wheel 37 Tech Review A Step in the Right Direction 39 Phantom Fashionista You Can Enjoy Both Form and Function! 40 Living With Limb Loss Can’t Work? You May Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits 42 Exercise and Fitness 32 Your Feet in the Workplace Rural Solutions departments A Model of 3 Message From the Editor Success 10 Advocacy in Action 14 Events Calendar 45 Technology Showcase On the Cover 46 Advertiser Index Image of Kurt Yaeger provided by Kurt Yaeger. The Amputee Coalition recognizes the following National Sponsors for their valuable support. Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors Contact the Amputee Coalition at 888/267-5669 or amputee-coalition.org 5 contributors Dan Berschinski, a bilateral Tom King is a freelance A Publication of the Amputee Coalition amputee, is the founder and CEO writer based in InMotion magazine publishes unbiased journalism of Two-Six Industries LLC, a service- Knoxville, Tennessee. that seeks to “empower and motivate” living well and disabled veteran-owned small thriving with limb loss. The magazine targets amputees business, as well as a and their families and is provided free electronically to Amy Lane, OTR/L, CDRS, is a all friends of the Amputee Coalition and hard copy to member of the Amputee clinical instructor in the all subscribers. Each issue averages 56 pages in print Coalition Board of School of Health and and covers health, well-being, exercise, life issues Directors. and advocacy for amputees and their families. Stories Rehabilitation Sciences showcase amputees living and thriving with limb loss and profile Amputee Coalition programs and services. Sean Brame is an honor roll student at the University of at Red Land High School, Lewisberry, Pittsburgh. Editorial Board Pennsylvania, a member of the Dennis Liotta, a partner at the law Marshall J. Cohen varsity swim team, a Life Boy Scout firm of Edgar Snyder & Associates, has Chairman of the Board, Amputee Coalition and a quadrilateral over 20 years of experience helping Scott Cummings, PT, CPO, FAAOP amputee, as well as people with physical and Amputee Coalition Scientific and Medical Advisory Board an Amputee Coalition- mental disabilities get certified peer visitor. Social Security disability Karen Henry Editor-in-chief, O&P Edge Magazine benefits. Nancy Klobassa Davidson, RN David McGill Peggy Moreland, RN Immediate Past Chair, Amy Di Leo is the founder of Amputee Coalition Board of Directors Aim Hi Public Relations Nancy Miller (AimHiPR.com) and has Communications professional, consultant and been a television and writer for the Sister Kenney Rehab Institute print journalist for Phantom Fashionista Leslie Pitt Schneider more than 20 years. Amputee Coalition Board of Directors Robert Thompson Christina Skoski, MD Guy Hanford is the director is executive director of Amputee Coalition Scientific of marketing for The Institute for and Medical Advisory Board MobilityWorks, a mobility Preventive Foot Health. dealer headquartered in Staff Akron, Ohio. Élan Young is a Kendra Calhoun freelance writer living in President & CEO, Amputee Coalition Debra Kerper has visited more than Walland, Tennessee. Susan Stout 30 countries and has been Chief Communications Officer, Amputee Coalition on over 75 cruises in Bill Dupes her career in travel for Senior Editor, inMotion people with disabilities.

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