December 10, 2017 CONSUMER SUPPORT RESOURCES

ALL:

Amputee Coalition www.amputee-coalition.org Amplitude http://www.amplitude-media.com/Magazine/ Ampower www.empoweringamputees.org American Association www.aota.org American Academy of and Prosthetics www.oandp.com

HOW TO FIND AN EXPERIENCED UPPER LIMB PROSTHETIST

Whether you are an Individual with an upper limb loss/difference or a Physician who is guiding the plan of care for the Individual, finding a knowledgeable prosthetist is an important step to accessing the technology. The process itself can be overwhelming, especially if we don’t fully understand the requirements of our insurance payers, the technology, how we will learn to use it and apply use to daily tasks. Although there are a multitude of prosthetists in the United States with basic training in upper limb prosthetic care, relatively few have the extensive experience needed to provide expert care in this domain.

It is important to find a prosthetist with whom we can relate; someone who will help us to understand and to navigate the process; someone who possesses the knowledge, skill and experience to provide this very important technology. Where do we start?

Interview the prosthetist to determine that he/she:

1. Is certified by the American Board for Certification (ABC) 2. Has a minimum of five years of current upper extremity experience and has fit more than 10 patients in the last year 3. Can specify what types of electrically-powered prostheses they have fit in the past two years 4. Has received certification, training and knowledge of products from the manufacturers of diverse prosthetic technology, including: o COAPT o Didrick Medical o Fillauer o Infinite Biomedical Technologies o Liberating Technologies (College Park) o Motion Control o Naked Prosthetics o Otto Bock o Touch Bionics o Texas Assistive Devices o TRS Prosthetics 5. Is able to work with your insurance provider 6. Works with an occupational therapist* who has extensive experience in upper limb prosthetic rehabilitation and training 7. Will connect you with this occupational therapist to discuss prosthetic rehabilitation and training

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December 10, 2017 CONSUMER SUPPORT RESOURCES

8. Will connect you with some of their clients to discuss their prosthetic care experience

Be sure to follow up with the occupational therapist and the clients of the prosthetic practice!

American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association www.aopanet.org inMotion Magazine amputee-coalition.org/inmotion_about.html Skills for Life www.usispo.org/skills_for_life.asp Social Security and Resource Center http://www.ssdrc.com/

Ask your Physician, Prosthetist or Occupational Therapist about Local Support Groups! CHILDREN:

Association of Children’s Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinics www.acpoc.org CampNoLimits www.nolimitsfoundation.org GO out on a Limb http://www.gooutonalimb.org/ Helping Hands Foundation www.helpinghandsgroup.org Little Fins Limb Difference Group http://www.littlefins.org/ Lucky Fin Project www.luckyfinproject.org Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp www.amputee-coalition.org Shriners Hospitals for Children www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org

SPORTS:

Athletics for Upper Limb Amputees http://crossroadsalliance.org http://nubability.org Disabled Sports USA http://www.dsusa.org http://www.paralympic.org/

OTHER:

Driver Rehabilitation Programs Driving information by state/location: http://myaota.aota.org/driver_search/index.aspx Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists: http://www.aded.net/?page=725

Vocational Rehabilitation Programs State Vocational Rehabilitation www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/UCM277757.pdf

Insurance Commissioners Listing by state naic.org/state_web_map.htm

Disability Rights Listing by state www.nasddds.org/state-agencies

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