Certified AND talented Prosthetists

[george boyer]

Dick Mooney and all - Dick's outline clearly states the certification
requirements, desiderata with which no one can disagree.  What Dick does not go
into is the fact that many putative prosthetists become certified, yes certified
certified, without having the talent to do the central work of reliably producing
the sensitive and accomplished alignment and fitting necessary to an amputee's
true comfort and optimal rehabilitation.  Trial and error is their mode of
approach, sometimes even hitting it.  What is lacking is a vital element of
training and education, namely the supervision by recognized Master Craftsmen
until the skills are evidenced to the satisfaction of the mentor.

The progression from the status of patient to that of person with an amputation -
this is what rehabilitation means.  And this movement away from patienthood to
citizen is very importantly influenced by the process of being provided with a
prosthesis, a return to being in charge of one's self;  provision of a
comfortable, well aligned prosthesis is arguably THE most important element in
the return to normal life.

Doctors, etc. are held accountable for their actions in their practice of
medicine.  Prosthetists not so, perhaps because their "patients" are considered
to be no longer worthy of protection of an oversight body.  Indeed if oversight
were to be provided it would require that the educational process be corrected as
I suggest above.

We as amputees must organize so as to assure that our voice is heard and heeded,
that we have clout in determining how our needs are met.  Amputee Union of
America!!  An organization which can be adversarial as well as collegial.

GB (resident curmudgeon).


Richard Mooney wrote:

> This may help.   Dick
>
> We have grown to expect doctors, lawyers and engineers to pass certain
> tests and be licensed before they can practice