"The Amputee Road Show" Debuts...

[James Stewart]

Well,

We took our Road Show "on the road" today for its first test run.
Co-conspirator Bill Nixon and I met with staff at Hamilton General Hospital
not really knowing what to expect, but prepared for most anything.

Armed with copies of our group's mission statement, brochure, history and
newsletter we met with six members of the medical staff on the surgical
floor.  There was a really good mix of social worker, PT's, OT's and a
PT-in-training.

Very informal, but organized - Bill & I had jointly drawn up a thumbnail of
points to cover and distributed this "programme" along with the materials.
We covered a very brief personal bio each, why a support group was needed
and stressed that we were not charged with doling out medical nor PT advice
but rather there to listen and primarily to bridge that gap from surgery to
rehab where most questions would be handled.

We explained how a typical visit would last probably 20 - 40 minutes and
that all our visitors had received peer training.  We would be checking n
with the nurse's station before and after each visit and that we will never
show up unless asked by either the amp him or herself or by the appropriate
staff member upon the amp's approval.  We all have ID badges clearly
showing who we are.  

Confidentiality is a strict issue with our group.  The ONLY person we
report the results of a visit to is the social worker through which all
inquiries are funneled.  The only exception would be (heaven forbid) in the
case of suicidal comments, in which case we all feel obligated to report
this right away to the social worker on staff.  We will not even discuss
the details of a visit with family members not present unless OK'd by the amp.

We were very well received and were asked a number of valid questions
including language issues, repeat visits and how to deal with those that
simply don't want to hear about a prosthesis.  

After some fifty minutes we wrapped up and received a round of thanks.  I
left with the sincere feeling that the contact had been established - that
all present knew we existed, what role we could play in the amp's recovery
and that we can work as a legitimate team.

All in all a very rewarding launch of "The Amputee Road Show".  Credits to
the on-line lists that have helped open minds to many differing viewpoints.

JS
James F.L. Stewart
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
:<http://ntfp.globalserve.net/sds>
CAPS Newsletter:
http://ntfp.globalserve.net/sds/current.htm