The ACA and Advocacy

[Joseph R. Alessi]

   So the ACA has agreed to take up the cause of
advocacy. It is a sorry day. I feel the battle is won
but the cause is lost. I am reminded of the words of
General J.E.B. Stuart, God rest his soul, who during
the War of  Northern Aggression said, "We should have
freed the slaves...then... fired on Sumter".

   I have received correspondence from the CEO of the
ACA assuring me that advertising dollars will not be
used to take cause against any advertiser. How
reassuring these words must be to those who spend
thousands on advertising and fund all those wonderful
programs which I, as a survivor of an amputation have
as yet to take advantage of or even been made aware of.
You see, to the best of my knowledge the ACA does not
exist except for it's presence on the internet.

   I live in the suburbs of one of the largest city's
on this planet. There are many hospitals, amputees,
rehabilitation centers, doctors and O and P
practitioners. To date, I have only met one person who
was aware that the ACA existed. That was because he had
a patient who was a member. Beyond that, he had no
knowledge of the organization. Considering the number
of amputees in this country in relation to the number
of ACA members, One must wonder how they can even
justify their grants.

  There is little doubt we need advocacy. This
situation grows worse every day as we Baby Boomers come
of age. I reiterate my position that I will support any
organization that will cross swords on behalf of
amputees. I do not believe the ACA will ever stand that
line. I am not, have never been and will never be a
member.

Joseph R. Alessi
Amputation Survivor