State Licensure of Prosthetisits

[Wayne Renardson]

One day Tony Barr asked:

TB> I also would like to ask my friends, whom I have worked with on several 
other successful regulation efforts, provide  Joe with his request of 
information, applications and rules governing their respective state's regulation  
legislation. 


Mr. Joseph Elliott:

JE> What can we do to help? I assume there is a desire for licensure on the 
part of Tennessee O&P folks. If we can help, please let me know.  

That would assume TN folk/amputees are aware. My guess is--- most are not. 
Those who are interested enough to subscribe to the amputee listservs are or 
certainly should be aware. On AMP-L it is a frequent topic due to Mr. Barr. I 
cannot speak for Mr. Gregson's list at SJU. I have not read it since sometime 
last century. 

Regardless, those active amputees online are a minority in the state. And of 
that minority, how many feel helpless, will tell you in all sincerity their effort 
to even vote is not worthwhile. Why, lobbying a legislature is beyond the pale. 
Of course, our legislature last year made it proper and legal for me to tote 
home my roadkill and enjoy myself with it. So it's no wonder folks become a 
tad annoyed with the bourgeois system. 

Please forgive my rhetoric. 

My feeling is it will take someone with some funds and more importantly, 
spirit and fire in the belly, to do something to raise educational standards for 
everyone's benefit.  But Alabama is a great model. The folks in TN feel closer 
to the mood of AL--- more so than Florida, whose licensing process I've 
followed. 

Maybe the Alabama effort will prompt someone to do something here. After 
all,  ACA is in Knoxville and they do a lot for us amputees :) Not a peep from 
them about the fact  that in the state they call home, I can call myself a 
prosthetist, begin fabricating limbs using CAD-CAM, and not be chastised. 

But if I hang out a twirling striped poll and call myself a barber, someone from 
their state licensing board will visit me and shut me down. Clip clip.  


Wayne Renardson