college park trustep/long reply

[JACOB CALLAWAY]

Betsy & Dave' 
I understand that everyone's situation is unique,and that your life style is different, but to see someone run from boulder to boulder and making jumps downward twice the mans height landing in a bone jarring position that clearly took a lot of shock , shook me. It was not only the foot but the socket had to be different from mine to take that kind of shock. It looked different than mine. The foot was exactly the same and walking in our pasture in mud and all other kinds of slippery and uneven ground, climbing on tractors I am starting to handle. Running, no not yet! I just want to walk long distance,say a mile. with out crutches and yes I could loose about 20lbs. It comes off a lot slower than it goes on, laying in a hospital for 6 mos. Was not the best thing ever happened to me, I lost a lot of muscle mass too. Getting back in shape is a given, even going one day laying around with out wearing my leg causes me pain when I put in on again, Found that out the hard way!
So you think that the CP would give someone a socket knowing that down the line he is going to have to change out a few times? I need more information on types of sockets ect. or where to look for the info.
Jake,
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: TheDunvilles at aol.com 
  To: Amputee Information Network 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 2:30 PM
  Subject: Re: college park trustep/long reply


  Betsy,

  I agree with what you have said. I took it one step farther, I called College Park. I spoke with 3 of engineers. Because I live only an hour drive from them I also visited them. I know not everyone can do that, heck if they were not so close, I could not have gone.

  I dont know all the facts on how CP's pick which foot is best for someone, maybe one of them can explain it to us. I would like to know from them, about how long of time would be good for amputees to try different feet.


  Dave Dunville
  lbk 7/22/03


  In a message dated 3/3/2004 3:01:47 PM Eastern Standard Time, bg1os at earthlink.net writes:
    Jake:

    I have not seen the TruStep CD you mention, but in my early amp days I did see most of the tapes/testimonials/etc. that were available. Welcome to the world of marketing.

    Being an amputee does not mean that those who are manufacturing items or providing services are not out to make a living off you. The O&P industry is, after all, a business, not a charity. Just like in marketing to able-bodied people, advertisers choose their best and brightest to make the sale. College Park, Ossur, etc. don't just take a random sampling of amps and showcase them...they look for the "best and brightest", just like any other manufacturer. Just because a Nike (or whoever) commercial shows Marion Jones breaking world records in their shoes doesn't mean that you'll make the Olympic team if you wear them. Along the same lines, a promotion showcasing a Paralympian wearing a FlexFoot sprint leg doesn't mean you can attain the same thing if you do.

    In my opinion there are a few things you should do in order to achieve your goals. These are only my opinions and suggestions and are in no way etched in stone. Some people just get up and go, and others have a harder time of it, and you have to be very careful not to compare yourself to anyone else---your/their ability levels, comfort levels, commitment levels are all different, as is the time frame required by each individual to progress. Reaching your goals is the point, not how fast or how easily it happens.

    1. Get a decent fitting socket. I know it's easier said than done, and as someone who's been to six CPs over 7-1/2 years (and interviewed at least 2 dozen others), believe me, many of us have been there. The letters "C and P" after the name guarantee you nothing...you have to interview them, find someone who you can communicate with and is willing to do whatever it takes to fit you, and you have to go through the trial and error process until you are reasonably satisfied with the socket--in other words, it's something you can work with. What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. We each have our own ideas of what "reasonable" comfort is....I know amputees who say their socket is "comfortable", but I don't know what that means. I've never had a "comfortable" socket, although I have had two (out of many more than that) "acceptable" sockets made. Talk to your practitioner and find out what type of socket they recommend for your physicality, your anticipated and/or desired activity level, and the componentry that is available.

    2. Once you have a decent socket, wear it, wear it, wear it. You have to familiarize yourself with the equipment before you can test it's limits. If you can't walk, you won't be able to run. Find people who will work with you to determine whether your limitations are physical (you're not strong enough, fit enough, etc.) or mechanical (you probably won't be able to be a ballet dancer because prosthetic feet aren't set up so you can go on toe---this is a push, but it's just an example). Ask people (CPs, physical therapists, trainers, active amps, etc.) to help you evaluate what you need to do to progress.

    3. Pick an activity you love to do and want to do again and work toward it. It's unrealistic to think that once you're walking well you can do everything well. Remember that there are able-bodied people who can't do some of the things that amputees are doing on those promotional videos. Not everyone can rock climb, not everyone can run marathons, regardless of the number or makeup of their limbs. But those who want to do those things go through a period of training, and you too will have to put in the work. It's much less daunting if it's something you love to do. And once you start doing those things you love to do, you'll probably find it easier to figure out ways to do other things that might intrigue you. But picking an activity that you have a passion for is a motivating factor...if you don't really care about the activity, there's not a whole lot of motivation to push yourself past the first roadblock.

    So, back to the point. Watch the videos if you wish, but remember what they were designed for---sales. You're not going to see a couch potato on a promotional video, no matter how comfortable their components are for sitting in front of the TV or how content they are with their life. You're going to see mostly young, athletic people who are highly ambitious, and, more than likely, sponsored. This is not a criticism of those featured players---more power to them. You may or may not be able to achieve what they can, excel as they can, or afford the equipment that they can. I had one CP try to sell me on the idea of getting a FlexFoot sprint leg for recreational tennis---the fact that it is not appropriate for the sport was much less important to him than the fact that the $30,000-$50,000 it would have cost me could have provided him with a nice home addition. Be inspired by these marketing tools but remember that you are still a consumer who they are trying to win over and make your decisions and your goals appropriate for your own needs, not the seller's.

    Hope this helps.

    Betsy Manheimer
    RBK
    4/96



      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: JACOB CALLAWAY 
      To: Amputee Information Network 
      Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 7:49 PM
      Subject: Re: college park trustep


      Betsy,
      I just viewed the CollegePark TruStep CD and the testimonials have you seen it before? Until now, took everything with a grain of salt, there are some strong people on that CD ! Rock climbing , sailing, snow boarding and all sorts of things that I find imposable to even think about> Either I have the wrong socket or the wrong sugary or I have not been doing this long enough. Do you have any information on sockets or their availability I need to look into this more before I start rattling cages.
      Jake  
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