Moments With Debbie

New Feet

I picked up my new set of AFO's this week. AFO is ankle/foot orthotics and they are what allows me to be able to still stand and transfer with much assistance. Without them, my ankles would roll over and I would be on the floor probably with a bad injury. So the AFO's or "my feet" as we call them, give me a little more freedom by allowing me to do something that I can no longer do on my own and that is very important to me or to any PALS. Getting new ones made started about 2 weeks ago when I went to the Orthotics place and had my legs and feet examined and measured and then a form or casting was made of each leg from about the knee down. It was quick and painless and in two weeks I had my new AFO's on and ready to go after some minor alterations. They fit great and are so much more comfortable than the old ones. I did find out that they had made my prior ones in 1998 so I guess it was time for some new ones. My legs and feet have changed alot in 9 years. Thanks to the Cleveland Clinic ALS staff for seeing my need for new AFO's and thanks to the friendly staff at Hanger Orthotics in Lancaster, OH for their great work .........Debbie

afo2 (10k image)

Ankle Foot Orthotic (AFO)

Debbie on 08.18.07 @ 11:37 AM EST [link] [2 Comments]

New Speech Device

It was an exciting day for me yesterday. I was visited by two very nice people. One was a sales representative from a company that sells augmentative communication devices and the other was a speech pathologist. Todd the sales rep brought along 4 different devices for me to try out while Tara the speech pathologist evaluated my need for a device. This was all arranged while I was attending ALS Clinic last month by the ALSA Northern Ohio chapter representative. Thanks Lisa! All of the devices seemed to have very nice features and it was nice to try each of them personally. It is one thing to read about something and look at pictures of it and it is another thing to actually use it. I really liked the features and ease of use of the Quick Glance 3 system by Eye Tech. It just seemed to be what I was looking for and I picked up on it's use very quickly. My eye movement controls the computer cursor and a blink of the eye does the selecting and the voices were very natural sounding. The whole system is very adaptable and expandable. Now I just have to wait a month or so to get it. This disease (the healthcare system) teaches you to have patience. I will write more soon and those that personally know me, I will be TALKING to you soon.....Debbie

quickglance (23k image)

Debbie on 08.03.07 @ 11:32 AM EST [link] [Post a Comment]

August 2007
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