From the Editor: Work—It's More than a Job

By Miki Fairley

For many people, their work is more than just a practical means of buying groceries, paying the mortgage, and providing other necessities of life. It also helps define their identity as individuals and their contribution to society. Self-respect and self-esteem can be tied to one's job.

So, the prospect of losing one's job can involve much more than the basic problem of income loss. Amputees, especially those who have suffered unexpected traumatic limb loss, face many other psychological as well as practical adjustments. To help upper-limp amputees return to work, Sandra Fletchall, FAOTA, OTR/L, CHT, MPA, has developed a creative, practical, highly successful program of enabling these amputees to resume their jobs as well as other interest in life. Her down-to-earth, innovative approach is described in the article "Returning Upper-Extremity Amputees to Work."

Consumers Shine

Dallas, Texas, is the venue for the Amputee Coalition of America's (ACA's) Annual Meeting. ACA President and CEO Paddy Rossbach, RN, zeroes in on the prosthetic profession in her feature article.

Amputees and other persons with disabilities shine at sports. For instance, Bob Wilson, executive director of the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) excels at the sport he loves, as well as inspiring other golfers. Read more about Bob in "Bob Wilson Reaches Out" and about how a team of amputee hoopsters takes on the opposition in "AmpuTeam Basketball Benefits Functions and Funds". More than 20 military men wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and their family members were special guests at the Endeavor Games in June. Clinics and competition helped them hone existing skills and learn new ones.

It is no secret that sports are healthy as well as fun. The article, "Competition Adds Zest, Health Benefits,"  explains more about how sports help persons with disabilities.

Even clever, caring canines help: You'll enjoy the article, "Service Dog Offers Alternative, Aids Child with Cerebral Palsy,".

Once again, Amputees Across America takes to the road in another bicycling odyssey. Their plans are described in "Amputees Across America".

O&P professionals, when they see the accomplishments of those they help, whether they are Paralympians or a young mother now able to take care of her active toddler, can take pride in their role.

Table Of Contents - August 2005

	Returning Upper-Extremity Amputees to Work As those who work in amputee healthcare fields agree, there is much more to rehabilitation than fitting an amputee with the appropriate device. Feature
	ACA’s Paddy Rossbach,RN: Consumer Expert Airs Views Feature
	Service Dog Offers Alternative, Aids Child with CP Feature
	Endeavor Games Hosts Amputee Soldiers Sports
	Competition Adds Zest, Health Benefits for Disabled Cutting Edge
	Amputees Across America Bicycling Odyssey on Road Again, Fourth Year Sports
	O&P Goes to Washington DC Direct
	AmpuTeam Basketball Benefits Both Function and Funds Sports
	Leg-Length Discrepancies: Diagnosis and Treatment Stepping Out
	Jeff Kingsley: Family Commitment Leads to O&P Devotion Industry Leader
	Bob Wilson Reaches Out Today's Consumer
	Outside-the-Box Solutions for Low-Cost Shop Equipment Shop Talk
	Got FAQs? Got FAQs?
	Philip R. Pincince, CO Profile
	Increasing Access to Prosthetics: A Beginner's Solution Perspective
	From the Editor: Work—It's More than a Job Viewpoints