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Getting a grip on seamless prostheses

ALWYNNE GWILT

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 8:28 PM EDT 07/08/07

No pinchers, no hooks: Patients can now be fitted with artificial limbs that look and move just like the real thing ...Read the full article

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  1. Anne Mathews from Canada writes: The i-Limb is an impressive sight.

    But this article does an incredble disservice to amputees across the country by simplifying everthing.

    The reality is, that amputees are treated differently in every province by their provincial reimbursement plans. And the other reality is, no plan in Canada is going to cover the i-Limb.

    British Columbia, for instance has been hiding some ugly truths regarding how it treats its amputees. Fair Pharmacare is anything but fair. All it cares about is the basics that gets out of a wheelchair and this doesn't ensure an amputee can get back to work or have a quality of life. When you sell off the administration of your program to an American company and wash your hands of everything, I suppose it's easy to overlook that.

    Take a look at other programs and you'll see similar slights. I would like to know if Ontario's ADP program actually payed for the device too. From what I've heard....it would surprise me.
  2. Emma Hawthorne from Canada writes: As a Canadian, I want provincial insurance plans pay to provide every Canadian amputee with these marvelous limbs. Canada has had a shameful reputation for falling down in this area. If governments balk at paying, then, for now, provinces should set up long-term finance plans and let amutees pay a small amount each month. Over time, large numbers of orders should surely bring the cost down to a fraction of what it is now. They are a wonderful invention and amputees have a right to receive them.
  3. Emma Hawthorne from Canada writes: As this globe web site is read by politicians, I hope all of those favouring the provision of these new 'smart' limbs to amputees, will voice their support here now.
  4. Anne Mathews from Canada writes: Emma, thanks for the comment. I've known a number of amputees and we treat them poorly in this country compared to how we can. Instead of people returning to a quality of life that enriches their mental and emotional wellbeing, paying agencies try to keep it as cheap as possible. I've heard that it's even harder to get a decent prostheses in Quebec and the Maritimes.

    This is a small and silent group that deserves more. If they can barely get out of a wheelchair then then are probably on their way to the welfare or social assistance line with this approach and all the system is doing is offloading an expense from one department to another.

    And don't even get me started on how many provinces don't cover orthotic devices. Don't get diabetes in some provinces....it's too expensive to keep your foot, and then you're on the prosthetic support system.
  5. Emma Hawthorne from Canada writes: Hi Anne. That sagging support comes from failing to advocate. I think amputees have a very strong argument for full provisions of these new limbs and that all Canadians are happy tp provide them. But if amputees want them, they, their families, the War Amps, their staff and all friends of amputees need to post messages right here and right now and then email the federal and provincial health ministers. The reason they have been left behind is that other lobby groups are crowding the ministers. Amputees and their supports have an opening here and should step up rigt away! How big is your email address list? Maybe you could copy this little blurb, tell them to file comments on this story and pass it on, and hit the send all button.

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