Look Very Closely...

...and you'll see my Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and Senator Claire McCaskill sitting with Kansas Senator Jerry Moran and Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine at the State of the Union Address. Oh! How I wish I could have been there. Here's what I would have said:

"Congressman Cleaver - did you know that Senator Moran was a co-sponsor of HR 2575*, the Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act of 2009 that will provide parity under group health plans and group health insurance coverage in the provision of benefits for prosthetic devices and... Oh my goodness! Look who else is here! It's Senators Snowe and McCaskill! Senator McCaskill, did you know that Senator Snowe introduced S. 3223? ** In the spirit of bi-partisanship, wouldn't it be wonderful if you, Claire and you, Emanuel, demonstrated your support for these bills?"

Ah yes, in a perfect world... OK, yes, it's a very tiny picture but it's real. In fact in Representative Cleaver' confirmed it in his weekly newsletter, "EC from DC."

*5/21/2009--Introduced.Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act of 2009 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require a group health plan that provides medical and surgical benefits as well as benefits for prosthetic devices and components and orthotic devices to offer such prosthetic and orthotic coverage in the same manner as applicable to medical and surgical benefits. Prohibits separate financial requirements or more restrictive treatment limitations.


**4/19/2010--Introduced.Prosthetics and Custom Orthotics Parity Act of 2010 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to require a group health plan that provides medical and surgical benefits and also provides benefits for prosthetics and custom orthotics to offer such prosthetics and custom orthotics in the same manner as applicable to medical and surgical benefits. Prohibits separate financial requirements or more restrictive treatment limitations. 

TSA - Grope or scope? You don't get to vote!

Maybe this wouldn’t have been such a miserable experience had Dave and I not been stuck on a shuttle bus for 3 hours and 40 minutes in total gridlock traffic coming from the conference in Keystone to the Denver Airport. Nonetheless, it is a real situation, one every traveler faces at some time when something keeps you from getting to the gate on time and you have to hurry to catch your flight.

We checked our bags at the Southwest gate, 20 minutes before our flight was to depart and arranged for a wheelchair because there was no way I could move fast enough to make it to the gate in time. But first, we had to get through security. Fortunately, there was a line for the “disabled” so we thought it would speed things up going through this shorter line. Think again.

I pulled off one boot and Dave went through with my boot, computer and purse. He was in and out in a flash, but I sat at the threshold between the full body scanner and the metal detector. One of TSA’s finest stared at me, rolled her eyes at my exposed C-leg and groaned, “Oh brother – I hope we don’t have to use the CastScope.” I said, “I’ll do the full body pat down, I just need to catch my flight.” Still, I waited. I waited until 3 more TSA agents showed up and they finally let me through the metal detector. It beeped (duh!) so I got the public pat down and gunpowder/bomb residue check. When she was done I realized she wasn't going to let me go and more TSA agents were standing around. Dave tried to hand me my boot but I couldn’t have it. I stood there with one pant leg rolled up, one boot off, Dave nearing panic, the wheelport transport guy checking the gate information and then they told me I had to undergo the CastScope.

I heard a guy on the bus saying that he wouldn’t know what to do if his wife had to have a full body pat-down. I find this so crazy. The majority of able-bodied are freaked out about the pat down but we amputees just have to get used to it. At at least there are options for the able-bodied. You see, the able-bodied can opt out of the full-body scanner if they don’t want to get exposed to X-rays and get a groping instead.

Amputees have no options. If an airport has a CastScope, it’s mandatory that we be exposed to several X-rays while they try to figure out what’s in there (or not). If you submit to the scoping, you can get out of the groping but not vice versa.

So, back to Denver… After what seemed like an eternity, I was taken to the door of the CastScope machine and waited for the poor schmuck before me to come out. The TSA agent wheeled me in front of the machine and started pushing a bunch of buttons on a flat screen. Without prompting and trying to speed things along I just stood up and positioned my leg in front of what looked like the right thing. Then she said, “You can go now.” As I left I heard her comment that it had “locked up again.” All that, and I never got the scope, just the grope. Dave ran through the airport and thanks to the heroic effort of the wheelchair transport gentleman, we got to the plane seconds before the door closed.

If you’ve lost a limb, you’re automatically a security risk. I wonder how this will play out with our servicemen and women who lost a limb or limbs defending our country? Somehow, I don’t think that being treated like a security threat will sit well with them.

More on TSA

I'm providing more stories about amputees dealing with the TSA here,  here, and here. Again, I can't help but be a little amused at the general public's outrage with the new TSA practices when we've dealt with this kind of scrutiny for years.

If you're flying over the holidays, familiarize yourself with the TSA rules regarding prosthetics. Carry a copy with you in case you're subjected to anything like the nightmare situations above. 

TSA - No Disparity Here!

OOOOoooo... I love it! Welcome to MY world!

Ever since scanners and pat downs have been around, I've been suspect just because I have a prosthesis. I announce to everyone that I have "an artificial leg" which draws the attention of all the other passengers but never the bored and indifferent TSA agent. Next, I walk through the scanner and set off the alarm, so they tell me to go back. I announce AGAIN what the problem is and if they're listening, they yell, "FEMALE PAT DOWN!" Then I'm instructed to stand on the little green footprints on the floor and hold my arms away from my sides while they run the wand over me. Of course they find "the leg" so AGAIN, I explain. (So much for HIPAA - now 200+ passengers know my medical history). Because the wand goes off, they have to pat me down explaining that they're using the back of their hand (come on... how many guys in High School would have cared if it was the back or the front of their hand...really!). And, we're not done. Then I have to sit down and they swab my hands and my leg to check for bomb residue. Finally, I'm free to try to find my carry on luggage that went through 5 minutes earlier, without me.

Think it's just me being extra sensitive? Read this 2 year old story.

That's the best case scenario. The worst case is having to disrobe in a booth to show ALL of the prosthesis. Note to self: Always wear nice underwear when traveling. Or the questions, "How far does it go up, how far does it go down, blah, blah. Then everyone is staring but trying not to stare.

So...now the rest of the world is dealing with what I've put up with for years. The outcry is all over the news "Now, I'm here to tell you, it's an outrage! An outrage I say!! We won't be treated this way!"

The Amputee Coalition of America surveyed 7,300 amputees about their experience with the TSA and 75% were dissatisfied. I'm guessing that's similar to the general public's level of dissatisfaction, after all, we are the general public. We're just the general public with a prosthesis or two.

So, in my quest for parity, who knew that the TSA would be the first to get in line?!

Why I voted against...

... my representative, Emanuel Cleaver, D-MO. For two years I've never gotten a response that made any sense, much less addressed the issue of prosthetic parity. I received letters that assured me that mental health parity was indeed important (huh?!) and that yes, he supported the health care bill (prosthetic parity was not included in the massive health care reform bill) and I forget what the latest generic response I got was, but none addressed HR 2575. I mean, how hard is this really? A Google search could find the text for "HR 2575." Cut, paste, co-sign the bill and I'm a happy voter. Too late. My one vote didn't matter though so it's back to work trying to make my voice heard.

On the flip side, Jerry Moran, R-KS, has cosigned the bill and is now a US Senator. Congratulations to Senator Moran and thank you again.

Now, please, let's get these bills passed. Please contact your senators and representatives!

Where have I been?

Busy... so busy with work - the kind that pays the bills. I've also developed a pesky neuroma. A neuroma is the result of cutting the sciatic nerve. The nerve cells start growing into a little ball, sending out all sorts of crazed messages that spell PAIN. I was in serious denial for a long time - maybe a year. We blamed the socket and no doubt there were some serious issues with the socket materials, but once we ironed these out, the pain remained. Gnawing, crushing pain that invaded my thoughts and every moment of my day and night. Every step, even something as simple as rolling over in bed brought it on. Vibrations from the car would send my leg into spasms and phantom pain.

The MRI revealed the neuroma and I still denied that something that small could cause so much pain. I saw a pain specialist that listened to all my drivel about bone spurs, etc., and he calmly said, "It's the neuroma (stoo-pid)." One injection of anesthetic and steroid shut it down. Dang. It was a miracle. Four weeks later it reared it's ugly head and like resistant bacteria, nothing could calm it. It was back with a vengeance. I was certain that surgery would be the answer so I visited my surgeon. She described what it would take to find, cut out and calm the nerve with no guarantee that it would not come back and could possibly come back even worse. It was gruesome and left me reconsidering my pain options. So, back to the pain specialist.

Now I'm on 1800 mg of Gabapentin and 25 mg of Amitryptyline a day. This dulled the constant, gnawing pain and allowed me to at least walk about 25 yards without seizing up. Two weeks ago I had a lumbar block which basically consists of having 5 inch needles stuck in your back and blocking the sympathetic nerve that sends the message from the sciatic to your brain; the message that says, "OH MY GOD! OW!" Brilliant. I can walk. I can roll over in my sleep. Now, when walking away from a group, instead of acting like I'm doing something "busy" while I ever so slowly get used to the pain, I stand up and walk away. It's not perfect or permanent, but right now, this moment, it's damned good!

And, speaking of good, I figured out how to modify the old 3R80 knee for riding. That floppy, useless hydraulic knee is perfectly suited for riding. Just turn the foot in 45 degrees and let the knee hang. It only has two useful positions locked upright - which allows me to stand in the stirrups - and hanging there passively, all booted up and in the stirrup. Very useful for riding and I don't scare small children like I did riding with no lower leg.

And now, about that parity issue. It's about as stale as an old Cheez-it found with the loose change under the couch cushions. Alright already. The elections are over. Let's get this show on the road!

Disparity in Action

Same-o, Same-o. How long have we been at this? Disgusting isn't it? The state laws are nice but the self-insured plans, like those in Kansas would be exempt if a state prosthetic parity law passed. That's why my energy is no longer directed towards introducing legislation in Kansas. Instead, I've directed efforts to pass the Federal parity bills that will enforce the law in all states.

I wrote my Senators and Representatives several months ago asking them to Co-Sponsor and support S. 3223 and HR 2575. Here's the tally so far:

Cleaver, D-MO: No response. Previous letters responding to my request were totally off topic, i.e., mental health parity, the national health care bill, both of which have passed and in the years I've been writing, the Prosthetic Parity Bill is still on the table. His office has never acknowledged that I'm asking him to Co-Sponsor the HR 2575.

Bond, R-MO: No response, ever.

McCaskill, D-MO: Responded that she would like to support it, but there was no Senate Bill. *sigh* Why is it up to me to point out that there is a Senate Bill? I realize of course that Senators are too busy to know what all is out there, but don't they have people working for them? Sheesh! Look it up!

I'm happy to report that Jerry Moran, R, KS-1 has Co-Sponsored HR 2575 as have 27 other Representatives; just not mine.

The Federal Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act (S. 3223)

From the ACA (I've bolded the especially important part):

The Federal Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act (S. 3223) was introduced April 19 by Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Tom Harkin (D-IA). The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) and the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) have worked together with special help from the O&P Alliance over the past year to get the Senate bill introduced. In addition to the Alliance members and the ACA, there are more than 25 other nonprofit organizations with a stake in O&P patient care outcomes supporting the legislation.

The importance of federal parity and state parity legislation has grown dramatically with the passage of the recent healthcare reform law, which permits health insurers to sell across state lines under "health insurance compacts." These multi-state arrangements allow the insurer to select the lowest common regulatory denominator. It is feared that states without parity laws would often be the insurer's regulatory venue of first choice. This choice would, in effect, rescind or override any parity laws that may have been passed in other states served by the "health insurance compact." This makes federal parity and state parity laws virtually indispensable, both in filling the gaps created by self-insured employers regulated by ERISA that are unaffected by state laws as well as reinforcing existing state laws that govern state-regulated insurance offerings. [KFG: To sum it up, KS would make a good home for those trying to dodge the state parity laws - then everyone could get the same treatment I get!]

The House P&O bill, HR 2575, was introduced last year by Representatives Rob Andrews (D-NJ) and George Miller (D-CA), who is also chair of the Education and Labor Committee.

We have strong bipartisan, chief sponsors of our Senate and House bills.

Senator Snowe said the following about the Senate bill:

"Our legislation will ensure that group health plans treat coverage of such prosthetics and custom orthotics on par with other essential medical care covered by health insurance. Providing more meaningful coverage is particularly essential for children, who may require more frequent replacements as they grow."

Senator Harkin added:

"Hundreds of thousands of Americans living with limb loss are currently required by their insurance companies to pay out-of-pocket for prosthetic devices that are integral to their daily lives. While most insurance companies cover prosthetics and orthotics, there are many instances where the benefits are arbitrarily capped or exclusions are imposed on those who need them. This legislation will require insurance companies to provide the same benefits for prosthetic devices as they do for other treatments, helping individuals with disabilities more fully participate in school, work and community activities."

Representative Andrews said the following about the House bill:

"By expanding coverage for prosthetic devices so that it is on par with other types of essential care, not only will amputees receive necessary treatment and experience better quality of life, but the healthcare industry as a whole will save money. Since prosthetics often dramatically decrease secondary health problems for those in need, the benefits of this coverage far outweigh the costs in the long run."

At this critical point, with a House bill and now a Senate bill both introduced, the ACA is gearing up grassroots activities and has a call to action for you to contact your member of Congress and ask him/her to sign as a cosponsor of the bill.

Two things

I'll admit I've not spent much time here lately but two things caught my eye this week. First, there's an interesting and detailed summary of what it took to get prosthetic parity - not true parity, but a compromise - through Virginia. If you're interested, you can read it here: click me

This paragraph hit home: One of the reasons for the Advisory Commission's recommendation was the extremely positive report prepared by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. The JLARC report cited among other things 1) it was a reasonable presumption that amputees deserved to receive reimbursement from their health insurance for prosthetic care, 2) amputees who received the prosthetic care they needed were likely to return to life as productive members of society which could in turn save the state's social assistance programs, 3) the projected cost for the proposed coverage would be about .24 cents per month.

It is a very frank report and brings home why I cannot single handedly bring prosthetic parity to KS.  Nevermind that niggly detail, you know, the fact that I don't live in KS. Apparently I'm the only person working for KS who can't get insurance coverage for their prosthetic. Hmmm...who knew?

Then there's this especially hard hitting essay by Jothy Rosenberg about the indignity of going through airport security. It had my stomach tied up in knots by the time I was done reading. I've experienced the same embarassment and humiliation in airports and try to laugh it off. Ha-ha! Isn't it funny being an amputee and stripping down for the Looky-Lu's! There's nothing more fun than being the freak in the freak-show! Well, it isn't funny and it wears a body down. Between the humilation of baring your soul begging for a leg to stand on and baring your butt in airport security to total strangers it's more than I can stomach anymore.

Unless I find some new motivation or inspiration, I'm taking a breather.

One small step for health care reform, One giant leap for prosthetic parity...

Doesn't look like the health care bill is going to get passed anytime soon so here's the perfect solution...

Pass HR 2575, the federal prosthetic parity bill.

Think about it. Over 1.7 million people in the US have lost a limb. Losing a limb is catastrophic and when your insurance company considers a limb prosthesis a convenience or a luxury item (yet covers prosthetic breasts and penile implants) it is emotionally, physically and financially devastating for millions of families.

You want tax dollars? Put people in limbs and get them back to work. You want to reduce the drain on state coffers for vocational rehabilitation and welfare? Put people in the proper prosthetic, the one prescribed by their health care professional, and get them back to work. Do you want determined, gritty, can-do people in your workforce? Hire an amputee. This bill doesn't cost money, it saves money. It's a no brainer. Get behind it and pass it.

Speaking of getting behind HR 2575... much to my delight and surprise, I found that Jerry Moran (R-KS, 1st district) co-sponsored HR 2575! Thank you Representative Moran! If he's in your district, or even if he isn't, give him a pat on the back.

Just for fun, I started looking into other state-managed employee health care plans to see if any other states, like Kansas, use the same discriminatory language to limit prosthetic coverage for their employees. So far I've checked Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio and Mississippi. Nope. All covered under medical and many with maximum out-of-pocket ranging about $2,000. Interesting.

More to come.

Innovation at its best

Prosthetic got you down? Can't do what you used to do? Then invent one that will and share it with the rest of the world. That's what Brian Bartlett did and when I saw this knee, my jaw dropped. I have been frustrated with not being able to ride with both legs. I just take off the knee component and ride with the socket on and no lower leg. Rides are shorter, slower, less challenging and obviously limited to staying mounted. But...with a knee like this...I see no limitations!

Prosthetic Parity in Illinois!

From the Illinois Government News Network comes this press release:

Governor Quinn Signs Law Improving Orthotic, Prosthetic Insurance Coverage
Requires Health Plan Parity for Policyholders’ Benefits, Conditions

CHICAGO – December 13, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law that will benefit thousands of orthotic and prosthetic users in Illinois covered by private health insurance plans. The law ensures that coverage for orthotic and prosthetic devices is the same as nearly all medical or surgical benefits.

“Those covered by orthotic and prosthetic insurance policies will get stronger and better coverage that is in line with other medical and surgical insurance benefits,” said Governor Quinn. “This new law should provide a greater degree of financial protection and security to those who depend upon these important devices and to their families.”

In addition, the new law will give more orthotic and prosthetic users access to new, technologically-advanced and well-fitting devices. There are over 69,000 people in Illinois living with limb loss and a comparable number of people living with disabling diseases such as Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy.

Governor Quinn signed into law HB 2652, which was sponsored by Senator Antonio Munoz (D-Chicago) and Representative Kevin Joyce (D-Worth). The law goes into effect June 1, 2010.

The new law pertains to health insurance plans that contain coverage for orthotics or prosthetics (excluding foot orthotics). It amends the Illinois Insurance Code by adding a section requiring those insurance plans to provide coverage that’s on par with “substantially all medical and surgical benefits” covered in that plan.

The law pertains to health insurance plans covering orthotics or prosthetics that are issued, renewed or delivered six months after June 1, 2010.

Helping to inspire passage of this new law is the family of 14-year-old Allie Johnson, who was born without a right arm. Her insurance company would only cover one prosthetic for her lifetime. Her mother, Laurie -- who for nearly 15 years has worked with Families and Amputees in Motion and is now its president—has spent that last two-and-a-half years working with legislators and other advocates to pass the insurance parity bill.

“This new law is going to help thousands of Illinois citizens. It will improve their lives financially but, just as important, enable many of them to go back to work and contribute to society in general,” said Laurie Johnson.

Other groups and constituents that rallied in support of the Orthotic and Prosthetic Insurance Coverage Parity law include: Illinois Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists; United Healthcare; Tammie Higginbotham; and Douglas Knight, a member of Spina Bifida Association and the National Federation of Independent Business.

Among those joining Governor Quinn at the bill signing ceremony were: Representative Joyce; Senator Munoz; Representative Jim Durkin (R-Countryside), co-sponsor of the bill; Rep Monique Davis (D-Chicago) co-sponsor of the bill; Laurie and Allie Johnson; and Jim Kaiser, a Member of Families and Amputees in Motion.

Dollars and Sense

Here's an interesting viewpoint  that I came across from Hewitt Associates. [Wikinition: Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW), based in Lincolnshire, Illinois is a global human resources (HR) outsourcing and consulting firm delivering a complete range of integrated services to help companies manage their total HR and employee costs, enhance HR services, and improve their workforces.]

Since I'm becoming more than a little jaded after a few years of this fight, I didn't expect a favorable view of prosthetic parity from this company but I was pleasantly surprised. They obviously understand the dollars and cents (sense). It's a little outdated in that 17 states have now passed prosthetic parity into law. Nonetheless, it's encouraging that a company of this magnitude, with a primary focus in managing costs, enhancing HR services and improving the workforce, sees the wisdom behind prosthetic parity. Thank you, Hewitt Associates!

Dear Mr. President,

I don't have to say anything. This video says it all.

How the system is supposed to work

Here's a story that's close to home. This is an example of how medicine and prosthetics should work. When you watch the video, you'll see my surgeon and my prosthetist because this surgery was done right here by the same professionals that helped me after my accident.

You can witness the level of dedication and compassion to provide what's best for this young man who loses his arm to cancer. However, he lives in Missouri, a state where prosthetic parity is the law. Discriminating against amputees is illegal here so he will get the prosthesis prescribed by his physician and demonstrated in this video by his prosthetist.

If he were a Kansas resident, his prosthesis most likely would not be covered. If his parents worked for the state, it most certainly would NOT be covered. In Kansas, this would be considered "deluxe, a luxury item that provides comfort and convenience to the amputee and is thereby a non-covered item." In KS, he would get a hook and a socket, a throwback to World War II.

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore... (thank God!)

Sound familiar?

Just more of the same. When are we going to meet in the middle? People are forced to buy prosthetics off E-bay in the United States? What's it gonna be? Mortgage the house or go to E-bay for a black market prosthetic?

I also saw a headline today that read, "Will amputees soon have access to robotic limbs that give them virtually superhuman physcial abilities?!" Duh. NO. Not when we can't even access 10 year old technology. Plus, if ignorant reporters who don't have a clue how prosthetics compare to a real limb keep putting these kinds of articles out there, the insurance companies will continue to look at anything even moderately "advanced" as something deluxe and "superhuman." Hey, give me "close-to-human" first. Give me a good socket that fits. Here's what I can do with my "superhuman robotic limb." Stand up, sit down, walk well on a perfectly flat surface, step backwards, sideways, carry heavy objects without the knee collapsing and falling down. Walk pretty well on rough surface, cycle, walk at various speeds and walk up and down inclines. Here's what I can't do: Sit on a bar stool, sit with both feet touching the floor, jog or run, feel my foot, ride with the C-leg on, get near water with the C-leg on. Doesn't sound very "superhuman" to me.

Anyway, back to today's video. This is the best technology available and this is one plucky lady. She's a "superhuman" but not because of her prosthesis.

Why you can't get an arm or a leg

I was doing a little reading this afternoon and came across this report from United Health Care. If you're here reading this blog because your insurance has denied your prosthesis, you should read it. While we cheer the success of states who have passed prosthetic parity into law, remember that there are people out there who don't want you to have an arm or a leg. For example:

Iowa
House passes bill that would mandate coverage for prosthetic devices and prevent insurers from offering high deductible health plans. Despite efforts from the business community and insurers, the Iowa House of Representatives voted to mandate coverage for prosthetic devices at the same level as Medicare (HF 311)...

Nebraska
Legislature hears testimony on mandated coverage bills. On February 17, 2009, the Nebraska Insurance Federation and the Nebraska Health Underwriters testified in opposition to three bills mandating coverage for prosthetics to the extent covered by Medicare (LB 149)...

Virginia
Benefit mandate legislation passes. Legislation that passed this session requires coverage for prosthetics... [KFG: Actually, Governor Rell vetoed the bill so Virginia amputees lost out. Much to the delight of the insurance industry I'm sure!]

The insurance industry is well aware of the push for prosthetic parity and is keeping their people busy making sure it doesn't pass. There are some contact emails on the United Health We-could-Care-less-about-you report. Perhaps you might feel inclined to write them a letter!

Wondering where those premium dollars are going? Sending people to the state capitals and congress to make sure you don't get what you need. What's their slogan? "Healing Healthcare. Together." That's a big ol' warm fuzzy, isn't it? Good to know they're looking out for your best interest, 'eh?

But you don't LOOK handicapped?!

When Dave and I went to our annual music festival getaway this year, I was thrilled to bring my little 2-wheeled electric scooter so that I could zip around the festival grounds. This is a huge festival, in the 10's of thousands of campers, spectators, etc., and we like to travel to various camps to play, so walking is out of the question even for the able-bodied, when weighed down with instruments.

I wasn't on the grounds for more than 5 minutes, renewing old friendships when up comes Barney Fife in his golf-cart, telling me that I couldn't ride my zippy little scooter! I said, "Even if you can do this?!" and proceed to unlock my knee, whip the leg around and put the bottom of my foot up to my ear. That little antic awarded me a trip to the security office where 3 Barney's looked over my scooter to be certain that it had a light and turn signals. Once I passed inspection and kept my witty rhetoric to myself, I was permitted to ride around the campground. For reference, bicycles, golf carts and other devices are permitted. My scooter is smaller than my bicycle.

After this interesting diversion, I went back to my friends, shaking my head. Just as I popped open a beer and sat back to enjoy the vacation and good company, up comes the original Barney. "Do you have some kind of thing you can hang on your scooter to show you're handicapped?" he said. I asked him if he would like me to hang a big red "H" around my neck or maybe tattoo it on my forehead? He said that I would probably get hassled less if everyone knew I was handicapped. I politely reminded me that he was the only one hassling me and that the cat was out of the bag.

Herein lies the rub. This is the same mentality that prevents coverage for anything that makes you more "normal," that provides mobility, that makes you more equal to your able-bodied peers. If I had shown up in a wheelchair and Dave would have had to push me around the fairgrounds, up and down the bumpy gravel roads, that would have been OK. After all, I'm handicapped, so act like it! Give me a cute little scooter and suddenly I'm a threat. What? I can't be mobile and handicapped?

Let's take it a step further. It's OK to provide a substandard "basic" prosthesis. I mean, what do you expect? You're HANDICAPPED. Get out the big red "H." Oh, this other prosthesis with all the bells and whistles prevents you from falling, allows you to walk fairly normally without being exhausted at the end of the day? Oh, sorry. We don't allow that. You're handicapped. Get used to it. It's OK to be mobile, but let's not get too mobile, or start acting like normal folk. You're handicapped. Act like it. Accept it.

That mentality creates language like this:

"If you elect to purchase a prosthetic appliance or device with deluxe enhancements or features such as electronic components, microprocessors or other features designed to enhance performance (God forbid we would want to enhance performance for an amputee!), 'the Plan' is only responsible for the amount that would have been allowed for a basic (standard) appliance. You will be responsible for paying the additional cost of the deluxe enhancements, electronic components, microprocessors, performance enhancements, comfort, convenience or luxury items."

Arms and legs are not a luxury. Why, when we can replace amputated breasts without question, when we can provide a penile implant to sire children, why, why, why can we not provide an arm or a leg? No prosthetic limb, no matter how advanced, will ever come close to the real limb. Are we not allowed the dignity of trying to be as normal and as functional as possible?

The festival was in Kansas and the offensive and discriminatory language above is out of the KS State Employee Health Care contract. Unfortunately, this language has not changed and is in the 2010 contract. Nothing has changed. But then again, you're handicapped. Get used to it. Accept it.

Never...

A kiss or a hug?

These two pictures move me in very different ways. On the left, we see Obama hugging Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the VA who lost both legs in combat. Click on the photo and you can read the message from the Amputee Coalition of America and the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association urging us to tell our Congressmen and women to support House Resolutions 2479 and 2575. It boils down to this: Amputees want a guarantee that they will have fair access to arms and legs.

I am firmly behind these bills. We are a technologically advanced nation, yet these advancements in prosthetics are not available to the very people who need them. Everyone "ooo's" and "ahhs" over the coverage on 60 minutes because stories like this give the impression that these technological advances are, and will be, there for me and others now and in the future. Unless these bills pass, amputees will not have access to prosthetics that give us the dignity, comfort and mobility that we need.

Now to the kiss - Here Obama is kissing the woman who is responsible for denying me and other KS state employees complete prosthetic coverage. So...what's it gonna be? The kiss or the hug?

I want to hear from you

Since we're in the midst of the health care debate and prosthetic parity, I would like to hear from amputees about what is or is not covered in their state or in their country. What is it like in Germany, Thailand, Switzerland, etc?

If you live in a state where parity has passed, has it made a difference?

Write by leaving a comment here or write me at katmanjo@gmail.com