ACPOC Meeting Reflects Spirit of Cooperation, Concern for Children

Happy 25th Anniversary, ACPOC!

Judy Hettinga Rimrock Resort, a Four Diamond Resort, nestled in the scenic Bow Valley, Banff, Alberta, Canada, was an outstanding setting for the 25th Annual Meeting of the Association of Children's Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics (ACPOC) held March 2427, 2004. The soaring peaks surrounding the meeting venue echoed the lofty goals of organizers and attendees.

Meeting objectives included presentation and evaluation of new ideas, techniques, methodology, and treatment of children with limb deficiencies. The opportunities for clinical evaluation and interacting with developers or proponents of new research used in the management of special-needs children stood out as well.

The 243 registered attendees included 173 participants from the US; 65 from Canada; two from Australia; two from Sweden; and one from Germany.

A total of 24 companies exhibited and included 49 representatives at 37 tables. For the first time, the program included four exhibit technical workshops and three 15-minute product demonstrations "that seemed to be received very well," according to Melody Raymond, coordinator.

Spirit of Cooperation ACPOC had an extremely high level of participation as speakers presented challenging cases seeking advice and feedback from members. Time and again talented, well-respected, and highly educated experts appreciatively acknowledged views, opinions, or approaches differing from their own, which may be helpful to others who face similar situations. Ego definitely took a backseat to cooperation!

Heightened Awareness Needed A small but committed group, ACPOC members are not unaware that their beloved patients face somewhat of a dilemma as highlighted in an assessment study by Colleen Coulter-O'Brady, PT, MS, PCS, and Michael L. Schmitz, MD, of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia. "The incidence of congenital limb deficiency is great enough that many clinicians will treat children with limb deficiencies; the incidence is low enough, however, that few will be able to develop significant clinical experience."

According to that study, only 21 percent of medical professionals polled were aware of ACPOC and/or any of its initiatives. ACPOC members were encouraged to 1) increase awareness of services to non-ACPOC healthcare providers, 2) put greater emphasis on personal experience and knowledge, and 3) develop and participate in enhanced education.

Technology Is Not Rehab The Presidential Guest Lecture, "Finding Their Own Way," was delivered by Dudley S. Childress, PhD, and reminded listeners that "rehab is very personal." Childress stated that technology helps but does not rehabilitate. Listening to patients and families will allow healthcare providers to help their patients find their way "even if it is buried." In support of this point, Childress related several personal experiences gleaned from decades of industry involvement.

Children Bounce Back Particularly touching to this reporter was the presentation on "Long-Term Follow-up of Meningococcemia Patients" by Kenneth Guidera, MD, ACPOC vice president. The 21 patients concerned experienced multi-symptom involvement from this devastating bacterial infection, resulting in 36 upper-extremity amputations, 46 lower-extremity amputations, 16 late-phase orthopedic bone surgeries, and 24 soft-tissue procedures.

Despite this, according to photos and direct accounts, all patients remained both ambulatory with prostheses, orthoses, or assistive devices, and overwhelmingly positive in their outlook on life.

To a great extent, it seems this is what attracts gifted professionals to specialize in pediatrics and to become involved with ACPOC: simply put, children bounce back. The achievement of offering enhanced quality of life--including the ability to perform "normal" daily tasks, to do what their friends do--to a youngster with congenital or acquired limb deficiency is truly fulfilling. If you are interested in cooperative research, development, and improvement in evaluation, along with the privilege of assisting a young one to begin a successful journey down life's road, make plans to attend the 2005 ACPOC Annual Meeting to be held jointly with the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists, March 1619, in Orlando, Florida.

For more information, visit www.acpoc.org or email: raymond@aaos.org

ACPOC Meeting Reflects Spirit of Cooperation, Concern for Children

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