Focus on Advocacy: The 2005 ACA Annual Educational Conference & Exposition

By Tonja Randolph

Changing Direction: Leading the Way to Better Care was the theme of the Amputee Coalition of America's (ACA) 2005 annual conference, which was held at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas, from August 11-13.

Issues related to amputation, pain control, technology, fitness, gait training, and advocacy were among the numerous topics covered in three days of sessions, events, and social activities for 700 registered attendees. In addition, the ACA, whose outreach mission includes education, support, and advocacy, launched what was called the largest advocacy campaign in ACA history.

Opening Ceremony

Unlike ACA conferences of the past, this year's opening ceremony did not feature a high-profile keynote speaker. Instead, individuals from the ACA or other organizations spoke about the ACA's Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL), partnerships that support troops returning with limb loss, and the expansion of peer visitor certification to Canada.

Legislative advocacy for such initiatives as "prosthetic parity" in insurance coverage has become a major focus of the ACA, and several speakers addressed consumers, urging them to get involved in advocacy efforts in their home states. Elizabeth Mansfield, ACA's advocacy and outreach consultant, shared her experiences at the O&P Policy Forum, which was sponsored by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) earlier this summer, and urged consumers to "bang the drum" for change.

Air Force Lt. Col. Andrew Lourake, who is a peer visitor at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, encouraged others to become ACA-certified peer visitors. He emphasized the importance of peer visitation to the recovery of US troops, as well as civilians who just need encouragement from someone who has been there.

Expanding peer visitation was also the focus of Natalie Fish, of the Quebec Amputee Association (AQIPA). She spoke about how AQIPA started its own peer visitor training program in Canada based on what its members learned at past ACA conferences.

Other Highlights

LimbStrongTM wristbands, sponsored by College Park Industries, were introduced, with 100 percent of the proceeds from their sale supporting ACA's APPLL.

The exhibitors always enjoyed the chance to meet with patients. The only way to receive "true" feedback, both good and bad, some feel, is by hearing directly from the consumers. One manufacturer shared an experience about a man who came up and told him that a device his company provided was defective, causing him quite a bit of suffering. The representative asked to look at the deviceand it had been installed upside-down by the prosthetist! After a certified prosthetist on-site adjusted the device, everything was fine. The patient said that he knew he had a purpose for attending this meetingand this was it!

ACA Meets American Graffiti

The ACA hosted a "Fabulous Fifties" dance that brought out the tunes of Elvis, the Beach Boys, Frankie Valli, and Buddy Holly. Young and old boogied through the night with "Wolfman Jack," and also enjoyed karaoke. Chad Crittenden, from the CBS hit show Survivor, signed autographs and had pictures taken.

In the closing ceremony, Stephanie Bastos, a Brazilian-American dancer, gave an exclusive dance performance. After beginning her dance career, she lost her right leg in a 1995 automobile accident. She went on to graduate with honors from the New World School of the Arts/University of Florida and has performed professionally in noted venues.

The 2006 ACA Annual Educational Conference & Exposition is scheduled for June 15-17 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Focus on Advocacy: The 2005 ACA Annual Educational Conference & Exposition

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