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AMPUTATION ONLINE MAGAZINE
http://amputee-online.com/amputation
VOLUME THREE ISSUE NUMBER 6 NOVEMBER 1998
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This text version is sponsored by:
The OandP Online WEB Site
http://www.oandp.com
Seattle Limb Systems
http://m-ind.com
Advanced Prosthetics of San Diego
http://members.aol.com/AdvProsth/
Farabloc – Phantom Pain Relief
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CONTENTS
POV from the Editor and Publisher
Interview with Cliff Chadderton
Results from the World Swimming Championship in Christchurch, NZ
Finding Amp Info Online – Part I
TOP TEN PRODUCTS of 1998
Calendar of Events
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POV
Whilst I might not be exactly famous and certainly not at all rich, the
lifestyle of this online publisher took an interesting turn a few weeks
back.
>From time to time I answer job ads in the Vancouver Sun newspaper, it’s
more of a recreational pursuit than a serious attempt at finding a real
job. Turns out someone actually took my resume seriously and gave me a job!
I’m now officially in the employ of AXION Internet, a Vancouver based
service provider. My role as Macintosh Technical Support has me out of the
house four days a week, some days starting at 8am and some days ending at
10pm.
I’ve been on the Internet for a number of years now, I thought I’d seen
most of it, I was wrong. The advantages of a T1 connection at work and the
Rogers Wave at home will see that I do get to at least see more of the
amputee stuff. I’m actually getting paid a regular wage for surfing the net!
A few weeks back we also had a plethora of limbless females gracing our tv
screens. Both Rosie ‘O Donnell and Oprah Winfrey featured the young women.
I captured some of the Rosie O Donnell show, it can be seen at
http://amputee-online.com/aimee.html
This special edition of Amputation Online magazine featured our now annual
Top Ten Awards. The response to which has been excellent, however there are
probably still a few people out there wondering “what the hell is an online
magazine”, let alone having received an award from one. Twelve months ago I
had a hard time convincing industry professionals of the validity of this
publication, a year later it seems much easier. Look out for Amputation
Online logo at the various award winners web pages.
The first issue of 1999 will feature the first part of a prosthetic foot
review. I’ve been busy trying out various feet over the last few months, I
think you’ll be interested in the results.
Until then, have a happy Christmas and may the new year bring good fortune.
Ian Gregson
Editor and Publisher
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PEOPLE AND PERSONALITIES
INTERVIEW WITH CLIFF CHADDERTON
CEO WAR AMPS OF CANADA
Within Canada the name Cliff Chadderton is synonymous with War Amputations
of Canada. War Amps is one of oldest amputee support groups in world,
originally started in 1918. Their famous key-tag program is one of the most
successful fund-raising tools in Canadian history.
Mr. Chadderton has been involved with War Amps since 1965. He is now their
CEO, is a certified lawyer in the province of Ontario and is Chairman of
the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada.
He has been an outspoken advocate of veteran rights for many years,
recently voicing concerns over the controversial CBC documentary “The
Honour and the Valour”.
Amputation Online magazine caught up with Cliff in a recent interview
(which was no easy task – even at 70, he’s a hard man to get a hold of).
You have been an amputee for a long time – what do you consider the
greatest advances in prosthetic technology over the last 50 or so years?
Myoelectric arm, concentric knee joints, “spring loaded” feet.
Do you see the prosthetic industry any more amputee-centred than 50 years ago?
Yes, very much
In looking at prosthetic ads from 30-40 years ago, they often proclaim
“they are next greatest thing for amputees”. Are amputees today any wiser
than fifty years ago? If so how? If not why not? Who is responsible either
way?
The amputees with whom we deal are well informed on prostheses. This
includes war amputees; the vast number of civilian (caused by other than
war) amputees in our seniors program and, of course, younger amputees and
their families, including graduates, from our CHAMP Program
The War Amps have been together for many years, what has helped them stay
together where other amputee related organisations have often failed?
The opportunity to assist non-war related amputees plus many, many funding
contracts developed over the years
What do you consider the greatest overall accomplishment of War Amps in the
last fifty years? (If there is more than one please mention those
accomplishments too).
Our Child Amputee Program
What do you see as the most significant issue for Canadian amputees in the
next decade?
Prosthetics and Prosthetic funding
As provincial healthcare systems and third-party insurance seems to provide
less and less support for amputees prosthetic needs, how does this effect
a. War Amps and b. amputees individually?
Our financial planning has made it possible for us to “take up
the slack” in regard to funding.
The War Amps have been extremely successful in their various programs such
as Play Safe and CHAMPS. Is there any area that you would liked to have
seen War Amps go into, but for one reason or another they were unable to do
so?
No
The US has the Amputee Coalition of America(ACA), the British have their
Limbless Association where do you see Canada’s War Amps in relation to
these organisations for amputees?
I was an original advisor and member of the U.S. Amputee
Coalition of America. There were many problems. We developed our own
programs, including those for civilian amputees, and these were in place
many years before the Amputee Coalition of America was in existence.
The British Limbless Association is a “war veterans” group. We work
closely with the latter. We saw no advantage in continuing our association
with the U.S. Amputee Coalition. Instead, we attend and are long time
members of all of the U.S. and international organisations which represent
prosthetics; thus we are able to ensure that the standard in the prosthetic
industry in Canada
is excellent.
I am vice-president of the Canadian National Society for Prosthetics And
Orthotics. Through this arrangement we provide for courses and
Dissemination of information.
Does Canada need a more ACA type organisation?
I feel that amputees in Canada are well represented by our group.
This is borne out by the fact that more than 90% of our work is for non-war
veteran amputees.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for War Amps as an organisation
in the new millennium?
It is written into our Constitution that there will be a transition so that
the Board of Directors will be drawn from graduates from our CHAMP Program,
most of whom have done very well in their business and professional lives.
Any so-called “challenge” will be ably met by this group.
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SPORTS
RESULTS FROM THE IPC WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
TOP HIGHLIGHT: Canada tops medal standings – Canada’s Phillipe Gagnon
collects 5 gold medals in S10 class, taking numerous world records in the
process
Class System: Swimming is based on a “functional” class system. Amputees
compete against other disability groups with similar physical functions and
capabilities. Some strokes favour leg amputees, some strokes favour arm
amputees. The distinction between below knee and above knee is sometimes
taken in to consideration.
S10 – single below knee amputee/single arm below elbow
S9 – single above knee amputee/ single arm amputee
S8 – double arm below elbow amputee/double below knee
S7 – double above knee/double above elbow amputee
At the end of competition 87 world records were broken at the IPC World
Swimming Championships.
QE II Pool in Christchurch has a shallower depth than most Olympic pools
which can create disturbance for the swimmers. Therefore the breaking of 87
world records, has been a huge achievement.
Clive Power, coach of the New Zealand team, believes that this success is
due to the growth of the sport.
“All the swimmers are pushing harder. Most train in four year cycles. Our
swimmers are in their second year of training which will peak at the Sydney
Olympics, ” Clive says.
“The New Zealand team has a 90% success rate in achieving their personal
best times. This has exceeded our expectations. We don’t measure our
success in medals but in personal bests. Anymore medals will be a bonus,”
he says.
Selected Results
Event 3 Male Senior 150 IM
Class: Sm1
World LC: * 5:52.46 David Lega-Swe 10/1998
Pl Meet Id Name Age Team Finals Points
