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24.01.11: Life-changing wheelchair and cosmetic prostheses for Olya

Olya, a young lady from Belarus who was born without legs during the time of the Chernobyl disaster, was unable to walk or sit correctly. She had lived in an orphanage since birth, but last week she turned 18 and was lucky enough to finally come to England to get specialised help in fitting her with a much needed wheelchair and cosmetic sitting limbs.

Dr Martin Twiste from the University of Salford, United National Institute of Prosthetics and Orthotics Development (UNIPOD) and Dave Cooke from Teams4U coordinated Olya’s visit to UHSM’s Disablement Service Centre (in Withington). Professor Jai Kulkarni, Clinical Director, and Allan Moore, Rehabilitation Engineering Service Manager and colleagues at the DSC assessed and fitted Olya for her new wheelchair. The wheelchair was specifically designed for her to include a bespoke seating and backrest system to overcome the pain and discomfort she had previously experienced in other wheelchairs. Olya was also supplied with customised cosmetic lower limb prostheses.

Teams4U is a charity set up to make a difference to the lives of children around the world that find themselves in desperate and hopeless situations. Manchester DSC provides those with limb loss/amputees with comprehensive multisystem rehabilitation, specialised seating and amputee/prosthetic rehabilitation. Together they were able to combine their expertise to provide Olya with her life changing wheelchair and cosmetic prosthetic limbs.

 

 

 

 

14.12.10: Acting Opportunities for Amputees

DK Model Management is a long established model agency, based in Sheffield, which has a division representing models with disability. This division is called 'Modability' and can be seen on their main web site at www.dkmodels.net

The agency is working with a company that supplies actors for Trauma Reconstruction scenes, which are used to train military and medical personnel in dealing with war injuries and emergency situations. They need to recruit more amputees, or those born with limb loss, who would like the opportunity to do this kind of work.

 

The requirements are as follows:

• Must be over 18 and under 60 years of age
• Preferably be able to drive (although this is not essential)
• Able to work 6-12 days per month (often 6 days consecutively)
• Able to stay away from home on assignments (again up to 6 days consecutively)
• Acting experience is not necessary
• Must be generally in good health and able to travel alone.

The company employ extremely talented make up artists, who create special effects that are very realistic and can be quite gory! It is therefore essential that candidates would not feel traumatised by this. It is also worth mentioning that the scenes are very realistic and dramatic and there can be a lot of noise and confusion. If anyone has lost a limb as a result of an accident, it may be that this experience would bring back memories, and might be too difficult for them. It may also be necessary to take part in a 'helicopter evacuation' so the work would not be suitable for anyone who would find that daunting. Obviously all the work is medically supervised and subject to careful risk assessment by the military.

The residential work can involve staying in army camps, so the accommodation, whilst perfectly acceptable, will not be four star luxury!

 

Rates of pay are as follows:

• First 10 days paid at £100 per day
• All following days paid at £150 per day
• This would initially be on a self employed basis, but might lead to part time employment on PAYE.

If you are interested in this opportunity (or know someone who might be) then please email: mail@dkmodels.net for more information.

DK Model Management Information Flyer

Patients and Carers - Join Us!

 

 

24.09.10: New Technology Announcement

There is a ‘new kid on the block’ at the centre, known technically as the ‘Omega Hand Held 3D Laser Imager’. This latest addition to the sophisticated technology in use at our one stop centre has invoked much interest and has been nicknamed ET because of its ‘double eye’ appearance. This scanner combines ease of use with technical advantages both to patient and clinician alike. It is portable or mobile, and has been used to date both at Manchester DSC and Bolton District Clinic. It will capture an image that can then be fed in to our existing tracer software.

To begin the process, self adhesive dots are stuck onto a patient’s limb to create a ‘map field’ that the device uses as reference points for orientation. Cross-hair laser beams are emitted from the face of the scanner such that, when passed over the surface of the patient’s limb, pick up an accurate three dimensional image, including any scar tissue areas. This image is transmitted, via twin cameras (that look like eyes) into the memory of the computer software, where it can be adjusted in accordance with the patients requirements to produce a socket of desirable comfort and function.

The complete process, once some preparations are completed, is relatively quick and comfortable for patients. We wait with interested anticipation for the feedback from those of our patient population who will be involved with this new and exciting advancement in scanner technology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.08.10: More coffee anyone?

Our first user group coffee morning took place on 24^th June and was hailed by all who attended as a huge success.

We are repeating this social event (check dates). We hope the new friends we met last time will be there again, along with other patients and carers who would like to come along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.07.10: Occupational Therapy Service

Many of you will know Ruth Hambrey who worked at the Centre for many years and who has now retired. Ruth has handed over the care of the service to Jane McLaughlin who is now in post full time.

You may be interested to read a presentation that Jane has prepared about the service: 'Occupational Therapy following Upper Limb Amputation'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.07.10: Cycling for Charity

Staff and friends from the Centre took part in a charity cycle ride last May in order to raise funds for the Joining Hands Charity. So far we have raised £550!

If you would like to know more about the charity visit: www.joininghands.org.uk

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.02.10: Outdoor fun and four-footed friends!

 

 

 

'Tanja has been one of our star service users for many years here at the Disablement Services Centre. She holds a high powered position with one of the largest international companies and also leads an exciting and interesting existence. There are not many life tasks she does not easily cope with, including DIY and sporting activities. As one can see from the picture, she even manages to involve our four footed friends in some outdoor fun! Characteristically, Tanja tackled the kayak and became an instant success, deciding to buy her own "rig", as she found the device we issued to her so helpful. Typically, Tanya sent us some pictures and her thanks. This is such an encouragement to those of us working in the healthcare world and we would wish to express our gratitude to Tanja for what she gives back to service providers by being such a wonderful and thoughtful person.' Bryan Corke, Prosthetist  

Tanja says: 'It's very kind of you to give me the chance to try different things. Without the support of the centre this would not be possible and I have to give praise to Bryan to be so good at the job he is doing.'

  

 

 

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Manchester Prosthetic User Group, in partnership with the Disablement Services Centre and opcare, will be holding a coffee morning here at the Disablement Services Centre on 24th June at 10am till 12 noon.