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Prologue by Sheila Buck Technical Description Book Reviews
I wrote this book because of my lifelong commitment to enhance the lives of the people that I work with on a daily basis. Throughout my life I have had the privilege to spend time with people who are restricted in mobility and functioning due to pain, discomfort and altered orthopedic status from a variety of disabilities and disease processes. These restrictions can often lead to psychological impairments, reduced potential for functioning, and unnecessary withdrawal from society.
Too often people using assistive technology are misunderstood. The title for this book comes from a statement my mother made many years ago when I first started holding training courses. She could not understand how I could teach about "wheelchairs" for two days. After encouraging her to attend a course, she left saying, "Now I understand. A wheelchair is more than 4 wheels!" My hope is after reading and using this book as a guide in everyday practice that all involved in this industry will better understand the motto "do no harm" and indeed understand that "wheels" are only the beginning to the end of enhancing the health, self esteem and quality of life of the people we work with.
When provided with assistive technology that enhances function and reduces pain and discomfort, the quality of life for these people can be drastically improved. Unfortunately, I have also seen cases where the technology has not been well thought out, and has ended up hindering the lives and functioning of these very same people.
The "industry" of seating/mobility and assistive technology is still evolving and as a result there are constant changes to theory, technique and equipment in use. I therefore feel it is critical for all involved in this "industry" to maintain a level of education and clinical practice that promotes quality interventions with the people we work with. This becomes a challenge when the economy and political interventions may restrict the time allowed for adequate training, assessment, and new product innovation.
I strongly believe that it then becomes a personal challenge to better ourselves in our understanding and knowledge of the people and equipment that we work with on a daily basis. There is nothing more moving than seeing a young man who has been paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury, stand up with the use of a standing wheelchair, place his hands in his pockets and cry because that is the first time he has been able put his hands in his pocket since his accident. Often it is the small things that make a world of difference.
My challenge to you after reading this book is to make a commitment to provide the people you work with, more than 4 wheels! Provide them with an opportunity, a life style and a renewed sense of self. I hope you enjoy the journey. For me, it was validation that what I do, does make a difference!
Technical Description The book is an 8.5" x 11" perfect bound 10 pt paper back, printed on 60 lb paper. The book is printed in black and white with colour graphics and illustrations. The book covers teamwork in prescribing and delivering assistive technology, assessment techniques, seating principles, manual wheelchair prescription and set up, power wheelchair considerations, considerations for walker prescription, fall safety including lifts, transfers, toiletting and bathing, spasticity and its impact on seating, considerations for bariatric and pediatric seating, custom contoured seating, seating and mobility for the aging population and an over view of common diagnosis with relevant assistive technology needs. An appendix of common terminology used in the field of seating and mobility is also included. The book is aimed at Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational and Physiotherapist Assistants, DME dealer reps, Manufacturer reps, orthotists/prosthetists working in seating, caregivers and medical professionals who may be working with clients who require assistive technology and wish to gain a better understanding of the use of the equipment and finally students in post secondary programs which provide education on the use and prescription of assistive technology/seating and mobility equipment. / TOP \ |
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Book Reviews "I am an occupational therapist who has recently started working in seating and mobility. I purchased your book following a workshop I attended with you in May. I wanted to let you know what an asset it has been in my practice - everything is explained so clearly, the diagrams and pictures are incredibly informative and easy to follow, and both basic and complex seating concepts are explained in a concise and organized manner. I would recommend it to any therapist either as a tool when starting out in seating and mobility, or as a reference book. I find myself returning to it repeatedly and wish that a similar book had been a part of my OT curriculum. Thank you!" ~ Katrina Rowe / TOP \ |
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