Is there anyway that you can safely demonstrate the risks of the equipment? Can you SHOW the mom that the equipment is dangerous to the child? Perhaps you can video the child using the equipment as a way to clearly document your recommendations to not get equipment. Also, are you SURE that the mom is NOT correct? Why do you think the mom wants equipment that you feel is inappropriate?
Thanks, Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Veronica <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] Best practice V> Hi Ron, this approach has been tried (and failed) in the past. Mum V> is a rather interesting character who is trying to make her daughter V> more 'disabled' than she is. This child has a very mild spastic CP V> and is in fact ambulatory. There is no functional reason why she V> should not be mobilising independently into a level access shower. V> Mum has pushed us into providing equipement in the past, since it's a V> 'free' service for her, and now is trying to manipulate things in V> order to have her own way (through approaching various senior V> channels). We've discussed this with the head of the OT service, V> unfortunately the amount of backing received through the HOD is V> limited as she often tends to cave in to pressure in order to avoid V> conflict. Our reasoning is that this child has the functional skills V> to be independent without all the bells and whistles that mum is insisting on. V> The shower chair in no way benefits her and she is more likely to V> slide out of it than remain in it. From our perspective it puts her V> more 'at risk' than providing it would. V> I do appreciate any advice/input V> Veronica V> "....Good question, but I'm pretty confident there's NO research on this V> subject. However, what you may find is anecdotal evidence(i.e. V> experience of others) this device with neurological patients. If you V> provide more information, OTlist readers may be able to provide such V> evidence. V> Also, I find that ALL adaptive equipment, is a combination of "good" and V> "bad". Generally, I do a "cost/benefit analysis" and present this to the V> patient/caregiver. Perhaps you can discuss and even show the mom both V> the good and bad of the equipment. This will then allow her to make an V> informed decision. To me, THIS is best practice and also empowers and V> educates the mom." V> V> -- V> Options? V> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com V> Archive? V> www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
