CMT Conference in Palo Alto and VA Recommendations?

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I appreciate all the information that I get from this group. It is

very helpful and often very inspiring. I live in the San Francisco

Bay area and found out that the CMT conference being held in Palo Alto

next Saturday has a full registration.

I am wondering if it would be possible to go the the conference just to see and

talk with vendors,especially AFO brace vendors, to see what informal suggestions

they may have for bracing.

I have been wearing plastic AFOs for about 20 years now and either my current

braces (at least 8 years old) have lost some of their rigidity/strength, and/or

my CMT has progressed-or most likely both.

I am enrolled in basic health care through the VA and am unhappy with the poor

patient interaction skills of the prosthetics specialist at the VA. He would not

take the time to read an article on Helios Braces, spent a lot of time telling

me how much experience he had and what a great specialist he was, and how Helios

were just " a gimmick " , and to top it off, he missed having some new braces ready

when I came in for another appointment.

Afterwards, I did take a trip to see Mitch in Las Vegas for an evaluation, and

while the Helios may be helpful, they are just too expensive, and the local VA

prosthetics specialist wouldn't approve the expense.

Has anyone had positive experiences in getting help for CMT with Northern

California VA facilities? My primary care physician at the Palo Alto VA is

exceptionally good, took the time to read the article I showed him on Helios

braces, and has been both informed and encouraging (supports my using Vitamin C,

etc.).

It's just the prosthetist who was so unhelpful. I may be able to go to another

VA facility in Northern California for newer/stronger braces. Anyone have any VA

recommendations?

Many Thanks!

-

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Don't know if this will help but I heard a public radio

story on a VA facility in Marin County, Santa I think, that is

doing some really good work with Iraq vets with PTSD. They may be more

progressive in other areas.

O