WiththerecentconclusionofMay,which honoredALSAwarenessMonth,thisauthorwould beremisstonotdirectattentiontothosewithALS, theirlovedones,andthosethatcareforthem.
NumotionproudlyservesALScustomersby offeringproductsforindependenceand providingexpertiseandsupportthroughouttheir journey.Numotion’steamofexpertsare knowledgeableaboutthecomplexrehab technologyneedsofthosewithALSandare passionateaboutservingtheseindividuals Numotionisalsohonoredtobethe preferredCRTsupplierforTeamGleason,an organizationwhichcontinuestoempowerpeople withALStolivepurposefullives.
Feature:Spotlight ShareabitaboutyourjourneyofhowyoucametoworkwithindividualswhohaveALS:
“IfirststartedworkingwithALSclientsbackinthesummerof2003inDallas,TXatUTSWMDAALS Clinic Staywithmehere,Iamgoingtotakeyoubackabit,tothebeginningofmyjourneywith MDAandtheALSCommunity IstartedworkingwithServiceMerchandisebackinthesummerof 1988 TheywerehugesponsorsoftheMuscularDystrophyAssociation Weraisedlotsofmoneyin thestoreswithbakesales,diamonddigsandotherevents;evenattendedtheyearlytelethonand answeredthephones.In1992IwasinvitedtoattendMDASummerCampasaguesttoseewhatit wasallaboutandseewheresomeofthemoneyweraisedwasgoing.Itwasanamazingplace andthekidsweresoawesomeandspecial.Iwashooked!IstartedvolunteeringasanMDACamp Counselorthefollowingyearin1992.Well,intheearly2000's,Iwaslookingtomakeacareer changeandlookedstronglyatHealthcare.ItalkedtosomeoftheMDAfolksandtheymentioned therewasacompanylookingtocreateanewposition;andIwashired Mylongaffiliationwithkids atMDASummerCamppushedmeintopediatricsatfirst,thenIwasinvitedtotheMDAALSClinic andIknewIfoundmypeople;herewereagroupofadultscomingtoclinic,sometimesby themselvestogetanALSdiagnosis IknewthisiswhereIbelonged;theyweregoingtoneed compassionanddirectiontogetthroughthis”
YourdedicationandservicetofolkswithALShasbeenunwavering!How/whydidyoubecomeso passionateabouttheseindividualsandgivingbacktotheALScommunity?
“AsIstartedmyjourneyatUTSWwiththeMDAALSClinic,therewasanotheronegettingreadyto openin2005orsoatTexasNeurology.Ialsohadtheprivilegetoattendthisclinicasthe equipmentspecialist Atthebeginning,Iwasseeingabout75ALSfamiliesamonth Nowthe numberisaround100 Workingattheclinicwithsomanyamazingcolleagueshastaughtmethat youcannotworkwiththispopulationalonetobesuccessful IttakesaTEAMworkingtogether!This includesthefamilyandallthepets,etc Thisiswhyihavebecomesopassionatetoservethis population:itgivessomuchbacktomeandallowsmetoknowsomuchaboutlifeandliving”
BetweenALSclinics,volunteeringandserviceopportunities,you'recontinuouslygivingbackto thiscommunity.Whatisthevalueintheseopportunities,andwhywouldyouencourageothers tobecomeinvolved?
“Mydadalwaystaughtmethattimeisyourmostvaluableasset.Tobeabletoservesomeoneor somethingorsomeorganizationiswhatfillsmysoulup Imentionedthisearlier:ifIcanprovidemy timetomakesomeone’sexperienceorlifebetterinanyway,tome,thatistheultimateprize”
Whathasbeenthemostrewardingpartforyou,inworkingwithfolkswithALS?
“Greatquestion!Somanywonderfullifeexperiences!WhenIseethemthefirsttimeattheirhome, andwehaveconversationaboutallthequestionstheyhave andtheydohavelotsofquestions!I alwayssaythismakesmypracticesomucheasier,questionsaremylifeblood!WhenIseetheir facesrelax,knowingtheyaren'tgoingtohavetoredotheirentirehouse,orthereisasolutionto theroll-inshower,ortheirdoorsarewideenough,ortheycanstilltravel,thisiswhatmakesmeso happyinsideandproudofthetimeIgettospendwiththem.”
TomSimon,ATP:
IfyoucoulddescribeyoursignificantrolewiththisuniquepopulationinONEword,whatwould itbe?
“BLESSING!”
Whatwordsofwisdom/encouragementcanyouoffertoclinicians,ATPs,andthemultitudeof otherswhoworkwiththeALSpopulationinanycapacity?
“AllowyourselfsomeGRACE.Youwillneverhaveacure,youwillneverhavealltheanswers; surroundyourselfwiththemostbrilliantpeopleandallowthemtoservewithyou Believeyou makeaDIFFERENCE,nomatterhowsmall,youmakeaDIFFERENCE!!!Mostofall,allowyourselfto grievetheLOST PeopleaskmewhyIdothisworkandhowIcandealwithalltheLOSSoflifeand clients IknowonMondaysandFridays,therewillbepatientsatclinicforthefirsttimeandImust bereadytopresentandassistinwhateverwayIamneeded ThatiswhyIdothis”
IfyouhadTHREEwordstodescribeindividualswithALS,whatwouldthosewordsbe?
“SPECIAL,BLESSED,UNYIELDING”
Youworkwithamedicallycomplexpopulation,withaprogressivediagnosis:youpouryourheart intoyourworkandtherearesignificantemotionsconnected.Howdoyoucopewithdifficult,and oftenheartbreakingoutcomes?
“Forthelast22years,allofmyclientshavepassed,wellover3000!Ihavemystrongfaiththatthey areallinamuchbetterplaceandfreeofthetrappingsofthisinsidiousdisease IbelieveIwasput heretoservethiscommunity Iknowmypathandthatkeepsmegoing Doesithurt,YES!”
WhatwouldyoulikeotherstoknowaboutworkingwithfolkswhohaveALS?
“Weareallfightingbattles,weallwilldie,thispopulationhasbeengiventhe2/5yearspeech.Iwas diagnosedwithProstateCancerin1999,veryyoung,26yearslaterIamstillgoingstrong!Anything canhappen!!!”
Anythingelseyou'dliketoshareorexpress???
“IwouldliketothankyouLeah,myfriend,forallowingmetimetoexpressmythoughtsonatopicI LOVE!Youarethetrueherohere!”
TheALSNexusConferencewillbeheldattheGaylordTexanResort&ConventionCenterinGrapevine, TexasfromAugust11-14 ThisconferenceexiststobringleadersintheALScommunitytogetherto connect,collaborate,andchangethefutureofALS TheALSNexuswebsitestatesitsgoal:“bringing togetherleadersandexpertsinresearch,healthcare,andadvocacy,ALSNexuswillpropelour missionforward...Getreadyforcutting-edgeinsights,groundbreakingresearchupdates,and collaborativesolutionsthatarechangingthefutureofALS.”
Joinclinicians,researchers,andmembersoftheALScommunityattheALSNexusConferencethis August!StopbytheNumotionboothtodiscoverhowtheservicesofourmultipledivisionscanmeet yourpatients’needs.Frommobilityequipment,medicalsupplies,augmentativecommunication devicesanddrivecontrols,andsomuchmore...Numotioncontinuestodrivethecontinuumofcare!
ContactyourNumotionMedicalSupplyAccountManagerforadditionalinformation, toreceiveproductsamples,andforupcomingeducationalopportunities!
TheConnectionBetweenBowel&Bladder Function:AnIntroductoryOverview Ifanindividualhasneurogenicbladder,ahighlikelihoodexiststhatbowelfunctionwill alsobeimpacted;thereisadirectcorrelationbetweenbowelandbladdercontinenceand overallhealth Episodesofincontinence(bowelorbladder)maygreatlyimpactqualityoflife, andcauseanincreasedriskforurinarytractinfections(UTIs),skinbreakdown,andother medicalcomplications.
Anuppermotorneuron(UMN)bowelpatternishyperreflexic,meaningthatthebowelwall andsphinctertoneareincreased,whichcausesdifficultyorinabilitytoevacuatestool. IndividualswithanUMNbowelpatterntypicallyperformdigitalstimulationandutilize suppositoriestofacilitateperistalsisandoptimalbowelemptying
Alowermotorneuron(LMN)bowelpatternisareflexic,meaningthereisadecreaseor lackofperistalsisforbowelmovementstotakeeffect AnLMNpatternwillresultinadifferent frequencyofbowelmanagement,aswellasadifferentstoolconsistency,andtrialanderrorfor theideallong-termoutcome
Thefoodsconsumed,aswellastheamountandtypeofliquidwillalsoimpactboweland bladderfunction.Hydrationisvitalforbowelmotility;considerthetypeofbowelpatternand ensurethequantityofcathetersrecommendeddailyissufficient.Liquidconsumptionand adequatehydrationarekeytoasuccessfulbowelmanagementprogramtoprevent constipation;therefore,bladdermanagementmustalsobetakenintoconsideration.
Exerciseisavitalcomponentforanoverallhealthylifestyle Alackofphysicalactivityand exercisemayresultinconstipation,specificallyforindividualswhoaremoresedentaryor dependent Therefore,uprightpositioning(wheelchair,shower/commodechair),theuseof standingframes,andotherstrategiesmaybeimplementedtofacilitatebowelfunction And again,maintainingadequatehydrationandelectrolytesmustmyprioritized
Tosummarize:
BowelincontinencemayresultinanincreasedriskofUTIs;ensurebowelprogram compliance!
Hydrationiscrucialforbowelmotility,stoolconsistency,andefficacyofthebowel managementprogram.Ensurebladderregimentissufficienttomanagehydrationneeds!
Dietandexerciseplayacrucialroleinbowelandbladderfunction!
Foradditionalinformationonbowelandbladdermanagement,reviewsomevaluable resourcesfromtheChristopher&DanaReeveFoundationandParalyzedVeteransofAmerica:
DidYouKnow... thereareasmanyoptionsforintermittentcathetersastherearemenuoptionsat Starbucks?!?
ConsidertheStarbucksmenu:hotvsicedcoffee,teas,oatvssoymilk,fruitdrinks,matcha, amultitudeofflavoroptions,andsomanyotheralternatives.
Cathetersaremanufacturedfromavarietyofmaterialsandhaveamultitudeoffeatures andbenefits,includingtypeoflubrication,coating,gripper,packaging,accessories,andso muchmore!
JustaseachindividualhasapreferredorderatStarbucks,theproductsusedfor intermittentcatheterizationmustbewhollyindividualized!Theirlifestyle,environment, equipment,technique,andskillsetmustbeattheforefrontwhendevelopingtheoptimal bladdermanagementsolution
Also,consideraproductmixtomeettheirneedsandfacilitateincreasedindependence Forexample:someonewithfemaleanatomymaypreferacompactproductthatfitsinher pursewhengoingout,acatheterwithadrainagebagforherovernightcath,andamale anatomylengthcatheterwhileatworkwhenperformingISCfromherchair(todrainintothe commode).Or,asinglefathermaypreferacompactproductwithabagsincehe’salwayson thegobetweensoccerpracticeandballetclass,buthepreferstoperformISCusingan extensiontubeathome,drainingdirectlyintothecommode.
Toreiterate,productselectionshouldbeindividualized,andacomprehensiveandholistic assessmentiscritical!
Tolearnmoreaboutthevariousfeaturesandbenefitsofcatheters,ortoinquireaboutthe valueofaproductmixforyourpatients,scantheQRcodetoconnectwithyourlocalMedical SupplyAccountManager
***Whenprovidingaproductmix,ensureproductlubricationiseitherallgel-based,orall hydrophilic.Thereisawordthatexplains“why”.TobeenteredforachancetowinaStarbucks giftcard,provideyoure-mailaddressviatheBladderBulletinfeedbackQRCodeonthefirst page;submityourresponseunderthe“content”question!
CatheterConundrum Feature:SteveGleason SteveGleasonwasthekeynotespeakerfor Numotion’sNationalLeadershipConference, earlierthisyear ManyknowhimastheNew OrleansSaintwhoblockedapuntinthefirst gameintheSuperdomeafterHurricaneKatrina; othersknowhimasthefaceofTeamGleason
DiagnosedwithALSattheageof34,Steve madeithismission“toshowthatpeoplewithALS cannotonlylivebutthrive;andtoinspireothers facingsimilarchallenges.”
ThegoalofTeamGleasonis“empower peoplewithALStolivepurposefullives.”Steve continuestodojustthatthroughhisfoundation, andbringingcontinuousawarenessandsupport fortheALScommunity
Steve’seffortsandworksthroughthe Gleasonfoundationareinnumerable,andhave notbeendoneinvain.Fromcreatingactsthat ensureindividualswithALShaveessential communicationdevicesandadditionalsupport, tochallengingthesystemandadvocatingfor eye-trackingtechnologyforpowerwheelchair mobility,Stevehastrulyshownandcontinuesto showNOWHITEFLAGS!
TolearnmoreaboutSteve,hisjourney, efforts,family,awards,andsomuchmore,visit:
teamgleasonorg
Attheageof34,diagnosedwithALS, SteveGleasonwasgiven2-5yearsto live Thisdocumentaryexudes resilience,strength,andthepowerof family
Youcanwatch“Gleason”onPrime Video,Peacock,andmore Howeverbewarned,youwillneed comfortingsnacks,yourfavorite beverage,andaBOXoftissues.This writerconsiders“Gleason”tobethe mostgenuinelyprofounddepictionof rawvulnerabilityineverydaylife throughtheprogressionofadisease; theemotionsandimpactsofALSon Steveandthoseclosesttohimare palpable Writtenwitheye-trackingtechnology, Steveauthoredamemoirofhislife.The bookencompasseshisNFLcareer, diagnosis,andunwaveringresilience A LifeImpossibleisavailableonAmazon
Ifthesegmentonthecorrelationbetween bowelandbladdermanagement,orthefeature onsuppositoryinserterspeakedyourinterest,be onthelookoutforaNEWcontinuingeducation courseofferedbyNumotiononthisessential,yet oftenunder-discussedsubject
We'reexcitedtoannouncetheupcoming launchofabowelmanagementcoursedesigned specificallyforcliniciansworkingwithwheelchair users.Thiscoursedivesintothevital,often overlookedaspectsofcontinencecare,and connectsthedotsbetweenseating,positioning, andphysiologicalfunction.
Moreinformationtofollowinsubsequent issuesofTheVOID!
EducationalandCEUOpportunities Numotionoffersavarietyof CEUsforPhysicalTherapists, OccupationalTherapists,ATPs, andmore
ScantheQRCodestolearn more,andtoenrollin
Numotion’sMedicalSupplyCEU offerings(availableliveand on-demand!)
As we conclude spring and head into the summer season, frequent weather changes, potential storms, and the “unpredictable” must be considered.
Check out Numotion’s Natural Disaster Preparedness Tips on the next page, and share with anyone that may benefit!
FeaturedAdaptive Equipment SuppositoryInserter Forindividualswhousesuppositories tomanagetheirbowelprogram, insertioncanbedifficult...especiallyif dexterityissuesarepresent Suppositoryinsertersincludeastrap tosecurethedevicetoeitherhand, andthespringloadedtipexpelsthe suppositoryoncetheinserterisin placetotheappropriatedepth Thisadaptiveequipmentisavailable inanangleadjustableform,which facilitatesindependencewhen optimallyconfiguredandusedin conjunctionwithprescribed bathroomequipment* Theextended rightangleversionisbeneficialfor thosewithgreaterfunctional impairments,othercomorbidities,or thosewhoperformtheirbowel programinbed Remember:there aremultipleoptionsandstrategies availabletopromoteincreased independencewithbowel managementprograms;bowel management,likebladder management,isn’tonesolutionfits ALL!
*Ensurethecut-outofthebathroom equipmentisalsoconduciveto independence!
Natural Disaster Preparedness Tips Medical Supply The most important step to maintaining your health during a natural disaster is to prepare in advance. For intermittent catheter users, it’s essential you have the medical supplies you need to maintain a healthy bladder and bowel management program.
If you will be at a different location for an extended period of time, notify your medical supplier so they can assist you with your supply shipments. We are here to support you during these challenging times, contact us at 800-834-9694.
We encourage you to store a 14-day supply of medical supplies
You may be in temporary housing or unable to receive shipments right away
Intermittent catheters (and lubricant if used)
Transferring to use the restroom may be difficult in these circumstances. Consider including extra-long catheters or catheters with a bag attached
Bowel management essentials - suppositories or mini enemas
Antibacterial hand wipes or antibacterial hand sanitizer
Hygiene wet wipes and toilet paper
Small flashlight
Non-latex, disposable gloves
Females - compact mirror & any additional feminine hygiene items required
Necessary medications
List of your medications, intermittent catheter item number, doctor and medical supplier names and phone numbers
Place plastic bags over the joystick and other electrical components
Completely charge your power wheelchair before the storm
Keep your wheelchair as dry as possible
Store any backup equipment or devices in a dry place in case of emergency
Keep chargers off the floor and away from areas that may flood
Don’t
