What a day it was for me... drove 2 hours for an appointment to see if I was a "candidate" for an electronic AFO (Ankle-foot orthosis). I have MS, with foot drop, and the foot bending inward. Well, at first I was concerned because I wasn't feeling anything from the electrode, which is how they test to see if the nerve was even working! The Tech decided to try a bit further back on the leg then normal. My foot jumped! Yea, the nerve wasn't were they normally are, but it WORKED!
Next, he had to see if he could make the foot straighten out... OMG, I watched my foot go straight! I was sooooooo excited as I haven't seen it straight in a long time.
The final test..... could he make me walk "normal"? He hooked me up, with him in control of the shock to make my foot react when I walked. Not great, as he had to try and time it just right as I walked.... then, I felt my foot LIFT, and NOT slap down! I walked "normal"! I had the Doctor (he was visiting), go and get my daughter to see it all. I was laughing with joy, and she was amazed when she not only saw the foot go straight, but me walking "normally".
Not over yet... I'm a Vet, and service connected for my MS. This unit costs about 8k, not including follow up appointments, and maintenance. The Tech told me that my VA was not fast on this new technology, and not to get my hopes up. I would have to see the SCI/MS Doctor, see if she would discuss it with me, and hopefully approve it. In other words, Government red tape. I told the Tech that I was planning on going right over to the VA to plead my case, throwing my body to the floor and taking a tantrum, if need be. Yep, what a nasty sight that would be!!! A grown woman throwing a tantrum on the floor of the VA! Oh wait, they wouldn't even take notice of that......
I went to the VA, up to the SCI/MS clinic... I was ready for a fight! I went to see the woman who makes the appointments, and handles things between Vet and Doctor. She remembered me from my last visit.. good start. I asked her about getting an earlier appointment then October so that I could talk to the Doctor about this electronic AFO. Ah, not only did she already know about it, she informed me that the Doctor already APPROVED it!! To top that off, it was also approved by the VA!
Hopefully, in a couple weeks, I will be the proud owner of a WalkAide, and will be walking "normal"! I don't know how long I'll be able to walk (MS fatigue), but when I can walk, it will be NORMAL!!! Wow, before I thought waking up, breathing, and getting out of bed was a big deal!
OH HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!!!
Next, he had to see if he could make the foot straighten out... OMG, I watched my foot go straight! I was sooooooo excited as I haven't seen it straight in a long time.
The final test..... could he make me walk "normal"? He hooked me up, with him in control of the shock to make my foot react when I walked. Not great, as he had to try and time it just right as I walked.... then, I felt my foot LIFT, and NOT slap down! I walked "normal"! I had the Doctor (he was visiting), go and get my daughter to see it all. I was laughing with joy, and she was amazed when she not only saw the foot go straight, but me walking "normally".
Not over yet... I'm a Vet, and service connected for my MS. This unit costs about 8k, not including follow up appointments, and maintenance. The Tech told me that my VA was not fast on this new technology, and not to get my hopes up. I would have to see the SCI/MS Doctor, see if she would discuss it with me, and hopefully approve it. In other words, Government red tape. I told the Tech that I was planning on going right over to the VA to plead my case, throwing my body to the floor and taking a tantrum, if need be. Yep, what a nasty sight that would be!!! A grown woman throwing a tantrum on the floor of the VA! Oh wait, they wouldn't even take notice of that......
I went to the VA, up to the SCI/MS clinic... I was ready for a fight! I went to see the woman who makes the appointments, and handles things between Vet and Doctor. She remembered me from my last visit.. good start. I asked her about getting an earlier appointment then October so that I could talk to the Doctor about this electronic AFO. Ah, not only did she already know about it, she informed me that the Doctor already APPROVED it!! To top that off, it was also approved by the VA!
Hopefully, in a couple weeks, I will be the proud owner of a WalkAide, and will be walking "normal"! I don't know how long I'll be able to walk (MS fatigue), but when I can walk, it will be NORMAL!!! Wow, before I thought waking up, breathing, and getting out of bed was a big deal!
OH HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!!!
