-> Hi. I am an occupational therapist who works in the acute care
-> setting. I am not a vent user myself. I have worked with a couple of
-> pt's with hi spinal cord injuries who required the use of a vent.
-> Recently I heard, that it's better not to use a speaking valve, as
-> they are the source of other problems, and it is better if one can
-> completely deflate the cuff and speak that way. Do you agree? and
-> how well can you speak with a deflated cuff?
Personally, I have a cuffless trach (Shiley) and can talk well
even when I connected to my vent. When I am off my vent (2-3 hrs/day)
I plug my trach with a "speaking valve". This is simply a one way valve
that allows me to inhale through it, then closes when I exhale thus
facilitating speech.
-> I recently got into a heated discussion with the rest of the rehab
-> staff I work with (PTs, PTAs, COTAs) about...I don't know what to
-> term it. A student noted that she didn't understand why people who
-> were in accidents with severe injuries were saved when they would be
-> unable to move. She noted that she would rather die, and everyone
-> else agreed, except me. I noted that a person with a hi injury does
-> not have brain damage and can still think and be with family. I was
-> surprised with the animosity that my opinion received from my fellow
-> colleagues. One of them told me it would be easier for family if the
-> injured were dead, because then there would be "closure."
Good for you! The limited and high-handed thinking of your
narrow-minded colleagues offends and scares me. This mindset on the
part of so many "medical professionals", and others, is the major reason
the "Not Dead Yet" movement was started. The reasoning <?> of your
fellow workers very closely resembles that of Kevorkian (or as I call
him, the "crip-killer"). Do they really want to aligned with him?
The idea some TABs (Temporarily Able-Bodied) have that they
have the "right" to determine what is "best for us" makes me livid. The
only being that has any right to determine what my destiny is other than
The Creator, is me. It's my life! Not some "white coat's".
Despite my disability, I have a good life! Having been "Code
Blue" three times in the last fifteen years has made me appreciate every
hour. I greatly resent the ableist notion so many TAB's think their
physical ability somehow elevates them to a higher, and superior,
stature than me.
I am very glad you don't share their opinion. The disability
rights movement needs people of your broad-minded and compassionate
level of understanding on our side, especially in the medical
establishment. You can be a very valuable advocate for us. Thank you!
Blane
:)