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March 25 01
American Biosystems, Inc.'s
"the Vest" is a piece of medical equipment that uses high frequency
chest wall oscillation to shake up secretions in the lungs and
move them to larger airways where they are easily cleared through
deep breathing and coughing. The current way we do Chest Physio
Therapy (CPT) and Vibrations is to lay in different positions
so that gravity can help move secretions while a parent, loved
one or friend does percussions by either hand clapping or use
of a mechanical percussor. It can be very uncomfortable and takes
a lot of effort and energy from both caregiver and patient. The
vest can be strapped on and the therapy takes as much time (15
- 20 minutes) to do the entire lungs, as it would take to do just
one or two lobes of the lungs with manual CPT. The patient can
also do their inhalation therapy while using the vest, which is
an additional savings of time. The Vest has also been scientifically
proven to be more effective than traditional therapy, and has
actually slowed the decline of some patient's condition and improved
the lung functions (FEV1) in others. My health has seen a decline
over the years and I am currently being treated in London in preparation
for being listed for a double lung transplant in London, or Toronto
if my doctor thinks that would be a better option due to the #
of lungs they do in TO. The Vest will help me to stabilize my
lungs and allow me to be in good health if/when the time comes
to get new lungs. However, my main concern is this; the fact is
there is medical equipment available that has shown improved health
benefit through not only improvements in lung functions, but also
in terms of quality of life for those afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis.
There are no alternatives currently on the market that allow an
individual to do his own chest percussion and vibrations, which
are necessary to do 3-4 times per day to prevent infections from
overwhelming the lungs and blood. A person with CF must rely totally
on friends and relatives to provide this type of therapy on a
daily basis unless they are hospitalized. This means CF people
must choose to be either totally dependant on others and maintain
their health, or gain some independence and try to manage on their
own. This results in non-compliance with treatment required to
manage your condition properly, and is always accompanied by a
deterioration of your condition. The frustrating part is that
the equipment is readily made available in the United States to
CF individuals and is covered through both Medicade and private
insurance carriers. They recognize the value of being individually
responsible and independent and also recognize the long term savings
that can be found through less hospital visits, and healthier
CF Patients. In Canada, Ontario's Assistive Devices Program will
not cover the equipment even though it is a program developed
to help "give people independence and control over their lives."
Private Insurance is an option but I have to apply for approval
since it is not a piece of equipment that has been approved by
my carrier. That process is likely to be lengthy and without any
guarantees.
These are the ways you can
offer your support:
1. Making and donating an
item made from chocolate for our Chocolate Festival
2. Coming to our Chocolate
Festival and purchasing some goodies
3. Writing a letter to your
Member of Parliament expressing your wish to have your tax dollars
used to fund this type of equipment to help enrich and lengthen
the lives of those with CF.
4. Writing or sending Mike
{via his mom}a card with words of support and encouragement
5. Making a financial contribution
to help offset the costs associated with a down payment for a
physiotherapy vest, and travel expenses incurred for treatment
in London {possibly Toronto} (assessment for transplant).
Here is the information
if you would like to donate some money towards this very worthy
cause... and Thank you!
The friends, coworkers and
family of Mike Nadon, a young man with cystic fibrosis, are raising
funds to assist with the purchase of a therapeutic vest and upcoming
expenses related to a lung transplant. The Rotary Club of Windsor
[1918] is accepting donations towards this and will issue charitable
receipts. Anyone wishing to make a donation may do so to:
The Rotary Club of Windsor
Foundation Fund
c/o Bob Fields, Treasurer
787 Ouellette Avenue
Windsor, Ontario N9A 4J4
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