About Me

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I am a below knee amputee. More importantly, I am also Mommy to two boys, a very active 10 year old (Robby) and an mischievous toddler (Timmy). I have learned that being a parent with a disability can create some unusual and sometimes humorous situations. This blogger is available for hire! Let's talk and learn how a blog can expand your business.

Friday, June 30, 2017

Homeward Bound

Today we are packing up and heading home.  We are always a little sad to have adventures come to an end, but I am going to be happy to be home.  The boys and I have been away for almost two weeks, and it will be nice to sleep in my own bed and see the cats.  I'll post more tonight, along with a slew of photos.  But now we are going to go soak up in a few more moments of beach magic before we head home. 

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Beach!

We made it to the beach without the boys suspecting anything.  Robby didn't realize that Virginia was not our destination until we pulled up next to the boardwalk. Even when he saw the beach he assumed we weren't staying.  He was ecstatic when he learned that we would be staying a few nights. He couldn't wait to hit the waves, and Timmy was excited by proxy.  I love being able to surprise my boys!

Our hotel, while no frills, is ideally located. We only need to walk a few steps to get to the boardwalk and ocean.  Between the beach, boardwalk and hotel pool, everybody should have a fantastic mini vacation.







Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Coney Island Park

We had a fantastic final day in Ohio. 

Scott researched local attractions and discovered a small amusement park about an hour from his Mom's house. After looking at the website, we decided to roll the dice and give Coney Island Park a try. (I have been tickled with his sudden efforts towards planning family adventures. Traditionally the onus for planning always lies with me. It's wonderful to have an active co-conspirator towards orchestrating family fun!) Again we were treated to an ideal weather day, making going to an amusement park even more enticing.

Although it was small, the park was ideal for our little family. Robby and Timmy are on different sides of the ride spectrum. Robby is drawn to the thrill rides whereas Timmy would be content to ride on a train and small airplane carousel all day. At most amusement parks we would have to split up, with Robby and Scott going on the adult rides while I supervised Timmy in the toddler section. At Coney Island Park, the rides were in the same area. I could watch Timmy on the carousel while still seeing Robby ride the roller coasters with his Daddy.

Both boys had an awesome day riding and playing. Timmy was even able to go on a few rides with Scott and Robby, an event that delighted him and led to squeals of joy and laughter. Little Hamlet loves nothing more than spending time with Robby and is quick to mimic everything he does. Being able to sit next to him on a (smaller) thrill ride was probably the highlight of his day.

Today we are packing up and flying back east. Robby thinks we are going home, but Scott and I have another surprise planned. Instead of going directly home we are going to take a beach detour for a few days. I know he is going to be gobsmacked when he realizes that we are going back to the beach!




Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Mini Adventure

Hello from Ohio.  Our little family is visiting with Scott's Mom for a few days. Unlike summers past, the weather has been absolutely delightful. (We have become spoiled by central air conditioning and feel have acute reactions to hot homes.) This is the first summer in recent memory where we haven't sought refuge from the sweltering temperatures in the local Walmart. 

We didn't do much of anything consequential yesterday. Robby and Timmy spent time playing outside while Scott visited with his Mom and sister. Today we have a mini adventure planned to a local amusement park. I know that the boys will be both delighted and tired out by the activity which is beneficial because we will spend all day Wednesday traveling.

It should be a fun day for everybody.

Monday, June 26, 2017

What are Essential Health Benefits?

Last week the Senate released their health care bill, known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA). I feel like I have been living and breathing healthcare since the moment the text was released. My anxiety is reminiscent of 2014 when the formidable LCD was released. After learning more about the bill, my immediate response was correct. Amputees in this country are in for a battle when it comes to maintaining insurance coverage for prosthetics.

Through our podcast Amp'd, Dave and I have been warning about a looming battle over Essential Health Benefits. We have been at the forefront of this issue since the beginning. Now EHB's are being heavily dissected and debated on every major news network. I think we should brag that we were talking about Essential Health Benefits before they were cool! 


As a quick refresher, EHB's are a core set of 10 benefits that each insurance policy must cover.
These benefits are mandated because they were deemed essential to living an active and healthy life. All insurance policies must include these benefits. It is important to consider that an EHB classification does not mean that the benefits are available without a co-payment, but rather the insured is protected by the mandate that the co-payment will be the same rate as other comparable items in the insurance policy. The insured is still required to fill their financial obligation in order to receive the prosthetic care.  EHB's are not subject to yearly or lifetime caps.

The ten categories deemed Essential Health Benefits include:

  •  ambulatory patient services;
  •  emergency services;
  •  hospitalization;
  •  maternity and newborn care;
  •  mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment
  •  prescription drugs;
  • Rehabilitative and Habilitative services and devices (this is the category that includes prosthetic devices and other mobility aids)
  • laboratory services
  • preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management;
  •  pediatric services, including oral and vision care.

As we feared, the BCRA eliminates mandates for Essential Health Benefits. In this legislation, EHB's will be decided by the state, which will contribute to increasing disparities in prosthetic care across this country. With the elimination of EHB's, amputees can expect to see a return to yearly and lifetime caps on prosthetic coverage. Unrealistic and devastating caps of $10,000 per lifetime will keep prosthetic devices out of reach for many in this country, especially children and those who are economically vulnerable.

If the BCRA is adopted as in its draft form, the amputee community will become a casualty of politics. Those who need prosthetic devices will be forced to rely upon other mobility aids simply because they lack the coverage and funds. I am imploring you to contact your Senators and urge them to maintain Essential Health Benefits in any health care legislation. Sample letters can be found on our amp'd website through this link. Please don't wait for somebody else to speak up on your behalf.  This is our battle, and it is time that our voices are heard on this issue.