Well Done~

[sheshe2]

Boston Bombing Amputees Will Receive Prosthetics Free Of Cost

Last month’s bombings at the Boston Marathon left three people dead and about 260 people injured, including about 25 victims who had to get limbs amputated. Initial estimates suggested that the total medical costs of treating the survivors could exceed $9 million. Luckily, in order to help ensure that the survivors can afford their treatment, insurance companies and hospital administrators have announced they will help out by waiving most of the medical costs for them.

And now, the bombing victims with particularly serious injuries may also get some relief for their artificial prosthetics — which aren’t necessarily completely covered by insurance. The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, a trade group that represents companies that make artificial limbs, has promised to provide some prosthetics free of cost to the people who underwent amputations after the bombings:


The association’s offer, announced on a conference call with reporters under the name Coalition to Walk and Run Again, will only cover a portion of the expected costs for amputees. Victims who lost both legs face estimated medical bills of $450,000 over the next five years, said Tom Fise, executive director of the association, citing a Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs study.

The association estimates that at least half the Boston Marathon amputees lack enough insurance to cover their prosthetic costs as some policies provide as little as $1,000 per device or only provide one artificial limb. Many prosthetics need replacing every five to seven years.

“The last thing that someone should have to worry about when they lose … a leg is to have adequate insurance coverage for a prosthetic device,” said Kendra Calhoun, president of the Amputee Coalition, an organization supporting the estimated 2 million amputees in the United States.

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/05/01/1946941/boston-bombing-amputees/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Good news...out of that horrifying disaster. n/t

[sheshe2]

2. It brings a tear to my eye Peggy.

This will mean so much to so many!

[Duer 157099]

3. Shouldn't this be the norm rather than the exception?

[sheshe2]

5. I see this as generosity of Spirit for such horrific mass casualties.

The insurance companies and hospitals that are waiving most of their fees. The AOPA donating prosthetics free of charge. They did not have to do this. Three dead 260 injured, up to 25 who lost limbs, I do not remember another disaster here that has caused such massive trauma to people that survived.

Yes we have had horrible destruction which includes Sandy, Texas, Joplin to name a few. Like the One Fund, we raised money to help these areas, government disaster aid came through for them.

Boston does not qualify for government assistance. So the hospitals, insurance companies and AOPA came to bat for us. They have our back here in Boston.

To directly answer your question, no I don't think giving free aid to all that walk through the doors should be a norm. This is an exception. Other disasters get aid and the generosity as I stated above.

So Proud of you Boston, you stand tall for us.

[Duer 157099]

6. And I don't understand why a mass tragedy

is any different than a single tragedy. I'm talking about any case where someone has a catastrophic injury without the means to pay for the medical care.

[sheshe2]

10. I was speaking about mass disaster's when I posted to you.

That was what you posted to me. Do I think individual cases should get the same help, yes I do. Will they all, sad to say no.

I am still proud of what Boston has done. Will others take a lesson from that. I hope so.

[Duer 157099]

11. OK, but I didn't mean just mass disasters

I meant *any* tragic accident that happens to someone that results in horrific injury and cost.

I cannot see the difference. Other than the publicity.

[sheshe2]

14. I do not believe, no I know, that those that are reaching out

to the victims are doing it for publicity.

Take a look at some of the pictures below.

If this had happened in your town, I would be screaming in outrage for their loss. It was a senseless act of extreme violence. I would be hailing your hospitals for reaching out to help ease the pain of those that suffered injury. I would also be reaching out to the people of your state to embrace them for the pain that they too suffered.

[harmonicon]

8. That was my thinking as well. (nt)

[sheshe2]

24. Please read post 14

[Cha]

4. This is a Horrible Heinous Beyond Traumatic Experience

they were dealth all because of a couple of assholes that were unsatified with their own lives .. so they took it out on precious total strangers.

Thank Goodness they don't have to worry about the exhorbitant costs of purchasing prosthetic limbs and maintaining the costs.

So Grateful for this, she!

The Boston Globe reports that the largest health insurers in Massachusetts are planning to eliminate out-of-pocket fees for the bombing victims who are receiving treatment for their injuries, and three of the city’s hospitals are promising to delay billing those patients. Fortunately, health care providers plan to address ongoing treatment for long-term health issues as well as the initial emergency room care that victims received in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. Tufts Health Plan — a Boston-based insurer whose corporate offices are actually located just blocks away from where the manhunt to capture the bombing suspects first began with a shoot-out on Friday morning — has announced that, in addition to waiving costs for physical treatment, it will also cover the cost of mental health care.

[sheshe2]

7. I should be surprised, Cha

However I am not. Boston has our back.

They didn't need to do this, yet they did!

Many are at Spaulding now, a rehab center. This is there new Hospital as of April 27th

“Spaulding is a beacon of hope and healing for people around the state and the world,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “I congratulate them on opening this extraordinary rehabilitative care and state-of-the-art research facility.”

The leaders at Spaulding approached the project with the same critical eye towards improvement that its clinicians use with their patients. It was not enough to build a new hospital. The goal was to build a new type of rehabilitative hospital and in the process provide an example of how to create a patient-centered environment for people of all abilities while also using the best practices in “green design”.

“For far too long, rehabilitative care was an afterthought to many, relegated to the basements of hospitals and out of site. This hospital makes a bold statement that a new era of rehabilitative medicine is here by bringing together scientific innovation and patient-centered design that puts this institution on par with the major centers of healing in the world,” said David Storto, President, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. “It’s truly an honor to lead Spaulding and serve this region with its leaders who have the forethought to understand how vital Spaulding will be for decades to come.”

Annually, Spaulding serves more than 2,500 inpatients and almost 30,000 outpatients per year. One of those 2,500 inpatients, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, was a strong supporter in enabling the hospital to be built and understanding the difference the patient-centered experience will be in this new setting.
“Well before I was a patient at Spaulding, I cherished this resource for Boston and our region,” said Mayor Menino. “To be able to personally experience the dedication and clinical excellence of the staff as a patient, I’m even more proud to see this world class facility here today. It serves as symbol for the revitalization of the Navy Yard and marks its continued emergence as a life science district for our city.”

http://www.spauldingrehab.org/about/news-events/Spaulding-Hospital-Unveils.aspx

[Cha]

18. "Patient-centered environment" is why Spaulding brought Vets in from Iraq and Afghanistan..

The goal was to build a new type of rehabilitative hospital and in the process provide an example of how to create a patient-centered environment for people of all abilities while also using the best practices in “green design”.

Veterans who lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan traveled to Boston to provide information and moral support to those seriously injured in the bombings

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/28/veterans-aid-boston-bombing-amputees/2117665/

thank you she, for the pic of the Brand New Spaulding Rehabilitative Care Center.

BostonStrong

[sheshe2]

22. Thank you Cha, for all your love and support for Boston!

[Cha]

25. Beautifully Inspiriing, She!

The more I read that quote from Mr Rogers the more impact it makes. In this case it includes the Boston PD, the FBI, and all the citizens local and around the world who are an integral part of Boston Strong.

And, people like you she, who are keeping us informed of such Progress!

P.S. I read your beautiful thank you and Tribute to Boston .. to mtmarilyn on TOD this morning. So eloquent~

[freshwest]

9. Yes, one size won't fit all. Here are some pictures of those glad for help (dial-up warning):

Heather Abbott had one leg amputated below the knee and like most of the patients, appears to be in good spirits.



Adrianne Haslet-Davis is a dancer who lost everything five inches below her knee and will need a prothestic. But here with a friend says that she will run the Boston Marathon again:





Jeff Bauman will need two prosthetics to replace his legs. Here he is recieving some gifts as he recovers:





Some veterans came to visit and explained how they would make it through this and have set up a fund. There were 13 amputations and numerous injuries to brain, sight and hearing. Semper Fi will be helping the victims:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-22/amputee-veterans-bring-message-of-hope-to-victims-in-boston.html

[sheshe2]

12. I still get tears in my eyes!

Beautiful pictures freshwest!

I love the Semper Fi vets for what they have done, they brought love and hope to Boston.

SNIPS:

‘Call Us’
“We gave them our cards and our numbers, and told them, ‘It doesn’t matter what time it is. If it’s 2 a.m. and you need some support, or you just want to bitch about something and you don’t want to bitch at the person you’re with because they’re taking care of you’” that they could call, said Ganem.

“A couple of the girls are big dancers,” Ganem said of the patients he visited for about 30 minutes each in their rooms at the hospital. “I told them, ‘I play the Kinect with my daughter and scored pretty high, and you already know how to dance. I don’t have any rhythm, so you guys can score amazing.’


“They were laughing,” he said yesterday. “It was good, the families really appreciated that.”

[ReRe]

13. Thank you, Sweetness...

...for posting these photos. 13 amputations. Young people. I almost feel guilty. I would gladly trade paces with any of them... I hope their spirits stay high and they can adjust to their condition soon.

[freshwest]

15. It appears they are recieving the best of care in Boston and the best support in the world.

I am more impressed with Boston everyday that passes.

[ReRe]

16. Really! Boston does seem...

...like the national treasure it is...

[sheshe2]

20. We are ReRe!

Boston Strong!

[flamingdem]

17. Me too! It's tempting to move there

except for the weather. I am very impressed with the survivors too.

[sheshe2]

26. Thank you, freshwest! (warning dial up)

From Boston, Thank you! For your love and support, we thank you!

[Cha]

19. thank you for the pics, freshwest..

Boston's taking this Tragedy and Turning It Around!

[tblue]

28. Sniff

[FailureToCommunicate]

21. Every day will bring new challenges, but the challenges will make them stronger...

Prosthetics have come a long way... so has the general publics' reaction to seeing them...(looking up from the device and SEEING the person.)

Thanks for posting this, sheshe

[sheshe2]

23. Thank you, FailureTo Communicate!

Bless their souls, they will be strong. I thank the Vets from Iraq and Afghanistan, they rushed to their side, they gave them hope. They made them laugh. It heartens me to know that there is this much compassion in this world. We will always be strong forever, if we are together as one.

[tblue]

29. That may be the only good thing

to come out of those wars. Heaven bless those vets. I bet this is very healing for them too.

[freshwest]

30. In my neighborhood, we have a number of vets who have come back with serious injuries.

Some terribly scarred, others are paraplegics or those with TBIs who navigate disability friendly sidewalks, crosswalks, streets and all businesses. They travel in special wheel chairs or with other aid. They help people with special needs as do most of our returning vets.

This is a very blue district, and I'd say it's probably more like Boston in style and culture than many other cities. We are committed to taking care of our people in all circumstances and the main danger is those who hate all government, tea baggers mostly, and want to cut these people off their life line to reintegrating into our communities.

Because unlike the libertarian myth, family wealth is not sufficient to take care of all. So we must bind together and love each other, is all I can say. That is why those faces in Boston are smiling, they know that they will not be forgotten.

[sheshe2]

31. My heart goes out to Boston, the runners and the pain they are in.

I still cry at the loss, however we are Boston Strong. We always will be.



Scott Rigsby counsels amputees and teaches them to overcome their fears. He was nearing the finish line during the Boston Marathon on Monday when the bombs exploded. He has since visited the victims who lost limbs in the blast. Rigsby tells Anderson Cooper how he defined his new normal as a double amputee, and how he helps others do the same. See the interview...



Scott Rigsby raced in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 25th and was only 3 minutes from the finish line when tragedy struck. Rigsby is asking everyone to join him as The Scott Rigsby Foundation launches a fundraising campaign, Boston Aid, to support victims who have suffered loss of limb or mobility as a result of this horrific event. Go to www.scottrigsbyfoundation.org to donate.

http://www.scottrigsby.com/ach.html

[tblue]

27. The only decent thing to do.

But I am so so happy they're doing it. There should be universal health care so the injured wouldn't pay a dime, but at least they're getting this help.