When amputee Ron Broda set up a GoFundMe to help pay for a medical procedure to improve his quality of life, he said he was skeptical.
B次元官网网址淚 find it really hard to ask for money. I think most people are that way.B次元官网网址�
The fundraiser aimed to raise $108,000 to pay for an advanced surgery that fuses a metal rod with the bone in his residual limb. The procedure is primarily done in Australia, and is not covered by MSP. He has since raised about $7,000, but now that he is confident he can pay for the surgery out of an accident settlement decision, he has committed to donating the money to another amputee who can benefit from the surgery. His first choice: Andrea Swallow, a colleague of his wifeB次元官网网址檚 who is an educational assistant at StellyB次元官网网址檚 Secondary School in Central Saanich.
B次元官网网址淲hen I set up the campaign, I didnB次元官网网址檛 have anybody in mind,B次元官网网址� said Broda. B次元官网网址淣ow my surgeryB次元官网网址檚 scheduled and itB次元官网网址檚 happening. For me it was a no-brainer as a friend, and so I felt she should get the first crack at this if she wants.B次元官网网址�
Swallow became an amputee almost 30 years ago in a motorcycle accident and said she got used to dealing with the problems related to conventional prosthetics.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all IB次元官网网址檝e really known, dealing with sores, going back and forth to the prosthetist to get things fixed, dealing with the emotions and depression. It brings me down,B次元官网网址� she said.
Swallow said that MSP changed their procedures recently where anyone who lost their limb in a motor vehicle accident must re-submit proof. Since the accident occured almost 30 years ago for Swallow, there have been delays in securing old paperwork.
B次元官网网址淭he idea of moving forward and possibly having that better quality of living, of physical activity which I really love, thatB次元官网网址檚 really exciting. For me, this is a process I have to honour and take the time to research properly.B次元官网网址�
The procedure, pioneered by surgeon Dr. Mujid Al Muderis, involves a titanium rod inserted into the bone of of the residual limb. Eventually the metal and bone fuse together, which allows the prosthetic limb to be attached directly to the bodyB次元官网网址檚 skeletal system instead of just a sock or sleeve. It allows the skeletal system to bear the bodyB次元官网网址檚 weight rather than soft tissue which reduces hip issues and pressure sores. The procedure has been done successfully on American combat veterans, but when Broda approached local orthopedic surgeons, he said they did not know about the procedure and were not interested in investigating it.
B次元官网网址淚 know thereB次元官网网址檚 a great reluctance sometimes in the medical profession to look at new technologies. Some docs are more progressive than others,B次元官网网址� said Broda.
To cover the cost (Broda has three limbs for various activities ranging from $7,000-$15,000 each), amputees rely on a mix of provincial health care, extended health insurance, ICBC, or legal settlements, depending on how the limb was lost.
If there is a legal settlement, Broda said that most extended health providers wonB次元官网网址檛 pay until the settlement is exhausted. With the complex procedures, Broda said that B次元官网网址渓ots of people fall through the cracks,B次元官网网址� going five or six years without a limb replacement instead of three. To compensate, some amputees get help from GoFundMe, friends and family, or the War Amps. Broda said while the surgery is expensive, the lifetime costs would be half as much as if he continued to use conventional prosthetics.
After meeting with the surgeon twice, Broda is scheduled for surgery in April of 2018. Swallow hasnB次元官网网址檛 fully committed to the surgery yet, she is researching her options and will meet with Dr. Al Muderis in the summer to see if it is a good fit. But if she decides that she is not a suitable candidate, Ron will offer the money to another amputee. Eventually he hopes to start a foundation to help others pay for similar procedures.
B次元官网网址淩on, I think, is doing amputees in B.C. a favour in opening up that window of possibility for a more physical life, a life with less discomfort, more activity.B次元官网网址�
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
