Re: Difference in Opinion

[Guest guest]

My 2 cents...

I am not sure why something said by others on another site is a threat to

this group.

**I am not threatened Catie.....Rather felt the need to stand up for the

organization that most of us here have worked hard to support. Being the

owner of CAST all of these years has shown that many members never post.

They just lurk/read and gather info. If these new parents read what I

read on the other group, they would be horribly mislead into thinking that

ISOP had no role in ET and that we were an illegitimate charity. These

are horribly incorrect allegations! To me these comments are discrediting

not only ISOP, but all parties involved who have worked tirelessly for

years in making ET w/ EDF & The Mehta Method available to our children.

The answer to that question was that I have never seen it published nor is

it used readily by ISOP approved doctors or centers.

**All change is slow in the medical world (ins. reimbursement

issues).....The docs who publish the articles will ultimately decide what

to call ET in America...One thing is for certain, ET w/ EDF is not Risser

casting and ET wasnt applied to infants as way to correct until Mehta

started doing it....

The string was meant to show that casting is a best practice and a cast by

many names may still be a good cast.

**Anyone can apply a cast..Our goal in making a clear differentiation

between techniques is to inform parents, so they can make the best care

decision for their rapidly growing child. Many docs in the US have never

been exposed to EDF, only Risser.....A baby will not fit on a Risser frame

(unless its been modified) and if the child's lordosis needs addressing,

then the 3-dimensional approach is most effective. I have learned over the

years that if parents go into the docs requesting a cast, they may get

it.....But, many are done without the correct frame, no windows, incorrect

materials, etc....Ive seen ambulatory children go to being non ambulatory

because the child was casted with arms/legs (due to no frame &

modifications).....I have seen photos of skin breakdown that went almost

to the bone and caused serious infection.....I have seen a lot and thats

why I feel it so very important that the cast types/differences are made

clear to the parents.....

There are many doctors that are not listed on this group that apply

a Risser cast with a modified table and Mehta modifications that are still

referred to as Risser or Derotational casts.

** I bet there are....And, there will more and more. My hope is that the

database will double this year. I will not add a name to the list unless

I know 100% that the the doc understands the principles of the ET Method,

the correct/modified frame is used, etc.....And no, they dont have to be

" knighted " by Mehta......Naturally, the dear lady cant train

everyone....Thats why other docs are currently being phased in for future

trainings and have agreed that they will inform ISOP of who has been privy

to training....

The moderator of the other site advocated that it was time to put the

past in the past and continue good works.

**Thats all I have ever wanted and feel this could be accomplished if

ISOP/ were not continually being bashed on the group. I dont allow

it here and I was hoping that it wasnt going on there either...But, I know

what I saw and am blown away that this has continued for so long....

They have great advice like many on this site and I have never heard them

utter to a parent new or old that they should disregard their physician

because of a cast name.

**I prefer that CAST members make clarifications between casts/techniques,

as this will help new parents make the best choice for their child, who

only has a small window of time to benefit from ET. No one on CAST has

given the advice to disregard the advice they have been given by their

physician. Our goal is to educate on ET w/ EDF & The Mehta Method and

obviously we all realize ultimately that its the parents decision in the

long run.

I personally didn't use the term brainwash, but I have been laughed at by

experts in the field of scoliosis for asking if they apply Mehta casts?

**Join the club. Its very sad, but there will always be those who will

try and minimize her role.

I pray they continue to apply modifications that can only benefit those

children who come after my child has ended his journey with this disorder.

The only way to do this is to allow them to be recognized for their

accomplishments and embrace the changes.

**Me too. Modifications to improve are always a good thing and thats how

advances in medicine are made. Modifications that are not appreciated are

ones that are due to lack of equipment/ET knowledge, when it is readily

available and has been for years. Im glad you are in Chicago, as you will

never have to worry about not having the right frame, or a doc with no ET

experience.

I hope this is not my demise from this group.

**??

This is just my opinion and in no way was intended to bash , ISOP

or CAST.

**I dont feel bashed by you and appreciate the dialogue. This type of

dialogue is healthy and positive.

Thanks Catie.

Sincerely,

HRH

> So I haven't posted for nearly 3 months.  I think it is necessary to post

> a comment at this time though.  I am not sure why something said by others

> on another site is a threat to this group.  I am an advocate for my child

> on this group and another group.  I try hard not to bash anyone, but I am

> not afraid to offer a difference in opinion.  I was fully aware of the

> string of posts that were offered and I was a member of the original

> string of posts that related to the term " Mehta Cast " .  The answer to that

> question was that I have never seen it published nor is it used readily by

> ISOP approved doctors or centers.  The string was meant to show that

> casting is a best practice and a cast by many names may still be a good

> cast.  There are many doctors that are not listed on this group that apply

> a Risser cast with a modified table and Mehta modifications that are still

> referred to as Risser or Derotational casts.  There are good parents

> out there advocating for their children who are not a part of this

> community.  They like have been hurt by comments relating to

> their parenting or treatment of there children.  It causes resentment. 

> The moderator of the other site advocated that it was time to put the

> past in the past and continue good works.  They have great advice like

> many on this site and I have never heard them utter to a parent new or

> old that they should disregard their physician because of a cast name. 

> The questions have to be asked, but the parents need to feel confident in

> the answers there doctors give them.  I am glad no one on here feels

> threatened by the site.  I personally didn't use the term brainwash, but

> I have been laughed at by experts in the field of scoliosis for asking if

> they apply Mehta casts?  I now understand fully where these experts are

> coming from and NO my Chicago Doctor was not one of them.  Min Mehta is a

> pioneer and her research

> and modifications have been commended both on this site and the other.  

> It is my hope that the vast community of Orthopedic Surgeons currently

> casting continue to advance and far surpass anything that has been done

> so far.  I pray they continue to apply modifications that can only

> benefit those children who come after my child has ended his journey with

> this disorder.  The only way to do this is to allow them to be recognized

> for their accomplishments and embrace the changes. 

>         I hope this is not my demise from this group.  I have made

> some good contacts off post with fellow Chicago parents.  I appreciate

> difference in opinions.  That is what makes us all good advocates for our

> children.  With that said there are great parents who are fabulous

> advocates for the scoliosis cause, their children, and their

> doctors/centers who are no longer a part of this group.  Keep that in mind

> before you assume otherwise, address issues such as this off post to their

> private emails.  If you don't have them ask for them.  This is just my

> opinion and in no way was intended to bash , ISOP or CAST.    

>

> Sincerely,

>  Catie,Cody(8) & 's(14mo)mom (in 2nd cast 67 degrees-47 out of cast

> correction) Chicago Shriners

>

>

>