Can I just be frank and brutally honest?! I’m so irritated 😤!!!!! My Occupational Therapist at my therapy place comes to me and tells me there’s a arm device she feels I can really benefit from that can provide some amazing results for my therapy called the Bioness H200. Once I got the name of the device, I immediately did some research on my own.

Apparently, it’s been out since 2011. Yes 2011!!! And my facility is telling me about it now, Jan 2022 (11 F-ing years later)!!!!! It’s supposed to assist with hand movement, release & grasp. I’m extremely excited, like a kid on Christmas Day but only better because I really believe this device is the next step to what I need for my arm and hand recovery journey. At this point, I’m just glad someone has shared the existence of such device to me.

However, I’m now finding out over the course of the next few weeks, my rehab facility is not willing / able to pay for the device. The rehab manager has so graciously offered me the “compassion” / “favor“ to go to another facility to seek treatment of this device. Of course I would need to discharge from my current therapists. We know change is hard and can be scary. The unknown can be good but it’s not easy to leave a facility where you have built a STRONG, TRUSTING relationship with your current occupational therapist for over 18 months. I’m in agreement that new and different facilities, programs and regimens can be good, exciting and sometimes even needed but we can agree, TRUST and confidence is hard to build. At this point I’m quite blown away and confused. Let me digest my feelings:

CONFUSION – my facility is known to be “THE NEURO” facility in San Antonio located in the NEW PROMINENT MEDICAL center of Stone Oak BUT cannot / will not purchase new technology for Stroke & TBI patients, which is all that this facility specializes in. I don’t quite believe that. There are grants, charities, Angel investors. etc.

DISGUST – I’ve lost, WASTED over 18 MONTHS of time at “THE NEURO“ facility in San Antonio and come to find out they don’t / can’t actually invest technology in their patients needs and care. (Overall, I don’t actually believe that because I’ve rebuilt strength and movement in my shoulder, scapula and back muscles. This is the progression of most stroke recovery, from the shoulder down to the elbow, wrist, then fingers. I’ve also built amazing relationships with my therapists and other survivors. Furthermore, I have to believe this was all part of God’s plan. – I guess I’m more irritated & frustrated with God, but what’s new?) This technology has been out over 11 years, by now it’s been, or should be discounted, over several times and made AFFORDABLE to everyone! My facility being located in the upscale “new medical location” in San Antonio is denying they have funds to purchase this device when they can easily put their “non-stroke” brains together and creatively come up with ideas to fund $60k and that would be enough to purchase 6 devices for stroke & TBI survivors to use during therapy, [3 S, M, L for LEFT arm and 3 SML for RIGHT arm] much less just one – you do the math 😉

Seriously, I raised over $2k in a month for just a 5k walk that I was doing. That was just using my small, inner circle of family and friends. I know that is short $58k but my point is that was a ‘personal’ goal. A rehabilitation facility should have a committee of driven people to put forth time and effort toward toward a cause. I have never seen my facility put anything out there to raise money for new equipment or technology. I know there are grants for these organizations out there!

ABANDON / ANGER – “THE NEURO” facility in San Antonio suggested I go elsewhere for care because they don’t want to / “can’t” invest in helping their patients to achieve the best treatment. I guess I could view this in a different light that they are actually doing me a favor by letting me know there are other BETTER, more ADVANCED facilities that can provide better technology where they could not. I wish my hospital and insurance knew that before sending me and so many others here. If I discharge to go to another facility and the device isn’t useful for me, there’s a lot of red tape to go back to my current facility because I have been discharged. I believe even if this is not the device for me, it can help so many others though. FUCKING POLITICS!!!!

Another huge disappointment, is they are only communicating this to someone who understands this whereas most Stroke & TBI patients and their family do not have the ability to communicate and understand the repercussions of what all this entails.

After verbally expressing my opinion on this during our rounds meeting, the manager of the facility then told me I could meet the medical sales rep Downtown on a designated day because they were doing on-site screenings there. I thought that was incredibly wrong and insensitive to my disabled condition & needs, considering the medical sales rep is seeking MY business/funds (of ~ $10k) and should be coming to my facility to demo the product to me. I again expressed my opinion and asked my facility to rearrange a meeting for them to meet me at my rehabilitation place and demo it to me.

Furthermore, I feel the injustice to the patients in their care and how unfair it is to the therapists who are truly working to better the lives of these survivors. A lot of the patients and their families don’t understand what technology is out there. I feel I need to be a voice for others. In most cases the therapists are the passionate and driven individuals that keep the facility going. They work and want the best for their patients but they are bound and tied to what the company will provide. They ask for newer equipment and technology but more than likely denied time after time.

At this point it seems like I have two options 1) release care from my current rehab, go to a different facility to trial the product and work with new therapists 2) purchase the device myself not knowing if it’s really useful and stay with my trusted therapists.

More to come on… the medical sales people are meeting me on January 18, 2022 at my facility to demo the product 😉. Again, I will put my trust in God to direct my next steps and outcome of this situation. However, I appreciate your thoughts, opinions and alternative thinking.

What is the H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System?

Advanced Technology to Help You Return to Your Daily Activities.

The H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System supports the wrist in a functioning position, allowing the fingers and thumb to move efficiently while reaching, grasping and pinching. This may allow you to regain hand function and get back to performing ordinary and essential activities of daily living. What’s more, the wireless model gives you the freedom to discreetly carry the Handheld Control Unit separately in your pocket, bag or purse.
The H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System has two main parts that communicate wirelessly with each other: the functional stimulation support (orthosis) and the control unit (microprocessor).

Personalized Nerve Stimulation
The H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System is programmed by your clinician to stimulate the appropriate nerves and muscles of your forearm and hand. This helps to reeducate electrical brain signals, stimulating weak or paralyzed muscles.

https://www.bionessinc.com/Products/H200_for_Hand_Paralysis/What_is_It.php