At the recent surgeon appointment, the surgeon said I was clear of all restrictions and that it looked like I had no infection. Just having no infection was a big Christmas gift for just about everyone, considering how it was last year with the infection and antibiotic spacer.
I'm getting back to swimming soon, which will help me in the transition from walker to cane. With home PT, I went from one lap to four, and should be able to get to more with swimming. I also should be going from in-home PT to outpatient, returning to the same place after the left hip's final surgery. Around the beginning of the new year, I'm going from twice a week in-home PT to three times a week outpatient. This should be interesting.
I also had this job interview a week before the appointment, and the only way I could get there was to drive. Since I couldn't find anyone to drive me there due to it being short notice, I had to drive myself against doc's orders to not drive. Fortunately, it wasn't too bad a drive, and I had just a little pain.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Thursday, December 4, 2014
No Utility Bill? Sprint IP Says NO!
Just got this comment on the previous post The End of Text IP-Relay Services? Say It Ain't So...
Sprint IP is denying services to consumers who live in group homes. Sprint IP requires government ID plus "utility bill with the same name and address on it as the ID". This means persons living in situations where their OWN name does not happen to be on the bills are being denied their right to equal access!!
Sprint IP has not been willing to accept other types of proof of residency as part of verification (i.e. medical bill w/name and address, credit card or bank statement with name and address, notarized letter, etc.)
Sprint IP is also unwilling to allow consumers to communicate via email directly with anyone other than a low-level customer representative at a generic email address. They will not give out name or email of a "supervisor" who can answer questions with more than a "we will have to get back to you on that." Instead, they tell you to CALL. Duh. Without IP relay, I cannot call! Isn't that my point?
Has anyone had the same issue? If so, what did you do to resolve it?
Time to complain to the FCC via the ECFS.
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/
Sprint IP is denying services to consumers who live in group homes. Sprint IP requires government ID plus "utility bill with the same name and address on it as the ID". This means persons living in situations where their OWN name does not happen to be on the bills are being denied their right to equal access!!
Sprint IP has not been willing to accept other types of proof of residency as part of verification (i.e. medical bill w/name and address, credit card or bank statement with name and address, notarized letter, etc.)
Sprint IP is also unwilling to allow consumers to communicate via email directly with anyone other than a low-level customer representative at a generic email address. They will not give out name or email of a "supervisor" who can answer questions with more than a "we will have to get back to you on that." Instead, they tell you to CALL. Duh. Without IP relay, I cannot call! Isn't that my point?
Has anyone had the same issue? If so, what did you do to resolve it?
Time to complain to the FCC via the ECFS.
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/
Monday, December 1, 2014
Surgery and the Hips - Part 9
I've made some big milestones since my last post back in July with Part 8.
I continued to do swimming and water walking in the local community pool until it closed, then went on to the local rec center which had a hot tub/spa. I kept on going until my next surgery which was November 3, this time on the right hip, right as I predicted back in Part 5.
I started the process for surgery in September, and was cleared for surgery at the presurgical appointment three weeks beforehand. Fortunately, this time, I wasn't in that much pain, but my walking was beginning to go downhill again. The surgeon and I agreed on using the lateral procedure rather than anterior in the interest of avoiding infection.
I finished my internship with Sprint about the first or second week of August. The money was used to pay off the previous bill from the nursing home and a student loan with just a little left to carry over to pay for the next surgery bills. It was a rather educational internship and I met up with three other deaf who also worked within the same campus, but a different building. Two of them were former classmates back at NTID. One person I worked with Sprint knew some sign and was a supervisor, so we talked here and there when we could.
Come the date of surgery, there wasn't a lot of pain, just a lot of improvements. The same nurses and physical therapists from the previous surgery last year were there and it was nice to talk with them at times. For physical therapy, the first few days, I wasn't able to go too far. But with the last day, I was able to make it all the way from my room to the PT room, stopping twice. Right when PT ended, Jamie and our neighbor friend showed up and we all talked a bit before heading back to my room. Then we had checkout and left. Doc's orders were to not drive until cleared, and a few other things related to post-hip surgery including some prescriptions, one being for oxycodone. Strong stuff, but not as strong as the dilaudid I've had before. That was an interesting experience. I had percocet during PT after the spacer surgery and after this surgery.
But it was dealing with Purple's discontinuance of their IP-Relay service (1 / 2 / 3 / 4) that's caused the most problems. This is the most critical time in terms of recovery and communications with doctors, and I'm left without it (Why IP-Relay is Important to Me Personally). I was dealing with the news a day after surgery via my phone and a laptop via wireless in between visits with the doctors, nurses, and PT. This was NOT the thing I wanted to deal with during my recovery period. Fortunately, I was able to change my phone number to the one I use with my Sorenson VP. Shame on you, Poople. Tell the truth to the FCC, please.
With the first home PT appointment, I was only able to do one "lap." Two weeks later, with Jamie watching when she was off work that day, I did seven laps. Later on, I was able to do eight. This means that my swimming and water walking helped out quite a bit. The nurse checked the incision area when she visited, and so far, everything's looked good. The incision area measured was 30 centimeters or 12 inches, using 43 staples. They were removed two weeks after surgery. Jamie wanted to watch the removal since she missed the last three. It wasn't too painful, just had a few areas that were sensitive.
I'm still on the walker, but could be using a cane maybe within the next month. I'm still a little too unsteady to use it. I did manage to do a slow lap with the PT helping out.
I've got an upcoming post-surgery appointment with the surgeon soon. So far, no sign of infection. Jamie and I have been changing the tegaderm coverings of the incision area every 1-2 days. This means that if I go this far without an infection, this will be a big milestone for me and an even bigger Christmas gift for her.
I continued to do swimming and water walking in the local community pool until it closed, then went on to the local rec center which had a hot tub/spa. I kept on going until my next surgery which was November 3, this time on the right hip, right as I predicted back in Part 5.
I started the process for surgery in September, and was cleared for surgery at the presurgical appointment three weeks beforehand. Fortunately, this time, I wasn't in that much pain, but my walking was beginning to go downhill again. The surgeon and I agreed on using the lateral procedure rather than anterior in the interest of avoiding infection.
I finished my internship with Sprint about the first or second week of August. The money was used to pay off the previous bill from the nursing home and a student loan with just a little left to carry over to pay for the next surgery bills. It was a rather educational internship and I met up with three other deaf who also worked within the same campus, but a different building. Two of them were former classmates back at NTID. One person I worked with Sprint knew some sign and was a supervisor, so we talked here and there when we could.
Come the date of surgery, there wasn't a lot of pain, just a lot of improvements. The same nurses and physical therapists from the previous surgery last year were there and it was nice to talk with them at times. For physical therapy, the first few days, I wasn't able to go too far. But with the last day, I was able to make it all the way from my room to the PT room, stopping twice. Right when PT ended, Jamie and our neighbor friend showed up and we all talked a bit before heading back to my room. Then we had checkout and left. Doc's orders were to not drive until cleared, and a few other things related to post-hip surgery including some prescriptions, one being for oxycodone. Strong stuff, but not as strong as the dilaudid I've had before. That was an interesting experience. I had percocet during PT after the spacer surgery and after this surgery.
But it was dealing with Purple's discontinuance of their IP-Relay service (1 / 2 / 3 / 4) that's caused the most problems. This is the most critical time in terms of recovery and communications with doctors, and I'm left without it (Why IP-Relay is Important to Me Personally). I was dealing with the news a day after surgery via my phone and a laptop via wireless in between visits with the doctors, nurses, and PT. This was NOT the thing I wanted to deal with during my recovery period. Fortunately, I was able to change my phone number to the one I use with my Sorenson VP. Shame on you, Poople. Tell the truth to the FCC, please.
With the first home PT appointment, I was only able to do one "lap." Two weeks later, with Jamie watching when she was off work that day, I did seven laps. Later on, I was able to do eight. This means that my swimming and water walking helped out quite a bit. The nurse checked the incision area when she visited, and so far, everything's looked good. The incision area measured was 30 centimeters or 12 inches, using 43 staples. They were removed two weeks after surgery. Jamie wanted to watch the removal since she missed the last three. It wasn't too painful, just had a few areas that were sensitive.
I'm still on the walker, but could be using a cane maybe within the next month. I'm still a little too unsteady to use it. I did manage to do a slow lap with the PT helping out.
I've got an upcoming post-surgery appointment with the surgeon soon. So far, no sign of infection. Jamie and I have been changing the tegaderm coverings of the incision area every 1-2 days. This means that if I go this far without an infection, this will be a big milestone for me and an even bigger Christmas gift for her.
Monday, November 17, 2014
FCC Did Not Require Monitoring of IP-Relay Calls
Last week, perhaps in response to the uproar over Purple's announcement of ending its IP-Relay service, Purple had posted on Facebook selected snippets from a letter. The letter was blurred, making it impossible to read the full letter - even the date was not readable. However, since the October 15 letter from Purple's lawyer to the FCC informing the FCC that Purple would stop its IP-Relay service on November 14 refers to an October 2 letter from the fund administrator Rolka Loube to Purple, we have reason to believe that the snippets were from that letter. Unfortunately, the Facebook posting that Purple made to https://www.facebook.com/iprelay with the snippets, is now gone.
However, we found a copy of what could be the letter on our own hard drives.
Fortunately, Jamie had earlier typed up the snippets for easier sharing on Facebook, and now we share those snippets here along with analysis and commentary. We decided to share this here because we are still seeing comments in the deaf community that the FCC should not be requiring monitoring. The FCC itself has refuted that claim as seen in the letter dated November 17 from Chairman Tom Wheeler below, courtesy of Andrew Phillips of the National Association of the Deaf.
This clearly says that they did NOT ask Purple to monitor call content.
Purple's choice of snippets was intended to bolster its argument that the FCC was gong to require monitoring per the transcript of Purple's video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShZX5X2cv5E: "To be reimbursed for IP Relay services, the FCC has informed Purple that we must monitor call content and details." However, upon close and careful reading, the snippets actually prove the opposite!
RolkaLoube ("RL") the Administrator of the interstate TRS Fund, was directed by the FCC to withhold 100% of Purple's IP Relay payment for July 2014, which had been scheduled for distribution in September 2014, until further notice and the FCC advised RL that an explanation and questions will be provided.
Based on an RL review of the submission and observations shared with RL by Commission staff, including observations from the Commission's site inspection of Purple's operations in the Philippines during July 2014 and subsequent analysis of Purple's IP Relay call
Yes, the FCC was so concerned about possible fraud that they actually flew FCC staff to the Philippines where Purple's call center was, to see for themselves what was going on. Until we saw that snippet, we did not know that our IP-relay calls were being handled by CAs in the Philippines.
Specific findings that we warrant withholding include:
3. During the site inspection, Commission staff witnessed numerous calls in which the caller attempted and failed to gain access to bank accounts. Subsequent review of the call detail records found numerous attempts by individual callers to hundreds of banks. We find these facts to be indicia of fraud and potential violation of rules;
So the FCC staff actually saw calls come in from people trying to access banks - and not just a few banks! Multiple attempts by individual callers to hundreds of banks? If that isn't a red flag signalling fraud, we don't know what is.
4. Similarly calls were witnessed by FCC staff in which the caller attempted to order large quantities of specific goods from department stores. Subsequent call detail record review disclosed a high number of back-to-back calls by individual callers to many department stores from individual callers;
Here again, the FCC staff saw more red flags - individuals trying to order huge amounts of goods from stores. Again backed up by reviewing the call records.
5. Review of call detail records has disclosed a significant number of calls from single users making back-to-back calls to a high number of pharmacies;
The pattern continued with pharmacies, probably from fraudsters trying to get lots of prescription drugs.
8. Review of call detail records has disclosed a significant number of calls from ten-digit numbers that are active for only a few days.These numbers were associated with multiple calls to particular types of vendors - banks, department stores, and pharmacies, however Commission staff has advised RL that it is continuing to review and may find similar calling patterns to other types of businesses.
The FCC staff suspected similar patterns would be found with other business categories. Patterns of individuals trying to get products in bulk.
To establish that any call is legitimate, we would suggest at least the following information related to MOUs submitted for payment incurred in July of 2014 be provided:
* Pertinent registration information for the relay beneficiary/user of the TDN's making numerous compensable calls to department stores, pharmacies, or to banks in July 2014, particularly when there do not appear to be calls to anyone else.
* A general description of the hearing party to the call; e.g. commercial bank, private party, department store, medical professional.
Here, upon first reading, the snippet appears to bolster Purple's claim of being required to monitor users' calls. But upon closer, more careful reading - note the bolded text - it can be seen that the FCC is actually only requesting details for the callers suspected of making fraudulent calls. The FCC is NOT requiring details for ALL callers' records!
However, we found a copy of what could be the letter on our own hard drives.
Fortunately, Jamie had earlier typed up the snippets for easier sharing on Facebook, and now we share those snippets here along with analysis and commentary. We decided to share this here because we are still seeing comments in the deaf community that the FCC should not be requiring monitoring. The FCC itself has refuted that claim as seen in the letter dated November 17 from Chairman Tom Wheeler below, courtesy of Andrew Phillips of the National Association of the Deaf.
This clearly says that they did NOT ask Purple to monitor call content.
Purple's choice of snippets was intended to bolster its argument that the FCC was gong to require monitoring per the transcript of Purple's video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShZX5X2cv5E: "To be reimbursed for IP Relay services, the FCC has informed Purple that we must monitor call content and details." However, upon close and careful reading, the snippets actually prove the opposite!
RolkaLoube ("RL") the Administrator of the interstate TRS Fund, was directed by the FCC to withhold 100% of Purple's IP Relay payment for July 2014, which had been scheduled for distribution in September 2014, until further notice and the FCC advised RL that an explanation and questions will be provided.
Based on an RL review of the submission and observations shared with RL by Commission staff, including observations from the Commission's site inspection of Purple's operations in the Philippines during July 2014 and subsequent analysis of Purple's IP Relay call
Yes, the FCC was so concerned about possible fraud that they actually flew FCC staff to the Philippines where Purple's call center was, to see for themselves what was going on. Until we saw that snippet, we did not know that our IP-relay calls were being handled by CAs in the Philippines.
Specific findings that we warrant withholding include:
3. During the site inspection, Commission staff witnessed numerous calls in which the caller attempted and failed to gain access to bank accounts. Subsequent review of the call detail records found numerous attempts by individual callers to hundreds of banks. We find these facts to be indicia of fraud and potential violation of rules;
So the FCC staff actually saw calls come in from people trying to access banks - and not just a few banks! Multiple attempts by individual callers to hundreds of banks? If that isn't a red flag signalling fraud, we don't know what is.
4. Similarly calls were witnessed by FCC staff in which the caller attempted to order large quantities of specific goods from department stores. Subsequent call detail record review disclosed a high number of back-to-back calls by individual callers to many department stores from individual callers;
Here again, the FCC staff saw more red flags - individuals trying to order huge amounts of goods from stores. Again backed up by reviewing the call records.
5. Review of call detail records has disclosed a significant number of calls from single users making back-to-back calls to a high number of pharmacies;
The pattern continued with pharmacies, probably from fraudsters trying to get lots of prescription drugs.
8. Review of call detail records has disclosed a significant number of calls from ten-digit numbers that are active for only a few days.These numbers were associated with multiple calls to particular types of vendors - banks, department stores, and pharmacies, however Commission staff has advised RL that it is continuing to review and may find similar calling patterns to other types of businesses.
The FCC staff suspected similar patterns would be found with other business categories. Patterns of individuals trying to get products in bulk.
To establish that any call is legitimate, we would suggest at least the following information related to MOUs submitted for payment incurred in July of 2014 be provided:
* Pertinent registration information for the relay beneficiary/user of the TDN's making numerous compensable calls to department stores, pharmacies, or to banks in July 2014, particularly when there do not appear to be calls to anyone else.
* A general description of the hearing party to the call; e.g. commercial bank, private party, department store, medical professional.
Here, upon first reading, the snippet appears to bolster Purple's claim of being required to monitor users' calls. But upon closer, more careful reading - note the bolded text - it can be seen that the FCC is actually only requesting details for the callers suspected of making fraudulent calls. The FCC is NOT requiring details for ALL callers' records!
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Why IP-Relay is Important to Me Personally
The discontinuance of Purple's IP-Relay service on November 14, 2014, was difficult for everyone to deal with. It's affected many people in many ways, some more than others. In this post, I'm going to be writing how it's affected me.
I got my number sometime around 2004 or 2005. I started using it for job searches, calling medical people, and various other places.
Currently, my usage of IP-relay has two major uses. Job searches and medical. I'll cover the two in detail below.
Medical
November 3 had me enter the hospital for hip replacement surgery on the right hip. I needed to do this to make me more able to work. Before the surgery, I was in constant contact with the hospital and other medical people in preparation for the surgery and for other future appointments.
The day after surgery was when the news broke about Purple discontinuing IP-Relay. I was in my hospital room and was writing messages and other things on a laptop in between visits and communications with doctors, nurses, and physical therapy. That plus keeping in contact with people on my phone via IM. This was NOT how I wanted to spend my time in recovery from major surgery!
I was discharged from the hospital November 6th. Fortunately, I went with the same home health services as before, and the supervisor, nurse, and physical therapist had no problem with my using text.
But this is a critical time post-surgery. Anything can happen. As one can see after reading the previous Surgery and the Hips posts, I'm in zero mood to have an infection again, which required a lot of calls and making contacts with doctors.
Before graduating from Gallaudet University in May 2013, I was in contact with medical people in terms of dealing with a bad and painful left hip joint. All through the surgeries on the left hip joint in June, July (due to infection, replaced by antibiotic spacer), and November 2013 (spacer replaced by new joint), I was in contact and afterwards for post-surgical checkups.
Job Searches
I started my job searches in January 2014 after I was allowed medically to drive and do what I needed to do. Many employers require job seekers to have a phone number, and some won't even consider using email. I had some interviews in that period of time between January and when IP-Relay was discontinued. I had a few employers request that I call them. Many employer online applications require that a phone number be entered. There were 2-3 employers who had pre-screening using Skype.
I have one pending interview, fortunately, for an entry level position. When I told the employer that I could not make the interview due to surgery (this was a week after surgery), they said
"No problem. Just email me when you are ready."
How many employers would be willing to do this?
That plus a government interview that was just two weeks after surgery when I was more physically prepared.
A Critical Time
Thus, as I've said before, this is a critical and important time for me under these two particular categories.
For those who wish to read comments submitted to the FCC related to IP-Relay, they can be found here:
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/
Go into Full Text Search and search using keyword ip-relay.
Related links:
The End of Text IP-Relay Services? Say It Ain't So.
Here's Why Purple's in Deep DooDoo!
The Case for AIM Relay
I got my number sometime around 2004 or 2005. I started using it for job searches, calling medical people, and various other places.
Currently, my usage of IP-relay has two major uses. Job searches and medical. I'll cover the two in detail below.
Medical
November 3 had me enter the hospital for hip replacement surgery on the right hip. I needed to do this to make me more able to work. Before the surgery, I was in constant contact with the hospital and other medical people in preparation for the surgery and for other future appointments.
The day after surgery was when the news broke about Purple discontinuing IP-Relay. I was in my hospital room and was writing messages and other things on a laptop in between visits and communications with doctors, nurses, and physical therapy. That plus keeping in contact with people on my phone via IM. This was NOT how I wanted to spend my time in recovery from major surgery!
I was discharged from the hospital November 6th. Fortunately, I went with the same home health services as before, and the supervisor, nurse, and physical therapist had no problem with my using text.
But this is a critical time post-surgery. Anything can happen. As one can see after reading the previous Surgery and the Hips posts, I'm in zero mood to have an infection again, which required a lot of calls and making contacts with doctors.
Before graduating from Gallaudet University in May 2013, I was in contact with medical people in terms of dealing with a bad and painful left hip joint. All through the surgeries on the left hip joint in June, July (due to infection, replaced by antibiotic spacer), and November 2013 (spacer replaced by new joint), I was in contact and afterwards for post-surgical checkups.
Job Searches
I started my job searches in January 2014 after I was allowed medically to drive and do what I needed to do. Many employers require job seekers to have a phone number, and some won't even consider using email. I had some interviews in that period of time between January and when IP-Relay was discontinued. I had a few employers request that I call them. Many employer online applications require that a phone number be entered. There were 2-3 employers who had pre-screening using Skype.
I have one pending interview, fortunately, for an entry level position. When I told the employer that I could not make the interview due to surgery (this was a week after surgery), they said
"No problem. Just email me when you are ready."
How many employers would be willing to do this?
That plus a government interview that was just two weeks after surgery when I was more physically prepared.
A Critical Time
Thus, as I've said before, this is a critical and important time for me under these two particular categories.
For those who wish to read comments submitted to the FCC related to IP-Relay, they can be found here:
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/
Go into Full Text Search and search using keyword ip-relay.
Related links:
The End of Text IP-Relay Services? Say It Ain't So.
Here's Why Purple's in Deep DooDoo!
The Case for AIM Relay
Saturday, November 15, 2014
The Case for AIM Relay
For many years (ten?), there was a form of text IP-Relay that used AIM. In order to make a call, an AIM user would sign on to AIM, select the screen name My IP Relay, the caller would enter the phone number to call, and then the system would assign an operator to take the call. From there, the operator would call the requested number and act as an in-between during the call. Basically, the person would type the message, and the operator would read it aloud to the hearing person on the other end. The hearing person would then respond using voice to the operator, who would transcribe what was said in text for the deaf caller to read.
For the last several years, Purple has been the sole provider of AIM IP-Relay. Previously, IP-Relay, including AIM-based IP-Relay, was provided by Hamilton Relay, Sorenson, and AT&T. Over time, they quit. Now Purple has stopped offering IP-Relay, which means the deaf, deafblind, and speech impaired, no longer have an AIM-based text relay service.
Major advantages of IM-based relay (some of these advantages come from comments filed with the FCC):
Below are two blog posts which explain more about the issues behind the end of Purple’s IP-Relay service.
http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-end-of-text-ip-relay-services-say.html
http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2014/11/heres-why-purples-in-deep-doodoo.html
For the last several years, Purple has been the sole provider of AIM IP-Relay. Previously, IP-Relay, including AIM-based IP-Relay, was provided by Hamilton Relay, Sorenson, and AT&T. Over time, they quit. Now Purple has stopped offering IP-Relay, which means the deaf, deafblind, and speech impaired, no longer have an AIM-based text relay service.
Major advantages of IM-based relay (some of these advantages come from comments filed with the FCC):
- If the power is out, the AIM users could still communicate using their phones
- Deaf-blind users can easily expand the font sizes
- Deaf-blind users who can not see sign language, but could see enough to use a computer, could use AIM relay
- AIM users can be anywhere physically – they are not tied to a computer
- AIM has a web-only version called WebAIM, so users who do not install the software can access AIM from any computer
- The 10-digit phone numbers given out by IP-Relay had area codes corresponding to where the user lived. That was very important for deaf business owners and job seekers
- AIM gave users the ability to see calls come in due to the IM client’s ability to flash the icon at the bottom of the screen. With Sprint’s IP-Relay, users can make calls but can not see calls come in.
- Some users do not want to be seen on a VRS service for privacy reasons
- Users who did not sign or who lacked good sign skills, needed AIM
- Because a user’s AIM screen name was tied to their registered, verified IP-Relay account, the user did not need to sign in. Sprint’s IP-Relay requires users to sign in with a user name and password.
- InnoCaption requires a voice and data plan. Many deaf people have data-only plans because they can't use the voice services. Do we now need to upgrade to more expensive voice and data plans, wasting money on voice services that we can’t use?
- Some people work in workplaces that do not allow cell phones. Those employees obviously can not use Innocaption on the job.
- InnoCaption does not allow porting of existing IP-Relay 10 digit numbers over to InnoCaption due to their using a specific area code that is totally different from the 10-digit numbers from IP-Relay that had area codes linked to where users lived.
Below are two blog posts which explain more about the issues behind the end of Purple’s IP-Relay service.
http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-end-of-text-ip-relay-services-say.html
http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2014/11/heres-why-purples-in-deep-doodoo.html
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Here's Why Purple's in Deep DooDoo!
An important document from the FCC's document archive dated May 2, 2014, FCC-14-57A1 documents Purple's failure to follow the FCC's requests for reasonable steps to keep fraud from happening. Purple was ordered by the FCC to use a reasonable process to verify the signup information of their TRS services. Unfortunately, Purple violated the FCC’s orders by using a “flawed process” to validate incoming signups, thus facilitating fraud coming from non-validated account signups. As a result, the FCC assessed a penalty on Purple.
Welcome back from reading a LONG 26-page document. If you
stuck to reading just the numbered paragraphs, you're in good shape. I've
broken down what I've understood of what the FCC has been talking about in the
paragraphs. I will include the numbered paragraph in italics and below it my
own response in normal text.
The first several paragraphs indicate the FCC's requirements
for an effective relay service incorporating 10-digit phone numbers. Page 5 is
the beginning of the Discussion section.
A. Purple Apparently Violated the Second Internet-Based TRS Order by
Failing to Implement a Reasonable Verification Process
No kidding. After reading through the rest of the document,
Purple's in deep stuff.
12. While not requiring any specific verification procedure, the
Commission has described three types of procedures that it considers reasonable
for purposes of verification. These procedures share several key factors. Each
verifies the name and mailing address provided at registration, and each
affords timely verification, thus producing a reasonable period between a
user's registration and the determination as to whether the user is eligible or
not to make TRS calls. Any reasonable verification process would have included
these key factors and ensured that providers did not profit from allowing
unverifiable users into the TRS system and allowing them to make calls over an
extended period of time.
Observe how the Commission has requested reasonable procedures with the key word
being REASONABLE. Consider what is reasonable and why. In order to
reduce fraud, one must take steps to reduce it despite the difficulty with
completely eliminating it. The user's name and mailing address is, indeed,
reasonable. Now look at the last sentence. Reasonable
verification process. This means a way to verify and validate that
account's information.
How does any agency that offers services do this? Often,
we're required to show them our drivers license or something similar. And how
do we get those forms of ID? Many states require that the person present their
birth certificate and other similar items in order to get this ID.
13. Prior to 2008, Purple was aware that IP Relay had been misused by
persons to defraud domestic merchants and that one of the Commission's goals in
implementing the new requirements was to eliminate user anonymity and IP Relay
fraud.
Up until 2014, they did nothing. How much was defrauded?
Most likely the numbers are inaccurate, but could easily be way into the high
millions. Can they be held responsible for these losses?
14. Due to the shortcomings in Purple's procedures, the evidence shows
that Purple did not, in fact, verify the name and/or mailing address of at
least 40,000 False Name registrants, yet nevertheless assigned these users
ten-digit telephone numbers, and then submitted reimbursement requests that
included minutes generated by such users. As described below, we find that
Purple failed to institute a reasonable process to verify user registrations as
required by the Second Internet-Based TRS Order.
Makes you wonder how flawed of a process was used, if any
verification was used, and if any efforts were made to even try to reduce the
ongoing fraud. Someone had to know about those 40,000 fake accounts. The phone
company doesn't just throw a phone number at you and say that it's yours. An
account has to be created and validated.
From (date redacted) until (date
redacted), Purple's process made no attempt to verify registrants' names and
mailing addresses.
ZERO verification of the account holder's name and mailing address.
As explained in more detail below, the Company used a (redacted)
process, confirming that (big redaction). In (redacted) Purple added an e-mail
component to its process; (big redaction). This e-mail component did not,
however, involve any effort by Purple to verify the accuracy of the information
provided by the user. The fundamental point is that Purple's (redacted) process
and e-mail component never even attempted to verify the accuracy of the user's
name or mailing address as required by the Second Internet-Based TRS Order.
Now why didn't they use email verification even after adding
the component? It’s an easy implementation to verify and validate all three. What kind of process did they use?
Paragraph 16 basically repeats the failure of the name,
address, and phone number validation.
For example, if a registrant had given an empty parking lot as his or
her address, the (redacted) would have verified the address as long as the
parking lot were (redacted) even if no habitable structures existed at that
address.
Makes you wonder. The post office ain't gonna deliver to a
parking space.
In one instance during its investigation, the Bureau examined an
address that Purple had provided that was associated with 299 different
registrations; each registration had listed "201 Alice St., Alger, OH
45812" as the registrant's address. No such mailing address existed.
Bureau staff contacted the post office in Alger, Ohio (a town with a population
of less than 1,000) and confirmed that the mailing address did not exist.
...but 299 registrants using a single fake address? I can
understand maybe 2-5 of a single address, maybe a deaf family or deaf roommates
living there, but 299? I tried looking it up on Google Maps, and the post
office for that area displayed. Alger is east of Lima in central Ohio just off
I-75, about a short 20-30 minute drive.
Paragraph 17 talks of the use of Verity assigning each
registrant a reliability score. Verity is software created by Imperium, located
in Westport, Connecticut.
Just how low a V-Score did Purple use?
Paragraph 18 has a lot of redactions. Basically, Purple
tried to improve their validation and verification implementations, but still
failed. As a programmer, it's not too difficult to add some coding routines
that can verify and validate the provided email as well as have a human send a
printed letter via snail mail to the provided address. Some banks and other
places use this method when their clients set up their online account and send
a letter with a confirmation code.
It's not too hard as well to set a flag or flags on an
account to show that it's locked until the email validation and/or address
verification are done. That plus compare addresses, physical and/or email, for
multiples. If that address shows up after a certain count, a report can be
created and sent to the appropriate person(s) within the organization. The
account database should have the capability to sort by various columns or rows.
Multiples will show up right there.
20. Indeed, Purple knew or should have known that the False Names were so
patently defective that they could not possibly have been the actual names of
eligible users. However, instead of rejecting the False Names (based on their
nonsensical nature) or attempting to confirm that they belonged to eligible
users, Purple chose to disregard the verification requirements by accepting
these names without reasonable further inquiry regarding users' actual names
and mailing addresses.
It's hard enough or next to impossible to claim they
couldn't have known as there was at least someone who had access to the account
database. And this is someone I'd love to hear from.
Paragraphs 21 to 23 have Purple still claiming their
processes were reasonable in the face of evidence that proves otherwise.
Paragraph 22 is quite heavily redacted, with them looking like they're using
certain techniques. Then the FCC in Paragraph 24 blows Purple out of their
shoes, out of the water, and out the airlock.
While Paragraph 25 is long, Purple is still making claims,
showing their “proof,” which unfortunately, is mostly redacted. They've got
something called a “guest user or access policy.” Apparently, the new account
could immediately start making calls right when it was created. Again, we can
see right there through their smoke-blowing that there was zero
verification/validation. In reality, this account should have been set so that
the person could not make calls, but still modify the preferences and other
entries until it was cleared. We know that guest accounts are typically known
to allow limited access until more access is granted.
In Paragraph 26, the FCC rolls over and flattens Purple's
claims in 25. And then in 27, Purple shoots a major hole in itself by “suggesting that it should have (redacted)
because it reportedly did not (redacted). Purple's actions, however, are
inconsistent with this suggestion.” Then the Commission does one final shot
in 28, saying that Purple failed to implement a reasonable verification process
of the time periods covered. In the entire report, the word reasonable
is used.
Then like a judge delivering his/her verdict:
B. Purple Apparently Violated Section 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(D) of the
Commission's Rules by Submitting Inaccurate Data to the TRS Fund Administrator
and for Seeking Reimbursement for Calls That Were Not Compensable
The Commission delivers the penalty, a forfeiture proposal,
meaning to pay back or give up. After reading the charges, the Commission
delivers a judgment of requiring Purple to pay back $11,937,549.
So what does this mean for the future of IP-Relay? First,
take a look at what I've said above. Then, decide on how the fraud will be
reduced. Next, answer the question about the sustainability of the rates, given
the history of the FCC lowering them every year compared to other TRS rates.
Purple has a call center in the Philippines. With the lower
labor costs out there, why can’t they make a profit at the current rate paid,
which is $1,039/minute?
Once the reasonable
procedures are followed, then fraud will be reduced greatly.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Urgent! Email Ray Baum in the House! (was End Of Text Relay Services?)
Just got this from Jamie Berke earlier this afternoon.
She called the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology because they oversee the FCC. Congressman Greg Walden chairs the subcommittee. She I got the name of the legislative aide who works with FCC issues, and already emailed him. His name is Ray Baum, and his email address is
ray.baum@mail.house.gov
What we need to do is bombard Ray Baum telling him to help out with the issue of Purple and IPRelay.
Here's a direct link to that subcommittee web page, which specifies they oversee the FCC:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/subcommittees/communications-and-technology
Share and repost this all over the deaf and hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and speech impaired communities!
She called the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology because they oversee the FCC. Congressman Greg Walden chairs the subcommittee. She I got the name of the legislative aide who works with FCC issues, and already emailed him. His name is Ray Baum, and his email address is
ray.baum@mail.house.gov
What we need to do is bombard Ray Baum telling him to help out with the issue of Purple and IPRelay.
Here's a direct link to that subcommittee web page, which specifies they oversee the FCC:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/subcommittees/communications-and-technology
Share and repost this all over the deaf and hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and speech impaired communities!
Friday, November 7, 2014
The End of Text IP-Relay Services? Say It Ain't So.
Say it ain't so. Purple announced earlier that they will cease their well-used IP-Relay services on November 14.
Initial reports
A first report from a Purple vlog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShZX5X2cv5E&feature=youtu.be
Purple said that the FCC ordered Purple to monitor all calls for quality. From that video above, Purple stated: "To be reimbursed for IP Relay services, the FCC has informed Purple that we must monitor call content and details." Then someone else emailed the FCC and they said that even with their efforts, they never told anyone, much less Purple, to disclose the content of what is said during any relay call.
Here is the email response the FCC sent:
Thank you for contacting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding IP Relay service. On October 15, 2014, Purple Communications, Inc. notified the FCC that it will cease providing IP Relay service as of 5 p.m. EST on November 14, 2014. At present, Sprint remains a provider of IP Relay service.
The FCC is aware that IP Relay service is essential to many consumers who use relay services to communicate over the phone and that it is the only method of placing and receiving telephone calls for some of these consumers. Unfortunately, IP Relay service has been subject to significant fraud and abuse in recent years, totaling millions of dollars. The FCC’s efforts to protect these services for all consumers by eliminating this fraud and abuse has resulted in several providers terminating their provision of this service. Following the latest voluntary departure from the market by Purple, the FCC is working around the clock to ensure that consumers continue to have full access to IP Relay service in a manner that does not encourage IP Relay misuse by illegitimate users. In addition, we are actively exploring options to ensure that people who are deaf-blind continue to have accessible ways to use this service.
Finally, we wish to dispel any rumors that the FCC has ever required any TRS provider to disclose the content of what is said during any TRS call, including any IP Relay conversation. The FCC has strict rules guaranteeing both the confidentiality of all calls and the privacy of caller information, and we will continue to enforce those rules as they apply to IP Relay or any other form of TRS.
We thank you for bringing to our attention your concerns about IP Relay service. We will continue our work to find options to keep this service up and running in a manner that meets the communications needs of all individuals who need it.
Reimbursement cuts
We need to remember that not only the FCC has cut reimbursements, causing some services to close down, but there is also fraud, both from within the relay services agencies and outside. Sprint Relay is another relay services provider, but there have been indications that they too may discontinue their IP-Relay services.
It is possible that the real reason may be the rate cut that was imposed in July 2014: cut to $1.0309 a minute (see http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/2014-trs-history-docket). This is the lowest of the non-VRS relay service rates, so it is possible that Purple may have decided it wasn't profitable and they would drop the service (but blame it on the FCC's alleged requirement to monitor IP-Relay calls).
A challenge and a petition
Jamie Berke has challenged Purple via Twitter to show proof that the FCC is requiring them to monitor text relay calls.
As of now, there's a petition to get the FCC to increase reimbursements, based on the yet unproven FCC requirement to monitor IP-Relay calls.
https://www.change.org/p/cgb-disability-rights-office-reimburse-purple-for-their-ip-relay-i711-services
Will we still have the Purple IP-Relay next week?
Update: Jamie believes she found the proof she challenged Purple to provide. Read the letter posted here:
http://www.doncullen.net/blog/purples-shutting-ip-text-relay/
Sprint responds
Someone received this email from Sprint:
Hello, Sprint is currently undergoing a process with the FCC to make a decision on whether we can remain in the Sprint IP Relay business at all. We hope a decision is made in the coming weeks; however, until that time , we are unable to process any new Sprint IP registrations or port any existing numbers. Persons who have begun the registration process will receive an email when any determination is made. Thank you for your patience.
Sherri
Sprint Relay Customer Service
800-676-3777 (V/TTY) 877-877-3291 (Fax)
Sprint.trscustserv@sprint.com
www.sprintrelay.com
This means that if Sprint also gets out of the relay business, that's it. We have nothing. It doesn't need to be said that it will affect everyone in terms of job searches, medical, etc.
Trouble in TRS
On Facebook, Purple posted snippets from a letter from the TRS administrator to Purple:
https://www.facebook.com/iprelay/photos/a.196529827041236.52845.188194574541428/931489833545228/?type=1
It is hard to read the snippets without expanding to full screen so I typed them up for you to read easily:
RolkaLoube("RL") the Administrator of the interstate TRS Fund, was directed by the FCC to withhold 100% of Purple's IP Relay payment for July 2014, which had been scheduled for distribution in September 2014, until further notice and the FCC advised RL that an explanation and questions will be provided.
Based on an RL review of the submission and observations shared with RL by Commission staff, including observations from the Commission's site inspection of Purple's operations in the Philippines during July 2014 and subsequent analysis of Purple's IP Relay call. Specific findings that we warrant withholding include:
3. During the site inspection, Commission staff witnessed numerous calls in which the caller attempted and failed to gain access to bank accounts. Subsequent review of the call detail records found numerous attempts by individual callers to hundreds of banks. We find these facts to be indicia of fraud and potential violation of rules;
4. Similarly calls were witnessed by FCC staff in which the caller attempted to order large quantities of specific goods from department stores. Subsequent call detail record review disclosed a high number of back-to-back calls by individual callers to many department stores from individual callers;
5. Review of call detail records has disclosed a significant number of calls from single users making back-to-back calls to a high number of pharmacies;
8. Review of call detail records has disclosed a significant number of calls from ten-digit numbers that are active for only a few days.These numbers were associated with multiple calls to particular types of vendors - banks, department stores, and pharmacies, however Commission staff has advised RL that it is continuing to review and may find similar calling patterns to other types of businesses.
To establish that any call is legitimate, we would suggest at least the following information related to MOUs submitted for payment incurred in July of 2014 be provided:
* Pertinent registration information for the relay beneficiary/user of the TDN's making numerous compensable calls to department stores, pharmacies, or to banks in July 2014, particularly when there do not appear to be calls to anyone else.
* A general description of the hearing party to the call; e.g. commercial bank, private party, department store, medical professional.
Forgery and fraud
And here's proof that the registration requirements can be gotten around through fraud, forgery, and proxies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHhtyY7IOvc&list=UU6Elc3aum-DG7z6zgY1ULDA
Other related blog posts:
http://www.deafblindconfessions.com/blog/relay-service-options-for-deafblind
Major Update
http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2014/11/urgent-email-ray-baum-in-house-was-end.html
Initial reports
A first report from a Purple vlog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShZX5X2cv5E&feature=youtu.be
Purple said that the FCC ordered Purple to monitor all calls for quality. From that video above, Purple stated: "To be reimbursed for IP Relay services, the FCC has informed Purple that we must monitor call content and details." Then someone else emailed the FCC and they said that even with their efforts, they never told anyone, much less Purple, to disclose the content of what is said during any relay call.
Here is the email response the FCC sent:
Thank you for contacting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding IP Relay service. On October 15, 2014, Purple Communications, Inc. notified the FCC that it will cease providing IP Relay service as of 5 p.m. EST on November 14, 2014. At present, Sprint remains a provider of IP Relay service.
The FCC is aware that IP Relay service is essential to many consumers who use relay services to communicate over the phone and that it is the only method of placing and receiving telephone calls for some of these consumers. Unfortunately, IP Relay service has been subject to significant fraud and abuse in recent years, totaling millions of dollars. The FCC’s efforts to protect these services for all consumers by eliminating this fraud and abuse has resulted in several providers terminating their provision of this service. Following the latest voluntary departure from the market by Purple, the FCC is working around the clock to ensure that consumers continue to have full access to IP Relay service in a manner that does not encourage IP Relay misuse by illegitimate users. In addition, we are actively exploring options to ensure that people who are deaf-blind continue to have accessible ways to use this service.
Finally, we wish to dispel any rumors that the FCC has ever required any TRS provider to disclose the content of what is said during any TRS call, including any IP Relay conversation. The FCC has strict rules guaranteeing both the confidentiality of all calls and the privacy of caller information, and we will continue to enforce those rules as they apply to IP Relay or any other form of TRS.
We thank you for bringing to our attention your concerns about IP Relay service. We will continue our work to find options to keep this service up and running in a manner that meets the communications needs of all individuals who need it.
Reimbursement cuts
We need to remember that not only the FCC has cut reimbursements, causing some services to close down, but there is also fraud, both from within the relay services agencies and outside. Sprint Relay is another relay services provider, but there have been indications that they too may discontinue their IP-Relay services.
It is possible that the real reason may be the rate cut that was imposed in July 2014: cut to $1.0309 a minute (see http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/2014-trs-history-docket). This is the lowest of the non-VRS relay service rates, so it is possible that Purple may have decided it wasn't profitable and they would drop the service (but blame it on the FCC's alleged requirement to monitor IP-Relay calls).
A challenge and a petition
Jamie Berke has challenged Purple via Twitter to show proof that the FCC is requiring them to monitor text relay calls.
As of now, there's a petition to get the FCC to increase reimbursements, based on the yet unproven FCC requirement to monitor IP-Relay calls.
https://www.change.org/p/cgb-disability-rights-office-reimburse-purple-for-their-ip-relay-i711-services
Will we still have the Purple IP-Relay next week?
Update: Jamie believes she found the proof she challenged Purple to provide. Read the letter posted here:
http://www.doncullen.net/blog/purples-shutting-ip-text-relay/
Sprint responds
Someone received this email from Sprint:
Hello, Sprint is currently undergoing a process with the FCC to make a decision on whether we can remain in the Sprint IP Relay business at all. We hope a decision is made in the coming weeks; however, until that time , we are unable to process any new Sprint IP registrations or port any existing numbers. Persons who have begun the registration process will receive an email when any determination is made. Thank you for your patience.
Sherri
Sprint Relay Customer Service
800-676-3777 (V/TTY) 877-877-3291 (Fax)
Sprint.trscustserv@sprint.com
www.sprintrelay.com
This means that if Sprint also gets out of the relay business, that's it. We have nothing. It doesn't need to be said that it will affect everyone in terms of job searches, medical, etc.
Trouble in TRS
On Facebook, Purple posted snippets from a letter from the TRS administrator to Purple:
https://www.facebook.com/iprelay/photos/a.196529827041236.52845.188194574541428/931489833545228/?type=1
It is hard to read the snippets without expanding to full screen so I typed them up for you to read easily:
RolkaLoube("RL") the Administrator of the interstate TRS Fund, was directed by the FCC to withhold 100% of Purple's IP Relay payment for July 2014, which had been scheduled for distribution in September 2014, until further notice and the FCC advised RL that an explanation and questions will be provided.
Based on an RL review of the submission and observations shared with RL by Commission staff, including observations from the Commission's site inspection of Purple's operations in the Philippines during July 2014 and subsequent analysis of Purple's IP Relay call. Specific findings that we warrant withholding include:
3. During the site inspection, Commission staff witnessed numerous calls in which the caller attempted and failed to gain access to bank accounts. Subsequent review of the call detail records found numerous attempts by individual callers to hundreds of banks. We find these facts to be indicia of fraud and potential violation of rules;
4. Similarly calls were witnessed by FCC staff in which the caller attempted to order large quantities of specific goods from department stores. Subsequent call detail record review disclosed a high number of back-to-back calls by individual callers to many department stores from individual callers;
5. Review of call detail records has disclosed a significant number of calls from single users making back-to-back calls to a high number of pharmacies;
8. Review of call detail records has disclosed a significant number of calls from ten-digit numbers that are active for only a few days.These numbers were associated with multiple calls to particular types of vendors - banks, department stores, and pharmacies, however Commission staff has advised RL that it is continuing to review and may find similar calling patterns to other types of businesses.
To establish that any call is legitimate, we would suggest at least the following information related to MOUs submitted for payment incurred in July of 2014 be provided:
* Pertinent registration information for the relay beneficiary/user of the TDN's making numerous compensable calls to department stores, pharmacies, or to banks in July 2014, particularly when there do not appear to be calls to anyone else.
* A general description of the hearing party to the call; e.g. commercial bank, private party, department store, medical professional.
Forgery and fraud
And here's proof that the registration requirements can be gotten around through fraud, forgery, and proxies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHhtyY7IOvc&list=UU6Elc3aum-DG7z6zgY1ULDA
Other related blog posts:
http://www.deafblindconfessions.com/blog/relay-service-options-for-deafblind
Major Update
http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2014/11/urgent-email-ray-baum-in-house-was-end.html
Monday, July 14, 2014
Surgery and the Hips - Part 8
I've had a couple big milestones since my last post.
Swimming and water walking are great therapy. The local recreation center has a more accessible pool that has no steps, while the local public pool has steps. I managed to get down them, however difficult it was. I couldn't do that last year. I'm still a little unsteady in the shallow area, but when I start walking in the deeper area around 4 feet, it gets easier. Physical therapy ended earlier, so I'm doing things on my own.
Then later on, Jamie and I were invited out to a dinner party with some other deaf people. It looked like I just had two steps up into the house. Then I go up the first step, and look inside, only to see several more steps after the first step inside, each going up and down. I almost considered just going back home, but I figured I'd try and see how far I could get, what with all the physical therapy and other things I've done since the last surgery.
I managed to make it up there. Then down both sets of steps to the basement, doing it backwards, with another step to get outside to the porch. Then right back upstairs for dinner. Dinner was good, having also met and talked with various people.
I'll soon be starting the process of the next surgery. All this should help me get through it quickly. But none of us are in any mood to see me go through another joint infection. I'll be talking with the surgeon about doing what I did earlier after the third surgery, which was a month of oral antibiotics.
I've also had an internship with Sprint in Reston as a Technical Support Intern which ends near the end of July. They didn't have any problem with my physical therapy hours and worked around it. Normally, I'd be doing 11am-7 (going 3-7 when I had PT), though I had "class" with someone else, usually going 8am-4. Getting there, I used the Fairfax County Parkway and am usually able to get there less than an hour.
Swimming and water walking are great therapy. The local recreation center has a more accessible pool that has no steps, while the local public pool has steps. I managed to get down them, however difficult it was. I couldn't do that last year. I'm still a little unsteady in the shallow area, but when I start walking in the deeper area around 4 feet, it gets easier. Physical therapy ended earlier, so I'm doing things on my own.
Then later on, Jamie and I were invited out to a dinner party with some other deaf people. It looked like I just had two steps up into the house. Then I go up the first step, and look inside, only to see several more steps after the first step inside, each going up and down. I almost considered just going back home, but I figured I'd try and see how far I could get, what with all the physical therapy and other things I've done since the last surgery.
I managed to make it up there. Then down both sets of steps to the basement, doing it backwards, with another step to get outside to the porch. Then right back upstairs for dinner. Dinner was good, having also met and talked with various people.
I'll soon be starting the process of the next surgery. All this should help me get through it quickly. But none of us are in any mood to see me go through another joint infection. I'll be talking with the surgeon about doing what I did earlier after the third surgery, which was a month of oral antibiotics.
I've also had an internship with Sprint in Reston as a Technical Support Intern which ends near the end of July. They didn't have any problem with my physical therapy hours and worked around it. Normally, I'd be doing 11am-7 (going 3-7 when I had PT), though I had "class" with someone else, usually going 8am-4. Getting there, I used the Fairfax County Parkway and am usually able to get there less than an hour.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Surgery and the Hips - Part 7
Since outpatient physical therapy started, my walking has been improving. I've transitioned from walker to cane, after around a year and a half of using the walker. Even then, it's still difficult, but it'll improve. I've been taking my quad cane to PT.
When I had in-home therapy, and just two weeks before the late March surgeon visit, I started developing something that felt like when the elbow's "funny bone" is hit, going from the hip area down to my foot. It got to be a bit painful in the foot area if I walked using the cane. Fortunately, the "funny bone" effect went away shortly after I started outpatient therapy. It still comes and goes but it's limited to between the hip and knee and is very minor. The surgeon recommended I see a back doctor, but even with the "funny bone" effect mostly gone, I kept the appointment. At the appointment, the doctor takes one look at me, together with my description of the "funny bone" effect, told me to keep doing what I'm doing.
The same day of that appointment, I kept the walker upstairs and used the cane. I managed to use it all day. Walking was slow, though a bit unsteady. That will improve. Still have a ways to go to straighten out the muscle contractures in the knees, though.
One interesting observation is that sometimes there's a bit of a muscle ache and it'll feel a little like a "phantom pain" like when the spacer was there.
When I had in-home therapy, and just two weeks before the late March surgeon visit, I started developing something that felt like when the elbow's "funny bone" is hit, going from the hip area down to my foot. It got to be a bit painful in the foot area if I walked using the cane. Fortunately, the "funny bone" effect went away shortly after I started outpatient therapy. It still comes and goes but it's limited to between the hip and knee and is very minor. The surgeon recommended I see a back doctor, but even with the "funny bone" effect mostly gone, I kept the appointment. At the appointment, the doctor takes one look at me, together with my description of the "funny bone" effect, told me to keep doing what I'm doing.
The same day of that appointment, I kept the walker upstairs and used the cane. I managed to use it all day. Walking was slow, though a bit unsteady. That will improve. Still have a ways to go to straighten out the muscle contractures in the knees, though.
One interesting observation is that sometimes there's a bit of a muscle ache and it'll feel a little like a "phantom pain" like when the spacer was there.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Surgery and the Hips - Part 6
A lot of things have happened since Part 5. Around mid-January, I went from 10% weightbearing to 50% for two weeks, then finally full weightbearing. Fortunately, I'm now in outpatient physical therapy. That last "snowstorm" we had was barely a dusting two days before my appointment.
Then the DC area had FIVE snowstorms. The area school systems had snow days that were 3-5 times more than they were last year. Two of the storms caused my surgeon appointments to be cancelled and postponed. I never went out until the snow and ice melted. I was NOT going to go back to the hospital in pain if I was to fall and dislocate my new hip joint.
And no infection as of the end of January, what with my taking antibiotics for 4 weeks after the November surgery. That plus the infectious diseases doctor said they kept my tissue/blood sample for a bit longer time, about 10 days, to make sure there was no infection.
Now I can do things that I had to put off.
Then the DC area had FIVE snowstorms. The area school systems had snow days that were 3-5 times more than they were last year. Two of the storms caused my surgeon appointments to be cancelled and postponed. I never went out until the snow and ice melted. I was NOT going to go back to the hospital in pain if I was to fall and dislocate my new hip joint.
And no infection as of the end of January, what with my taking antibiotics for 4 weeks after the November surgery. That plus the infectious diseases doctor said they kept my tissue/blood sample for a bit longer time, about 10 days, to make sure there was no infection.
Now I can do things that I had to put off.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Hearing Aids in the Wrong Places - Part 2
It's not just orange juice that does strange things to hearing aids, but also sugary drinks and coffee. Massive amounts of water, either hot or cold, will do it. A boiled hearing aid sounds clean and germ-free, but let's face it... That's enough heat to most likely melt the case and some electronics as will time in the microwave. Radio Shack or any other electronics houses don't have anything small enough for a replacement.
Water flumes count in terms of massive amounts of water, which leads to her having a good point related to roller coasters if they have water ponds around or just plain rocky areas. Then there's all the feet around. But don't forget other amusement park rides. I mention in Hearing Aids vs Humans of my being on a roller coaster and in Growing up Deaf - Part 7, the hearing aid encounters the toilet...
We've never seen a fish wear a hearing aid, so we know we can't tuna fish (tune a fish). Just make sure the hearing aid never makes it to the bathroom, either worn or unworn. You do know what Part 7 said above...? A flush is all it takes to lose the thing.
And the final thing you never want to see your hearing aid is heading at high speed away from you, shot from something like a slingshot or a projectile weapon. Its final destination could be in massive amounts of water, somewhere between a rock and a hard place, smack in the grille of a speeding Mack truck, or part of someone's BBQ.
The same thing can easily apply to the cochlear implant's external part.
Water flumes count in terms of massive amounts of water, which leads to her having a good point related to roller coasters if they have water ponds around or just plain rocky areas. Then there's all the feet around. But don't forget other amusement park rides. I mention in Hearing Aids vs Humans of my being on a roller coaster and in Growing up Deaf - Part 7, the hearing aid encounters the toilet...
We've never seen a fish wear a hearing aid, so we know we can't tuna fish (tune a fish). Just make sure the hearing aid never makes it to the bathroom, either worn or unworn. You do know what Part 7 said above...? A flush is all it takes to lose the thing.
And the final thing you never want to see your hearing aid is heading at high speed away from you, shot from something like a slingshot or a projectile weapon. Its final destination could be in massive amounts of water, somewhere between a rock and a hard place, smack in the grille of a speeding Mack truck, or part of someone's BBQ.
The same thing can easily apply to the cochlear implant's external part.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Hearing Aids in the Wrong Places - Part 1
But of course, we all know there's places to never put a hearing aid. Jennifer Stuessy's The 10 most dangerous places for a hearing aid has a good listing, but probably is missing a few places we never think about.
She mentions never to put it on a nightstand, but inside. Or better yet, never place it out in the open in an area where there's a lot of things being picked up, put down, spilled, sprayed, including the kitchen sink. It's rather easy to sweep the hearing aid on the floor or crushed on a hard surface like a table. And then when it hits the floor and you have a cat that loves to bat things around... Fried and bat-tered hearing aids, anyone? Here at home we've still not found all the balls our cat's hidden.
You do know you can't drink ground hearing aid (from a garbage disposal or coffee grinder) even if you put it into the coffeemaker?
Next - Part 2
She mentions never to put it on a nightstand, but inside. Or better yet, never place it out in the open in an area where there's a lot of things being picked up, put down, spilled, sprayed, including the kitchen sink. It's rather easy to sweep the hearing aid on the floor or crushed on a hard surface like a table. And then when it hits the floor and you have a cat that loves to bat things around... Fried and bat-tered hearing aids, anyone? Here at home we've still not found all the balls our cat's hidden.
You do know you can't drink ground hearing aid (from a garbage disposal or coffee grinder) even if you put it into the coffeemaker?
Monday, April 14, 2014
Hospitals and the Deaf Patient - Part 2
In Part 1, I mention in the last paragraph:
"In this day of high tech and the Internet, there's no excuse for anyone to claim it's difficult to contact the deaf person when there's also email, texting, and instant messaging besides the relay. A little low tech like keeping paper and pen around goes a long way as well."
When I had home health care, rather than use the relay to play phone tag with each other, we used texting. It's worked so well that I could easily refer back to the texts as a reminder or the physical therapist could easily change a session date and time. I'd also be in contact with the supervisor/office manager when it came to signing paperwork and evaluations.
Also after the third surgery, I got emails from the doctor's office a few times telling me of a change in medication dosage. This allowed me to better acknowledge I got the email and would act on the dosage change.
I've kept copies of my xrays from the knee surgeries and from the three hip surgeries, which also makes it easier for me to pass on what I have to another doctor. The hip surgeon's office has a patient portal which allows me to watch for upcoming bill payments, make a payment, make an appointment online, med refills, and other things.
On a more lighthearted note, the physical therapist and I used "markers" from torn postcards to show how many laps I did in the walking exercises (Surgery and the Hips - Part 5). Now and then one of us will lose track of how many laps I've done.
"In this day of high tech and the Internet, there's no excuse for anyone to claim it's difficult to contact the deaf person when there's also email, texting, and instant messaging besides the relay. A little low tech like keeping paper and pen around goes a long way as well."
When I had home health care, rather than use the relay to play phone tag with each other, we used texting. It's worked so well that I could easily refer back to the texts as a reminder or the physical therapist could easily change a session date and time. I'd also be in contact with the supervisor/office manager when it came to signing paperwork and evaluations.
Also after the third surgery, I got emails from the doctor's office a few times telling me of a change in medication dosage. This allowed me to better acknowledge I got the email and would act on the dosage change.
I've kept copies of my xrays from the knee surgeries and from the three hip surgeries, which also makes it easier for me to pass on what I have to another doctor. The hip surgeon's office has a patient portal which allows me to watch for upcoming bill payments, make a payment, make an appointment online, med refills, and other things.
On a more lighthearted note, the physical therapist and I used "markers" from torn postcards to show how many laps I did in the walking exercises (Surgery and the Hips - Part 5). Now and then one of us will lose track of how many laps I've done.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Humor: It was so cold...
This recent spate of extremely cold weather seems to have broken quite a few temperature records. Means everyone has to dress warm and take care of themselves a bit better. Those with walking issues may not be able to get out very well if at all.
Jamie and I came back the weekend morning just before the cold snap from being out at Target and Walmart. It rained some, and the rain let up just enough when we got home. I used my walker to get from the car to the garage into the house, but I had to move slowly due to possible ice. Fortunately, no ice and I didn't slip. I told Jamie later on that I wasn't going to go out again til the snow and ice on the driveway melted. Had I slipped and fallen, I could have gone down for good, needing medical help.
Post-Surgery Right Knee - Part 5 mentions what happened in 1982 when we had a big snowstorm and it was cold. Post-Surgery Right Knee - Part 4 talks about a big snowfall in Kentucky some time ago, 1994 or 1995, I think, where it was bitter cold and I was trying to shovel the driveway.
One of the funniest stories posted on CNN's site is It's so cold, humor edition.
Quite a few "It was so cold..." comments in the article. Most of the time, comments degrade into flame and/or political wars namecalling, and foul posts, but not here. Some are quite hilarious. I came up with a few...
It was so cold, that when I tried using my phone's speech to text software, the battery got very warm and the display showed "[chatterchatterchatter]." (or "It's warm, Jim.")
It's so cold that you don't need an ice cream maker. Just mix up everything and set it outside.
It's so cold that people can retire their refrigerators and freezers, instead just throwing everything outside.
It's so cold and icy that when I go to work, I don't need to walk. I have an oversize slingshot...
It's so cold, that a bullet/round from a weapon never reaches its destination, instead just freezing a few yards away.
It's so cold, that words come out of your mouth visually, no sign language needed.
It's true when they say laughter is good medicine as it warms the heart. It warms the body, too.
Jamie and I came back the weekend morning just before the cold snap from being out at Target and Walmart. It rained some, and the rain let up just enough when we got home. I used my walker to get from the car to the garage into the house, but I had to move slowly due to possible ice. Fortunately, no ice and I didn't slip. I told Jamie later on that I wasn't going to go out again til the snow and ice on the driveway melted. Had I slipped and fallen, I could have gone down for good, needing medical help.
Post-Surgery Right Knee - Part 5 mentions what happened in 1982 when we had a big snowstorm and it was cold. Post-Surgery Right Knee - Part 4 talks about a big snowfall in Kentucky some time ago, 1994 or 1995, I think, where it was bitter cold and I was trying to shovel the driveway.
One of the funniest stories posted on CNN's site is It's so cold, humor edition.
Quite a few "It was so cold..." comments in the article. Most of the time, comments degrade into flame and/or political wars namecalling, and foul posts, but not here. Some are quite hilarious. I came up with a few...
It was so cold, that when I tried using my phone's speech to text software, the battery got very warm and the display showed "[chatterchatterchatter]." (or "It's warm, Jim.")
It's so cold that you don't need an ice cream maker. Just mix up everything and set it outside.
It's so cold that people can retire their refrigerators and freezers, instead just throwing everything outside.
It's so cold and icy that when I go to work, I don't need to walk. I have an oversize slingshot...
It's so cold, that a bullet/round from a weapon never reaches its destination, instead just freezing a few yards away.
It's so cold, that words come out of your mouth visually, no sign language needed.
It's true when they say laughter is good medicine as it warms the heart. It warms the body, too.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Looking back on 2013
The year 2013 wasn't exactly a great year for me. It marked my graduation at Gallaudet and three surgeries.
While college graduation marks a joyous time for those graduates, it was tempered by my nearly not graduating due to a capstone team member miscommunicating something with the instructor (Teamwork in classes and on the job - Part 1 and Part 2) requiring us to change direction mid-semester right before Spring Break. That plus having to deal with the ever-increasing pain levels due to the degrading left hip joint as I got closer to graduation and surgery date. It did help to inform those I worked with about what was going on with me. My team had a second chance at finishing up our project that summer, but my hip had other ideas, including the team leader also having a health issue, so we were never able.
The left hip had other ideas in a way that required three surgeries within 5 months (June, July, and November). Just 5 weeks after I had the original joint replacement, I had to return to the hospital due to it being infected. The second surgery had the joint be replaced by a wrecking ball of a spacer (Surgery and the Hips - Part 3) which was painful and uncomfortable. I had to have pain pills before physical therapy while in Acute Rehab. Fortunately, that wasn't needed when I moved to the nursing home.
I've been infection-free since the last surgery (Surgery and the Hips - Part 5). I don't need another wrecking ball in me. Physical therapy is going along well. I still have a ways to go before I can walk with and without a cane.
2014 should be a better year. The next surgery on the right hip should be near the end of 2014 also, and should go well.
While college graduation marks a joyous time for those graduates, it was tempered by my nearly not graduating due to a capstone team member miscommunicating something with the instructor (Teamwork in classes and on the job - Part 1 and Part 2) requiring us to change direction mid-semester right before Spring Break. That plus having to deal with the ever-increasing pain levels due to the degrading left hip joint as I got closer to graduation and surgery date. It did help to inform those I worked with about what was going on with me. My team had a second chance at finishing up our project that summer, but my hip had other ideas, including the team leader also having a health issue, so we were never able.
The left hip had other ideas in a way that required three surgeries within 5 months (June, July, and November). Just 5 weeks after I had the original joint replacement, I had to return to the hospital due to it being infected. The second surgery had the joint be replaced by a wrecking ball of a spacer (Surgery and the Hips - Part 3) which was painful and uncomfortable. I had to have pain pills before physical therapy while in Acute Rehab. Fortunately, that wasn't needed when I moved to the nursing home.
I've been infection-free since the last surgery (Surgery and the Hips - Part 5). I don't need another wrecking ball in me. Physical therapy is going along well. I still have a ways to go before I can walk with and without a cane.
2014 should be a better year. The next surgery on the right hip should be near the end of 2014 also, and should go well.
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