Category Archives: information

Gearing Up for Back-to-School Season

Shopping for school supplies and new clothes isn’t the only thing you’ll need to get done this August to make sure your child (and you!) are ready for the new school year. From ensuring that your kid’s teachers are aware of any special requirements to helping your child understand the importance of education, getting ‘back-to-school ready’ is easy with these quick tips.

Get into a routine
Summer days are filled with late starts, weekday trips and fun activities, meaning early
mornings, strict schedules, and homework may be a bit of a shock to your child’s system. Ease your kids into the school routine by practicing waking up early, having lunch at a certain time each day, and trading game-time for educational activities.

Assess accessibility
If it’s your child’s first time going to school, or if your family moved over the summer, be sure to pay the campus a visit before the first bell. From accessible entrances, hallways, and elevators to transportation equipped to meet your child’s needs, figuring out the details of getting to, and around, the school is essential.

Meet and greet
Get to know your child’s teachers and aides whenever possible. Explain your child’s special needs to them in detail, ensuring that you make them aware of any particular requirements they may have, or assistive devices they need to utilize in class.

Account for changes
Even if your son or daughter has been attending the same school for years, be sure to ask administration if there have been any changes over the summer. From a new teacher in your child’s class to a newly built wing that proves to be inaccessible, it’s best to prepare yourself and your little ones ahead of time with this information.

Talk it out
Have a series of conversations with your child regarding the upcoming school year. Explain to them when they will begin lessons, what their schedules will look like, and how you and their teachers will be there to help them along the way. If you help your child understand the importance of an education, the process will be easier for both of you.

Fryns Syndrome

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Fryns syndrome is an extremely rare inherited disorder characterized by multiple abnormalities that are present at birth (congenital). Characteristic symptoms and physical findings include protrusion of part of the stomach and/or small intestines into the chest cavity (diaphragmatic hernia), abnormalities of the head and face area (craniofacial region), and underdevelopment of the ends of the fingers and toes (distal digit hypoplasia). Additional symptoms include underdevelopment (hypoplasia) of the lungs, incomplete closure of the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), cardiac defects, and varying degrees of mental retardation. Fryns syndrome is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.

Symptoms
Fryns syndrome is associated with numerous abnormalities of varying severity such as protrusion of part of the stomach and/or small intestines into the chest cavity (diaphragmatic hernia), unusual facial features, and abnormalities of the fingers and toes. The number and severity of symptoms and physical findings will vary greatly from case to case.

Some symptoms such as diaphragmatic hernia, underdevelopment of the lungs, and cardiac defects may result in life-threatening complications during the newborn (neonatal) period.

Approximately 89 percent of all infants with Fryns syndrome have diaphragmatic hernia of varying degrees of severity. Lung hypoplasia and deformity of the lobes of the lungs also occurs in most cases. In some cases, affected infants may also have an abnormally small upper chest (thorax) and abnormal accumulation of milky fluid (chyle) in the thorax (chylothorax). Cases of Fryns syndrome in which affected infants do not have diaphragmatic hernia are considered less severe.

Infants with Fryns syndrome also have characteristic facial features that give the face a coarse appearance. These features include an abnormally small jaw (micrognathia) that may be displaced father back than normal (retrognathia); a broad, flat nasal bridge; an abnormally wide mouth (macrostomia); and incomplete closure of the roof of the mouth (cleft palate). In addition, affected infants may also have cloudy lenses of the eyes (corneal clouding); malformation (dysplasia) of the outer ears (pinnae) with underdeveloped lobes; an abnormal groove in the upper lip (cleft lip); a large, upturned nose; and a short, broad neck.

Another characteristic symptom of Fryns syndrome is underdevelopment of the tips of the fingers and toes (distal digit or acral hypoplasia). Affected infants may have underdeveloped or absent nails, abnormally short bones in the tips of the fingers and toes (terminal phalanges), and permanently flexed fingers (camptodactyly).

Affected infants may also have various abnormalities affecting the central nervous system. In approximately 50 percent of cases, Dandy-Walker malformation may be present. Dandy-Walker malformation is a rare malformation of the brain characterized by an abnormally enlarged space at the back of the brain (cystic 4th ventricle) that interferes with the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the openings between the ventricle and other parts of the brain. In many cases, an abnormal cystic growth consisting of dilated lymph vessels beneath the skin in the neck area (cystic hygroma) may be present. Affected infants may also exhibit absence of the thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain (agenesis of the corpus callosum), accumulation of excessive cerebrospinal fluid in the skull (hydrocephalus), and absence of a structure of the brain (rhinecephalon) associated with the sense of smell (arrhinencephaly). For more information on these disorders, choose “Hydrocephalus” “Dandy Walker” and “Agenesis of Corpus Callosum” as your search terms in the Rare Disease Database.)

Approximately 55 percent of infants with Fryns syndrome exhibit congenital heart (cardiac) defects including atrial and ventricular septal defects (VSDs and ASDs). These septal defects are the most common structural heart defects. ASDs are characterized by an abnormal opening in the fibrous partition (septum) that separates the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. VSDs are characterized by an abnormal opening in the septum that divides the heart’s two lower chambers (ventricles).

Skeletal abnormalities may be present in some infants with Fryns syndrome including abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis), extra ribs, and (osteochondrodysplasia).

Some infants with Fryns syndrome may have abnormalities of the genitourinary system. Females may exhibit malformation of the uterus with unusual “horn-shaped” branches (bicornuate uterus) and underdeveloped ovaries. Males may experience failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum (cryptorchidism) and placement of the urinary opening on the underside of the penis (hypospadias). Kidney (renal) abnormalities may also be present including cysts in the kidneys and malformation (dysplasia) of the kidneys.

Digestive abnormalities secondary to diaphragmatic hernia may also occur in some infants with Fryns syndrome including twisting (malrotation) of the intestines, protrusion of part of the intestines through an abnormal opening near the umbilical cord (omphalocele), esophageal atresia, and/or imperforate anus. Esophageal atresia is a condition in which the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus) ends in a pouch instead of connecting to the stomach. Imperforate anus is a rare condition in which a thin covering (membrane) blocks the anal opening or the passage that connects the anus and the lowest part of the large intestine (rectum) fails to develop.

Causes
Fryns syndrome is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Human traits, including the classic genetic diseases, are the product of the interaction of two genes, one received from the father and one from the mother.

In recessive disorders, the condition does not occur unless an individual inherits the same defective gene for the same trait from each parent. If an individual receives one normal gene and one gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms. The risk of transmitting the disease to the children of a couple, both of whom are carriers for a recessive disorder, is 25 percent. Fifty percent of their children risk being carriers of the disease, but generally will not show symptoms of the disorder. Twenty-five percent of their children may receive both normal genes, one from each parent, and will be genetically normal (for that particular trait). The risk is the same for each pregnancy.

Parents of several individuals with the disorder have been closely related (consanguineous). If both parents carry the same disease gene, then there is a higher-than-normal risk that there children may inherit the two genes necessary for the development of the disorder.

Exhaust System Repairs on Wheelchair Vans – Repair work on rusted Exhaust Systems

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Exhaust systems are one of those things you don’t notice (and shouldn’t have to). So long as it’s quiet and it does its job of routing the engine exhaust outside of the vehicle, you probably never even think about preventative maintenance for it. But, that only happens because the exhaust system on your wheelchair van has been properly designed and engineered to be reliable and worry-free.

We can repair or just take a look at how your wheelchair van exhaust system looks in your BraunAbility, Eldorado, Vantage Mobility or even your rollex van.

Wheelchair van exhaust systems are custom constructed and mounted – to make sure that they’re reliable and trouble-free its best to have them inspected at a full service mobility facility.

Even if the exhaust systems are made with stainless steel, the same material the original vehicle manufacturers (Dodge, Chrysler, Toyota & Honda) use, the connection can still corrode and rust.

Keep in mind that any wheelchair van with a lowered floor will have reduced ground clearance and an exhaust system that’s lower than your average vehicle. We encourage you to come in and have your van inspected every year to you get the best, most reliable, most durable ride possible.

Description of Wheelchair Van Exhaust System Repair
Located on the underside of your vehicle, the exhaust system is responsible for collecting and directing harmful emissions away from the vehicle, reducing the amount of pollutants released into the environment, and minimizing engine exhaust noise and force. The exhaust system is composed of pipes and tubing designed to streamline vehicle operation while maximizing vehicle performance and efficiency. Engines produce dangerous gases as a byproduct of the combustion process. The exhaust manifold collects the emissions from the engine and funnels the gases through the front pipe to the catalytic converter. The converter transforms these harmful gases, like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, into less harmful ones, like oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. The muffler helps cancel out the noise created by the engine. The muffler dissipates sound waves while the tailpipe releases the converted gases into the atmosphere.

Benefits of Exhaust System Preventative Maintenance and Repair
Depending upon the problem, the exhaust system can affect both your vehicle’s performance and your ability to drive. For these reasons, it is important to keep current with maintenance intervals on your exhaust system. A repair service or inspection may be impending if you hear excessively loud noises during acceleration. These noises may be a sign of holes or cracks somewhere in the exhaust system. Rattling noises when starting the vehicle or excessive idling may be a sign of failed or broken hangers. If you feel drowsiness while driving, this may be a serious sign that fumes are leaking through the vents and into the cabin interior. Sharp odors are also signs that noxious fumes are leaking into the vehicle. Signs of rust or cracks in any component of your exhaust system indicate corrosion. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek a service sooner than later. Maintaining routine exhaust system services will help keep all your exhaust components, like the exhaust manifold, front pipe, downpipe, catalytic converter, and muffler, working efficiently. Routine maintenance on your exhaust system will save you from having to replace the entire exhaust system down the road.

VMi New England proudly offers Exhaust System Repair solutions for wheelchair van customers in Bridgewater, MA – East Bridgewater, MA – West Bridgewater, MA – Brockton, MA – Taunton, MA – Middleboro, MA – Berkley, MA – Raynham, MA – Canton, MA – Stoughton, MA – Randolph, MA, and all other surrounding areas in New England.

Fibromyalgia

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What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue (feeling tired). People with fibromyalgia have “tender points” on the body. Tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs. These points hurt when pressure is put on them.

People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms, such as:

Trouble sleeping
Morning stiffness
Headaches
Painful menstrual periods
Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called “fibro fog”).

A person may have two or more coexisting chronic pain conditions. Such conditions can include chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, interstitial cystitis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and vulvodynia. It is not known whether these disorders share a common cause.

What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown. There may be a number of factors involved. Fibromyalgia has been linked to:

Stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidents
Repetitive injuries
Illness
Certain diseases.

Fibromyalgia can also occur on its own.

Some scientists think that a gene or genes might be involved in fibromyalgia. The genes could make a person react strongly to things that other people would not find painful.

Who Is Affected by Fibromyalgia?
Scientists estimate that fibromyalgia affects 5 million Americans 18 or older. Between 80 and 90 percent of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women. However, men and children also can have the disorder. Most people are diagnosed during middle age.

People with certain other diseases may be more likely to have fibromyalgia. These diseases include:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly called lupus)
Ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis).

Women who have a family member with fibromyalgia may be more likely to have fibromyalgia themselves.

How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Fibromyalgia can be hard to treat. It’s important to find a doctor who is familiar with the disorder and its treatment. Many family physicians, general internists, or rheumatologists can treat fibromyalgia. Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in arthritis and other conditions that affect the joints or soft tissues.

Fibromyalgia treatment often requires a team approach. The team may include your doctor, a physical therapist, and possibly other health care providers. A pain or rheumatology clinic can be a good place to get treatment.

What Can I Do to Try to Feel Better?
There are many things you can do to feel better, including:

Taking medicines as prescribed
Getting enough sleep
Exercising
Eating well
Making work changes if necessary.

What Research Is Being Done on Fibromyalgia?
The NIAMS sponsors research to help understand fibromyalgia and find better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent it. Researchers are studying:

Why people with fibromyalgia have increased sensitivity to pain.
Medicines and behavioral treatments.
Whether there is a gene or genes that make a person more likely to have fibromyalgia.
The use of imaging methods, such as magnetic resonate imaging (MRI), to better understand fibromyalgia.
Inflammation in the body and its relationship to fibromyalgia.
Nondrug therapies to help reduce pain.
Methods to improve sleep in people with fibromyalgia.

Everyday Mobility Aids

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Having a disability can make getting around and doing everyday activities difficult. Simple things like taking a shower, going to the store or even moving around your house can be a challenge for someone with limited mobility.

Getting a wheelchair or scooter is usually the first step, but there are several other mobility aids that either work in tandem or in addition to those to help you do the things you need to do. Once you have a wheelchair or scooter, there are upgrades you can make to your home to increase wheelchair accessibility there, but those don’t necessarily give you additional mobility. If you are looking to gain better mobility both inside and outside of your house, try any of the mobility equipment options below.

Transfer Board or Slider
While going out is often a major challenge, sometimes getting around within your house may be even more difficult. Getting onto a bed from a wheelchair, for example, requires strength, time and often another person. Luckily, there are transfer boards or sliders available to help facilitate the process. Wheelchair users place one end of the board under them on their wheelchair seat and slide across to the other end, which is set on their destination.

Bath Lifts
Bath lifts help those with limited leg mobility get into the bathtub. They attach to the tub and act as a seat for the wheelchair user to transfer to when they are ready to bathe. Once the user is sitting on the lift, it swings around and lowers within the tub. When the user is ready to get out, the seat can raise back up and out, preventing dangerous slipping. Other, simpler bath accessories include bath chairs, which act more as transfer seats that extend past the tub so the wheelchair user can safely slide across and under a shower head without using too much strength.

While living with a disability may make performing certain tasks more difficult, mobility equipment is available to help ease these challenges. Check online or with a mobility equipment dealer to find out where you can get these mobility aids.

Mobility Vehicles
If you use a wheelchair and don’t have a mobility vehicle, going anywhere can be a challenge. These are more expensive than many other types of mobility equipment, but there are plenty of options — and you may even be eligible for financial assistance. If you can’t afford to purchase a vehicle of your own, many dealers also offer rentals for much less.

Steering Aids
Whether you buy a mobility vehicle or simply transfer from your wheelchair to a car seat, you may need the ability to drive. There are different steering aids available to help you do so, depending on your abilities, including:

Steering Attachments: Extensions, such as knobs, gloves or balls, attach to the steering wheel to make it easy for those with limited arm function to turn the wheel with one hand or arm.
Foot Controls: Attachments on the ground give those with limited use of their hands the ability to steer and control the vehicle with their feet.
Loosened Steering: Drivers without adequate upper body strength can turn the wheel without requiring much effort with a simple steering modification.
Automatic Controls: A driver with limited leg mobility can steer, accelerate and brake with their hands using one piece of equipment that can be mounted in the driver’s area.