Dear All
Introduction:
Some of you may know that I work part time as a Consultant for a company that makes medical equipment like Hospital Beds, Operating Tables, Patient Hoists etc. I work in the Division that makes special equipment for bigger bodies and I help with Research, Development and Testing of new products. I also help deliver training courses to teach the correct procedures to safely move and transfer larger patients and I give seminars on how the medical professions treat supersized patients.
There are three specific areas of research that I need help with and if you feel able to assist in any or all of these I would be very grateful. Im especially seeking responses from those who weigh more than 250lbs / 114kgs / 17stone 10lbs.
Patient Experience:
I have recently been asked to formally develop a training module on 'Patient Dignity and Respectful Care' and I've been giving some thought to what I'd actually like to communicate. I'd very much welcome any comments and thoughts you might want to share with me about care that you have received - whether good or bad - in any form of Medical or Nursing facility.
Obviously I will keep your comments anonymous and will change the details to ensure your privacy. These seminars are given internationally and the participants have come from North and South America, Australia, Asia and all over Europe so if you could identify which country you were in, as well as approximate weight at the time, it would be a great help. Please email me privately at the address at the end of this post with any responses.
Statistics:
Equipment is finally being developed that more than meets weight requirements but, infuriatingly, it still doesn't always work for us as it should. A specific example of this is a commode chair which I was recently asked to evaluate. It was a wonderfully sturdy piece of kit with a safe working load of up to 1000lbs. The width however was within an inch or so of my hips when I was seated and I suspect would be unworkable, uncomfortable and possibly even dangerous for someone weighing closer to its upper limit. (For info I currently weigh around 525lbs and measure approximately 84 inches when stood)
Manufacturers are striving to develop products which fit us and meet our needs but they are hampered by a lack of statistical information and because they dont properly understand our dimensions. I would very much like to gather some information on height, weight and measurements and have written a brief questionnaire which would help gather this.
I am very aware that this is a sensitive request as we all get asked to provide numbers for the gratification of some very un-academic desires, but this is a serious request and again, I can guarantee your completely privacy. I would also like to offer my assurance that I am not gathering the information for any commercial purpose, only to try to help some Medical staff get a more accurate idea of the sizes and shapes of the community that they are trying to treat. If you would like a copy of the survey please email me privately at the address at the end of this post and Ill send it to you.
Positive images:
My third area of concern is the images that the participants are shown during their training. The pictures all show Supersized people as patients and illustrate various ailments that can afflict us. While I can see their value I believe it is absolutely VITAL that Medical staff view their Supersized customers as people first and patients second. The images shown are often the only time that the participants ever see larger bodies and I'm hugely saddened that all the images are negative.
I wondered if anyone had any more positive images that they would allow me to use in my presentation? I'd love to run a sequence of images showing the vital, lively, busy and positive Supersized people that I know are out there. Wedding pictures, Team get-togethers, sporting or activity pictures, nights out, holidays, award ceremonies, proud Mama's and Papa's, glamour and (soft) sexy shots would all be great and be a wonderful antidote to the gruesome pictures of diseases and ailments and the endless parade of patient gowns that illustrate the other seminars.
The images would be shown on screen only and not reproduced or released in any form. I'd love to be able to give an approximate weight beside each image but I'm also happy to either obscure your face or alternatively include your name, career, achievement or any other detail that you'd care to share.
In closing:
I appreciate that the information I'm asking for is sensitive but I genuinely believe that your contributions could be vital in improving the services that are being offered to Supersized patients by the medical professions. Better information and an improved perception of us as a group will also help improve the lot of many of our Supersized brothers and sisters who need medical help worldwide.
Feel free to email me privately with any words or pictures you might wish to contribute. Once again Id like to assure you that the answers you give will be kept completely anonymous with your privacy respected at all times and that I am primarily seeking responses from those who weigh more than 250lbs / 114kgs / 17stone 10lbs.
Please send all responses to me at [email protected]
Many MANY thanks
Tracey xx
Introduction:
Some of you may know that I work part time as a Consultant for a company that makes medical equipment like Hospital Beds, Operating Tables, Patient Hoists etc. I work in the Division that makes special equipment for bigger bodies and I help with Research, Development and Testing of new products. I also help deliver training courses to teach the correct procedures to safely move and transfer larger patients and I give seminars on how the medical professions treat supersized patients.
There are three specific areas of research that I need help with and if you feel able to assist in any or all of these I would be very grateful. Im especially seeking responses from those who weigh more than 250lbs / 114kgs / 17stone 10lbs.
Patient Experience:
I have recently been asked to formally develop a training module on 'Patient Dignity and Respectful Care' and I've been giving some thought to what I'd actually like to communicate. I'd very much welcome any comments and thoughts you might want to share with me about care that you have received - whether good or bad - in any form of Medical or Nursing facility.
Obviously I will keep your comments anonymous and will change the details to ensure your privacy. These seminars are given internationally and the participants have come from North and South America, Australia, Asia and all over Europe so if you could identify which country you were in, as well as approximate weight at the time, it would be a great help. Please email me privately at the address at the end of this post with any responses.
Statistics:
Equipment is finally being developed that more than meets weight requirements but, infuriatingly, it still doesn't always work for us as it should. A specific example of this is a commode chair which I was recently asked to evaluate. It was a wonderfully sturdy piece of kit with a safe working load of up to 1000lbs. The width however was within an inch or so of my hips when I was seated and I suspect would be unworkable, uncomfortable and possibly even dangerous for someone weighing closer to its upper limit. (For info I currently weigh around 525lbs and measure approximately 84 inches when stood)
Manufacturers are striving to develop products which fit us and meet our needs but they are hampered by a lack of statistical information and because they dont properly understand our dimensions. I would very much like to gather some information on height, weight and measurements and have written a brief questionnaire which would help gather this.
I am very aware that this is a sensitive request as we all get asked to provide numbers for the gratification of some very un-academic desires, but this is a serious request and again, I can guarantee your completely privacy. I would also like to offer my assurance that I am not gathering the information for any commercial purpose, only to try to help some Medical staff get a more accurate idea of the sizes and shapes of the community that they are trying to treat. If you would like a copy of the survey please email me privately at the address at the end of this post and Ill send it to you.
Positive images:
My third area of concern is the images that the participants are shown during their training. The pictures all show Supersized people as patients and illustrate various ailments that can afflict us. While I can see their value I believe it is absolutely VITAL that Medical staff view their Supersized customers as people first and patients second. The images shown are often the only time that the participants ever see larger bodies and I'm hugely saddened that all the images are negative.
I wondered if anyone had any more positive images that they would allow me to use in my presentation? I'd love to run a sequence of images showing the vital, lively, busy and positive Supersized people that I know are out there. Wedding pictures, Team get-togethers, sporting or activity pictures, nights out, holidays, award ceremonies, proud Mama's and Papa's, glamour and (soft) sexy shots would all be great and be a wonderful antidote to the gruesome pictures of diseases and ailments and the endless parade of patient gowns that illustrate the other seminars.
The images would be shown on screen only and not reproduced or released in any form. I'd love to be able to give an approximate weight beside each image but I'm also happy to either obscure your face or alternatively include your name, career, achievement or any other detail that you'd care to share.
In closing:
I appreciate that the information I'm asking for is sensitive but I genuinely believe that your contributions could be vital in improving the services that are being offered to Supersized patients by the medical professions. Better information and an improved perception of us as a group will also help improve the lot of many of our Supersized brothers and sisters who need medical help worldwide.
Feel free to email me privately with any words or pictures you might wish to contribute. Once again Id like to assure you that the answers you give will be kept completely anonymous with your privacy respected at all times and that I am primarily seeking responses from those who weigh more than 250lbs / 114kgs / 17stone 10lbs.
Please send all responses to me at [email protected]
Many MANY thanks
Tracey xx
