Real-Life Communication -- Solution
Here's what you could say to the kids:
"I'm
a prosthetist. My job is to help people with artificial limbs. These are often
called fake limbs, such as a 'fake arm' or a 'fake leg.' In my job, we call
an artificial limb a prosthesis.
"People have artificial limbs for
different reasons. Some people are born without a limb. Others lose a limb
in an accident. Some people choose to have a limb removed, or amputated. For
example, they might choose this because they have what's called a clubfoot.
This is a leg that hasn't developed properly, making it difficult to get around.
"If
a person thinks they want to have a limb removed, I need to tell them the
good and bad things that could happen. They might find it easier to walk,
for example, but they will have other problems. I have to make sure they understand
these other problems.
"For example, using a prosthesis can be uncomfortable.
Also, it might not let you do everything you want to. Because of make-believe
characters like the Bionic Man, many people think this is common. For most
people, it is not. Just because you have an artificial limb doesn't mean you
can jump over tall buildings."
Prosthetics designer Kerry
Calder says he uses communication skills every day, especially with his clients.
He is a certified prosthetist.
"Most people don't know anything about
prosthetics until they're in the situation, so communication is probably one
of the most important things," he says.
Prosthetics designers also
communicate with physical therapists, doctors, nurses and insurance companies.
Much of the communication with doctors and insurance companies is by letter,
so strong writing skills are valuable. You need to be able to clearly explain
your client's medical problems and history.
Some prosthetics designers
write scientific papers and present them. Many also do educational presentations
for various kinds of audiences.
"We're dealing with anywhere from grade
school kids up to people with university degrees," Calder says. "So, obviously,
your focus and direction, how technical you're going to be, varies depending
on what crowd you're dealing with."
Good communication skills are especially
important when you're training someone to use an artificial limb. For example,
if someone has a prosthesis with a hook, you can't just tell
them to open or close their hand. Instead, you have to use different terms
or use body motions, Calder says.
"When you're given a mechanical device
that's going to replace your natural part, you have to reinterpret things
for the patient and try to find a common language between the two of you."