E-Alerts from RSDSA

Some interesting things forwarded by Jim Broatch over at RSDSA:

Kentucky Bill Would Require Nurses to Complete 2 Hours of CRPS Education


On Tuesday, February 1, 2011, HB 234 was introduced in Kentucky. The bill would require all nurses in the state to take a one time 2 hour course in CRPS/RSD. It will go before Health and Welfare Committee Chairperson Rep. Tom Burch.


We are asking all Kentuckians to contact Tom Burch at Tom.Burch@lrc.ky.gov or 1-800-372-7181 and request him to choose this bill to go before it goes before the committee.


For more information, please contact Carolyn Clemons
South Central KY RSD Support Group, 270.879.4023

Transportation Security Agency Issues new Medical Notification Cards

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a new medical notification card that travellers can present to airport screeners. The card will not exempt passengers from screening, but it will alert the TSA employee that a health condition exists. Click here for the link to the card.


We also suggest that before you fly, ask your physician for a recently dated letter addressed to TSA Employees/Security Checkpoint Supervisor stating that you have been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a neurological syndrome characterized by intense chronic burning pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating, tissue swelling, and extreme sensitivity to touch. Your physician can recommend that you be scanned by an electronic scanning device rather than being physically searched, which will cause intense pain and prevent your traveling.


CRPS Diagnostic Codes


CRPS has been assigned the code number 337.2. It has been classified into four categories:
(1) 337.20 - unspecified site
(2) 337.29 - other specified site
(3) 337.21 - upper extremity
(4) 337.22 - lower extremity

In 2006, RSDSA put out this article about working with the TSA:

RSDSA has been asked by a person with CRPS how she can avoid a symptom flare-up, resulting from being patted down by security personnel at airport security checkpoints.

We suggest that prior to flying, you obtain a recently dated letter from your physician addressed to TSA Employees/Security Checkpoint Supervisor stating that you have been diagnosed with CRPS, a neurological syndrome characterized by intense chronic burning pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating, tissue swelling, and extreme sensitivity to touch and he/she recommends that you be scanned by an electronic scanning device rather than being physically searched which will cause intense pain and prevent your traveling.

Other ways to avoid a pat-down is wear clothes that are designed for
traveling such as:

Shoes with no metal shanks or eyes for laces
Skirts, pants, shirts, etc. with no metal zippers or buttons (plastic only)
No belt buckles or metal fasteners or if the passenger is wearing a
belt with a metal buckle, all they have to do is to open up the
buckle and allow the TSA agent to "feel it"
Sports bra with no metal hooks/eyes or strap adjustment.
No jewelry.
Keep all keys, cosmetics, money and change in a belt pouch or purse that will be placed in a tray for x-ray clearance with a minimum of
fumbling.
Nothing metal goes in pockets--have everything that would be in your pockets, put into a clear plastic ZIPLOC bag. A few of the airports now have such bags available for this use and 9 times out of 10, you can keep the bag

The TSA agent may ask you to go over to seat down area and remove your shoes. THE TSA AGENT IS REQUIRED TO GENTLY REMOVE YOUR SHOES AND PUT YOUR SHOES BACK ON WITHOUT CAUSING YOU ANY PAIN. Just chat with the TSA agent about your shoe removal and replacement needs. Most are very helpful...except at San Francisco Airport where they are getting the most complaints of any TSA-maintained airport in the states.

Metal-detector "safe" clothing for travelers is available and advertised as such on the following two websites:

Travel Smith
Magellan's
As a general rule, most of the TSA people are good at understanding the needs of travelers with disabilities.

RSDSA board members Dr. Peter Moskovitz and Wilson Hulley contributed to this announcement.