travel agent Cyndi Segroves] to go along!

My friends are as old/older than I am, and are no longer able to provide transfers while travelling. It isn’t a lack of planning that keeps me home but a companion to help (or the money to pay for a companion).

About assistive technology (“AT Funding Challenge”), I broke a leg and an ankle during falls. I was then diagnosed with osteope-nia [a decrease in bone mineral density] in my legs, probably from not enough weight-bearing time while standing.

But will Medicare pay for a stander, so that I could get daily standing time? No, but they’re willing to pay $80 per month for drugs. Considering all the benefits derived from standing, it would make more sense long term for Medicare to include that in covered durable equipment. How about organizing a campaign?!

Laura Hill Roseville, Minn.

LAS VEGAS LIFTS

In “Oh the Places You Can Go” ( January-February), Andy Vladimir mentioned that four resorts in Las Vegas “all have rooms with ceiling track systems installed by SureHands.”

I use SureHands to do my transfers at home. Thinking about a possible trip to Vegas or even Reno I sent e-mails to all four of the mentioned resorts, but I received a favorable response from only one. Please tell me who I should call or e-mail at the hotels or resorts that would know if they use SureHands.

I received a response from Wynn Las Vegas Room Reservations, which verified the use of SureHands and described in detail how the lift works.

Terry Keenan East Dubuque, Ill.

ANDY VLADIMIR ADVISES: I would contact the hotels directly. Ask to speak to the front desk or the resident manager and say you want to book one of those rooms. I’m sure it can be done.

In each issue, space allowing, Quest will run letters sent to MDA, National Chairman Jerry Lewis or to the magazine.

Write to: MDA Mailbag, Quest, MDA, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718-3299. Or e-mail letter to publications@mda.org.

Letters must be signed and contain a daytime phone number, city and state, and be no more than 250 words. Letters may be edited for space.

If you have questions about your Quest subscription, contact your local MDA office.

Thank you for bringing this problem to light in your magazine.

Don Coyle
Long Branch, N.J.

STAND UP TO MEDICARE

Thanks for the great issue ( January-February)! There are several articles that I’m saving for later use, particularly the travel ones.

Speaking of that, what I REALLY need is a “friend Reg Roy” [as photographed with

PCA PROBLEMS

I read your article “Is Your PCA Driving You Crazy?” by Kathy Wechsler (March-April). I have a daughter with SMA type 2 and the article hits the nail right on the head.

My daughter (Susan) has had similar experiences with her health aides. It was good to read that this is not an isolated experience with just her. She has been living independently for 26 years and had the same problems for all that time.

It’s a shame that the government can’t pay health aides more money but can spend $480 billion in Iraq. My daughter can’t pay for health aides so has to have aides paid by Medicare or Medicaid, and they are not trained for some things like how to use a Hoyer lift. She or I have to train them over and over again.

LOOKING AHEAD IN QUEST . . .

Watch upcoming issues of Quest for stories on:

• the ADA at 17

• choosing the right college and submitting a winning application

• orthopedic equipment for those who walk

• metabolic myopathies

• females with Duchenne MD

• children’s grief

• and more on technology, travel, accessibility issues and medical care

Check www.mda.org/publications/Quest/q-helpquest.html to find out which stories we need to interview people for.

By sharing your story, you’ll be helping others with neuromuscular diseases.

SPREADING THE WORD

Quest had two great articles about personal care assistants (March-April). I was particularly impressed by “Where Are All the PCAs?” by Christina Medvescek.

I work with the Virginia Association of Personal Care Assistants ( www.virginiapca.org). We are a new professional association which gives caregivers a voice to improve working conditions, reduce turnover, and build a stable work force that ensures people with disabilities and seniors get the care they need to live at home as long as they choose.

VAPCA members work in coalition with consumers, advocates and community organizations to expand home- and community-based services and consumer choice. Nationally, we’re connected with the Service Employees International Union, which represents over 400,000 home care workers.

Our members are excited about joining together for a strong voice for improving home care, just like caregivers in other states have done.

Jennifer Schockemoehl
Richmond, Va.

VISIT HENRY’S BLOG

I am 35 years old with congenital MD. I’ve lived in Massachusetts all my life except for four years. I’ve been positive all my life, but as I get older that gets harder.

I created www.mydisabilitytalk.blogspot.com and www.mydisabilitytalk.com so that maybe we can share what you and I face every day. Please stop by and say hi.

Henry Lacostic
Lowell, Mass.