Living in the State of Stuck, 2nd Edition: How Technology Impacts the Lives of Poeple with Disabilities [Paperback]

Marcia J Scherer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1571290273 | ISBN-13: 978-1571290274 | Publication Date: September 25, 1996 | Edition: 2nd

This unique, well researched account will help anyone disabled or not deal with the physical and emotional aspects of adjusting to a life with assistive technology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Assistive technology is radically changing the lives of people with disabilities. Dr. Marcia Scherer's Living In The State Of Stuck sets the background for this radical transformation and discusses the implications of assistive technology for the lives of those born disabled, or who become disabled later in life. A severe disability no longer need prevent a person from attaining the same educational, personal, and career goals as other adults. Living In The State Of Stuck details assistive devices that enhance the quality of their lives, mobility, speech, and ability to work. But while these devices may enhance independence, the author explains how friends and relatives can better understand the personal issues and needs that arise from living with a disability and "needing" these devices. Living In The State Of Stuck is a unique, well-researched account that will help anyone (disabled or not) deal with the physical and emotional aspects of adjusting to a life with assistive technology. -- Midwest Book Review

Marcia Scherer persuasively reminds us that as technology is used to increase opportunities for individuals with disabilities to become productive members of society, the needs of the whole person must be taken into account. -- Senator Tom Harkin

This very perceptive volume looks at many rehabilitation subtleties often overlooked by the busy professional. -- JPO: Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics

About the Author

Schere is on the faculty of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute for Technology. She is the co-editor of two books, Psychological Assessment in Medical Rehabilitation, and Evaluating, Selecting and Using Appropriate Assistive Technology. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Brookline Books/Lumen Editions; 2nd edition (September 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571290273
• ISBN-13: 978-1571290274
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,614,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marcia Joslyn Scherer, Ph.D., MPH is editor of the journal "Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology." She is President of the Institute for Matching Person & Technology [MatchingPersonandTechnology.com] and is also Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical Center.

DESCRIBE THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF YOUR WORK.
I came from a psychology and rehabilitation background where the emphasis was on helping consumers' articulate their goals and then helping them find ways to achieve them. My Ph.D. dissertation study was researching differences in consumer and therapist perspectives of quality of life, rehabilitation success, and assistive technology use. That became the foundation from which my career and books have developed.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE JUST ENTERING THE FIELD?
I recommend that to develop career skills and stay current, regularly attend relevant conventions and training opportunities. Be sure to spend time networking with others in the field, and keep informed by reading both the journals and books in the field. You will certainly confront challenges in your career. Work hard and persist, however, as it is so worth it!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs-Up to Dr. Scherer, April 24, 2000

By 

Ken Query (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living in the State of Stuck : How Assistive Technology Impacts the Lives of People with Disabilities, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

As a rehabilitation professional and an individual with a severe mobility impairment, I found Dr. Scherer's book to be most enlightening. To tell you the truth, I was expecting another dry textbook bogged down with a lot of technical terms and professional jargon. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to read interesting stories about flesh and blood individuals, and the impact their disabilities and the use of assistive technology have had on their lives. It's one thing to read about all the wonderful things assistive technology can provide - it's quite another to read real life examples of its implementation.

I can relate to the author's belief that the technology is only as good as it is perceived to be by the individual that is using the technology, and that a holistic approach to matching the appropriate technology is essential. As Dr. Scherer points out, it doesn't matter how marvelous we as professionals' think the technology is. If it doesn't meet the need of the individual, it is virtually useless. To illustrate the author's point, I can't count the number of times a rehab professional has told me I should do this, or I should use that, or I should do it this way or that way, etc., without ever bothering to ask for my opinion or ideas. However, I have recently had my bilateral long leg braces refurbished, and (per Dr. Scherer's model), I essentially told the orthotist how I wanted it done. The end result - the braces are much more comfortable to wear and skin breakdown at the various pressure points has decreased dramatically!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living in the State of stuck, April 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Living in the State of Stuck : How Assistive Technology Impacts the Lives of People with Disabilities, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

Living in the State of Stuck teaches us how to look at assistive technology in a "big picture" perspective. The book discusses tailoring adaptations to particular needs, and how to practically apply adaptations to every day lives. Many people are afraid to use assistive technologies themselves, but expect people with disabilities to embrace adaptations. Scherer talks about matching people with technologies, not because they are a quick fix, and easily accessible, but because that person is genuinely interested in attaining and using the device which THEY have informatively chosen. Scherer uses practical information are stories about people of all ages and disabilities successfully using the latest technologies. She provides online resources, organizations, vendors and a worksheet to assist with matching persons with technologies.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For People With All Types of Abilities, April 17, 2000

By 

Elizabeth McIntosh (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living in the State of Stuck : How Assistive Technology Impacts the Lives of People with Disabilities, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

This book was very insightful and well researched. It includes numerous individuals with disabilities and describes using Assistive Technology in real life situations. It highlights that all persons with the same disability do not use the same Assistive Technology and that above all else, the individual's needs, desires and goals should be considered before the purchase of Assistive Technology. In addition, it also points out that people with an acquired disability may feel differently about Assistive Technology than a person born with a disability. Overall, an excellent read!