International Ventilator Users Network's mission
is to enhance the lives and independence of users
of home mechanical ventilation (HMV) through
education, advocacy, research and networking.

Photo of wheelchairThis week at IVUN ...

A very nice power wheelchair available for best offer. My sister, Kathleen, used it for six months in a nursing home before she passed. It has an optional, removable vent tray, tilt in space option and joy stick. It comes with a battery and charger. My sister would be happy to know that someone was using it. Although it cost $13,598 new, you may have it for a donation to PHI. If anyone is interested or wishes to see it, call me at 616-304-3412. It is currently in storage at Marywood Dominican Sisters Motherhouse on Fulton St. in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

View Prior Weeks at IVUN ...

EDUCATION

click here for Take Charge, Not Chances
Click logo for critical information for ventilator users and caregivers to give to emergency and health care providers.

image of people on phones and computerIVUN's Seventh Educational
Conference Call

Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 1:00 pm CDT
Competitive Bidding Expands: Has it come to your area, yet? What is it? presented by Joan L. Headley.

Beyond the Technical – Linda Bieniek used non-invasive ventilation for 22 years and a trach for the last seven years. After an emergency bowel obstruction surgery, she went into respiratory failure and was given a trach to save her life.  Linda will share her reactions to the many changes she experienced when returning home and how she relieved symptoms of anxiety, depression and loneliness.  Linda has written many articles about her disability experience, see Exploring the Option of a Trach,  Intimacy, Sexuality, and Home Mechanical Ventilation: Breathing Intimacy Into Our Lives© and co-wrote a chapter called Psychological issues of the mechanically ventilated patient in Non-invasive Ventilation and Weaning: Principles and Practice [Hardcover]. 

Simple Solutions – Nancy Baldwin Carter discusses solving polio problems she encountered by inventing simple devices not available on the market. Nancy has written many articles, too, about her experiences as noninvasive vent-using polio survivor, eg, My Journey through the Basics of Post-Polio Breathing Problems, The Mohs & Me and Surgery and Another Point of View.

If time:

Time will be made for Q and A and comments. 

Reservations are required to be on the call. To reserve your spot, contact info@ventusers.org. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Presentations from Past Calls

ADVOCACY

RESEARCH

NETWORKING

 

 

 

This site updated 5-25-13

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