inMotion Magazine Article - IDI's Amputee/Caregiver Series

inMotion Magazine – January/February 2000
New Technology to Open Lines of Communication for Amputees and Their Family Caregivers by inMotion staff writers
Interactive Drama Inc., (IDI) of Bethesda, Maryland, has developed a series of voice-controlled, interactive software programs that amputees and their family caregivers can use to gain information and emotional support, especially during the early stages of recovery from limb loss. The programs use IDI's unique Virtual Conversations™ software that allows users to talk directly to experienced amputees and caregivers who appear on a CD-ROM. Only a standard personal computer and microphone are required for the session. "We have created an interactive method that takes advantage of the magic of personal dialogue," explains William G. Harless, Ph.D., president of IDI and principal investigator on the project. "The simple act of speaking into a microphone initiates a realistic 'face to face' dialogue with an amputee or caregiver whose video image fills the computer screen. The user is instantly drawn into this 'give and take' conversation with the video subject. An intelligent prompting system provides relevant questions, allowing the user to conduct	an in-depth, uninterrupted conversation with each video peer, and never be at a loss for words." Users are able to "meet" a variety of amputees and family caregivers, and learn how they have coped with the challenges of amputation. They can ask a multitude of questions about the physical, psychological, and social impact of amputation, such as: * Was it difficult for you to accept limb loss? * How do you deal with strangers' reactions to your amputations? * How do you handle feelings of grief? * What are some of the typical challenges that you face every day? * What is the most important lesson that you have learned from this experience? Research conducted by IDI and funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institutes of Health, has shown that through these virtual dialogue programs amputees and caregivers not only gain first-hand knowledge from others who have experienced limb loss but also feel reassured that they are not alone.	"Many amputees report feeling a lack of preparation and emotional support, especially in the early stages of limb loss," says Harless. "They also want to talk to other amputees about their experience, but this opportunity is not always available to them. This could be an important method to help amputees and family caregivers adjust to their new circumstances." Three of the Virtual Conversations™ programs, feature Melanie Benn, who survived a deadly bacterial infection that left her a quadruple amputee; Jonathan Lee, a bilateral amputee with diabetes, and Ken Rutherford, a landmine survivor and bilateral amputee and will be commercially available in early 2000. For further information, contact Interactive Drama Inc., 7900 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814; call toll-free 1-800-489-4547; E-mail: info@idrama.com; or visit the IDI Web site at: www.idrama.com
Reprinted with permission from inMotion Magazine January/February 2000

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