Healing Waters / SLP - Concave & Convex

Walter & Group...

From Michael Jones:-

Gordy:

I did not know we had a few PHWFF instructors in our group!  This is excellent, and an excellent way to improve us, not only as instructors, but as humans.  I wanted to thank Thomas Scheer for his comments, as he hits on some very good points regarding working within the VA system.  I only want to add a very brief overview of PHW as it pertains to the VA hospitals; this can really help anyone that is interested in making accurate movement forward as a volunteer instructor/mentor there:

 

PHW has over 50 programs around the country, each individual program is operated by two entities: a VA staff member (physical or rehab. therapist for example), and a volunteer program lead appointed by a local volunteer group (that has signed a memorandum of agreement), think a local TU chapter, FFF chapter, or fishing club.

To approach this system as an instructor/volunteer, it is important to contact the right people to ensure your success.  First, find out who your Regional Coordinator for PHWFF is for your exact geographical region of the country.  Second, offer them your information, bio, and address.  They will put you in contact with the appropriate program lead (mentioned earlier above).  The program lead, working in concert with the VA staff member, dictate protocol in regards to individual participants, and their specific needs.  This can be a very private matter, and is a matter that the VA takes quite seriously.  Asking the right people how and who to help is very delicate and instrumental to your approach.

That being said, I know that both Tom and I have gained a tremendous amount of enjoyment out of seeing the lights turn on in a soldiers life, again!  Healing those who served!

Michael

Regional Coordinator, PWHFF NE

Harpswell, Maine

 

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From Carol Katz :-

 

If Tom is referring to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, I have some advice: join us rather than try to go it alone.  PHWFF is a nationwide non-profit corporation with five years of experience.  Any fishing club interested in starting a local program should first get in touch with our national organization.  We have a knowledgeable Program Manager in the headquarters and ten Regional Coordinators who can provide advice, hospital contact information, a Program Guide and much more.   We are also able to provide financial assistance to local programs that can be used for the purchase of rods, reels, lines, licenses, tying equipment, fishing outings, etc.   In addition to major publicity, name recognition, national fundraising, and national fly fishing trips to participants, being part of PHWFF has many advantages when compared to “going it alone.” 

 

A Veterans Affairs facility will be, by its very nature, much different than a Department of Defense facility.  Patients in a DoD hospital are typically receiving acute care for more recent injuries or disabilities and they tend to be younger.   A patient in a VA hospital may have served in WWII, Viet Nam or any other conflict including the current ones; there is a great deal of mental illness and chronic disease.  In either type of hospital, there are both inpatients and outpatients, and countless groups who might benefit from participation in Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.  PHWFF has cultivated exceptional working relationships with both DoD and VA leaders, and I encourage Tom and anyone else interested in starting a program to check our website (projecthealingwaters.org).  You can contact your local Regional Coordinator, the national Program Manager, officers, and many others through the website.  We now have more than 50 programs nationwide and would love to have Tom’s club join us.

 

Carole Katz

National Trustee

Southwest Regional Coordinator

Program Lead, PHWFF@ Long Beach VAMC

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                                         SLP   CONCAVE / CONVEX

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From Pat Blackwell:-

Hi Gordy,
 
RE: Lewis Hicks' thought on SLP. 
 
Although my thoughts on concave/convex vs SLP are similar to Lewis's his explanation is much better.
 
When explaining to a student the value of a SLP of the rod tip, I use a straight object (usually a fly rod because its handy) to show the SLP of the rod tip (including a change of plane). Then I move my hand in an arc above (outside) the straight object to show the convex path of the rod tip for a open loop, then I arc my hand under (inside) the straight object to show the concave path of the rod tip which creates a tailing loop.
 
Most students understand my explanation, although occasionally one will say they understand but I'm reasonably sure they're scratching their head trying to figure out what I'm trying to explain. Do you have any thoughts or tricks that would help me convey this explanation to someone who just isn't getting it.
 
Thanks
 
Pat Blackwell

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COMMENT:  Let us all remember, that SLP refers to a straight line path of the rod tip IN ALL PLANES !

Gordy 

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