Up close and selfie

Theresa came back from Medtrade bearing gifts.

“Want a selfie stick?”

“Yup.”

The answer was automatic. I don't know where I stand on the use of selfie sticks, but as I've said before, I love free things so I took it with the enthusiasm of a classically trained hoarder.

As soon as she walked away I took it out of the box and snapped my first selfie stick selfie.

real selfie.png

I wondered if I would actually use it in public or if I would feel too self-conscious. I won't speak for everyone, but I love having my picture taken. If it's a group photo, I'll be the first one to ask a friendly-looking stranger to take our photo. And if I can't find one of those, I'll ask anyway. So if I'm prepared to interrupt someone's dinner, why am I so embarrassed to carry a selfie stick?

A few of my friends from college already have them. In an effort to avoid possible shame and ridicule, the first one to consider purchasing one canvased the group for public opinion beforehand.

The support was overwhelming. It turned out that several of the others wanted to buy one for upcoming vacations, but were too embarrassed to admit it.

Me, personally, I haven't made up my mind about them. On one hand, they're incredibly convenient—and on the other, I don't want to look dumb.

As I struggle with this important dilemma, it reminds me of two competing truths (stay with me while I attempt to make a blog about selfie sticks reflect the financial complexities of the HME industry): Reimbursement rates are going down, yet an aging baby boomer generation is on the rise. Some say it's feast and others say it's a famine. I think it's going to be a few more years until we've reached a consensus on the industry—and selfie sticks.