A CASE THAT REDEFINED MY CAREER AS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST...
XYZ was a 57year old male, suffering from upper back tuberculosis. Before he underwent the surgery, he complained of sudden development of weakness of both his lower limbs, which further resulted in complete loss of strength within a week’ time. The investigation report showed that he was suffering from tuberculosis of dorsal spine with significant neural compression. His life underwent a dramatic change, and he became completely dependent for all his daily living tasks, and to add to the problems further he even lost control over his urine and motions.
I remember, when I evaluated him the first time, he barely had movements in his lower extremity, left slightly better than the right. I started with occupational therapy intervention from 5th post – operative day when he was medically stable and discharged. We started with static exercises of all the affected muscles with varying intensity, frequency, and duration of exercise and each time any progress was noted it was a matter of success for both me and the patient. It was with the help of active assistive exercise and activities, that gradually over a period of three weeks we started to appreciate some improvement in the muscle strength in his legs.
The gradual improvements were a great source of strength, inspiration and motivation for him and me as well. It was evident from his diligently following the exercise regime. It was evident from his body language that there was a sense of purpose in his participation. He appreciated the changes, he was able to sit and move in and out of the bed. His improvements in sitting balance enabled him to self feed, watch TV for longer period of time and maintain reasonably well posture. He started to inch towards pursuing his favorite pastime of sitting and reading and even work on his laptop. Been a senior engineer, his ability to lay his hand once again on his laptop was a milestone of sort.
One very challenging part of managing him was encountered when I attempted to make him stand, weighing 110 kg and a stature of 6.3 feet tall, and the kind of weakness that he had, it really was a daunting task to facilitate him for attempted standing. I am immensely thankful to the physical assistance being provided by the building watchman. His insurmountable mental strength prevailed, he started using walker after about a month’s period, he couldn’t believe, he and his wife were in tears when he managed to stand on his own with a walker; they had almost given up all hopes. The whole experience inspired me like never before; I should say that it was a defining moment for me as a professional. It gave me immense confidence in dealing with my patients.
The regular therapy sessions went on, the gradual improvement was mutually motivating, as time passed by the initial therapeutic interventions gave way to next set of interventions and then to next, the therapeutic sessions continued and continued for next 8 month, regularly and religiously.
As our therapeutic journey was coming to an end, more and more emphasis was been given on his performance in activities of daily living, he was trained to walk independently on streets, in his garden, unleveled streets, and staircase. These valiant efforts were punctuated with painful trips and falls, but he always held on to his grit and determination and that became the cornerstone for his successful rehabilitation.
After about a year, he is currently working with the same company that he used to, and he now travels extensively across the globe. I will always consider this opportunity as a perfect kick-start to my aspiring professional career. It was also a high point in understanding the true essence of patient-therapist relationship, which till now was just an academic jargon.
(The Author wishes to acknowledge with gratitude, the intellectual contribution of
Dr. Shovan Saha - Occupational Therapist, in editing & re-formatting of this article)
Article By:
Dr. Dr. Yogita Chhawchhria
B.O.TH, M.O.TH.
Occupational Therapist &
Rehabilitation Consultant.
Proprietor: Yashasvi Rehab Center,
Shop No. 3, Building 10,
Durga Sadan Society,
Tilak Nagar, Chembur - 400089.
Email: yashasvirehab@yahoo.co.in
Contact No: 9820794435 / 9821557137
Services available: Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Special Education, Clinical Psychology, & Physical Exercise Therapy.
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