I was satisfied with the pedigree Physability's therapists brought to the market place.
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Having visited or contacted all of the very few rehabilitation centres that were within reach, I chose Physability. Despite its short life I was satisfied with the pedigree Physability's therapists brought to the market place.
Some serious therapy became advisable many years ago and an absolute necessity for me some time in 2001. It then took me two years, on and off, to find that:
1. The NHS does not supply intensive rehabilitation to ageing
quadriplegics. In
crude terms, the NHS approach is to take painkillers and
spasm-killers and live
with the side effects into old age.
2.No suitable therapy is available locally or in the nearest spinal
injuries unit.
3.There are very few rehabilitation units with the right skills
anywhere in the country.
After 38 years as a quadriplegic, and 31 of those years in full time employment with a wife and family to support, I had to throw in the towel and admit that I was unfit for work and pretty much unfit for anything else. My fitness and stamina had all but disappeared; I was wracked with pain and spasm, and was having difficulty doing many of the things that had been much easier for years. The strain on my wife was now telling.
My first preliminary visit for assessment demonstrated that they
appeared to have the right skills and knowledge and I observed that, most
importantly, they had the right attitude.
I committed myself to a programme which would take up to a year to
complete and the cost of which would devour not only my new car but my
wife's new car and several other luxuries as well. I was also committing
to a round trip of a hundred miles for every session of therapy. This was
not something I entered into lightly.
It should be noted that Physability made no claims to me as to what was
achievable except that if improvements could be made, they would provide
the opportunities to make them.
I first attended a therapy session in May 2003. After 3 months attending
5 days a week, I'm now down to 3 days.
This is written in November 2003 halfway through the rehabilitation
programme and I have progressed enormously both physically and mentally.
My main observations follow:
My Observations
1.Physability's physical handling skills are really excellent. Their
ability to 'read' paralysed limbs and do something useful with them and
for them was noticeable from day one.
2.Their ability to handle their clients at the right psychological
level is remarkable. All their clients must have different goals,
motivations, energy, and attitudes but Physability's therapists understand
the make up of each one and take them where they are.
3.Although small, they are well equipped and keen to use any item
they possess.
4.The client is a key member of the 'team'. Whilst therapists provide
the technical guidance, advice, and a load of hands-on massage,
stretching, and releasing, ultimately the client dictates direction and
rate of progress.
5.The skills I've experienced from Physability's own therapists cover
a wide spectrum and they have been backed up by others including,
acupuncture, osteopathy, homeopathy, in a truly holistic treatment.
The Benefits to Me
Halfway through my intended rehabilitation programme I am aware of the
following amongst the many benefits I've received. All of these are
encompassed in the single fact that my physical decline has stopped and my
fitness and functionality are improving in measurable steps almost every
week.
1. Great increase in flexibility.
2. Considerable decrease in spasm and overall spasticity. I am now
able to sleep through the night with out being awakened.
3. Control and strength returning to muscles I thought I'd 'lost'.
4. Greatly improved power and control of breathing.
5. Improved posture and ability to transfer.
6. A huge amount of learning about my own body and how it behaves.
In Conclusion
I cannot praise Physability highly enough. They deliver great value in
all that they do and I doubt anyone else could have provided more benefits
than I have gained from them in the last six months.
The Therapists' has been great to work with, but then 99% of my time has been spent
with them! Dave and Nicky have supplied excellent support. I look forward
to the next six months.
Peter is continuing to improve function and fitness, spending more time at home with his own exercise programmme that was recommended and developed with therapists at the Centre.