Journey through physio part one

I have decided not to go chronologically anymore because I don’t want to bore you, but after my stints at St George's and the RHN, I spent two years in two rehabilitation centres one in Kent which was very good at pain management using natural remedies, followed by my last move to Kingston Rehab Centre, where I began my transition home. I finally came home to my family in November 2019. I am going to group my experience under topics, covering the two years.

Can you believe I started physio at St George's as soon as they knew I was going to survive? I don’t remember a thing, but because your muscles have been completely inactive, they need to get your muscles working ASAP. This is critical to stop permanent damage to your limb mobility. At St George's the focus was on passive range of movements (Limbs moved passively by the therapists rather than my self ) and to place me on a tilt table. A tilt table is a plinth you lie on and are gradually angled forward into semi stand with your back fully supported. If you have seen revenge of the sith - a Star Wars film - the end scene Darth Vader is lying down and he is raised into an upright position whilst lying down.

Physiotherapy started very early on practicing passive range of movements of my limbs to ensure they weren't permanently locked

At the RHN, I had physio with a lovely lady called Taryn, she was great - but I could not do much as I was so weak - but what we did focus was my right arm, which technically is my good side but was weakened by my long comma.

Working with Taryn to get a better range of movement in my right arm - at that time I needed an antigravity device to support my arm.

I can't emphasise enough how lying in a bed for months completely weakens your muscles. Even a wheelchair is an upgrade and seen as better than lying n your back all day. I was so weak to the extent I could not hold my head up. If I was in a standing device someone had to hold my head. In my wheelchair my head would be strapped to keep it up which was irritating, especially because it made my hijab move.

My head just wouldn't stay up

As I was doing well in RHN - not physically but cognitively - I had to move ward, where it was a little more advanced. People could communicate in the ward up. That was a hard moment for me. Because of my injury, I hate any changes. I cried like a baby when I left my ward. They were lovely in the next ward, a floor up. Everyone changes when you move up, so I had a new physio - Luke. I remember initially I found it so strange having a male physio because you work in such close contact, but I always knew I had to get on with it. At this early stage, I must mention my left leg did not even move at all or my left arm. With Luke, I moved onto new standing aids, still very much supported. My right side got used to working very hard to compensate for my left side. I must admit for one year, I did not even believe I had a left leg and arm. I could see them but I could not feel that side, they were dead to me, a big error on my behalf. I have found in my journey because I have a right-sided brain injury my left side bears the effects of the injury. I still have huge issues with my left arm. You could pinch my arm - I would not feel it.

Working with Luke on the plinth and practicing rolling which I still struggle with as my core is so weak

At St Raphael - my third residency - I plugged on and on. I worked very hard on my left side. I started to believe in my left leg again and it began to move. It was a real miracle to see it move. It began with 2cm of movement. I just worked with that. I am proud of my left leg. The brain is a very powerful organ. Although you have to be realistic, you can never tell your brain you can’t. It will always remain my weak leg, but Praise Almighty who revived my dead leg.

I just started to move my left leg. Thanks to my mother for her endless encouragement.

I do work hard but I am under no illusion, God has given me the strength and determination to work hard. You know when I was younger I was not one of those children gifted with a high IQ. From a young age, I had to work very hard to achieve. I think I have carried this idea into my rehab. I always am grateful to God who gave me the ability to know I have to fight this injury. So many brain injury patients don’t even know they are in a battle. I am not going to simply accept this, I have and will continue to work for my recovery. Currently, I am so dependent on people - I just want to achieve independent living. There is such value in working hard and then trusting God. This is my life today. I give it all then I pray and do not worry.

Amazing grounds of the St Raphael Rehab centre

I feel blessed because even before my accident I loved to exercise. From a young age, exercise was part of my weekly regime. So for me, I love physio. It is natural for me to exercise. You will find when you enjoy something you can do well at it. It’s painstaking work but it’s great. And it’s been a joy for my entire family to watch me flourish and grow in strength.

I have to be careful because I always want more and more for myself. My current physio says I won’t even be happy when I walk I will want to run. I must mention, I used a full-body hoist for two years after my injury. It’s so undignified being lifted midair, dangled, and then being plopped down, I hated that so much. But I was too weak for anything else.

I needed to be transferred using the full body hoist with Luke and the team at the RHN

I never thought the ability to stand could be so hard and complicated. When I practice my sit to stand, I have to think about it. Often, I just observe my kids doing normal things like sitting on a chair or bowing down in prostration and I see a miracle. I thank God for giving me the chance to observe His beauty and all the miracles around me - they were always there, but I could not see them so clearly until now. Before my accident, I was just a normal human so caught up in my everyday life. I have lost so much, however, I feel more grateful to God than ever before. This is strange. In loosing so much you realise just how dependent on God we are.

The problem with brain injury is that the recovery is terribly painstakingly slow. Our human nature dictates we want things instantly. In my desire for more, I have missed reflecting on so many of my achievements. I never realised until I began to log everything into my blog. I am a miracle of the power of God and I honestly was not aware of this till now. It’s so important to just take a step back and ponder over your life, I promise you you will see so many blessings. We just need to take time out to think. The beauty of my blog is I might be helping other people to recognise the small things in life..Next week I will continue with my physio journey. I will talk about moving on from being hoisted, achieving sitting balance and walking in a machine, and where I am today.