This is not exactly the gift you think of bringing a grown man in hospital.
The ball is for us to play catch and strengthen Marc’s left arm. In OT Marc is working on mazes and word searches to help with the left neglect and because they don’t have maze books for grownups, we have to make do with some SpongeBob SquarePants fun. It could be worse. It could have been Dora the Explorer.
I just had to video today’s physio session. Marc has been working really hard on strengthening his left ankle to gain control when placing it. It used to have a mind of its own and kind of landed wherever it felt like. He was shown exercises to do while sitting during the day, involving turning the sole of his foot to either side. Little movements we all take for granted were almost impossible for Marc a week ago. He took those exercises and did them over and over again.
All that hard work paid off. Today was the first day that foot went where Marc wanted it to go.
First, supporting with the right leg and stepping forward and up with the left foot.
Next, supporting with the left leg and stepping forward with the right.
Physiotherapy post-stroke isn’t easy. It takes concentration and focus that is difficult for someone who has suffered a trauma to the brain. It’s all about convincing a side of your body that once performed movements and tasks effortlessly and unconsciously that it needs to step up to the plate and figure it all out all over again. It takes effort that most of us can’t imagine.
Marc is proving over and over, day in and day out that he’s up to the task. I’m so very proud of him.
This is what separates the wheat from the chaff, the men from the boys, the strong from the weak.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of Marc's concentration and focus and dedication.
I want to be like him when I grow up.