Progress is defined as
the forward movement towards a goal, or to a further or higher stage. Not only
have I seen major growth within myself as we near the end of this block, but I
have started to gain satisfaction through my treatment efforts by seeing
progress within my clients’ client factors and performance skills.
I have managed to develop
my practical experience through treatment of several clients during this practical
block. Here is an account of my four most recent clients:
It gave me great
satisfaction to observe my client, Miss Thobeka learn to self-propel in her
wheelchair, despite her cognitive impairments, as greater independence in
mobility is a huge milestone to be reached. I taught the client the motion she
requires with her foot as well as her arm to propel forward, backward and turn
and ensured precautions such as brake awareness was embedded in her memory
throughout the process. I also noted great improvement in her trunk control.
Mrs Pillay progressed
impressively, even walking up to 10 steps independently, with supervision. I
performed all my activities with her in standing: Meal preparation (sandwich
making), make-up (grooming) and co-ordination (pegboard and matching game).
These were all done to improve her dynamic standing balance, her ability to
weightbear on the right leg, her bilateral hand functioning and trunk control.
I was really excited to see the progress this client made and to observe how her
motivation managed to make her succeed greatly.
Ms. Mabongo presented
with OS: 0 Muscle Strength of the LL’s which are flaccid, in our first
assessment session. Following therapy sessions, her MS has improved greatly and
she is now even walking in the parallel bars. I focused on improving her ability
to transfer; grading it from lifting her legs with her hands to requiring
movement of the legs and going around the plinth. This activity also required
trunk rotation towards the floor to move blocks or beanbags or pegs from the
pegboard. The client learnt new techniques through this session and now
transfers with supervision and no transfer board from wheelchair to plinth and
vice versa. She is also able to transfer with supervision to and from her bed
and the toilet.
I have only seen my latest
client for one treatment session, as my first session consisted of assessments.
During this treatment session I improved my client’s insight into the importance
of taking his medication daily. His poor compliance was causing a high risk of a
second stroke occurring and this was therefore a major aim of mine. With Jenga
blocks representing his non-compliance to medication and the Jenga tower
representing his stability, the client was able to comprehend how unstable he
became when refusing to take his medication (when blocks were removed). The
client believed that if he kept fit by going for a jog there was no need to
comply with his medication regimen daily. The client’s intact cognition allowed
him to gain understanding through the concept of this activity and he now
realises the importance of compliance and the risk of a second stroke or heart
attack which arise with non-compliance. I also noted great improvement in my
review after this activity (performed in standing), which aimed to improve the
client’s safety in independent stand-up pivot transfers. The client was required
to weightbear on the right leg throughout the activity and the activity also
improved trunk control through requiring trunk rotation. The client placed decent
weight safely on the affected R LL during the stand-up pivot transfer review.
This fieldwork block has been
an emotional roller coaster. I have gained much needed insight (explained in my
previous blog) throughout this block, which has shaped me into a better
therapist. After having had a supervisor who didn’t put pressure on us last
year, it was a definitive change to have a supervisor pushing us - passionately
wanting to see our growth, development and success. This was a challenge which
I was not well-equipped for, but I learnt to cope with this and saw the meaning
and impact it has had on my growth, for which I am grateful.
Reference:
Collins English
Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged (2017). 12th Edition. HarperCollins
Publishers
