Achievement in rehabilitation should be shared and celebrated with supporters to help sustain and encourage progress, says Lisa Beaumont, whose own ten-year recovery from stroke continues with the support of family, friends and therapists
Rehabilitation works best when it is not undertaken in isolation.
Over the past month, I have been thrilled by the progress that I have made towards my goal to walk without a stick, my posture has improved significantly during lockdown and I have enjoyed walking in the garden in June’s sunshine.
My progress has reminded me of the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”. I would like to adapt that expression to become: “it takes a village to deliver successful rehabilitation, many people have important roles to play”.
Just like bees cooperate in a productive hive, it is helpful for the patient to share their achievements with supporters, because their affirmation gives encouragement for renewed progress.
From the outset, I have been very fortunate that I’ve had the support from family, friends and therapists throughout my ten year recovery.
An important feature of the rehabilitation platform Neuro ProActive is that it makes it easy to share a patient’s progress with each of the key players in their recovery programme. For me, it looks like this:
My team is my neuro-physiotherapist, Jane Cast (neurorehabkent.com)
My representatives are my carers and sister. It is a bonus that I can keep everyone who is in my support bubble informed about my progress privately, by sharing photos and videos securely within the fully-encrypted platform.
Neuro ProActive is also a key player. Recently named as a Strategic Partner for UKABIF, we are now also part of the Criminal Justice Acquired Brain Injury Interest Group.
Prepared with assistance from Paige Gravenell (neurorehabkent.com)
