Circle Rehabilitation: Joginder’s story
We share the story of Joginder Thethi, who spent three months at the state-of-the-art Circle Rehabilitation Centre in Birmingham to recover from a series of severe health issues.
Joginder Thethi is a 68-year-old gardening fanatic from Sutton Coldfield. He spent three months with Circle Rehabilitation (Rehab), recovering from a series of traumatic medical issues, including a stroke, a heart attack, and a brain bleed.
What is Circle Rehabilitation?
We are the UK’s largest specialist rehabilitation hospital.
Located in a beautiful, custom-made building in Birmingham, you can experience rehabilitative treatment with us in a superb, clean, and spacious environment that suits your exact needs.
You’ll have your own room equipped with a television and en-suite, with views out to the expansive, leafy grounds.
The facilities at hand are not only state-of-the art but incredibly varied to fit the needs of any individual’s specific rehabilitation needs.
We have the latest equipment and technologies here to help you get better as soon as possible.
Joginder needed help with a team of specialists
In March 2023, Joginder Thethi experienced an alarming set of symptoms while at home following a family holiday.
He developed a numb tongue and weakness in both of his lower limbs and upper right limb. He also struggled to swallow. It was a distressing situation, with Joginder unsure what was happening.
He was rushed to intensive care, with scans showing a stroke on the left side of his brain.
Joginder went on to have multiple strokes and two brain bleeds. After a period in intensive care and a coronary stent to treat a heart attack, he was transferred to Circle Rehab to work with specialists to regain independence and focus on his journey to recovery.
Joginder said: “My tongue started feeling numb, I couldn’t swallow and I couldn’t feel my legs. It was a bank holiday weekend and by Monday I couldn’t talk. After being admitted to the hospital, my oxygen was 80% and the doctor asked my family to come and say their goodbyes. My lung collapsed in ITU and I wasn’t breathing by myself, I had had multiple strokes and two brain bleeds.”
Joginder was extremely unwell given the extreme circumstances, but Circle Rehab was exactly where he needed to be to get better. Surrounded by a multidisciplinary team of dedicated experts across many specialist areas, Joginder began an intensive rehabilitative programme that would help him walk again.
Joginder said: “My world changed overnight. Before becoming unwell I was very independent. My diabetes was under control and I loved doing gardening and spending time playing with my grandchildren. I was always surrounded by my family and going on holidays and being very sociable.”
Joginder’s time at Circle Rehabilitation
When he arrived at Circle Rehab, Joginder was carried on a stretcher and had very limited mobility. He worked with a dedicated physiotherapist to regain movement in his legs and walk properly
through a series of tailored, specialist exercises.
Joginder also had occupational therapy, which helped him re-learn how carry out everyday activities while regaining mobility and confidence in his movement.
At the beginning of his stay, Joginder couldn’t stand for longer than two minutes. By the end, he could stand for longer than 10.
Joginder was set personalised tasks and goals to improve his balance and regain upper body strength.
During his last session, Joginder went from being unable to walk properly to standing unsupported and walking with the use of a walking sticks.
Joginder said: “It’s been amazing. I came here on a stretcher and I left walking with sticks.
“The teams have been very helpful and kind, everyone is encouraging you to do the best you can.
“We also get to experience social events and entertainment while at the hospital to help you change the air, I went from being completely immobile to walk with a stick. My wife and family have been so supportive.”
At Circle Rehab, you will work with team of many specialists to get better, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, psychologists, adult speech and language therapists, nurses, and many more.
Joginder also worked with a psychologist during his time with us to deal with the emotional impact of his physical health. Joginder’s psychologist was closely involved in his
recovery journey, helping him deal with the loss of nephew and sister, who passed when he was in hospital following a stroke.
During these sessions, Joginder had a cognitive assessment, memory exercises, and practical help to monitor and treat his mental health.
The sessions were about keeping him feeling positive and motivated despite going through such a challenging time.
Recovering at home
Joginder still visits Circle Rehab for daytime physiotherapy appointments, but he’s enjoying being back at home with his family. He is doing much better and has regained a lot of his stability and mobility during his time at Circle Rehab.
Joginder said: “It’s absolutely great to be home, I have missed it. I get to spend more time with my family and specially my grandchildren who absolutely love to play as soon as they see me. Circle Rehabilitation have changed my life and I’m grateful for it.”
To find out more about our centre of excellence and whether it might be the best place for you or your loved one, book an appointment today.
