A PARAPLEGIC is a person whose lower extremities are affected and has usually no control over his bladder and bowel movements and little or no sensation in his lower extremities.
This usually occurs due to a fall, injury or infection of the spinal cord. The Paraplegic Foundation at Sion Hospital, Mumbai was established in 1968 with the main aim to rehabilitate and provide total health care facilities for paraplegics and the severely orthopedically disabled.
An amazing visit by Switch India organization to the Paraplegic foundation was organized on 3rd November 2018.
22 of us including both physiotherapy and MBBS students from different colleges united by Switch India reached early in the morning with an enthusiastic goal of learning about the science of rehabilitation.
We were shown the entire set up of the paraplegic foundation wherein there were patient wards their activity and treatment areas, their workplace and the remaining campus. Then all the students were divided into duos and assigned to patients.
We were explained about how strength training can help paraplegic patients and also shown patients performing strength training activities. The incharges explained that once the patient can manage on wheelchair indoors, they also teach them techniques by which the patients can live independently in society.
Then we were taught with a demonstration about wheelchair rehabilitation and what all has to be taught to a paraplegic patient to make him independent on his wheelchair.
A small demonstration regarding the 'Willy position' was given followed by an explanation about how it can help the patients do all that normal individuals can do in day-to-day life.
Followed by these teachings, we were also shown the art workshop of the paraplegics where the patients had themselves made beautiful decorative items for festivals.
Later the team was addressed by the incharges summarising the visit and a brief idea about spinal cord injury and rehabilitation was given. All the staff was very kind to the patients as well as visitors and the patients were also delighted to meet so many new people.
Last but not the least the group picture taken was a cherry on the cake. Few of us also bought some beautiful stuff made by these hardworking people to decorate our homes in the next Diwali.
All the team members bid farewell and dispersed back to their homes with another wonderful experience, understanding about rehabilitation, loads of satisfaction and a bag full of learnings!
