Hi Ron,
You have asked me to share my experiences with therapists over the last
year pertaining to my daughter Susan.
First I would like to say that I have been wonderfully impressed with
the posts from other therapists like Joan and Ed on this site. They
seem caring and truly want to make a difference in their patients
lives. Patients need more like you all.
Susan was in the hospital for 8 mos, then in rehab for 3mos. Most of
the time she was very lethargic. The therapy she received in the
hospital was almost nil. She was scheduled to receive it 5 days a week
in the hospital. In Rehab therapy, after I went to director, she was to
receive therapy 5 to 6 days a week. She got 1 hr maybe every other
week, 30 min. maybe every week and 15 min every now and then. Again to
the therapists defense, she was very lethargic. There is "one" doctor
to take care of all the residents, as you probably know, but our
attempts to get him to adjust her meds went unheeded.
My question is: Doesn't the therapist have the moral and ethical
responsibility to at least work the patients arms and legs, moving the
limbs while in bed if necessary and other things to stimulate the
patient? Maybe even talking to the Drs. and Nurses about the families
concerns about the meds?.....that may be asking too much.
There seems to be very few dedicated professional therapists out
there........I must tell you that I did not have much confidence that
Susan would get very good therapy when we brought her home, BUT, much
to my surprise and thankfulness, you were sent to her, restoring my
faith that someone COULD help her. What you have done for Susan by just
caring and directing her to what she needs to do and how to get there,
is something that ALL therapists need to do. How do you teach these
people to "do it right"? You have interacted with us, the family,
showing us what to do, you have instilled confidence in Susan, where
there was none. She has come farther in 3 mo. than in the nearly yr
prior.
To me a therapist needs to first know what the patient needs, determine
how far you think they can go, develop a relationship with the patient
which spurs them on. I know Susan wants to do good for you, she wants
to show you when she does something that she knows you have been trying
to get her to do. It makes her want to do more when she sees that you
are pleased.
Unfortunately, I saw none of this prior to you and Marcie coming to see
Susan.
I would like to say all out there, that you will never know how much we
are thankful and grateful for all you do for our loved ones. You affect
not only the patient, but the family as well. And, you will not soon be
forgotten when your job is done.
Shirley, Susan's thankful mom.
Shirley
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