Picking up the pace

Jo had another physiotherapy session and she is really showing almost daily improvement, proving my thesis that sustained, intensive physiotherapy is key to any recovery.
She began by practising standing from a sitting position, pushing herself up from the chair rather than pulling herself up using the rotunda. We have been practising this on her stands when we can and it seems to be paying off. Jo was better than last week straight off and, by the end of several stands was getting quite good. Good enough that Jo herself could feel an improvement.

Then came walking the 18 yard stretch in the hallway. My role in this is to follow behind with the wheelchair, both to provide psychological assurance that she cannot fall to the ground but also to have a seat ready for when fatigue does overwhelm Jo. I reached down to unlock the wheels on the chair and by the time I looked up again Jo was halfway down the hallway, a good two yards away from me! She continued to walk at this relatively brisk pace around the corner and on to the kitchen. Meanwhile the only support the physiotherapist was providing was to ensure Jo's left hand was gripping the zimmer frame.

This is truly an advance, both in the speed and assurance with which Jo was walking and in the confidence with which she navigated the corner to the kitchen. Previously corners have caused her to lose her nerve but there was no hesitation this time. Jo repeated the feet in reverse, walking from the kitchen to the front door, walking at the same pace and navigating what was now a left-hand corner with calm assurance.

Thereafter Jo returned to her chair in the front room and performed a stand, step, swivel and sit with a similar speed and confidence.

If she keeps this up she will be walking by Xmas. My main concern now is finding the money to build a conservatory off Jo's downstairs bedroom to allow her to sit in the morning sun and to provide more space for her to practise walking. Earlier in the year I had the money but the extra time spent recovering from her head injuries has eaten into my reserves and, at this point in time I truly don't know where I'm going to find the money. Find it I must. Jo's recovery is proceeding so well I cannot let her down at this crucial stage.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.8