"Professional and caring OT support"

Just over a year ago I was admitted to the Ulster with a spinal abscess which led to my losing the use of my legs. I spent a total of eight months there, of which the first two were spent fighting the original infection, complicated by an abdominal problem which manifested at the same time.

I was then informed that I would be transferred to the specialist Spinal Cord Injury Unit at Musgrave Park for rehab. I hope I'm not misrepresenting the approach taken at the Ulster when I say that Physio and OT were made aware of my presence and that I might benefit from their attentions, but that as I was scheduled for rehab elsewhere it was not a priority. I should stress that I make no criticism of that policy, it makes sense in the context. Nor would I be critical that I had no regular contact with Physio during this time. 

Musgrave's SCIU is the only such unit in the province, so I ended up waiting 6 months to be transferred, time which might have been wasted, indeed during which my condition may well have regressed, were it not for the intervention of one of the OTs. Jessica took it on herself to ensure I had some opportunity to start regaining strength and balance.

On my first time out of bed in two months I was a giant rag doll, unable to sit upright for more than a few seconds. Jessica and her colleagues provided an armchair so that I could work up the number of hours I could manage upright; they had me practice basic motor skills and daily tasks like teeth cleaning and started my working towards using a board to do transitions. They were constantly professional, respectful, caring, encouraging and fun. They secured a wheelchair for me which meant I could get off the ward and get outside for the first time in months. Sometimes, if unable to come herself, Jessica had a student work on relaxation techniques.

The upshot of this is that I arrived at Musgrave in much better shape physically and emotionally than would otherwise have been the case. There is no absolute rule, but generally 3 months is the allotted span for rehab there. Had I not benefitted from the help of my friends in OT I would estimate it would have taken me my first five or six weeks to get to the same level  This in turn had a knock-on effect on what I've been able to achieve and the level of independence I can aspire to in future.

I am enormously indebted to Jessica and her colleagues.