"Never-ending encouragement and help from the rehab team"

During the last week of February 2024 I was visiting family in London. I had a very nasty fall and landed on my left side, resulting in a broken femur. I was taken to hospital, and within 12 hours had an operation which involved a repair using a short femoral nail. I remained in hospital for 3 weeks and finally made it home to Belfast in late March. This was when my rehabilitation really began.

The occupational therapist in London had been in touch with Knockbracken Community Rehabilitation Service. They had all the aids I would require for my recovery already set up in the house for my arrival. Everything from crutches, a small "walking kitchen trolley" and a "perching chair" to assist me in the kitchen to toilet aids, a stool for the shower and a sturdy chair with enabled me to sit down and stand up very easily. (I only have very low, soft sofas in my living room.)

The physiotherapist set up exercises which I was to complete under the watchful eyes of the Rehabilitation Assistant Team. They visited me 4 times a week to ensure I completed my daily exercises properly and gave much needed encouragement to help me move forward. The physiotherapist also kept in constant contact with me, phoning and visiting once or twice a week. He adjusted my exercises as necessary and was always there with a listening ear to answer questions and deal with any on-going concerns.

I cannot thank this group of people enough for their constant care, their unending enthusiasm and their never-ending encouragement and help which was paramount to my recovery and building up my confidence. The complete team (from the manager, the Occupational Therapist, the Physiotherapist and the Rehab Assistants) all deserve high praise for their brilliant work.

I promise the team I will continue with my exercises, with the on-going aim of full weight bearing on my broken leg and complete recovery.

I want to say a big THANK-YOU to each and every one of you and hope I never require your services again. 😆