One of the advantages of spinal cord injury over other chronic illnesses (see my post about "neuro-wheelies" vs "spinies") is that you get lifelong care. It's an extraordinary concept and privilege: for the rest of my life, I have access to all the facilities of the Spinal Unit, including occupational therapy, outreach physio and an annual MOT (yes, they do call it that. It involves weighing and measuring and x-rayssmongst other things).
I took advantage of this care last week when I went down to the hospital for a long physiotherapy session. I already have fortnightly physio from the community team here in Devizes, though it's not spinal specific and it's about to end. So this was a chance to go with my community physio to explore the issues I've been raising. First was standing. I use my standing frame at home to go fully vertical twice a day. It's a great feeling to be tall again, to be able to look out the bedroom window, to be higher than my children. It's good for spasms and stretching and digestion. But I can only manage about five minutes before I start to get dizzy from my falling blood pressure. When I stood in the hospital, I managed 15 minutes: it turns out I've adjusted the straps wrong on my home frame. I also discover that I've not been standing for long enough. I'd thought that the simple act of standing would be of benefit, regardless of time. I was wrong: standing for less than 15 minutes is apparently pointless.
Next up was back-wheel balance, a technique which enables you to get over kerbs more easily and which I'm poor at. Some quick tuition and homework gives me encouragement. I berate myself for my lack of kerb-jumping and am gently reminded that each individual finds their own way - that I am just as independent by knowing when to ask for support as the impressive 17 year olds who gleefully launch themselves off pavements. Transfers are discussed and practice on a bed reveals that I'm wasting energy by transferring the wrong way: if I reversed my chair, it would be out of the way with no need to lift my legs over the wheels. Finally, stretching. I rarely bother, because I think it's only worthwhile if I stretch for more than twenty minutes. Again it seems I am mistaken. I need only pull my legs toward my body when in bed for one minute to help them ease. Less is indeed more.
