Summer Camp with an Emphasis on Seriousness

PT 9:00

PT/OT 10:30 (Swimming)

OT 1:15

OT 3:15


An 8 x 11 inch sheeet of paper stuck to the wall above my head each morning announces in laser print my activities for the day. Kind of like being at summer camp but with an emphasis on seriousness.

It starts with leg training under the watchful eye of Les - a gym pro who can tell you the name of every muscle in the body and how to exercise it and if you give him the chance he will. Sonda, a gentle, sweet, passionate girl who has been in rehabilitation work -either worked as a receiver or giver all her life. While in the 10 x15 foot pool both staff have to stay close to me. Like being fouled in a basketball game I'm guarded really tightly. I have a better chance of drowning from the staff than the pool. After lunch I get fitted for my wheelchair that I will be bringing home (I still can't walk safely) . Eric, another rehab specialist, took down the details for the order. Eric, like all the staff, has a keen eye for mechanical correctness in posture and is always on to me about my posture alignment. Later Suzan provides me with a lesson on wheel chairs 101, honestly there is a lot to know about wheel chairs. Suzan, a confident member of the team, really pushes you to your limits. The day ends with a trip to the gym where Lyn launches me into standing exercises. With the point being duration of standing, I don't understand why they have me waving this stick around like some sort of ninja warrior. Finally Sonda and my Chris join us for a standing card game of scrabble slam which like all games with the word scrabble, Chris wins.

In the three weeks I've come real far. I give full credit for the progress I've made to the professional staff of the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Team at Oro Valley Rehabilitation (including all named above plus Kathy and Wendi). Thank you.