Climbing Over A Fence

Last September, a friend sent Isabel a card with a small dark curly-haired girl wearing a bright red shirt and denim overalls.  The photo is of her backside as she heaves herself over a fence.  The card reads: "I know you can do it."  Granddaughter Mary, says; "She looks just like you as a little girl, Grannie."  We photocopied the picture on the card and this enlarged 10 x 12 image is now posted on a door in Mum's room. 

Isabel has recently "climbed over a fence".  Her courage, determination, and continued progress since arriving at Wascana has enabled her to be accepted in the Rehabilitation Therapy Program at Wascana.

You may ask: "Well, hasn't she always  been getting therapy since she moved to Wascana? Isn't that why she moved there?"

In January, Isabel was well enough to be discharged from acute care and to move to long-term care.  Wascana Extended Care (or Long-term Care as it is sometimes known) was the only place in Regina-Qu'Appelle Health Region that accepts residents who need a ventilator to help them breathe.   Thus moving to Wascana was Isabel's only option.

There are two programs at Wascana:

1) Extended Care/Veterans' Program - this is the program that accepted Isabel in January.  Mum receives a small amount of therapy each week in this program.

2) Rehabilitation Program - this program is the one that we most often hear about as many people go there for short-term therapy when they are recovering from illness or an accident or broken bones.  Isabel was not eligible for this program as she was not considered well enough AND this program does not usually accept people who need a ventilator to help them breathe.

Now  - five months after Isabel moved to Program #1: Extended Care, she has been accepted for a one-month trial in Program #2: Rehabilitation. This program is much more aggressive than the original program.

Isabel's acceptance to the Rehab program can be described as "climbing over a fence". It is precedent setting for the many others in Saskatchewan who need a ventilator to support their breathing. Cheers to you, Mum!  Your hard work continues to serve others as you have always done!  Our special thanks to our family friend, Bonnie,  who is a physiotherapist who volunteered to work with Isabel for over an hour each week since late February. Bonnie and Isabel's diligent work along with the support of Mum's Extended Care Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist and their Assistants have helped qualify Isabel for admission to this program. 

So what does it mean for Isabel's future now that she has been accepted into Rehab for the month of June?

Mum will continue to live at Wascana for the long-term.  However, we hope that this month of intense therapy (physiotherapy in the morning and occupational therapy in the afternoon) will help her regain some cardiovascular strength;  muscular strength in arms, torso and legs; and flexibility in her ankles, feet, wrists, and fingers. 

Mum - you continue to inspire your family, your friends, and the staff!  You have "climbed over a fence"! 

Janet, Nancy, and Catherine