CSI for SCI

I watched a Ted Talk on a guy named Janne Kouri who endured a spinal cord injury (SCI). He is a courageous and hopeful guy, whose identity was changed (or so the doctors thought). Before his injury, he was very active and athletic until the unfortunate event that left him instantly paralyzed, leaving him worried about his future. Doctors were so unbelievably discouraging and again leaving Janne with no hope for his future, saying that he should get used to playing games like he was a vegetable who was incapable of ever doing anything ever again. However, with the persistence and help of his girlfriend, and Janne's positive attitude, they were able to find a perfect fitting rehabilitation center that could actually help him. Even after battling an extremely high fever, severe pneumonia, and coding twice in the intensive care unit at the hospital for two months. Here's the kicker. This rehab center was across the country, in Kentucky. They lived in California, and decided to leave everything behind in order to provide him with the best care possible. Not only that, but with the ONLY doctor that said there is hope. So, they went. Through a therapy called locomotive training, he was able to regain some function, and improve his overall health while training there eight hours a day. After a while, a health care worker asked him to try and walk. A couple times of doing so, he began to wiggle his toe, which was something that the previous doctors said he would never be able to do much less regain function to live and lead an independent life. During his whole journey, he got to thinking why did he have to travel this far to have access to this training and rehab facility, and why are the others who are here not able to receive these benefits? Well, even though he was going through his journey, he soon discovered that his mission was to make a difference and correct this issue in the health care system. He was determined to make this locomotive training available to everyone. If you have never heard of locomotive training, it is where a client is strapped into a harness and trainers/therapist assist in helping you simulate movement such as walking. Because of this awesome innovation, he was able to walk a little bit with a walker, and give his wife there first dance. A special moment indeed, all thanks to the people who had hope and passion to strive for better than playing board games for the rest of their lives, and to actually live life instead. I think as a future OT, this reminds me to never give up hope on a client, even if I am not the one who could help them, but even pointing them in the right direction. It is our duty as (future) health care providers to have their best interests at heart, and do good because that is simply the right thing. In doing all of this, we should be more like Janne even through the toughest moments of his life. Keep smiling, keep laughing, and find a reason to be happy every day no matter what it is or what you are going through.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCxCFjmruSg