Hydrotherapy established at Life St Dominic s

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ISSUE

11 winter 2008

Page 2

Partnership for rehabilitation

of state patients

Page 6

Upcoming CPD events

Rehabilitation patients at Life Entabeni have for

many years beneﬁtted from hydrotherapy, and the same is proving to be true for patients using the new hydro-pool at Life St Dominic’s unit for therapeutic sessions.

Hydrotherapy services, introduced

at the rehabilitation facility at Life

St Dominic’s Hospital earlier this

year, have taken off with a splash!

The initiative was undertaken with

the assistance of physiotherapists

Christine de Greef, Rob Stevens

and Reshni Pillay.

Patients are assessed according to a list of predetermined criteria and those likely to benefit from hydrotherapy attend therapeutic sessions in the pool three times a week. Patients have responded overwhelmingly positive to this form of therapy. Besides the clinical benefits evident from this type of intervention, therapists have observed a significant lift in mood and motivational levels in patients

after a session in the hydro-pool. Hydrotherapy is recognised as an effective form of rehabilitation for a variety of physical conditions. Patients who have difficulty with land based exercises/ activities are often able to perform these in water, enabling them to start certain therapeutic exercises earlier and often with significantly less discomfort. The buoyancy of the water and reduced fear of falling make it possible for patients to participate in mobility training programmes in a low stress, supportive environment, while their ability to perform movements they cannot do on dry land boosts their confidence and motivation.

The level of buoyancy that a person in water achieves makes the movement of weakened muscles or inflamed joints easier, safer and less painful. The unique properties of warm water promote the relaxation of muscles and allow joints to move through a greater range of motions, combating spasticity and contractures. Water also acts as a uniform resistance to all parts of the body, making it an effective way to rehabilitate strength and endurance without compromising joint integrity. Other benefits of hydrotherapy include improved balance, coordination and posture, increased physical fitness and exercise

tolerance, stimulation of circulation and reduced levels of stress and anxiety.

Factors that need to be considered when evaluating a patient’s suitability for hydrotherapy include conditions such as fever, cardiac complications, limited vital capacity, urinary tract infections, unpredictable incontinence, open wounds, epilepsy, contagious infection/disease and sensitivity to chemicals used in the pool. Patients are comprehensively assessed before they are admitted to the programme and their response to therapy is evaluated on an ongoing basis.

For patients and staff alike, the addition of hydrotherapy to the rehabilitation programme is proving a fun and enjoyable way to maximise outcomes and ensure outstanding clinical results!

Hydrotherapy

established

at Life St Dominic’s

The rehabilitation unit at Life

Entabeni has successfully run a

hydrotherapy programme for a

number of years. In addition to

the beneﬁts afforded to their own

inpatients, the unit also offers a

weekly group hydrotherapy session,

free of charge, to members of the

Parkinson’s Association.

Life Rehabilitation is committed to supporting initiatives aimed at ensuring that persons with disabilities are treated equally within our communities, including honouring their right to equal access to employment. As such, the company interacts on an ongoing basis with key role players in the area of disability management in order to improve awareness of the plight of persons with disabilities.

At the Disability Management Forum that took place

in Johannesburg earlier this year, rehabilitation standards manager, Nina Strydom presented a paper on the role of early rehabilitation intervention in maintaining future productivity. The forum, which lasted three days, was attended by employers, human resources personnel, members of the legislature, representatives of different associations for persons with disabilities and members of the insurance industry.

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growing

the

service

Partnership for rehabilitation

of state patients

Patients from the Middelburg/Witbank area are often referred to Life Riverﬁeld Lodge

for rehabilitation, due to limited rehabilitation resources in that area.

Earlier this year, a prominent orthopaedic surgeon and other leading doctors in the area were approached by the Mpumalanga Department of Health to assist with the management of a number of orthopaedic and spinal patients whom the state was unable to treat within time periods optimal for maximal recovery. Due to pre-existing referral patterns and professional relationships, the doctors approached Life Riverﬁeld Lodge to assist with the rehabilitation of these patients.

Timeous management and rehab-ilitation is of vital importance in optimising outcomes following a disabling injury or disease. The risk of complications

resulting from immobility, such as pressure sores, contractures and chest infections increases considerably the longer a patient waits for intervention, and could ultimately result in much lower levels of physical and functional recovery post rehabilitation. Recognising this, the formulation of a partnership which will ensure the delivery of comprehensive rehabilitation services to patients who might otherwise not have access to such a programme, was embraced by all stakeholders.

Since the establishment of this partnership, Life Riverﬁeld Lodge has admitted 12 state spinal and orthopaedic patients to the rehabilitation unit, three of

whom have since successfully completed their rehabilitation programme and have returned home to Witbank.

Although some difﬁculties have been experienced, primarily related to the provision of specialised equipment and the formulation of sustainable discharge programmes for patients from severely disadvantaged backgrounds, the stakeholders are committed to overcoming these challenges in the interest of optimal patient care.

Life Rehabilitation is proud to be involved with a project which brings quality health services to much needed communities.

Ensuring customer satisfaction

Plans to expand

rehabilitation unit

Since opening in September 2006 with nine rehabilitation beds, the Life Little Company of Mary rehabilitation unit has been delivering a valuable service to primarily stroke patients in the Tshwane region. However, given the very real need for a dedicated stroke unit in the area, as well as the logistical challenges inherent in managing such a small facility, the management of Life Rehabilitation recently took the decision to apply for a licence to increase the current number of beds to 22. Such an expanded facility and service will enable the appointment of a full-time complement of neuro-rehabilitation professionals and support staff, thus ensuring the continuance of the high quality rehabilitation service for which Life Rehabilitation has become known.

In order to facilitate the expansion of the unit and to ensure that our ability to deliver a quality service is not compromised, the current rehabilitation unit was temporarily closed at the end of June. Arrangements to accommodate patients in our other three Gauteng units have been made with referring doctors, funders and other invested parties.

It is a widely recognised that Life Healthcare, which

includes Life Rehabilitation, is committed to quality

care in all its facilities.

This has been clearly demonstrated with the group recently achieving multi-site ISO 9001: 2000 certification for its acute care hospials, rehabilitation units and head office functions – the first South African healthcare provider to have achieved this interna-tional recognition.

To ensure that we continue delivering a quality service that meets the needs of all our customers, Life Rehabilitation measures patient satisfaction in its units by means of a manual questionnaire. At discharge, all patients and their families are asked to provide feedback, which provides the units with ﬁnal closure in the customer satisfaction measurement loop.

The questionnaire consists of 19 questions covering all aspects of the

rehabilitation process, from pre-admission to discharge. The questions are structured so that the patient is able to rate the quality of the service they received from each department involved in the rehabilitation programme. In the case of patients who are not cognitively able to answer the questions appropriately, a family member is asked to complete the questionnaire on their behalf. Provision is also made for patients and/ or family members to record particular comments with regards to their rehabilitation stay.

Results from the questionnaire are analysed at head ofﬁce level on a monthly basis and the results are fed back to the individual units for the necessary action. The units are measured against the Life Healthcare target for patient satisfaction. This process allows for careful monitoring and measurement of the rehabilitation service on an ongoing basis, thus ensuring the continued delivery of quality care and service excellence.

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Although small and petite, Dr Luchelle Nel who joined the rehabilitation team at Life Eugene Marais Hospital earlier this year, is making a sizable imprint on medical services in the unit. Luchelle completed her MBChB degree at the University of Pretoria and interned in Port Elizabeth, where she worked in various ﬁelds, including paediatrics, surgery, internal medicine and anaesthesia. During her community service year in Somerset West she gained further experience in internal medicine, trauma, gynaecology and the rollout of HIV programmes. She also gained international experience while working as an A&E registrar in Ireland. With her passion for rehabilitation

and dedication to the medical wellbeing of her patients, Luchelle has quickly established herself as an invaluable member of the Life Rehabilitation team.

our staff, their expertise

and

commitment

Special days

celebrated at

Life Pasteur

The rehabilitation team at Life Pasteur Hospital are dedicated to make signiﬁcant days on the South African calendar special for patients and their families.

Love was truly in the air on 14 February as staff members festooned the wards with pink and white hearts and garlands of roses. The morning kicked off with a Valentine’s Day quiz, hotly contested by patients, nurses and therapists. This was followed by coffee, special Valentine’s Day cupcakes baked by the patients as part of their therapy programme, and heart-shaped wafﬂes and ice-cream provided by the hospital caterers.

An Easter celebration was also held in the unit on 20 March. Staff members decorated the wards and a colourfully dressed Easter bunny watched over the day’s celebrations from his vantage point on the reception desk. Patients and staff alike participated in a fun Easter egg hunt to much hilarity. This was followed by the reading of an Easter poem to remind everyone of the true meaning of Easter. The day culminated with a picnic lunch in the garden, once again generously provided by the hospital catering team.

New doctor makes imprint

Dr Luchelle Nel

Therapists’ postgraduate studies

will

beneﬁt rehabilitation

Life Rehabilitation prides itself on the calibre of its staff, who have a wealth of academic and practical experience in the ﬁeld of neurological rehabilitation. Five therapists at Life New Kensington Clinic are currently completing their MSc degrees in the ﬁeld of acute neurological rehabilitation.

Theresa du Plessis, a social worker, is in the process of completing the postgraduate degree MPhil (Rehabilitation) at Stellenbosch University. Having completed the required course, she is currently researching the prevalence of and factors contributing to the burnout of therapists employed in the acute rehabilitation setting, for her ﬁnal thesis.

Sandra Pretorius, a dietician, is also enrolled at the University of Stellenbosch for the MPhil (Rehabilitation) degree. The research project for her thesis is on the food choices and macronutrient/micronutrient intake of Sowetans with heart failure.

Regan Ryan, a physiotherapist, is doing his MSc degree at the University of Witwatersrand, majoring in neurology. He completed the required course in 2007 and is now involved with student supervision, ward rounds and clinical case presentations as part of his curriculum. His ﬁnal thesis will assess the need and current use of standardised outcome measures, speciﬁc to people with spinal cord injuries, within the South African context.

Caroline Jagoe, a speech and language therapist, is enrolled for an MSc degree through the University of Dublin. As part of her studies, she occasionally attends short courses and supervision studies in Dublin. Her research project is entitled ‘Language in schizophrenia: the performance of patients on language assessment batteries’.

Lebo Komape, an occupational therapist, is undertaking a Masters in Public Health, majoring in health systems and policy. This course takes a broader view of health, not only as the absence of disease, but also includes impacting factors such as, inter alia, socio-economic

status, gender and culture. Lebo’s proposed research project will focus on patients’ perceptions of services in the private sector as compared to the public sector, and what their expectations of these services are.

From left are some of Life New Kensington Clinic’s postgraduate students: Lebo Komape, Theresa du Plessis, Caroline Jagoe and Sandra Pretorius.

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To mark International Nurses Day on 12 May, the nursing staff at Life Riverﬁeld Lodge held a lamp lighting ceremony as they reafﬁrmed their commitment to the nursing tenets laid down

by Florence Nightingale many years ago.

The celebrations started with an address by the Life Healthcare group’s national nursing services manager, Dr Eloise van Niekerk, based on the nursing theme for 2008: ‘Delivering quality, serving communities: nurses leading primary health care’. Then, led by nursing unit manager at Life Riverﬁeld Lodge, Sr Jacquiline Groenewald, the nurses ceremoniously lit their lamps, while repeating the nursing pledge that heralds the admittance of each new member to the nursing profession.

Said Jacquiline: “The lighting of the lamp has great symbolic importance to us in the nursing profession, as it emphasises the dedication and commitment of nurses to the care and wellbeing of all their patients”.

In true South African style, the nurses started singing as they stood side by side, bearing their lamps, and soon the unit was reverberating with the sound of voices raised in celebration of a common cause.

Life Rehabilitation would like to pay tribute to all the nurses in our units for their hard work, compassion and praiseworthy commitment to quality patient care.

our staff, their expertise

and

commitment

The phenomenal growth and development of the Life New Kensington Clinic rehabilitation unit over the past three years has necessitated a new management structure, which came into effect in February.

The new management team is headed by Jean Butler, previously nursing services and marketing manager, who was appointed to the position of clinic manager. Lali Naidoo, previously rehabilitation admission consultant, is the

new case management team leader, while unit manager, Nashira Cevikmen was promoted to nursing manager. In the administrative department, Jessica Isaac, formerly an administrative clerk, was promoted to administration supervisor, while Pat da Silva was appointed to the position of senior administrative clerk.

Life Rehabilitation wishes all the incumbents well in their new positions.

New management structure at Life New Kensington

Jessica Isaac, new administration supervisor. Pat da Silva, new senior administrative clerk.

Jean Butler, new clinic manager; Lali Naidoo, new case manage-ment team leader; and Nashira Cevikmen, new nursing manager.

The team at Life Rehabilitation bid a fond farewell to Lauren Burns, who relocated with her family to Sydney, Australia at the end of June, after eight years of dedicated service.

Lauren began her career in Life Rehabilitation in October 2001, as a physiotherapist at Life New Kensington Clinic, where she stayed for four years, towards the end as therapy services coordinator, and acting therapy services and administration manager. In 2005, Lauren transferred to the then newly opened rehabilitation unit at Life Eugene Marais Hospital as therapy services coordinator. In February this year, Lauren joined the head ofﬁce team to assist with the standards support function during Kathy Wundram’s maternity leave.

Lauren has been a valuable asset to the Life Rehabilitation team over the past eight years, as she journeyed from locum physiotherapist to acting rehabilitation standards manager at head ofﬁce. In this position, she was primarily involved assisting with therapy and nursing related issues on a national level, providing operational and clinical support to the two Tshwane rehabilitation units, and in the development of marketing material for the network. She was also responsible for compiling the last two Rehab Review

newsletters.

Lauren, we wish you all of the best for the future, and we thank you for the huge contribution that you have made. You touched many lives, and are leaving a great legacy.

Farewell to long-serving

employee

Lauren Burns with husband, Ryan and daughter, Lea.

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training

and

development

Life Rehabilitation – commitment to ongoing

professional development

As part of our commitment to ongoing professional development, Life Rehabilitation is pledged to providing

expert, interdisciplinary, rehabilitation-related continuing professional development opportunities for both our

staff and external colleagues. In so doing, not only are individuals able to beneﬁt from training opportunities

within the ﬁeld of rehabilitation medicine, but we are also able to contribute to the development of this exciting

speciality in South Africa. The events are designed to lay a theoretical framework and build practical skills

that practitioners are able to utilise in developing their own ﬁelds of practice. Each workshop allows for skills

development and detailed topic exploration, discussion of current issues, as well as the opportunity to network

with professionals sharing similar interests.

As the ﬁeld of rehabilitation becomes ever more specialised, rehabilitation professionals are challenged to remain abreast of current technologies and innovations in order to ensure optimal outcomes.

Earlier this year, Life Entabeni’s rehabilitation unit hosted a specialist wheelchair seating workshop, aimed at creating local awareness of international seating system designs and developments.

The workshop was presented by Dr Steven Cousins, a wheelchair seating specialist from the Royal Hospital for Neural Diseases in Putney, London. Dr Cousins is one of the engineers of the matrix seating system, a specialised system for optimal wheelchair seating and back support.

The unique segmented structure of the matrix system allows for the specific design of parts in order to achieve optimal, clinically supportive seating postures. This means that the seating systems can be adjusted to individual patient needs, ensuring greater comfort, functionality and corrective postural management. One of the new features of the matrix back support system is programmable flexibility in the components to create soft, medium and firm grades that allow for

recoverable structural ﬂexing. In this way, the seats are able to accommodate temporary changes, such as ﬂexor or extensor spasms.

Workshop on matrix seating system

Dr Steven Cousins demonstrates elements of the matrix seating system to therapists.

Group therapy in acute rehabilitation

Life New Kensington Clinic hosted a continuing professional development event entitled ’Group work: a treatment modality in neurological rehabilitation’ during May. The workshop was presented by occupational therapist, Sheldene Reynolds and speech and language therapist, Tamsyn Bernath, who both have considerable experience in conducting group therapy within the ﬁeld of neurological rehabilitation.

Aspects addressed included the value of group work as a treatment modality, the fostering of group dynamics and the facilitation of effective communication in group settings. Participants found this an extremely valuable workshop, equipping them with practical tools for the implementation of successful group therapy programmes in acute rehabilitation.

Ethics in rehabilitation

Life New Kensington Clinic was honoured to secure the services of eminent psychiatrist and distinguished international speaker, Professor WP Pienaar, for a workshop on ethics in rehabilitation.

Professor Pienaar holds a doctorate in psychiatry and a masters in philosophy (bio-ethics). He is an associate professor and acting head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Stellenbosch and has worked clinically and as a lecturer

overseas in a wide variety of institutions, including in Canada, Australia and Scotland. He is extremely well respected in his ﬁeld and has presented numerous papers at national and international congresses/symposiums.

The event, held in June, was aimed at doctors, therapists and nursing professionals. The first session of the presentation dealt with chronic illness and how patients adapt psychologically to the burden of illness. The second session covered moral thinking and deliberation, aimed at practitioners who are often confronted with difficult moral decisions in their various fields of practice. The workshop closed with a thought provoking discussion of very real and difficult ethical case studies, pertinent to the South African context.

Prof WP Pienaar, presenter of the workshop on ethics in rehabilitation.

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training

and

development

In May, Life Pasteur Rehabilitation hosted a CPD workshop on the facilitation of knee control in hemiplegic patients. Presented by Estelle Buys, an experienced physiotherapist in the ﬁeld of neurological rehabilitation at Life Rehabilitation, the workshop equipped therapists with practical skills in the retraining of functional knee control in patients suffering from primarily strokes and head injuries. Theoretical instruction was combined with active hands-on training, using specialist principles of neurodevelopmental therapy. Therapists from Life Healthcare pictured at the event included, from left to right front: Christolene Saaiman and Heleen Van Wyk, physiotherapists, Alice Van Biljon, occupational therapist. Back: Cecile van der Merwe, locum physiotherapist; Tanya Bothma, physiotherapist; Karen Vosloo and Reinet Kotze, occupational therapists; Lilena Geyser, physiotherapist; Corina Botha, therapy unit manager; and presenter, Estelle Buys.

Facilitation of knee control in hemiplegic patients

Practical nursing skills facilitated

A very successful nursing skills training course was hosted at Life Riverﬁeld Lodge in April. The workshop aimed to equip nurses with the hands-on skills essential in caring for patients with a range of neurological disabilities. It was presented by Estelle Buys, a physiotherapist from the Life Entabeni rehabilitation unit, who has extensive experience in the ﬁeld of neurology and is currently in the process of qualifying as a neurodevelopmental therapy instructor.

Aspects covered included practical patient handling skills, the facilitation of transfers and the effect of cognitive dysfunction on motion and mobility. Emphasis was placed on the pivotal role played by nurses in the rehabilitation of patients in an acute rehabilitation setting, as skills learnt in the therapy departments are carried over in to the ward and ultimately discharge environments.

The response from participants following the workshop was overwhelmingly positive, with nurses feeling empowered and motivated to apply their newly acquired skills.

Life Rehabilitation’s CPD events this year comprises one day workshops. The cost of the workshops in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal is R450, in the Free State it is R400 in the and Eastern Cape R350. For further information and bookings, please contact Pranee Moodley on telephone 011 219 9620, or email pranee.moodley@lifehealthcare.co.za

Topic Date Venue

Sexuality in disability 20 August 2008 Life Pasteur Hospital, Bloemfontein Acute and post-acute rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury 21 August 2008 Life Riverﬁeld Lodge, Johannesburg CVA and the seven dwarves – depression, anxiety, family, self concept,

mortal-ity, “my old life” and recovery

17 September 2008 Life Eugene Marais Hospital, Tshwane

Legislation and disability 29 October 2008 Life New Kensington Clinic, Johannesburg

Management of speech and physical apraxias in the neurologically impaired patient

5 November 2008 Life Eugene Marais Hospital, Tshwane

Sexuality in disability 20 November 2008 Life St Dominic’s Hospital, East London Management of aphasia in the neurologically impaired patient 4 February 2008 Life Eugene Marais Hospital, Tshwane

Upcoming Life Rehabilitation CPD events

Managing continence in

neurological disability

Continence retraining, education and the teaching of effective strategies to deal with long term incontinence form key components in the medical rehabilitation of patients suffering from debilitating neurological conditions.

A workshop aimed at equipping practitioners with the latest skills was held at Life Entabeni Hospital in May. The workshop was presented by Sister Pam Welch, a registered nurse and experienced stomatherapist.

The theoretical session included a review of the anatomy and physiology of the bladder, a discussion of commonly experienced continence problems and the assessment and selection of appropriate treatment programmes. This was followed by a practical session, affording attendees the opportunity to learn and practice hands-on skills in a supervised environment.

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Computer training centre opened

A resource centre, providing persons with disabilities with free basic computer training which will better equip them to access the open labour market, was recently opened at Ashley Village in Pinetown, Durban. The Rod Collenbrander Resource Centre was established in partnership with

Microsoft and Alexander Forbes Community Trust.

Dean Murray, a former patient at Life Entabeni’s rehabilitation unit, is the trainer at the resource centre, where he coordinates and assists with various training programmes.

The first digital village was launched in July 2006 at the Tokologo Self Help Centre in Soweto, also in partnership with Microsoft. Ari Seirlis, National Director of the Quadpara Association of South Africa (QASA), said the new facility was yet another great example of corporate involvement in QASA programmes.

Non-disabled persons are also welcome to use the centre for training, at a very reasonable cost.

Interested persons can contact QASA on tel 031 767 0352 or at info@qasa.co.za.

community involvement

Life Pasteur rehabilitation staff once again assisted the Association for People with Disabilities (APD) in organising a gala dinner/dance this year to raise funds for the Jean Webber Home for the Disabled. The event also helped to raise awareness of people with disabilities, and build relationships between private healthcare and community organisations.

Guests got into the spirit of things by arriving at the dinner, which this year had the theme of Pirates of the Caribbean, dressed in an eclectic variety of pirating gear. The best dressed pirate and pirate couples won prizes for their efforts, with Captain Los from Life Pasteur taking home a runner-up award. The rehab crew also cleaned up in the ’Name the fish’ competition, by dubbing the two goldfish on their table Su and Shi!

A special word of thanks to Pathcare and the other organisations who contributed prizes and sponsorships.

‘Pirates’ raise funds for charity

Front, from left to right: Kobus and Marelize Bosch, Jaco Joubert and Michelle van Zyl, Philip and Elma Heyns, Niell Cassel and Louise van Laren. Middle: Jacques and Corina Botha, Ina Bezuidenhout. Back: Jean-Marie and Roger Pollack, Nelia and Gert Fourie From left: Gayle and Nicholas Rey, with caregiver Heather Davey,

from Life Entabeni’s rehabilitation unit

Colloquium honours veteran OT

In May this year, the Occupational Therapy department at the University of the Free State organised a colloquium in honour of Jock Murray who recently retired from the profession. Jock is well known in rehabilitation circles as an excellent clinician, manager; teacher and developer who has played a vital role in the establishment of training facilities, clinics and support structures for disabled populations in various communities.

The colloquium was themed ’Six decades of occupational therapy in South Africa: an elephant a day’. Jock selected 12 occupational therapy professionals to present at the colloquium, to represent the various eras over which his illustrious career stretched. They included well known names such as Professors Ruth Watson and Patricia de Witt and Dr Rosemary Crouch. Corina Botha, therapy unit manager at Life Pasteur’s rehabilitation unit was also included and presented ‘An overview of the elephants of acute, adult neurorehabilitation in private healthcare.’

The colloquium provided a wonderful opportunity for occupational therapists to share their work experiences while creating a better understanding of the history, current trends and growth agendas of the profession in South Africa.

Earlier this year, the Life Entabeni rehabilitation unit was honoured by the donation of a therapeutic standing frame called the Easystand Evolv, by the Nicholas Rey Foundation for use by inpatients.

The official handover function was attended by Nicholas Rey and his family, as well as other guests.

The Nicholas Rey Foundation was established in October 2005 by a family friend of the Rey family, in order to raise funds for people who have sustained injuries as a result of equine related sports. Nicholas, the son of South Africa’s very own former Miss World, Penny Coelen Rey, suffered a severe brain injury during a polo tournament in June 2004. Following his injury, Nicholas underwent rehabilitation at the Life Entabeni rehabilitation facility and still receives outpatient therapy in the unit.

The Easystand Evolv adult standing frame allows for safe, dynamic leg motion and upper body exercise during standing therapy.

Dean Murray (right), and guests at the opening of the resource centre

Donation benefits patients

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outcomes

in action

22 year old Conway Magubane was admitted to the Life St Dominics’ rehab-ilitation unit in February this year, following a motor vehicle accident, which rendered him a quadriplegic. Despite the numerous challenges facing Conway, he has entered into his rehabilitation programme with a positive mindset, determined to beneﬁt as much from this as possible. Conway has been supported by his family, who, despite living far from East London, visit him every month.

To expose patients to the world of disabled sports, the therapy team at Life St Dominic’s often take them to watch local quad rugby team practice sessions. In this way, Conway was introduced to the sport that has since become an integral part of his life. Initially somewhat sceptical of his abilities, Conway was encouraged to join in by other members of the rugby team and immediately displayed a natural

aptitude for the game.

It wasn’t long before he was selected to play for the Cintsa Bullfrogs quad rugby team in a leg of the SA League of Quad Rugby in Cape Town. This was a moment of great personal satisfaction for Conway, making him both the newest and youngest team member. The Bullfrogs played four matches. Much to his delight, Conway scored three goals during their hard fought matches, helping to secure the Bullfrogs a total of three out of four wins.

Conway’s participation in quad rugby has contributed greatly to his emotional recovery; boosting his confidence and showing him that there is a full and rich life to be lived, even with his disability. The example set by his peers, along with the support and camaraderie that comes with being part of a team, has been invaluable in setting him firmly on the road to physical, mental and emotional healing. Conway had just finished a diploma in nature conservation before his accident and is now considering further studies in the field of computers. Although he is not sure what the future holds for him, one thing is certain – he will continue to play quad rugby!

Contact

us

Life Entabeni Hospital

148 South Ridge Road, Berea, Durban 4001

Tel: 031 204 1300 Fax: 031 261 3439

E-mail: rehab.entabeni@lifehealthcare.co.za

Life Eugene Marais Hospital

696 5th Avenue, Les Marais, Pretoria 0084

Tel: 012 334 2504 Fax: 012 334 2508

E-mail: rehab.eugenemarais@lifehealthcare.co.za

Life Little Company of Mary

50 George Storrar Drive, Groenkloof, Pretoria 0181

Tel: 012 452 9440 Fax: 012 346 0562

E-mail: rehab.littlecompanyofmary@lifehealthcare.co.za

Life New Kensington Clinic

23 Roberts Avenue, Kensington, Johannesburg 2001

Tel: 011 614 7125 Fax: 011 614 3037

E-mail: rehab.newkensington@lifehealthcare.co.za

Life Pasteur Hospital

54 Pasteur Drive, Hospital Park, Bloemfontein 9301

Tel: 051 520 1230 Fax: 051 520 1231

E-mail: rehab.pasteur@lifehealthcare.co.za

Life Riverfield Lodge

Southernwoods Road, Nietgedacht, Johannesburg 2001

Tel: 011 460 1970 (or 082 563 4041 when the lines are down)

Fax: 011 460 1977

E-mail: rehab.riverfieldlodge@lifehealthcare.co.za

Life St Dominic’s Hospital

45 St. Mark’s Road, Southernwood, East London, 5201 Tel: 043 743 4303 Fax: 043 722 3250 E-mail: rehab.stdominics@lifehealthcare.co.za Life Rehabilitation National Office

Oxford Manor, 21 Chaplin Road, Illovo 2196

Tel: 011 219 9620 Fax: 086 686 0441

E-mail: pranee.reddy@lifehealthcare.co.za

www.rehab.co.za

Review is published by Life Rehabilitation for distribution to rehabilitation stakeholders.

Editor: Marietjie Shelly, communications manager, Life Healthcare sE-mail: marietjie.shelly@lifehealthcare.co.za sTel: 011 219 9000 Life Healthcare sOxford Manor, 21 Chaplin Road, Illovo 2196 sPrivate Bag X13, Northlands 2116

Mounted police officer, Solomon Mxesibe, suffered a stroke in June 2006, leaving him with a right hemiplegia and all the resultant challenges of this condition, including severe speech difficulties, which make it difficult for him to express himself. However, he is determined not to let anything deter him from his dream of recovering well enough to resume doing what he loves best – patrolling East London on horseback.

Solomon was admitted to the rehabilitation unit at Life St Dominic’s Hospital in mid March this year. In April, after much hard work, Solomon took the ﬁrst major step towards his dream when he mounted his beloved horse, Big Boy for the ﬁrst time since his stroke. This exhilarating experience was shared by all his colleagues and rehabilitation staff during a visit to the mounted police unit in Gonubie.

“Big Boy was allocated to me when I started working in East London. I have grown attached to him; he is really special to me,” said Solomon, when he was reunited with his horse.

With daily interdisciplinary therapy, he is making steady progress. “Solomon is a hard working, motivated person,” says Life Rehabilitation’s Sr Carol Jane Adams and his speech therapist, Penny Wilson.

Quad rugby participation

aids patient’s recovery

Determined to do horseback patrols once again