Thirteen million people tuned into a show that impressed me last night as well -- Diane Sawyer of ABC News did a wonderful job covering the injury and recovery to date of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, or "Gabby" as she is called. I have worked with patients with similar injuries, everywhere from when they enter the hospital and are able to receive small amounts of occupational therapy while in bed, even with all the lines and tubes and machines going, sometimes barely conscious enough to be interacting, all the way through when they're getting back to driving, and paying their bills and the more difficult things that occupy our time, and everything in between. This story particularly inspires me, for a number of reasons. Generally, it's a tragedy what has occurred, which likely has a component to do with the long-term effects we're in right now of declining funding for medical care in the United States, and that includes mental health. Things that might have saved money in the past and made sense to the people who initiated and allowed it are costing us tremendously today.
The country's literally splitting apart, that's what the Occupy movement is about. A competing show on television was about the Penn State football program which has a shameful story going on there as well, tearing a college program and people's college apart. I'd written recently about the time that people spend watching athletics on televsion and having such 'investment' in a team, while their homes, families, and communities are neglected of the time, energy and monies they need. It's time we really start looking around us and saying 'where are we at' and more importantly 'where do I want to be in the future'. And then WORK.
Work is what we saw from Ms. Giffords; her husband realized the importance of filming her recovery and therapy over time. I'm so glad he did. I'm also so glad he shows the kind of dedication a husband, friend, or other family member can bring to the rehabilitation process. Don't think that people need to be in the hospital or on a rehab unit to need this kind of support.
"Gabby" still exudes enthusiasm and openness of spirit. Her recovery of language and all things appears to be going beyond even highest expectations. This, in my opinion, is due to the benefit of outstanding benefits for health care afforded our public servants in the United States government, and the many dedicated professionals who served her as many others in their careers. It's a testament to how great we can be.
But there is much more to her recovery, which the show alludes to and includes, which has to do with her personality. But, I simply ask, why do they keep thinking this is somewhere in the BRAIN? While I am glad to see they're covering the mind/body connection and 'progressive' things 20 years ago like music therapy, where's the SPIRIT? I suggest everyone keep thinking more outside the lines and look at integrative medicine and the SPIRIT that is included along with BODY and MIND.
I cannot wait to see how the story goes from here -- she's inspiring and doing so well! I congratulate her and everyone who has been involved, and that includes the taxpayers who have set up all of these wonderful systems that we get to see the benefits from for amazing people like Ms Giffords. I very much appreciated that ABC came back today to share comments from viewers who thanked the therapists, one even said 'they don't get as much recognition as they deserve oftentimes".
For anyone who would like to see the link from tonight's newscast, here's the link. I hope this has inspired some thought in everyone who reads it, and that as we proceed as a country, we continue to ask about, insist upon, educate about and talk up INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE .
Trust me, that shine we see in her is not coming from her brain. And I'd be VERY surprised if she does not return to Congress -- that's her goal and I hope she makes it. I'd sure like to see her do some acutonics, Educational Kinesiology, YogaDance ... and more progressive things. If she'd take just two weeks off from her home therapies that are doing her a lot of good now, and come to Colorado, I know we'd be able to show her the progressive programs and professionals that have shaped my professional knowledge base.
If nothing else, I'm certainly grateful for having gotten the background I have in the last fifteen years here in Colorado, from Denver to Colorado Springs and over west to near Utah in Grand Junction. I call it the Mecca of Medicine of the Future. What better way to get the word out about it than having a famous patient come here with her astronaut husband. It would be 'one big step for Congresswoman, one giant leap forward for mankind's medicine!
~~ Mardy
abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/gabby-giffords-speaks-time-14953321 [1]
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [2] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!
Links:
[1] http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/gabby-giffords-speaks-time-14953321
[2] http://twitter.com/lumigrate
[3] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/congresswoman-gabby-giffords-bodybrain-injury-and-strong-spirit#comment-1501
[4] http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/integrative-medicine-parts-make-whole/therapy-occupational/functional
[5] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/congresswoman-gabby-giffords-bodybrain-injury-and-strong-spirit#top
[6] http://www.lumigrate.com/user/login?destination=node/897%23comment-form
[7] http://www.lumigrate.com/user/register?destination=node/897%23comment-form
[8] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/congresswoman-gabby-giffords-bodybrain-injury-and-strong-spirit#comment-1502
[9] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/see-it-say-it-do-it-free-webinar-teachers-parents-and-related-medical-professionals
[10] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/congresswoman-gabby-giffords-bodybrain-injury-and-strong-spirit#comment-1503
[11] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/congresswoman-gabby-giffords-bodybrain-injury-and-strong-spirit#comment-2339
Comments
Hey Mardy.........Great article on Gabby Giffords. I too watched the coverage on TV and thought Diane Sawyer did a great job. I had trouble keeping a dry eye through the entire show. It brought back so many memories of patients that I had worked with in my life as an occupational therapist and the deep gratitude that the patients and their families expressed.
Those who read Petie's pieces at Lumigrate.com (found regularly in the forum related to therapies/functional and occupational -- link: http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/integrative-medicine-parts-m... [4]) learn she grew up in California with "Bobby" Redford and has had an interesting life from beginning to today. She graduated from USC in technical illustrating and drafting and was the first female draftsman for The Wall Street Journal in South Brunswick, New Jersey. She returned to USC to become an occupational therapist and enjoyed the 'heyday' of therapy in prestigious programs in California, and was an entrepreneur for many years. She had a daughter then adopted a son, Thomas, who she writes about regularly; they have been each others' greatest teachers, as it turns out he had developmental disabilities. Remarrying in middle age, she and her husband Bob moved to Colorado and now enjoy 'active retirement'. Petie appreciates the opportunities to continue teaching through sharing at Lumigrate and hopes those who read find as much enjoyment in reading as she does in writing.
Petie - it's GRATE to get your feedback and input. Thank you for taking the time to write a comment on this. I like your Point A to B description. Part of the difficulty with defining OT is that it HAS changed over the years; as you said it used to be basically all OTRs that became CHTs. (Certified Hand Therapist) Now it's a mix. PTs used to do wheelchair positioning until it wasn't reimbursed well, then it was shifted off to OTs, who hadn't had training in it in school since PTs used to do it!
I remember being in OT school in 1994-5-6, studying physiology, and seeing the similarities of the legs and the arms and thinking 'why don't PTs just 'do' all to do with upper extremities as its the same 'stuff' as what they are doing with the feet, ankles and hands, and leave the FUNCTION to us? That entails much to do with figuring out compensatory strategies and equipment. And I think that's the way things have evolved and will continue to evolve.
NEAT that you're also a fan of EK, which is also known as Brain Gym. There are other similar varieties of the same type of thing .. same as with different types of Yoga or meditation -- if you 'invent something' that is enough different than other 'brands' you can create something you own the legal rights to. And perhaps they were doing something like that with her, but my overall impression was she was getting REALLY good therapist with things that were cutting edge long ago and are now very proven; I'd like to see her get things that are 'cutting edge' today.
Lynn Hellerstein, OD, who has written See it. Say it. DO it! had ALSO seen the show and was appreciative of my encouragement of getting the book to her 'people'; I suggested the speech therapist, who has a doctorate and is on the faculty of a school would be my suggestion, in addition to her Congressional office, naturally. So we'll see, maybe something will come of that and we'll get an update from Lynn someday that 'we got through to her'. Having vision therapy is going to be instrumental to her brain getting better with EVERYTHING.
And as I said, getting her in an automobile in a safe place and infusing her brain/body with all the inputs that need to be calculated with car control would just really 'bring things together'. That's a good thing for people who are aging or have medical impairments that have a neurological or brain component.
AND finally, the power of prayer -- by the person and others; SO True. Body/mind/spirit is what we're about here at Lumigrate and you're RIGHT ON with that, Petie! Again, thanks for the awesome comment! ~~ Mardy
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [2] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!
"She reminds me ever day to deny the acceptance of 'failure'", were the words her husband Mark spoke on the afternoon show "Ellen", which I was tuning into after hearing he and his daughters were going to be on. They'd had the 'usual stepfamily stuff' and when the young women thought they weren't going to have a second chance to make things right, they had regrets. Given the second chance , they have taken advantage of it. Much to learn in that, when you think about it. And also in his quote, which I wanted to share here, since there were almost 500 reads of this in a week.
Perhaps the book he wrote, Gabby, would make a good gift for yourself or others! ~~ Mardy
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [2] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!
Due to the interest in this topic, and referrals being requested of me related to people who had brain injuries 10-20 years ago who are having issues today, I've been out there beating the bushes for information about "brain injury and nutrition and hormone supplemention". Since it has to do with the brain and things in the head, please look for that forum. I suggest you plug around FORUMS that are titled "supplementing nutrition", things related to the brain and mind (which are really two different things and so the different forums have different focus areas), as well as the hormone forum. REALLY interesting and exciting stuff, which is fueled by the increased publicity caused by the concerns brought forth by former NFL players (and their wives), leading to changes for current NFL players, schools, etc.! It's cumulative and synergistic when information like this starts getting out there with well-publicized cases, including Ms. Giffords'.
Again, I suggest people look into it and, as with all things, decide for yourself what you're going to do or do not, as Yoda would say. Everyone is individual but there are a lot of concepts we present at Lumigrate to get a foundation for people and link out to go from there, effectively increasing your odds of getting quality, valid, progressive information to help you in your pursuits for education and solutions.
Live and learn. Learn and Live Better! ~~ Mardy
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [2] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!