This post is dedicated to all my patients who I have learned so much from... I have unique relationships with each one. Some I joke with, some I am more gentle with, and some I just have to be a little tough with. Once in rehab, every patient has about 5 hours a day of rehab--occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. The patients have long days of hard work just like the therapists...but they have to do their work while recovering from all kinds of injuries, surgeries, and traumatic events. Often I feel a little bad about pushing my patients to work hard through yet another therapy session...but sometimes they need it. I just love the reactions I get when I start to push my patients to their limit:
"[hesitant tone of voice:] ok..."
"oh honey, I just don't know"
"uh..... no"
*blank stare*
*the look that says "you're crazy for thinking I can do that"*
*blank stare*
"I just feel like a dummy"
"yeah, I know that already"
*gesture to go away*
*patient tries to push their wheelchair away from me*
*blank stare*
"I'm sorry..."
"I'll try not to fall asleep this time"
Not all patients react negatively to therapy...some are very friendly, and most of their family members are very gracious. It's great when a patient comes into therapy and smiles at me, or even better when a patient sees me in the hall and says hello as if I'm a friend. I had a great moment today when a family member told me, "You are so good at what you do, thank you so much. You communicate so clearly and are so positive and helpful." I felt as if I didn't deserve such a compliment, and reminded the woman that I'm only a student, and that I'm still learning... but she insisted that I was doing great work and that she was impressed with me. Wow, talk about humbling... but it was such a rewarding moment to think that maybe I am doing some good in the world.
Moral of the story: "Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:4)
No comments:
Post a Comment