I read a really inspiring story about a man where physical therapy changed his whole life. He suffered from hemodialysis and was very obese. He was stuck in a wheelchair and didn't do much with his life, so he became increasingly depressed. Life was going downhill for Mr. J, and after failed home care, he almost gave up hope.
So, the author Jo Reeder, PT, put him on a program to try and help him through his physical and psychological problems. It was difficult at first for the Physical Therapist to set something up, because he was at such a bad state, he couldn't get up from his wheelchair and couldn't fit his feet in the exercise bike pedals. But with some adjusting and extra help from other staff, they were able to work it out for Mr. J to do his exercises. After he started doing them regularly, there was improvement shown. So Reeder enhanced his therapy with his improvement. The office provided him with a flexible knee brace, and now, he needs no help from a wheelchair, and can go up the stairs independently. He also can now drive his wife to the grocery store, where before neither of them could drive. He had muscle spasms before, and they now never show up. He keeps on his daily exercise routine, and he couldn't be happier.
It's awesome to see how much physical therapists can help people. Even in the worst conditions, there is always something they can do to help. To help and watch a man turn his whole life around must have been an amazing experience.
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