Living a fulfilled life again thanks to occupational therapy
RGH Occupational Therapist Ashleigh Young with Joe Kelly-Seymour
On 1 April 2021, 74-year-old Joseph (Joe) Kelly-Seymour collapsed after getting up in the middle of the night.
"I just dropped down with no warning and to make it worse the phone was in the back room," Joseph said.
"I had to crawl my way to the back room to get my phone and called my son-in-law who came over straight away.
"He couldn't understand a word I was saying so he called an ambulance."
Joe had had a stroke which paralysed him down the left side of his body, leaving him unable to walk or use his left arm.
After being assessed and diagnosed, he spent 72 days at Rockingham General Hospital (RGH) for rehabilitation before he was able to return home safely to his usual occupations.
Prior to his stroke, Joe was living independently in his own home. His wife, who is living with dementia, lives in a nursing home nearby.
RGH Occupational Therapist (OT) Ashleigh Young said Joe's rehabilitation was a three-step process, but ultimately the aim was to get him home as quickly as possible and safely.
"When he first arrived, our initial OT goal while in hospital was to improve his function by getting his arm moving, so we did a range of exercises to help and when he finally moved his thumb, the rest of his arm movement followed pretty quickly.
"We then wanted to facilitate a safe discharge home, so we visited his home and installed a range of supports to allow him to get around safely in his wheelchair, and do the daily tasks we often take for granted, like safely using the toilet and shower.
"Once discharged, the Rehabilitation in the Home (RiTH) team helped him with everyday tasks at home as well as work on exercises to get him walking again."
Joe still has some limitations in his left arm function, but he credits the occupational therapy he received while in hospital and at home, as well as the support from his stepdaughters and Son-in-law, for helping him get back on his feet again and doing what he loves.
"I didn't know what occupational therapy was before coming to hospital, but I certainly do now," Joe said.
This OT Week (24 to 30 October 2022), Joe would like to thank all of the incredible OTs involved in his care from RGH and RiTH but also the physiotherapists.
"I am just so grateful to everyone for everything they have done for me," Joe said.
"I am so happy to be home and doing gardening, woodwork, looking after my birds and dog and just generally enjoying life again."
