Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - North Mississippi - (Page 5)

years he has planted a garden and tended fruit trees at home. This year he and his mom planted watermelons, squash, tomatoes, potatoes, okra, corn, cantaloupe and peppers. It means a lot to him to actually be working in his garden, not just watching other folks work.” Recently, he picked up another favorite pastime, golf, with his dad. Practicing with his golf clubs strengthens his arms and coordination, and keeping his eye on the ball is good vision therapy. His therapist believes Causey’s passion for sports, which includes playing football for the University of Southern Mississippi from 1994–99, serves him well. “Being an athlete, Nate is conditioned to follow our teaching and he works to do things perfectly,” Lamon says. “He is motivated and has a great deal of discipline.” Get the Help You Need CaLL For a rehabilitation location near you, call 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375) or visit www.nmhs.net/locations.php. On Her Own Anita Henry of Saltillo has learned to walk three times now, and she’s hoping the third time is the charm. She first learned as a toddler, then a second time in 2002 after surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. In 2010, the brain tumor grew back even larger, forcing Henry back into surgery. After surgery to remove the tumor, Henry spent three weeks at NMMC’s Rehabilitation Institute in Tupelo for intensive inpatient rehabilitation. After that, she went through months of physical, occupational and speech therapy at NMMC’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. She returned for occupational therapy after dislocating her left shoulder as a result of partial paralysis. Occupational therapist James Raiford uses the Bioness hand rehabilitation system to help retrain Henry’s left hand to perform more functional movements. During therapy, the device sends electrical impulses to stimulate wrist and hand muscles to extend and flex her left fingers. She works on reaching, picking up items and then releasing them, something she hasn’t been able to do because of spasticity (increased muscle tone). The goal is neuromuscular education, or getting her hand and brain more coordinated. When Henry first started outpatient rehabilitation, Raiford and another therapist visited her home to make recommendations to help her live independently despite her disability. “I was amazed watching her get around her house,” he says. obtain and learn to use items like a rocker knife and a one-handed can opener. “I was having trouble draining the liquid off of things when I cooked,” Henry says. Raiford encouraged her to use smaller pots that she could slide to the sink with one hand and tilt to the side for draining. While she could manage her leg brace using her right hand, shoelaces were a nightmare. Raiford got her elastic shoelaces that stay permanently tied but stretch so she can take her shoes off. “Things that you and I could do easily are difficult with a disability,” he says. “We try to make it easier for Anita to do things for herself.” nMMC offers inpatient, Henry’s goal is to be as selfoutpatient and home sufficient as possible, even if it means health therapy services being inventive—like pushing her throughout northeast laundry basket down her hallway Mississippi and northwest with her feet instead of carrying it in her arms. “Anita is one of the most alabama. services vary motivated, cooperative patients we by location and include: have,” Raiford says. “She doesn’t let • adult & Pediatric her disability overtake her, get disrehabilitation couraged and give up. She’s at least • amputee Clinic/support going to try it.” Explore the Possibilities group • aquatic therapy • driving assessment and training • Foot Center • Hand Clinic • Hippotherapy • industrial rehabilitation • Lymphedema Management Program • Osteoporosis intervention • specialized swallowing treatments • sports Medicine • Vestibular rehabilitation • Vocal tract imaging • wheelchair seating Clinic Vim & Vigor • WI NTER 2011 Making adjustMents The goal is for Henry to regain as much functional movement as possible through neuromuscular reeducation so that she can live well independently. Raiford helped her Anita Henry works with her OT team to regain functional movement. 5 http://www.nmhs.net/locations.php

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Getting Back to Life
ACT Now!
Lingering Memories
Accumulating Accolades
Back in Action
Supplementary Knowledge
Keys to Survival
Clearing the Air
Mark Harmon of NCIS fame makes 60 look good
This One’s for the Girls
Life After a Loss
Do Your Diabetes Homework
Healthy Returns
Care for the Caregiver
Gaining Control
Moving Forward
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - North Mississippi