24/04/2024
Being a Physical Therapist is also being one flexible professional. We are required to also think outside the box, to think different concepts that will lead to one goal: to promote functional improvement and to make our patients independent in the long run.
That's why when this patient of mine (patient A) was told by her rehab doctor to start training her unaffected hand (Left side) to do fine motor activities, changing handedness / hand dexterity was opted for her to be able to sign legal documents when needed.
Even healthy individuals find it very challenging to write on the non-dominant hand, then how about them?
This is where the PT should be flexible. About 2 yrs ago, a post- mild stroke px, with a very good muscle grade on all 4s (px is independent in all aspects of ADLs with no limitations except for..) was endorsed to me with only one goal: to be able to do her signature since her job as a CPA requires it a lot. After 3 mos of intensive writing training, we were able to reach her goal. She was my 1st student..and it was also my first time to feel like a preschool teacher as I train her to write again.
I just find it amusing how being a Physical Therapist makes us flexible..makes us adjust in different situations..makes us improve for the sake of improvement of others.
As of today, patient A is able to write her complete name in capital letters and is able to do her signature close enough from the ID she presented to me last time. We started ~2 weeks ago, by drawing basic shapes (circle, triangle, square, rectangle) then tracing letters and now to writing it in full words.
I'll keep you guys updated once she master everything! π