Good food and exercise …research aims to establish and implement programs to aid SCI health.

We all know that good food is important …..lots of green vegetables, salads and fresh fruit.  I met an aged tortoise that reminded me of that fact recently at Singapore Zoo but there is another important factor to human longevity – exercise!

“Exercise” You say?

The importance of exercise and the best ways to implement activity are being addressed in a UK Department of Health Study. A lead researcher at the University of Bath, Tom Nightingale, explained: “One of the best ways to reduce the risk of chronic diseases is to become more physically active, but for wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries achieving this can be more complex. We want to understand more about the impact of regular moderate intensity-exercise for these people and to devise new programmes that can help promote physically active.”

There are around 3 million wheelchair users in the USA and approx 5 million wheelchair users in the European Union with probably over 12 million wheelchair users worldwide and as a result of inactivity lifestyle diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are more likely to occur in this vulnerable group and at an earlier age. Promoting exercise with resulting better health in this large group would have a beneficial impact; physically, mentally and economically.

There is a tendency to reduce exercise if it causes pain or if exercise just gets too arduous; finding the time, having a carer to assist or just having local accessible activities. I want to address this issue with Emily, using exercise to break the unhealthy relationship between disability and weight gain.

Emily and I have found that exercise has to be a scheduled in our day. We aim to enjoy our yoga, stretch or swimming session because we have ample time allocated. The equipment we use is readily available in all good sports shops.

Emily and I have adapted particular sports to accommodate her abilities. It takes trial and error but we have enjoyed the process and we both benefit from our efforts.

We keep our program simple and our aims are similar whether swimming or enjoying  a yoga session;

• Full range of motion in all joints, start head and move to toe.
• We stretch the whole body, addressing the body as a complete entity.
• Deep breathing, inhale and on the exhale extending a stretch
• Strengthening without tiring her overused muscles
• Make use of parks with accessible pathways to exercise outdoors
• Maintain a variety of activities; ice skate, hand cycle, bowling, sail-ability
• SCIA Walk On Program
• Keep it fun

Reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease is a priority, diet and exercise are pivotal to achieving that. I welcome the UK research as it is seeking to gain statistical evidence to devise programs that help inactive people participate in exercise.  

Basically diet and exercise are a duo that have to be constantly considered in our every day schedules. As a carer I benefit as much as Emily from healthy eating and lots of exercise. 

 

SCIA Expo Spectacular….. want to know more……

It took Emily and I an hour to cross the Expo threshold because we couldn’t stop talking! It was a lovely opportunity to catch up with our friends at SCIA and refresh ourselves with their news, while becoming chummy with Charlie, a sleek black labrador service dog.

SCIA gathered service and product providers, support organisations and a range of equipment together into The Australian Technology Park, Sydney. Parking was free and we accessed the venue, Bay 8, with ease. There was ample space inside for this gathering of exhibitors, powerchairs, dogs, children, cafe and carers.

Emily had been asked to participate in the SCIA Exercise Rehabilitation Program demonstration at 11.45 and 2.30pm so we relaxed into our day at the venue. The SCIA Walk On Program “is an individually designed, intensive, activity based program that assists a person with spinal cord injury to improve and maximize their functional ability and lead a more independent life. Exercises are performed out of the wheelchair one on one with a qualified Exercise Physiotherapist or physiotherapist”  

Emily thoroughly enjoys her sessions at Walk On, she gains from the positive energy, boosting her confidence and moral as well as benefiting from the practical therapy. It is also an opportunity to structure therapy ideas and re-energize rehabilitation goals.

We met so many friends we knew from Royal North Shore Hospital, Royal Rehab  and other SCI organisations, networks and workshops, my voice grew horse! No one could escape the natural charisma of Duncan Wallace, the Executive Director at Spinal Cure Australia. Duncan is energetic, enthusiastic and engaging, he spoke to us with insight about his vision for spinal cure in Australia, he vocalized about the power of the group and the need to educate politicians, the need to speak as one so our voice is heard. See here. Like their Facebook page to follow their news.

My next stop was to meet the staff at IDEAS, Information on Disability and Education Awareness Services. Wow is the descriptive that comes to mind, one phone call to access assistance. Their newsletter is packed with information and with information comes choice,  and choice matters! IDEAS NSW;  “is a free telephone information service for people with disability, their family, carers and other supporters” – call 1800 029 904. Ask them questions,  IDEAS give you the answers and you make the decisions.

I went on to meet Trudy Rice who helps arrange holidays for the disabled at Time Fly’s Travel. All services that expand the opportunities offered to people with disabilities must be embraced. I have St Petersburg and The Great Wall of China on my bucket list with Emily! I took away Cruising from Australia, Thailand and Malaysia travel brochures to read over coffee.

Carers NSW was also on my to visit list when I saw the Expo floor plan, I was  delighted to introduce myself and received a warm welcome. I am becoming more aware of the wealth of newsletters available but actually most organisations are Online, as well as on Facebook or Twitter. The internet and social media is an interface that works well with isolated carers in rural homesteads or if carers are housebound with their role. The internet can be accessed at your convenience and  information is updated so the latest news is at your fingertips i.e here!

Carers NSW; “is the voice of all carers in NSW. The vision is for family members and friends who provide care across the state to enjoy improved health, well-being and recognition by governments and communities.”  See more here.

Bay 8 was filled with exhibitors, service providers and support organisations.. Emily and I found ourselves talking to company directors about products that may not be appropriate for her immediately but we are aware of them and their development so in future we can access these resources. Having the opportunity to see and discuss the available services and products is empowering. It broadens our horizon, expands our choices and will enhance Emily’s independence.

As a carer I am  interested in products and SCI services because anything that promotes Emily’s independence – reduces my role, I enthusiastically embrace positive change, SCI service development and advocacy (individual and within organisations) because as a carer I want to be made redundant. My greatest hope is that SCI is cured, that improvements in SCI care offer people hope, that improvements in technology offer freedom from a life time of wheelchair use. I welcome SCIA Walk On Program as it improves functionality, develops strength, physical stamina and skills that increase Emily’s involvement in her everyday life, her studies, volunteer work, her sport.

Within the extremes of SCI  there are many differences but we are one community. We have to come together to empower ourselves with one voice and we have to work together to facilitate positive, practical change in an aware and inclusive society. The SCIA Expo, in my opinion, was a rare opportunity to connect to numerous SCI service and product providers, SCI and Carer support organisations, to gain information that makes life easier, makes independence a reality.

Spinal Cord Injury Australia – Walk On Program Sydney

We visit SCIA Walk On Program regularly as Emily finds their physio, exercise regime very beneficial. Her physical exertion reduces her spasms, increases her well-being, stretch her hip flexors as she’s manipulated into the standing frame; correcting her stance and rehabilitates her out of her wheelchair. Her program encourages her with appropriate goals and strength training. It is a positive environment with multiple levels of gain; all her visits are instructional, motivational, supportive and social.

The Walk On Program is an excellent facility which is under the umbrella of Spinal Cord Injury Australia (SCIA). On SCIA’s website the program is introduced – ” Walk On is an individually designed intensive activity based rehabilitation program to assist a person with a spinal cord injury to improve and maximize their functional ability and lead a more independent life. The program involves intense, dynamic, weight-bearing exercises all performed out of the wheelchair one-on-one with a qualified Exercise Physiologist or Physiotherapist.’ 

Emily has several rehabilitation goals including being able to transfer (chair to bed, chair to car) with a slide board and re-position herself. Some goals have been paused while she recovers from the deltoid tendon to tricep surgery. The surgery has resulted in a working tricep but the immobility needed for this surgical success has impacted on Emily’s upper body strength. Three months after the surgery Emily is back working hard to recover her stamina and fitness. The program has reset her goals appropriately with a revised exercise routine.

Being involved with this program Emily has experienced improvement in her core strength as she sits with ease. Her walking frame use, both at home and at Walk On, has established that she has retained her hip reflexes, which initiate stepping forward, this is a useful reflex for the future when bionics come into play. Every reflex, sensory gain and all muscle strengthening is welcomed. Physical fitness is an essential component of health and well-being coupled with a healthy diet and lifestyle, the Walk On Program assists Emily to consolidate her positive progress and motivates her to improve realistically.

Another successful session completed with such a motivated team of young professionals. It is no wonder that Emily soaks up their energy and enjoys the lively banter between staff and clients. Emily recently received the SCIA Walk On Program Fashionista Award because she wore heels to work out, actually a wardrobe error that morning but she is aiming to hold on tight to this accolade with her manicured hands and coordinated nail polish!!