Volunteering Day 2
Today we started by touring additional departments of the facility.
Most patients participate in hydrotherapy everyday at 11am.
There is also a full gym, basketball court, and racquetball court.
We also found this Aerobics room equipped with astroturf, yoga mats, hula hoops, steps, and lots of kinesio balls!
Today we worked with 5 individuals, all who gave us permission to use their names and share photographs.
(1) Virap — This is a man in his 60s who presents with right-sided weakness as a result of a stroke 6 years ago. He stated his goal was to improve functioning of his right arm and hand. In this photo I am guiding him through a towel slide activity to increase right shoulder range of motion using synergistic muscle activity. His hand is mildly contracted, making it extremely difficult to hold a utensil. On Friday, we plan to bring him a tool called a universal cuff which is designed for people with fairly intact arm mobility but limited grip/finger dexterity. It is a strap that wraps around a person’s palm with a flap into which you can slide a fork or spoon. We also plan to bring him an adapted plate and other supplies. Our therapy session will be during his lunch time and will focus on improving his independence in self-feeding.
(2) Garen- 19 y.o. M soldier from Yerevan who survived an explosion on Sept 30 which resulted left wrist tendon rupture. He has undergone 4 tendon repair surgeries and wishes to continue to improve functioning of his left wrist and hand. Today was unfortunately his last day at the Center, but he may be undergoing one more surgery and will likely return for more therapy after this last procedure. We gifted him Theraputty and taught him six exercises to help further strengthen his grip and dexterity.
(3) Mikael — This is a 21 y.o. soldier who suffered significant shrapnel wounds to his abdomen in October of last year and underwent surgery to remove the fragments. He has pain and significant weakness on the L side of his abdomen. Today he was instructed in abdominal strengthening exercises.
(4) Krikor — This 19y.o. M was studying to be an accountant when he joined the war efforts as a soldier. On Oct 27, 2020 he suffered a traumatic brain injury due to an explosion. He was taken to Astghik Medical Center where he underwent partial craniotomy and fell into a coma for 10 days. He has significant right-sided weakness and spasticity which affect his gait, posture, and ability to use his right arm & hand during daily activities. He was lead through scapular stabilization exercises, postural exercises, and functional reach activities to normalize movement patterns of his right arm.
(5) Artak — We saw this young man yesterday as well. He had suffered a peripheral nerve injury affecting functioning of his left arm & hand. Today he was instructed on more upper body exercises to promote trunk control, increase left shoulder range of motion, and use his arm for functional purposes such as reaching for items.
We left for the day, and despite the rain, we found a lovely open air cafe to eat dinner and finish our preparation for our presentation tomorrow morning on techniques to manage spasticity.
I would not be able to do this without Talin as a Grade A interpreter as well as 2 supportive behind-the-scenes translators, Anoushik Aivazian and Nvard Sununu!! I thank them and acknowledge their tremendous help!
Thanks for tuning in!
-Alissa
