The Blackcats? But aren’t Blackcats part of musicals and plays? Well, there is a reason why this log is called the “Blackcats” log. Just like the Blackcats in theatre, who have the biggest hand in the success of a show/play/musical- yet are not given the due credit for it- this log is for the Blackcats of my story. If you haven’t guessed it already, I’m dedicating this log to all of the therapists,who like the Blackcats, don’t get enough credit for their hardwork. So, I think it’s about time we give the Blackcats due credit for their hardwork in running this joint (pun unintended).
I doubt I can ever forget the idyllic atmosphere in the thera-hall every time I went there for my therapy sessions. Even with so many sick people, it never had a negative atmosphere. That probably arose from the fact that there was this huge army of therapists, both occupational and physio alike, working tirelessly in harmony with their respective patients and with such dedication and vigour that would be difficult to match up to by any normal person alone. Silent, focused, dedicated, unrelenting efforts from each of them almost made physiotherapy look like an extreme sport because these are the qualities one would find in extreme sportspersons. In fact, just looking at all of them working with their patients was a beautifully motivating sight.
Well, if I had to be completely honest with myself, I would say that when I look back, I learnt more now from my therapists than I did while I was in the hospital.
Make no mistake folks, being the reason behind a sick person’s recovery from being immobile to a mobile human again is no easy job. For one thing, they taught me patience and how to keep a level head (even if things aren’t going your way). For constantly asking the patient to do a certain movement even when you know it is extremely difficult for them to get that movement, and especially when their brain does not know how to or has lost those precious neurons (which in some senses is like banging your head against a wall {no offence Sia}). One might say that physiotherapy isn’t a job for someone without patience as there is no timeline as to when the movement would become possible again, or if it ever would. I still remember how they would again and again edge the patient on in getting movement back in their paralysed parts and even when the patient would be unsuccessful, not once, not twice, but umpteen number of times, they would never lose their patience and determination.
They also taught me the real meaning of being positively adamant. Constantly, day in and day out, they would be unrelenting in their efforts to get the patient to recover through whatever xyz exercise, regardless of the patient’s body’s output. In fact, if the therapy would not work, they would find a new exercise to get the desired result. It was the perfect manifestation of the “never give up” attitude that a patient should imbibe in his/her recovery process
I suppose, it would be right to say that the patient’s recovery is only as good as his therapists are. As Martha Stewart rightly said, “Movement never lies”. Someone who can read movements as well as a therapist can, must surely be a boon from the grand puppeteer to a patient in need. This Log is to one of the key group of people who were instrumental in me getting out of the hospital and returning to normal life. If only words could describe my heartfelt gratitude to my therapists I would be writing a log much longer for them, but for now, that would be all folks… until the next Friday then .
Amazing!👏👏👏