Posted on 08/16/2005 11:45:37 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
LANDSTUHL, Germany — The “Rocky” theme song was the only thing missing from Spc. Christopher Lively’s physical therapy session at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
First Lt. Greg Carey, left, performs a resistance drill with his hands during a physical therapy session last week at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, with Maj. Ford David Paulson, a physical therapist at the hospital. Photo by Steve Mraz / S&S
“This is my ‘Rocky’ moment,” said Lively, as he gingerly pumped back-and-forth on an exercise machine.
Then in his best Sly Stallone impression, Lively belted out a “Yo, Adrian.”
During a late July/early August mission in Iraq, Lively, of the Arizona Army National Guard’s 860th Military Police Company, suffered a herniated disc in his neck when a roadside bomb detonated near his Humvee.
Spc. Christopher Lively undergoes a physical theraphy session at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Photo by Steve Mraz / S&S
“I just remember the blast,” he said. “That’s all I remember. Then, I woke up at Balad [Air Base].”
About a week later, Lively found himself at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, adhering to a physical therapy regimen that’s a standard part of the hospital’s care.
“It’s helping,” Lively said. “I have more mobility with my left arm.”
While the average stay at Landstuhl is about four days, wounded troops passing through receive physical therapy, in addition to the surgeries and stabilization for which Landstuhl is best known.
“Even though they’re here for a few days, in the scheme of things, I think it’s an important few days,” said Maj. Ford David Paulson, a physical therapist at Landstuhl.
The aim of the physical therapy treatment is to help with joint motion, muscle movement, strengthening and the like.
“You name it, it’s all about helping people move,” Paulson said.
In Lively’s case, his physical therapy could prevent him from having to undergo neck surgery later in life.
Lively received 20 minutes of electrostimulation around his neck before walking — with the help of a cane — to an exercise machine.
“We try to keep him as active as we can without stressing his neck,” said Capt. Terrance Fee, a Landstuhl physical therapist.
A spacious sunroom filled with a variety of exercise machines, mats and equipment awaits patients who have come to associate the letters “PT” with physical therapy rather than physical training.
And for those too injured to make it to the hospital’s physical therapy wing, the physical therapists come to them.
Physical therapists will move patients’ limbs around while the patients are in bed. Once the patients can respond, therapists will add resistance-type exercises and activities.
The physical therapists even treat patients in the hospital’s intensive care unit, as was the case with 1st Lt. Greg Carey, who received a head injury in early August while serving in Iraq.
Paulson dubbed Carey his “star pupil” because Carey was able to get out of bed and stand up during his stay in the ICU.
A day after Carey had been transferred out of the ICU, Paulson conducted another physical therapy session with the wounded troop.
Carey stood up, shuffled back and forth, and performed some balance and resistance drills with Paulson.
“It’s certainly a workout,” said Carey, whose eyes were swollen shut as a result of his injury.
“It’s helping me move around. It’s good.”
In addition to physical therapy, Paulson provides a morale boost for the wounded troops.
“Every time I talk to the soldiers I call them heroes,” he said. “They say, ‘No sir, I was just doing my job,’ but they are heroes.”
They deserive our support and admiration.
I have included the links to threads in the event you are interested.
But, the first and most important, SGT. Mathew Maupin, I posted an article about him, we must not forget him, and if you scan down the thread you can find a way to support him by wearing a POW bracelet. I hope you join our family in this show of support and solidarity to our troops.
Actions do speak louder than words.
FMC
Post script, glad you enjoyed the article my beloved (No Longer Free State) said was a MUST read, he usually gets it right even if he is getting up in the years, his birthday is today.
Family ships PCs to soldiers in Iraq -- Parents of MIA Sgt. Matt Maupin (Sheehan should take note)
Twin Towers steel used in construction of USS New York - An amazing honor, renders one speechless
Hasan Akbar - Update on animal who murdered fellow military members sentenced to death
Good News, Bleeding to Get Out - Progress in Iraq, despite headlines. (beloved says MUST READ)
Exit Strategy-"To build an E/S in advance, leaders would literally have to know the unknowable."
Thanks for posting!
PING
You are most welcome. It is a long and tough recovery thus all the good wishes we can give them cannot hurt.
Thanks for the comment.
I stand in awe.
God bless them, aid their healing and give them the grace and courage to continue.
We are blessed that the Country can still produce such patriots.
Thanks for the terrific comment, and with that I will get some shut eye. I will drop to my knees in thanks for all who have served and for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
Again thank you.
I was hurt once, took me a year to walk again, but I still have all my limbs. Victory is the only consolation. God please hold these men close.
I'd do your job in a heart beat if asked...you just had the heart, brains and guts to cut to the head of the line...God Bless all of you...
I salute each of these fine patriots.
Ditto.
I injured my ankle and foot as well. Beloved was returning from Korea on mid tour leave. I was so thrilled, it was my birthday and I was getting ready and ran down the stairs, slipping, breaking straining tearing basically anyone one can do to an ankle.
I have had 3 surgeries, months, years of physical therapy and there are times the pain knocks me off my feet and the meds make you feel like you are back in the 1960's. But, I am lucky as compared to some who have lost some or those who gave all for our country. So I do complain and it was still worth it to run down the stairs to greet my beloved.
I wish you well, thank you for the comment.
We must not allow the Army to write off this young warrior as they have those from pst wars.
They are the Quiet Heroes
Thank You for the ping, yes indeed these heroes need our prayers and support.
I am humbled and in awe of our brave heroes every day.
Prayers offered daily for those that serve. Prayers of healing and hope for those that are recovering from injuries, MIA and the families of those KIA.
God Bless our troops, our President and our country.
And I extend a "Happy Birthday" to my beloved (No Longer Free State)!
I am honored to join you in prayer. Thank you for the ping.
As do real Americans.
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