More than 50 staff members from various Life Hospitals in and around East London will take part in this year’s Daily Dispatch Windmill Family Fun Run, along with patients from the Rehabilitation Unit.
Members of the Life Rehabilitation Unit, a 28-bed facility offering specialised healthcare services to treat and rehabilitate patients who have been left acutely disabled, will be taking part in the event for the third consecutive year.
The unit encourages patients to become involved as part of their rehabilitation programme. Life regional marketing manager Ailsa Thorpe said exercise formed a strong part of the rehabilitation programme.
“Part of the physical rehabilitation at the unit is participation in exercise or sporting activities and this is encouraged on several platforms by the multidisciplinary team, for both current and past patients.
“This is why Life Rehabilitation has been entering its patients – past and present – in the Daily Dispatch fun run since 2013.
“The fact that the route of this fun run is wheelchair-friendly ensures that all patients, regardless of whether they are in a wheelchair or not, are able to participate and have fun together,” said Thorpe.
Hospital manager Laro Fourie said patients gained a sense of accomplishment after completing the fun walk.
“We have found that people who have been disabled and who are able to complete a 4km fun run/walk feel a sense of achievement and are able to testify as to how far they have come in their recovery.
“They are also motivated to carry on with their physical therapy and to achieve more.”
Life Rehabilitation has managed to create so much interest with its participation that an additional 50 staff members from the Life hospitals in East London will also take part.
“We believe that by being present, we are creating awareness in the community that people with disabilities can participate in all events,” said Fourie. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Rehab patients will use wheels to show anything is possible
Members of the Life Rehabilitation Unit, a 28-bed facility offering specialised healthcare services to treat and rehabilitate patients who have been left acutely disabled, will be taking part in the event for the third consecutive year.
The unit encourages patients to become involved as part of their rehabilitation programme. Life regional marketing manager Ailsa Thorpe said exercise formed a strong part of the rehabilitation programme.
“Part of the physical rehabilitation at the unit is participation in exercise or sporting activities and this is encouraged on several platforms by the multidisciplinary team, for both current and past patients.
“This is why Life Rehabilitation has been entering its patients – past and present – in the Daily Dispatch fun run since 2013.
“The fact that the route of this fun run is wheelchair-friendly ensures that all patients, regardless of whether they are in a wheelchair or not, are able to participate and have fun together,” said Thorpe.
Hospital manager Laro Fourie said patients gained a sense of accomplishment after completing the fun walk.
“We have found that people who have been disabled and who are able to complete a 4km fun run/walk feel a sense of achievement and are able to testify as to how far they have come in their recovery.
“They are also motivated to carry on with their physical therapy and to achieve more.”
Life Rehabilitation has managed to create so much interest with its participation that an additional 50 staff members from the Life hospitals in East London will also take part.
“We believe that by being present, we are creating awareness in the community that people with disabilities can participate in all events,” said Fourie. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos