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Learn by Example: Community Mobility

The video series concludes with Magee Rehab's guide to running errands and using public transit in a wheelchair.

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Rehabilitation professionals are charged with the task of helping patients in wheelchairs prepare for the many challenges presented in both the home and the community. Philadelphia's Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, through a grant from the Kessler Foundation, has added a four-part video series to its arsenal of tools used to prepare individuals in wheelchairs for life after injury.

The clinicians at Magee Rehab have discovered that learning by example produces the best outcomes. "Having peers demonstrate different skill sets in a post-rehab environment can be a strong motivator for those still in therapy," shared Anna Martin, CTRS, Magee Rehab.

In the Community Mobility Part I video, Frank LaMacchia, a T6 complete paraplegic, demonstrates how to transfer out of the car and go grocery shopping; and shares what an individual in a wheelchair ought to consider when meeting friends for dinner and drinks.

LaMacchia also takes the audience shopping for new clothes. In addition to sharing his personal fashion preferences-men should not wear skinny jeans!-he provides tips on navigating dressing rooms and buying shoe and jean sizes suitable for individuals in wheelchairs.

"My patients have commented that the videos are very helpful in giving them a visual of how they may manage in their home and the community when they leave Magee," shared Julie Brown, PT, DPT, NCS, senior PT at Magee Rehab.

In the Community Mobility Part II video, LaMacchia sets out to navigate public transportation. Because he lives in a bustling city, public transportation-from taxi cabs to buses-is a part of his life.

"Many of our patients have questions about how they are going to get out of the house and feel as though they will be trapped at home," relayed Erin O'Donnell, PT, Magee Rehab.

According to O'Donnell, having LaMacchia demonstrate how public transportation can be used, for example, is extremely valuable in showing patients that they have options once they discharge from Magee.

"Professionally, I had limited knowledge and experience with community skills from a wheelchair level and I was interested in learning what I could pass on to my patients," explained Martin. "I wanted to learn about public transportation, shopping, social adjustment, driving, living in the home, and engagement with peers post rehab."To further her knowledge base, Martin asked LaMacchia questions about specific tasks or observed him when engaged in a task during filming. "I have grown more comfortable teaching my patients community mobility skills, and more confident in educating them on the resources available," she shared.

In Martin's opinion, personal stories and experiences have a greater impact on her patients than text book descriptions.
Videos courtesy of Magee Rehab.

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This is a great tool--great work. Mr. LaMacchia does such an excellent job, very thorough, detailed, realistic, straight forward. It's great that it's his perspective vs. a therapist's because, unless we are in a wheelchair, we can't truly realize the reality of every normal daily situation to communicate the most meaningful instructions to our patients. This resource is valuable for therapists and our patients. If you are looking for more resources like this, go to www.rehabgo.com. Scott Grove has C67 quadriplegia and promotes that living in a wheelchair does not have to limit one's life. He encourages everyone to live life to the fullest and has also produced DVD resources like this one to help others with disabilities. Check his website if you are interested.

Doug ,  Rehab Director,  Columbus Community HospitalNovember 30, 2011
Columbus, NE

these are excellent teaching tools. What a great natural actor, too. Please continue on. Show us giving an ACL to a patient, getting a person out of bed who doesn't want to, etc. Great great work!

d November 29, 2011


     

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