Morrello Marvels Blog

Interview with Physio in a Box beneficiaries - Dissociative Seizures, Stroke

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 16:34:49 GMT

How has Physio in a Box impacted beneficiaries suffering from Dissociative Seizures, and Stroke.

Below is an interview conducted with two beneficiaries of Physio in a Box. One beneficiary suffers from frequent Dissociative Seizures, and tells us how the project had an impact on her condition. The other beneficiary suffered a severe Stroke, and we spoke with his Son to hear how the project can impact the family members of a beneficiary.

But first we spoke to Jon, morrello specialist physiotherapist, who delivers the virtual physiotherapy sessions on the project.

Jon, can you give an overview of Physio in a Box and how morrello as a clinic is supporting it?

Physio in a box is a National Lottery Funded project providing therapy support to people who have been adversely affected by COVID-19. This can include people who have been affected directly during their hospital admission or indirectly, through the recent restrictions closing community gym classes and outpatient services. The beneficiaries will be assessed by a specialist physiotherapist who will identify exercise equipment to facilitate their recovery. This equipment is then sent out in a box, allowing them to exercise at home along with online guidance and support, delivered by myself. I will change the exercises as they progress with the program.

The aim is to establish a routine of exercises, that can be continued independently and enhance physical and mental wellbeing. Morrello is collaborating with the project by funding the therapy component and has seconded me to provide the clinical support for free.

Who is Physio in a Box for?

A potential beneficiary would need to be adversely affected by COVID-19, have rehabilitation needs, currently not earning, is suitable for exercise at home with support available at home if needed. The candidate does not have to have a specific neurological diagnosis but should require some (neuro)rehabilitation input such as reconditioning to exercise, balance, and agility.

How are you finding it so far?

The initial thought of providing online therapy was quite daunting as physiotherapy is a hands-on profession, but it has been a fantastic experience. When you get to know the people and their stories of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them, then seeing the difference your input can make by giving hope and positivity in what has been a very challenging couple of years for most people, is truly priceless.

To get a sense of what it is like to be on the receiving end of the program, we spoke to a beneficiary who suffers with Dissociative Seizures:

How has your condition affected your day-to-day life?

The first time I had a seizure was about 7 years ago, but I was diagnosed in January 2021. Seizures slowly became more frequent. First one or two a month then several a month and now every day. I can’t walk after I have had a fit. Dissociative seizures can cause partial or full paralysis. I can’t talk – I start to stutter. My hands will be shaking or locked, and my feet will be bent and I can’t do anything. In January, I couldn’t even walk to the bus stop next to where I live because I would always have a fit. My condition is a defence mechanism, like a fight or flight response – my brain just switches off.

I used to run a club for young people – a board games and Dungeons & Dragons club. I was running it all by myself, and we were meeting and playing weekly. I was the storyteller, and I don’t think I can do that anymore because I can’t concentrate fully. Everyone loved it, I was looking into expanding and running something every day of the week, Dungeons & Dragons, card games, board games. It was a big passion project of mine.

How was your experience with the program? What did you get out of it?

Jakko [Head physiotherapist at morrello] said he’d like to refer me to this project, Physio in A Box to support exercise at home, which he thought would be good for me. I looked at my mother worrying about how much it was going to cost, when he said it was free, I just thought “yes please!” It’s given me the ability to figure out when my fits are going to happen and almost how to stop them. It’s helped me in a lot of ways because I don’t end up having a fit just in the middle of nowhere. [Physio in A Box] has given me more confidence just to try things I hadn’t done in months, I actually started walking up and down my stairs again which is massive because I didn’t even sleep in my own bed for months. It’s made me feel happier in myself. I am currently suffering with depression so as good as it is it can’t fix that. But I don’t feel so pathetic anymore, so “incapable”– I’ve stopped telling myself that. I am proud of my little victories …but not too proud because extreme emotion can cause another fit!

How did you find the virtual therapy sessions with Jon?

Jon is a sweetheart, honestly! He’s such a great and kind person, it’s not just business constantly - he’s not just ‘physio-man’ doing his job, he cares and likes to have a chat and it just motivates you! I was lacking the motivation to do it by myself. I was scared to use the hand peddles on the bike because I was scared it would give me a fit but when Jon was coaching me through the portal it gave me the motivation to keep going.

We caught up with the son of a beneficiary to see how the project can impact a loved one:

Can you tell me a little about your father?

He had a Stroke about a year ago. It was quite severe. He’s 82 but he was still working up on the roofs right up until the day before he had the Stroke! It wouldn’t surprise me if he would get back on it as well… The day before the Stroke, he’d done a 12-hour shift. When he first came out of the hospital it was an adjustment for all of us. The doctors told us he wouldn’t be able to swallow, walk, or move his right arm again. He had very limited movement in his right leg. They really didn’t give us much hope coming out of hospital.

What sort of impact has Physio in a Box had on his lifestyle?

Having the bike at home has done wonders for him; it has brought strength back in his legs and further down the line it’s done wonders for his right arm as well. Some days I’ll tell him ‘come on we’re going on the bike’ and you’ll see his face drop because it really tires him out. But we’ve definitely all noticed a difference. It has affected him in every way, with the weeks going on I was noticing small changes like getting rid of the commode and helping him stand and then a short walk to the toilet. Now he’s going to the toilet by himself, he does everything himself.

Has the project had a significant impact on his mood and mental wellbeing?

Yeah! Not just his but mine and my mother’s too. My mother still has down days but now she’s seeing the benefits. She thought she’d be stuck with the strain of his care and everything but now she’s seen that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

If you believe you, or a loved one, could benefit from the Physio in a Box project then contact us today to discuss eligibility. Transform your life today.

Interview with Physio in a Box beneficiary - Spinal Cord Injury

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 10:41:33 GMT

How has Physio in a Box impacted a beneficiary living with a Spinal Cord Inury?

Below is an interview held with a Physio in a Box Pilot beneficiary who lives with a Spinal Cord Injury. Have a read to find out how the project had a positive impact on their physical and mental well-being.

Can you tell me a little about your condition and how it has affected your day-to-day life?

I had a spinal cord injury when I was 25 in 1999, I was a passenger in a car with my partner at the time, and we had an accident. I was taken into Cardiff where I had to have some scans. They operated on me and put a fixture in my spine, so I’m paralysed from I believe a T4/T5 level. I completely severed my spinal cord and it left me paraplegic.

At first for the first 4 years, it took a lot to get over. It takes about that long to get over the trauma of such an accident. The first year or so after my accident I just couldn’t take it. I was so active before, I worked full time, had my own flat and my own car and I was independent. Because my mental health went so bad, I was made to officially retire before my 30s. That period of poor mental health went on for about 4 years, then a group of my friends dragged me out to a party because I just didn’t want to go out anywhere at the time. I didn’t want anyone to see me. They dragged me out to a party and that’s where I met my future husband. We were together 7 years before getting married. He took me for who I am and didn’t see the chair, he just saw me as I am. I Couldn’t have met a nicer man.

After I left Rookwood hospital, I was going to a gym regularly about 3 times a week in Cardiff, my grandfather was pushing me because he knew it was important to keep fit. But after he passed away, I didn’t go anymore.

I drive now since my accident, the car sort of acts like my wings and gives me freedom to go places. I’m quite independent. I volunteered for the NHS for a while, I taught myself to crochet when I was bored and decided to begin teaching a group of ladies with mental health conditions to crochet then, because it’s a great distraction and keeps you busy, helps take your mind off things. You tend to overthink when you’re just sat in the chair.

How did you hear about Physio in a Box?

I was at a desperate point in my life last year, I’d lost so much weight as a result of my mental health affecting my physical health. I was part of a SCI peer group that would meet up in Cardiff once a week for a while, we’d get together to talk. I was also in a WhatsApp group chat with someone from Rookwood hospital and I told him what I was going through and asked whether there was a gym or somewhere accessible we could all go to. He sent me the link to morrello, and I looked it up online. I knew Sam [SCI Specialist at morrello] from Rookwood too. I gave Sam a ring and we had a good chat about everything. Sam is so lovely.

After that I started going to morrello once a week and it made a hell of a difference. They’re so lovely down there and Sam is so knowledgeable about the spine, she took me under her wing for a bit. I had seen about Physio in a box online, but it took me a while to call up about it. I got in touch with Sam and she told me it was now at the end of the enrolment period, but she had a word with her colleague and recommended me for the project, and thankfully they still let me join.

I couldn’t believe it, it was unbelievable having such a nice bit of equipment in my home to exercise with, and Jon on the screen once a week for the virtual workouts and exercises.

Did you find PIAB had an impact on your physical and mental wellbeing?

Unfortunately, I’d already had the bike for a few weeks before I was in the right frame of mind to be using it properly. I explained to Jon that I hadn’t been using it as much as I wanted. It was just a bad time for me to have it. But Jon let me have it for a couple weeks extra and that’s when I really used it then. When you start moving your body, and you have to push yourself to do it, I would really feel better then.

You get your heart rate going which I hadn’t done for years and years. I really wanted to get better and feel well again. And it really did help, it gave me so much more energy after exercising. Going around town I just felt so much better, my spasms improved tremendously after getting my legs going. If I could, I would definitely buy one of the bikes. It’s so nice to be fit. My trouble is that I got lazy, but it did definitely improve my mental health and I felt much more comfortable in myself. It got me wanting to do more and gave me more energy to want to get up and do things. I found I was able to push myself more as time went on. There’s really not a bad thing to say about Physio in a box, it’s all positive.

How did you find the online sessions with Jon?

They were great – Jon really does push you. Online is just as good as in person! I’d still like to have the bike in the house AND go to the gym so I can have best of both worlds.

If you believe you, or a loved one, could benefit from the Physio in a Box project then get in touch today to discuss eligibility. Transform your life today.

Interview with Physio in a Box beneficiary - Long Covid

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:33:15 GMT

How has Physio in a Box impacted a beneficiary suffering from Long Covid?

Below is an interview with a Physio in a Box beneficiary who suffers with Long Covid. Have a read to see how the project had a positive impact on their physical and mental well-being.

Can you tell me a little about your condition?

I went to work like usual as a domestic nurse, to look after my patients on the ward making sure everything was okay, their areas were clean, they had all they needed etc. And I caught covid then on the 21st of March 2020, and I’m still suffering with Long Covid to this day. I lost my job because I couldn’t work, I’ve had such little support and help with it all. I just feel like I’m being punished honestly.

I’ve recently been diagnosed with Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome and been put on a CPAP machine. But I struggle with the feeling of claustrophobia, so I really don’t like it. Even If I do manage to sleep with it on, I end up pulling it off in my sleep. They’ve now taken my driving my license off me because I’m “not compliant with my treatment”. This has taken away my independence and is going to impact my daily living, I was using going to the shops almost like physiotherapy, and they’ve taken that away from me now which is essentially a push backwards. I feel like I’ve just been pushed aside and forgotten about. I always try to remain positive but It’s quite hard at the moment.

How was your experience with Physio in a Box?

Fabulous! I felt like I was finally being heard. Nobody seemed to know about long covid, and I felt pushed aside because they would basically say “we don’t know what to do” – so for once I didn’t feel like I was going mad!

Having someone to discuss everything with over the phone and not needing to leave the house because I don’t have the stamina and the mobility to get to those places was amazing. Doing it this way was fabulous, having the equipment brought to the house made a huge difference! The difference was immense, the impact was so great and the professional understanding of how to do it. Everyone was so friendly and helpful as well and that was amazing. Jon and Jakko, all of them have been above and beyond really. It started me on the right road.

Did you find Physio in a Box had an impact on your physical wellbeing?

Yes! because I started learning to breath then as well, I didn’t realise but I had been doing the wrong exercises and was trying to push forward before I spoke to Jon, and he explained that what I need is a slow impact instead of getting on and trying to push yourself harder like the way I’ve always done it. It turns out I was making it worse! He told me you have to manage the exercises in a low impact manner and that made a huge difference. Nobody in the last 2 years had told me how to approach exercising with this condition.

Did you find the project had an impact on your mental wellbeing?

Absolutely, because you can’t understand the condition really, wondering “what is this? Why am I still feeling ill? Why am I breathless?” even though the covid has gone. You go to the doctors and of course they’re helpful but it felt like I’m battering against walls, I’m still waiting for certain treatments 2 years on, I just felt like I was going mad.

To motivate myself to do the exercises gave me a huge sense of achievement and gave my mental health a boost. I think this type of thing should be the first port of call before trying to prescribe anything for poor mental health. It improved all sorts of mental issues and my wellbeing. You feel like you’re striving to get better and not just stuck with something that you know nothing about. It made such a huge difference to my mental health having someone in my corner. I’d researched all sorts of other treatments, and when I found Physio in a Box I thought “Yes!” this is exactly what I’ve been searching for, someone to help and to guide me and support me. Doing the physio at home with someone who knows what they’re talking about, in amongst everyone else telling me the wrong way I should be doing things, was fantastic.

If you believe you, or a loved one, could benefit from the Physio in a Box project then get in touch today to discuss eligibility. Transform your life today.

Physio in a Box - Round 2

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 12:17:25 GMT

Morrello Marvels CIC's 'Physio in a Box'

receives further lottery funding.

What is Physio in a Box?

The Physio in a Box project aims to provide physiotherapy support, at-home, to individuals who are living with a neurological condition and have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This can include people who have been affected directly through infection, for example during their hospital admission. As well as indirectly, through lockdown restrictions closing community gym classes and outpatient services for example. The project offers bespoke treatment plans catered to the individual's needs, with the necessary equipment sent directly to their door in a box, or equipment such as bikes being safely set up in their home by a specialist. The project also provides virtual physiotherapy sessions with one of morrello clinic's specialist physiotherapist's, all of this comes at no cost to the beneficiary. The aim is to establish a routine of exercises, that can be continued independently to enhance the beneficiary's physical and mental wellbeing.

How did Physio in a Box start?

In Spring 2020, at the time of the first national lockdown, we wanted to make a difference to those who were living with a new or existing long term neurological or long-term condition. And importantly, those who were affected by the closure of statutory services or community exercise facilities as a result of the government-imposed restrictions. Together with current and former service users, we aimed to develop novel ways to support recovery during and following the pandemic.

The Morrello Marvels Community Interest Company (MM-CIC) is a not-for-profit organisation aiming to support people with long term neurological conditions in leading a healthy and active life. The company was launched as a separate independent company by the three directors in August 2020 after all three had been involved in the running of the Morrello Marvels Paracycling club. Following incorporation as a not-for-profit organisation, a project funding application was submitted to the national lottery community fund. Funding was awarded late December 2020.

Who is Physio in a Box for?

The project originally aimed to help anyone with a neurological condition that may have been affected by the pandemic. But recently has adapted to also include potential beneficiaries who are suffering from Long-Covid and need therapy to improve their stamina, respiratory system and generally get back to where they were before infection.

Potential candidates for Physio in a Box are assessed for suitability. The Lottery funding then provides a box with therapy equipment, aiming to support home exercise routines that are designed to facilitate recovery. The equipment provided, includes technology such as:

GripAble device, and Bioness H200 FES stimulator for beneficiaries. Improving upper limb function.

TheraTrainer exercise bike for improving exercise tolerance.

Small portable exercise equipment such as exercise bands and coloured dots.

When will Physio in a Box launch again?

The project completed its pilot phase towards the end of 2021, and Morrello Marvels have successfully secured another round of funding from the national lottery to roll out the project again on a larger scale. This time with improvements and changes made in areas identified during the Pilot phase. While the funding for the pilot launch restricted us to just South East Wales, we are now able to accept beneficiaries from all over South Wales with this round of funding. We are hoping to launch Physio in a Box again in March 2022, and are now beginning to advertise for beneficiaries and accept referrals.

If you believe you, or a loved one could benefit from the Physio in a Box project - then get in touch today!