The Three Cs that make Rehab a Success

For the Clinician…For the Stroke Survivor…And the Family or Carer.

Over the past weeks, I have been thinking about the various factors [if any] that through their combined efforts can assist in generating successful outcomes in Stroke Rehab.

Thrill Seekers and Fellow Time Travellers, please remember these are only the musings of a Stroke Survivor - I am not a researcher or stroke clinician.

Just a stroke survivor who has experienced an intensive inpatient rehab followed by years [ eight to be exact] of rehab activity in my post stroke life

I have identified three factors which helped me in my rehab and the subsequent years since my stroke in April 2016 and would like to share these with you.

What motivated me to pursue this line of thinking was an instance I recently saw of a stroke survivor, his family and two clinicians in a rehab situation, deep in conversation and such was the level of engagement I suddenly became aware of the dynamics in play in this interaction.

The three factors that I identified that were present in this moment are the subject of this blog, so I invite you to read on…

What I saw was Commitment ...Community ...and Collaboration.

Allow me to elaborate on each of the Three C’s.

Commitment is an intangible thread that weaves through the fabric of our daily lives, binding us to our goals, and values. It’s flint like dedication can propel individuals and organizations towards success, often against formidable odds.

It is also a determination to undertake planned and measured actions, regardless of the challenges- both identified and those that appear without warning.

No where is this more obvious then in a Stroke Rehab plan – there is a pledge from the Clinician to deliver optimum levels of rehab, in a structured manner to the Stroke Survivor who in turn will utilise these rehab strategies to assist in their recovery or as I like to call it their restoration.

Reinforcing both the Clinician and the Stroke Survivor in a cloaklike manner are the support systems attached to the Stroke Survivor - be they family or clinical. It was present in my rehab plan from the very outset.

The Strengths of Commitment

• Resilience - Commitment fosters resilience. It is the fuel that keeps the engine of perseverance running, even when the road is rough.

• Focus – A by product of commitment is focus. It will allow the clinician and the stroke survivor to concentrate their energies on their Rehab goals.

• Achievement - Commitment is the precursor to achievement. Goals, no matter how ambitious, are attainable when pursued with a committed heart and mind

• Influence - Finally, Commitment has the power to influence others. It serves as an inspiration, demonstrating what can be accomplished with dedication and hard work.
• 

COMMUNITY

Community stands out as a vibrant thread, integral to the fabric of society. It is the cornerstone where individuals find solace, strength, and a sense of belonging.

In a stroke rehab environment, the community can be as universal as the entire stroke landscape incorporating researchers, clinicians, survivors, carers and family and friends of the survivor.

Or it can be as simple as a single clinician, a survivor, and their supporters- family and/or carer. bringing to life a rehab plan in a hospital ward.

In my experience the latter is where the value of community is the most powerful

The Strength of Community.

• A Sanctuary of Support - A community provides a support system, a network of individuals united by common interests, or outcomes. For me this environment was personified by the community in the rehab gym at Bankstown Hospital

In my case, I was joined by my community - my family, and a group of amazing clinicians bound by adherence to a common objective- for me to be restored [as closely as possible] to the pre stroke Brian.

In a world that often emphasizes individual achievement, the community reminds us that together, we are stronger, wiser, and more resilient.

Collaboration- The fusing link which underpins the entire process.

In the realm of stroke rehab, collaboration is not merely an activity; but strategies that demand the involvement of stroke survivors and their care givers in the rehab process

The very nature of Stroke Rehab requires a multifaceted approach, as stroke survivors often are facing many obstacles on their rehab journey- I was fortunate, I only required the clinical expertise of psychotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, whereas other stroke survivors required attention from speech therapists and psychologists.

Such is the evasive power of stroke on the human body and mind.

That is where their Collaboration became the overarching activity of my Rehab- but this collaborative activity was not limited to the clinicians, but also involved myself and my family - the end result being a total awareness by all stakeholders of my Rehab Plan.

Collaboration amasses the collective expertise of clinicians, researchers, patients, and caregivers to develop and together contribute to the end solution – a relevant rehab plan.

The Strength of Collaboration

Collaborative activity by all elements of the Rehab process plays a critical role in identifying the challenges presented by a Stroke Survivor. The end result is a Rehab plan which will focus on the totality of the rehab challenge as opposed to a single visible or short-term fix.

Importantly in Survivor terms, there is a degree of comfort when the survivor can realize that they are receiving the maximum attention and expertise from all relevant clinicians.

My Thought for Today.

My Key Mesage

My message is clear and simple- To all stakeholders in the Stroke Rehab Process, ensure the three C'S- Commitment, Collaboration and Community are present at all times.

Brian A Beh