Rehab Week 2023: “My life has changed significantly” – patient in testimonial

Two patients, who have benefitted from the services of the disability and rehabilitation department of the Health Ministry, braved the stage and gave their testimonies at this year’s launch of Rehab Week on Sunday.
This 20th edition of Rehab Week is being held from June 11-17 and was launched under the theme “Diversifying, Expanding Coverage and Optimising Care for all Through Rehabilitation.’

Speaking at the launching of the event, national volleyball player Kristoff Shepherd and beneficiary of the national hearing aid programme Nikita Browne shared testimonials of how rehab changed their lives. According to Kristoff, with the help of therapists and his own determination, he was able to achieve many of his goals, including being able to walk again without any assistance.
“In 2022, I suffered a major brain injury and therapy has done a lot for me. I set goals and work towards them, and the goal we set is by August, they want me to run 100 metres in less than a minute. Well, I’m proud to say that I was made and I ran two 100 metres, one in 30 seconds and one in 28 seconds. The goal is to just take it light and…to be able to play an effective game by December. I am pretty sure that I will work on that goal, and I will keep pushing,” Shepherd shared.
Meanwhile, Browne shared that growing up, she was ashamed of her hearing disability for many years but having benefitted from the Government’s hearing aid programme, her life changed significantly.
“At the age of five…I was in a car accident, which the impact resulted in me having a splintered jaw bone. I began having severe headaches and earaches soon after. Over the years I began losing my hearing in my right ear, going to school and college, sitting in a classroom trying to listen to the teacher was a struggle. As I got older my hearing became worse and affected both my ears. It was during the pandemic when you had to wear masks, I couldn’t read lips obviously, so I reached out to [a doctor] and she told me both my ears are bad and recommended hearing aids. At the time I could not afford it and she told me she was going to put me on the list because they had outreaches, I am very grateful that I was successful [on] the list and I received my hearing aids last year,” and emotional Browne shared.
“My life has changed significantly since then, I am now able to attend training seminars at my job, I can do meetings and I can return to school,” she added.
The Director of Rehabilitation Services, Ariane Mangar highlighted the Health Ministry has made significant progress in getting these services to all parts of the country as she gave a comparison of the progress the department has made since its operation to date.
“As I reflected on this year’s Rehab Week, I couldn’t help but remember when we first started many years ago and all the struggles we went through to get to where we are now. The staffing was small, the budget was small and rehabilitation was often overlooked. Many individuals did not have access to rehabilitation services, leading to an exacerbation of their condition, further complication, and lifelong consequences,” Mangar remarked.
“For the first time we now have at least a physiotherapist in every single region helping to improve and expand the services in the regions in Guyana,” the Director added.
There are now ten occupational therapists, nine speech and language therapists, and 51 physiotherapists. The department is also now supported by three doctors and a physiatrist.
Meanwhile, in collaboration with the University of Guyana (UG) and other partners, programmes are available for persons to become certified in occupational therapy, physiotherapy as well as speech and language/audiology therapy.