Sunday, January 16, 2011
Curved Spine (Scoliosis) - Operate or Not?
The hospital has yet to call to fix the appointment for Mikaail's scoliosis operation. Previously the doctor said will be in early 2011. It's now mid Jan and I have not heard from the hospital. I didnt follow up as I am unsure whether to proceed with the operation or not. At the back of my mind, I know that with the operation, he will probably be in pain for a bit but in the long term, it will be better for him as he should be able to breathe better. I am just afraid if there will be any side effects or screw up!
His rib cage on the right side is protruding. Actually when he is seated he tend to be resting his weight on one side.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Caregiver's Training
I've been wanting to write this post for awhile now but kept holding back as I had wanted to share the article on the transferring of the wheelchair person.
Anyway, I came across an article on Caregiver's Training in one of TOUCH magazines last year and I was very keen to know more about what they can offer so I emailed them immediately.
I was pleasantly happy that they responded within a couple of days. I made arrangement for them to visit my home to guide my family and I on how to better care for my special needs son, Mikaail. My concern has been that as he is getting bigger and heavier, it is quite difficult to manage him in terms of his showering and toileting needs.
I'm not sure how many caregivers of special needs person actually know that there is annual government grant for this type of training. I didnt know it as well until I was in contact with TOUCH. Seems that there is an annual $200 grant allocated to the agency for providing the family with special needs person training on caring for him/her.
I did find the 2 hour session useful as it gave me a better understanding of how to care for him without putting too much pressure on my back. Usually I will just carry him when I need to transfer him from his wheelchair to the bed and vice versa. Now I guide him to extend his legs to reach the floor first before guiding him to the bed.
Here are the guidelines to transferring a wheelchair bound person.
Anyway, I came across an article on Caregiver's Training in one of TOUCH magazines last year and I was very keen to know more about what they can offer so I emailed them immediately.
I was pleasantly happy that they responded within a couple of days. I made arrangement for them to visit my home to guide my family and I on how to better care for my special needs son, Mikaail. My concern has been that as he is getting bigger and heavier, it is quite difficult to manage him in terms of his showering and toileting needs.
I'm not sure how many caregivers of special needs person actually know that there is annual government grant for this type of training. I didnt know it as well until I was in contact with TOUCH. Seems that there is an annual $200 grant allocated to the agency for providing the family with special needs person training on caring for him/her.
I did find the 2 hour session useful as it gave me a better understanding of how to care for him without putting too much pressure on my back. Usually I will just carry him when I need to transfer him from his wheelchair to the bed and vice versa. Now I guide him to extend his legs to reach the floor first before guiding him to the bed.
Here are the guidelines to transferring a wheelchair bound person.
Wheelchair Access Toilet
Moving around on wheelchair is not easy at all and lifts are usually full of able bodied people. Sometimes when I bring Mikaail out to Causeway Point in Woodlands, it will take awhile before we are able to get into the lifts especially now with the renovation works in Causeway Point in progress.
I note that the main entrance of Causeway Point now has steps! So it will be a real challenge to get to Causeway Point once the renovation work is completed. Previously there were no steps so moving around on wheelchairs, pramps or strollers is very easy. Went by Causeway Point yesterday and I note that besides the ramp, there are also steps by side. I am really happy that building owners decided on this move.
Anyway, my other grouse is that I personally dont understand why must the able bodied person use the toilets meant for wheelchair bound person. There was a time when Mikaail needed to use the toilet and it is occupied by a male staff from Courts! I knocked on the door as there was a high chance that the toilet is used by an able bodied person. I was right! He was smoking in the toilet!
There was another time when I brought Mikaail to Harbourfront for lunch. When he needed the toilet, I brought him into the ladies toilet as there is separate wheelchair access toilet in the ladies toilet. There were a lot of unoccupied cubicles but the one for wheelchair is occupied. So we had to wait for the user to vacate. Not at all surprised, the lady who was in the wheelchair access toilet, really did not have a real need to use that particular cubicle at all. I reminded her that the wheelchair access toilet is really meant for wheelchair users. And guess what she said, "Oh, I didnt know you were coming"??
Then just last month, we were at a relative's wedding at the Serangoon Community Club. This time the wheelchair toilet was locked. When I asked the staff at the Serangoon Community Club, I was told that the caretaker said the toilet was spoilt. I told the staff if it is really spoilt, shouldnt there be a sign? I am sure this is not the case. I believe that the caretaker just cant be bothered to clean an extra toilet as there are members of public who would use this toilet as well.
There must be more awareness amongst the public that wheelchair access toilets are strictly meant for users on wheelchairs only. Recently when we went for a short cruise on Star Cruise, I liked their concept of managing wheelchair access toilets use. In order for us to use the wheelchair access toilets, we must register at the Star Cruise reception desk for them to revalidate the access card. This way other passengers are not allowed to use the wheelchair access toilets.
Perhaps if the Society for the Physically Disabled could come up with something similar to prevent the able bodied from using the facilities meant for the disabled that would be great!
I note that the main entrance of Causeway Point now has steps! So it will be a real challenge to get to Causeway Point once the renovation work is completed. Previously there were no steps so moving around on wheelchairs, pramps or strollers is very easy. Went by Causeway Point yesterday and I note that besides the ramp, there are also steps by side. I am really happy that building owners decided on this move.
Anyway, my other grouse is that I personally dont understand why must the able bodied person use the toilets meant for wheelchair bound person. There was a time when Mikaail needed to use the toilet and it is occupied by a male staff from Courts! I knocked on the door as there was a high chance that the toilet is used by an able bodied person. I was right! He was smoking in the toilet!
There was another time when I brought Mikaail to Harbourfront for lunch. When he needed the toilet, I brought him into the ladies toilet as there is separate wheelchair access toilet in the ladies toilet. There were a lot of unoccupied cubicles but the one for wheelchair is occupied. So we had to wait for the user to vacate. Not at all surprised, the lady who was in the wheelchair access toilet, really did not have a real need to use that particular cubicle at all. I reminded her that the wheelchair access toilet is really meant for wheelchair users. And guess what she said, "Oh, I didnt know you were coming"??
Then just last month, we were at a relative's wedding at the Serangoon Community Club. This time the wheelchair toilet was locked. When I asked the staff at the Serangoon Community Club, I was told that the caretaker said the toilet was spoilt. I told the staff if it is really spoilt, shouldnt there be a sign? I am sure this is not the case. I believe that the caretaker just cant be bothered to clean an extra toilet as there are members of public who would use this toilet as well.
There must be more awareness amongst the public that wheelchair access toilets are strictly meant for users on wheelchairs only. Recently when we went for a short cruise on Star Cruise, I liked their concept of managing wheelchair access toilets use. In order for us to use the wheelchair access toilets, we must register at the Star Cruise reception desk for them to revalidate the access card. This way other passengers are not allowed to use the wheelchair access toilets.
Perhaps if the Society for the Physically Disabled could come up with something similar to prevent the able bodied from using the facilities meant for the disabled that would be great!
Hi-Tea at Carousel
Brought Mikaail for HiTea at Carousel, Royal Plaza on Scotts recently. Quite disappointed that the hotel is not wheelchair/disabled friendly at all. I supposed the building is very old and when the hotel was renovated, there was no provision made for a ramp or direct access from car park to the hotel lift.
When we couldn't locate a ramp at the front of the hotel and the rest of the walkway next to the hotel, we decided to park the car at the hotel carpark. We assumed that there would be a lift from the hotel carpark to the hotel lobby. We were so very wrong! In order to get to the hotel lobby, we had to cross a little road then walk down a flights of stairs followed by about 3 or 4 steps down to the hotel lobby.
As Mikaail was on a wheelchair, it was no easy feat to carry him while seated on the wheelchair! So my husband carried him, then my sister and I carried the wheelchair plus his backpack. Either way, it was not easy to carry him downstairs. We need to pack quite a bit of stuff whenever we bring him out for the just in case.
The other problem we had was there was no disabled friendly wheelchair toilet. The passageway to the toilet is rather cramped. We managed to "squeeze" our way to the toilet but again, it is so cramped that we cant push him on the wheelchair. I had to carry him into the toilet.
Although he did enjoy the food there, I know that I wont be bringing him to this hotel again unless the hotel management decide to make provision for wheelchair patrons.
When we couldn't locate a ramp at the front of the hotel and the rest of the walkway next to the hotel, we decided to park the car at the hotel carpark. We assumed that there would be a lift from the hotel carpark to the hotel lobby. We were so very wrong! In order to get to the hotel lobby, we had to cross a little road then walk down a flights of stairs followed by about 3 or 4 steps down to the hotel lobby.
As Mikaail was on a wheelchair, it was no easy feat to carry him while seated on the wheelchair! So my husband carried him, then my sister and I carried the wheelchair plus his backpack. Either way, it was not easy to carry him downstairs. We need to pack quite a bit of stuff whenever we bring him out for the just in case.
The other problem we had was there was no disabled friendly wheelchair toilet. The passageway to the toilet is rather cramped. We managed to "squeeze" our way to the toilet but again, it is so cramped that we cant push him on the wheelchair. I had to carry him into the toilet.
Although he did enjoy the food there, I know that I wont be bringing him to this hotel again unless the hotel management decide to make provision for wheelchair patrons.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Most Courteous Boy
I am so happy and very proud that Mikaail got an award from his school for being the most courteous boy. I am really surprised that the school recognises this. I dont think he understands what this is about but I told him that since he is very courteous - he never forgot his please and thank you, he was given the award.
Here is his award:
Our happy family!
Mikaail is generally a very polite child and a very happy go lucky too. The other day when I told my brother that he got an award for being the most courteous boy, my brother gave him $50 and he immediately said thank you without even having to prompt him. This gift will also go to his bank account.
Anyway, when my sister teased him about sharing his award with her and buy Macdonald burger or KFC chicken, he said no as he is sharing his award money with mama and dada. Usually when he gets presents, he will want to open his gifts with me.
Here is his award:
Our happy family!
Mikaail is generally a very polite child and a very happy go lucky too. The other day when I told my brother that he got an award for being the most courteous boy, my brother gave him $50 and he immediately said thank you without even having to prompt him. This gift will also go to his bank account.
Anyway, when my sister teased him about sharing his award with her and buy Macdonald burger or KFC chicken, he said no as he is sharing his award money with mama and dada. Usually when he gets presents, he will want to open his gifts with me.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Curved Spine (Scoliosis)
Eversince Mikaail had stroke, his body structure collapsed and the right side of his body is very weak. As he grows older his spine is noticeably curved. We expressed our concern to his neurologist earlier this year and he in turn referred us to the orthopaedics (bone specialist). We have seen the team of orthopaedics about quarterly and so far we have seen them a total of 3 times. Each time we had to get his x-rays done prior to seeing the doctors. During each consultation, we were shown that the degree of the curve had increased by about 1 degree. The latest x-ray taken on 14 September 2010 is at 46 degrees.
After discussing with the orthopaedic surgeon, he felt that it would be better to get the surgery done while Mikaail is still young. Tentative date is early 2011 as his surgery calendar is packed. Surgery of this nature is called a spinal fusion, when the surgeon straightens the spine and then fuses together some of the separate bones using a metal rod so that they can’t curve round again. This operation will take about 4 hours and Mikaail would probably have to be hospitalised for about 1 - 2 weeks.
Scoliosis is a curve of the spine in a different direction – or perhaps you could think of it as a twisting of the spine so that one set of ribs becomes more obvious than the other as in Mikaail's condition. His left set of ribs sticks out. This had also caused him to be seated in an awkward manner although the doctor said that there is no pain for him.
Generally curves in your spine rarely cause pain other than a bit of an ache from time to time – nothing much more than many teenagers get on occasion. They are often mild and some people have small curves in their spines without even realising that they are there.
After discussing with the orthopaedic surgeon, he felt that it would be better to get the surgery done while Mikaail is still young. Tentative date is early 2011 as his surgery calendar is packed. Surgery of this nature is called a spinal fusion, when the surgeon straightens the spine and then fuses together some of the separate bones using a metal rod so that they can’t curve round again. This operation will take about 4 hours and Mikaail would probably have to be hospitalised for about 1 - 2 weeks.
Scoliosis is a curve of the spine in a different direction – or perhaps you could think of it as a twisting of the spine so that one set of ribs becomes more obvious than the other as in Mikaail's condition. His left set of ribs sticks out. This had also caused him to be seated in an awkward manner although the doctor said that there is no pain for him.
Generally curves in your spine rarely cause pain other than a bit of an ache from time to time – nothing much more than many teenagers get on occasion. They are often mild and some people have small curves in their spines without even realising that they are there.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Teachers Day Holiday - 1 September 2010
As 1 September is a school holiday due Teachers' Day holiday, I decided to apply leave to bring my son for shopping. I also wanted to go to OG for shopping then to Giant Hypermart in Tampines via the MRT. Although there are lifts in most if not all the MRT stations, I have not seen the lifts in all the stations able to reach to ground/street level.
I contacted SMRT and spoke to one lady, cant remember her name, and she was very helpful. She said there are lifts in all the stations though some stations would require a change of about 3 lifts before reaching to ground level. She said she didnt have the exact location of the lifts in Bugis, Tampines, Bedok and Raffles Place stations and she will check with the respective control stations and then let me know. As it was a last minute decision to go shopping, I told her that I needed the information soonest. If there are no lifts that would reach the street level, then the shopping plan will have to be shelved! In less than half an hour, she called to give me the directions from leaving the control station to the lifts. She also reminded me to approach the control station staff at the respective stations for directions.
So to get to OG at Bugis, you would need to go towards Exit B after leaving the control station and then look out for the lift signage. As the lifts were all constructed after the MRT were built, the lifts are installed at the extreme corner end. It's great otherwise how can the wheelchair bound travel on the MRT?
Upon reaching to street level, it was almost smooth sailing. There were ramps leading to the traffic junctions and connecting walkways. The ramp leading to the entrance of OG was blocked by onlookers as there was a demonstration going on. Then to move around in OG, we had to use the cargo lift to get around. As OG was celebrating their anniversary, there were long queues at almost every cashier and also their membership counter.
Then we went for a quick bite as we didnt have lunch earlier. Stopped over at QiJi for mee rebus, spring roll and mee siam. Thought that the mee rebus was a little spicy but Mikaail enjoyed it very much.
After our late lunch we walked to Bugis Junction to get a car ride to Giant Tampines instead. Bought some Hari Raya goodies then the monthly groceries. After shopping, we left for Enak Selera at Simpang Bedok to get some takeaway dinner at Simpang Bedok.
I contacted SMRT and spoke to one lady, cant remember her name, and she was very helpful. She said there are lifts in all the stations though some stations would require a change of about 3 lifts before reaching to ground level. She said she didnt have the exact location of the lifts in Bugis, Tampines, Bedok and Raffles Place stations and she will check with the respective control stations and then let me know. As it was a last minute decision to go shopping, I told her that I needed the information soonest. If there are no lifts that would reach the street level, then the shopping plan will have to be shelved! In less than half an hour, she called to give me the directions from leaving the control station to the lifts. She also reminded me to approach the control station staff at the respective stations for directions.
So to get to OG at Bugis, you would need to go towards Exit B after leaving the control station and then look out for the lift signage. As the lifts were all constructed after the MRT were built, the lifts are installed at the extreme corner end. It's great otherwise how can the wheelchair bound travel on the MRT?
Upon reaching to street level, it was almost smooth sailing. There were ramps leading to the traffic junctions and connecting walkways. The ramp leading to the entrance of OG was blocked by onlookers as there was a demonstration going on. Then to move around in OG, we had to use the cargo lift to get around. As OG was celebrating their anniversary, there were long queues at almost every cashier and also their membership counter.
Then we went for a quick bite as we didnt have lunch earlier. Stopped over at QiJi for mee rebus, spring roll and mee siam. Thought that the mee rebus was a little spicy but Mikaail enjoyed it very much.
After our late lunch we walked to Bugis Junction to get a car ride to Giant Tampines instead. Bought some Hari Raya goodies then the monthly groceries. After shopping, we left for Enak Selera at Simpang Bedok to get some takeaway dinner at Simpang Bedok.
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