I got to perform actual physical therapy yesterday!
Well, just leg strengthening exercises, under the direct supervision of a licensed PT, but still. I was in there, getting my hands dirty. Except there was no dirt. And I was pretty amusing to the patients, too.
One guy was practically placing bets on how long it would be before the exercise band slipped from my hands and smacked him on the legs. It didn't happen. I should've bet real money.
An elderly woman broke into a huge smile when she discovered my dimples. Another one loved my bird necklace. She was so mesmerized that she actually did more leg extensions with me than she had ever been able to do. What a great feeling!
Other tasks: wheeling residents to and from the therapy gym without running their wheelchairs into walls, food carts, or other residents (it's harder than it looks); educating a family member (and myself) how to assemble footrests on wheelchairs, occupying some of the patients while they're waiting their turn so they don't attempt to leap from their chairs unsupervised (maybe leaping is an exaggeration, but I like to think my task was that crucial), throwing a ball with one resident to keep her calm, fetching equipment for the PTs, and helping some of the patients with their leg extension exercises (while keeping count on repetitions, which is harder than it sounds).
All in all, I'd say it was a most fulfilling way to spend part of my Labor Day.
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