Feelin' Frosty

Regardless if you rely on a persimmon, the farmer’s almanac, wooly worms or the meteorologist there is one thing that is certain. This winter will be cold.  Mother Nature has snow, ice, sleet and freezing temperatures in store for the Midwest again this winter.  Whether you are a summer sweetheart or winter worshiper there are steps to take to prevent seasonal injuries. 

Winter brings activities that you cannot access any other time of year.  Whether building snowmen or sledding, winter can be a magical time of year.  We have created a list of things to watch out for when the temperatures drop. 

Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.  Before going out into the piercing wintery air don’t forget the acronym COLD.  

Cover – Don’t forget to bundle up before heading outside!

Avoid overheating – Sweat and cold air can be a bad mixture and cause you to lose body heat more quickly.

Loose layers – Loose layers allow you to shed outer layers if you become hot and hold in body heat better.  Outer layers should be water resistant so avoid cotton if possible.

Dry clothing – If your clothing does get wet be sure to change as fast as possible.  Mittens and boots are perfect places for snow to hide so be sure to keep your hands and feet dry as well. 

Other safety precautions to help avoid Hypothermia include making sure you go indoors frequently to warm up.  If you must travel in inclement weather be sure to let someone know where you are going and pack blankets and warm clothing in the vehicle in case of car trouble. 

Frostbite occurs when body tissue literally freezes!  Your ears, nose, cheeks, fingers and toes are most likely to get frostbite.  Anyone can get frostbite if exposed to the cold for long periods of time or from extremely cold temperatures for a short period of time.   Frostbite and Hypothermia are known to occur together.  Follow the same prevention measures for frostbite as hypothermia.  If you suspect you or someone you know may have frostbite, do not use direct heat on the affected areas.  Obtain medical attention immediately.

Slips and falls are the number one cause of accidental injury, according to OSHA, especially in winter weather.  Use handrails when walking up and down stairs or ramps.  Resist the temptation to walk with your hands in your pockets; if you feel unbalanced your upper extremities could help you regain balance.  Carefully exit vehicles; you never know what the footing is like until you get out of your car. 

Ice Skating is a popular winter pastime for all ages.  Year after year ice rinks open their doors to hundreds of people at a time.  Even with rink guards on duty, falls and injuries are still common.  Injury prevention can be very easy with a few simple precautions.      

When trying on your skates make sure that they fit properly.  Poorly fitting skates can cause blisters and sores as well as an unbalanced base for skating. 

Always look ahead at where you are skating and skate in the same direction as traffic.

Young children and beginners should always wear a helmet to avoid concussion or traumatic brain injury. 

If you are skating on a frozen pond do not go on the ice without testing it first.  The ice must be at least 6 inches thick all of the way through to be safe to skate on according to the Department of Natural Resources. 

Never skate alone or at night.

In the case of an emergency a cell phone should be near by to call for help. 

               

Sledding has been a winter tradition for many years.  As the white powdery snow coats the hills and valleys the sled that has been stored away begins to call.  Sledding can be fun but it can also be dangerous and can cause injuries. 

Before heading outside this winter make sure that you choose a safe hill in advance. 

Make sure the hill is not too steep and is covered in snow and not ice. 

The hill should also be clear of hazards such as trees, ponds, rocks or fences. 

Do not sled on a hill that ends on a street or parking lot.

Never sled while being pulled behind a vehicle, ATV or tractor.  

Since the passing of Robin Williams, depression awareness has been on the rise.  Depression is something many of us have heard of and some have even experienced.   Depression, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, unimportant, and often is unable to live in a normal way.   According to a study conducted by Johnathan Silver, MD “20-60% of people with a serious injury experience depression soon after the injury or even years later”.

Depression can result from the chemical changes within the brain or as a symptom of post-traumatic stress.  This can be detrimental to the rehabilitation process following an injury.  Depression, if allowed, can diminish energy and confidence levels of individuals who are adjusting to their new life after a serious injury.  But don’t worry, there are ways to combat depression.  Helpful tips for battling depression are to set a daily schedule, stay involved in activities you participated in previously or engage in new activities to highlight new abilities.  A strong relationship with family and friends is important to mental and physical health as well.

Treatment is usually very successful when symptoms are caught early.  Common signs of depression after an injury are feelings of guilt or loss, loss of concentration, decreased energy, loss of appetite, loss of sleep, diminished desire to participate in social or recreational activities, and thoughts of suicide (Depression, 2014). 

Severe injury, illness, and disability can affect us in a variety of ways – emotionally, cognitively, and socially.  Friends and family members can be directly affected by their loved one’s depression.  Neuropsychology Services at RIKC serves individuals of all ages in helping with the adjustment to disability.  Counseling is available in an individual or group setting for patients and family members.  

Depression.  (2014). Retrieved from: http://www.brainline.org/landing_pages/categories/depression.html

Despite challenges, these two clients found success

There are two stories in this post, each about a client in the TBI Works Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City. These two people beat all odds and are now successfully working!

Kyle Dudley 

Kyle Dudley, 34, was out celebrating his 2003 college graduation. Once he and his friends decided to call it a night, their designated driver began taking them home. Suddenly, their car was t-boned by a drunk driver. The impact caused Dudley’s head to forcefully hit the inside of the car. This resulted in Dudley being in a coma for six weeks and having paralysis in his left arm.

After an extensive stay in the hospital, Dudley went to in-patient rehab where he stayed for one month.

Dudley then worked to recover in therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City (RIKC). The therapists helped him as he began to walk again, chew and swallow whole foods, and talk at the same level as he had prior to the accident.  He then studied music at a vocational rehabilitation school before coming to the TBI Works Program in the Employment Services Department at RIKC in Feb. 2013.

 Music was Dudley’s passion and focus of study before the accident; he still wanted to follow this path. His next step was to find a job in the music field with the TBI Works staff’s help.

After a few months of filling out job applications and  participating in mock interviews, TBI Works Program Coordinator Wendell Wallace noticed Rhino Staging and Event Productions, Inc. was hiring, so he showed Employer Development Specialist Jennifer Grant who helped Dudley pursue this opening. Within a week of giving the company his application, Dudley was hired! He began work in June and is thrilled to be working with what he loves.

“Finding the job was the goal of the entire process,” Dudley said. “The help and effort everyone put into helping me at RIKC was equally important.”  

Arnell Walker

Arnell Walker, 41, spent each day taking care of her five children, working and running errands. On December 2006, though, something happened that would drastically change her routine and life.

While at a family function in Kansas City, Walker was the victim of a drive-by shooting. She was in a coma for two weeks and remained hospitalized three months, during which time Walker experienced two strokes that further impacted her body. Of the many challenges she faced, including learning to walk again, Walker was left with a speech impediment, an inability to read and a lengthy gap of unemployment due to her extensive recovery period.

Walker received extensive rehab services and diligently worked on her own to regain abilities to walk, communicate, cook and take care of her two youngest children.

In 2012, the Missouri Department of Vocational Rehabilitation referred Walker to the TBI Works Program of RIKC's Employment Services Department. The TBI Works staff soon realized what an extraordinary person Walker is. She has a contagious smile and a strong faith. She exercises a strong work ethic and is quick to learn new skills.

"She's just amazingly positive and has this great attitude," said Jennifer Grant, Employer Development Specialist at RIKC.

It's little wonder that when Walker was introduced to representatives of the Human Resources Department at The Intercontinental Hotel KC, a second interview was immediately offered. She was hired the following day, even though the position she applied for was not currently open. Walker enjoys working with great coworkers in a luxurious atmosphere, and her employers appreciate her positive attitude and hard work, making this a win-win for both employee and employer.

Walker's success story is a shining example of the team effort of the TBI Works Program in RIKC's Employment Services Department. Her strength plus the expertise of the program can both be contributed to her success!

Child Beats All Odds

Her face sports a great big grin. She looks around the room through her bright pink sunglasses that she wears no matter where she is. She holds a tiny yellow car and tells everyone she sees about it. She is a 3 ½-year-old girl named Sephora Kalantari, and, if you had seen her a year ago, she would not have been able to do any of these things.

Sephora was born with two heart defects— pulmonary atresia and a hypo plastic right heart. One doctor told Sephora’s mom Debbie Kalantari, 22, that this is a unique case for two reasons: most cases of a hypo plastic heart deal with the left, not the right side; and, the doctor said, this was the only known case in the world with the two heart defects together. Sephora needed heart surgery but she was not healthy enough for the surgery until she was 2.

In March 2012, Sephora had open-heart surgery. The following day, she suffered a heart attack and a stroke. She had to be on a breathing machine for about five days after the surgery to sustain life, according to Debbie. A CT scan showed brain damage affecting the left side of her body caused by the stroke. After 51 days in the hospital, Sephora returned home at last with her mom and younger brother Zayden.

Once they were home, Sephora cried incessantly. The only times she would smile or laugh were whenever her brother spoke, which is why Debbie credits Zayden as a big part of Sephora’s recovery. Another big part of Sephora’s recovery is the staff at the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City (RIKC). Sephora’s transition to RIKC was difficult. She did not like being held and struggled to complete tasks without crying. Now, Sephora lights up when Speech-Language Pathologist Robin Miller-Gioia picks her up and hugs her. She has become a hard worker, attempting any task asked of her.

When Sephora started at RIKC, there was concern she was blind in both eyes. After a short amount of time, Sephora started identifying objects, and they discovered that she has vision in one eye. She learned to sit up on her own, and began to speak and reach for objects. After a course of intensive therapy, the team felt Sephora was making such fantastic gains that she was ready to transition to development preschool with follow-ups at RIKC to be sure she continues making gains.

Less than a month ago, Sephora had her second open-heart surgery. This time, the surgery went well, and Debbie said she is doing great! Sephora returned to RIKC to continue her recovery process. Debbie is proud of the person Sephora has become with the help of her RIKC team.

“I am so thankful for the people [at RIKC] who do what they do,” Debbie said. “Not everyone can do this work. The [staff at RIKC] is so patient and loving, and have overflowing optimism.” 

Sephora and her brother Zayden play on the slide,
which is something she couldn't do a year ago.

Children strengthen spirits and bodies at RIKC!

At RIKC's summer therapy programs, which began in June, children ages 2 to 18 could be seen riding scooters, making sundaes and headed out to field trips.  Yes, it’s therapy with a twist of fun. 

The participants have various types of neurodevelopmental disabilities, including brain injury, tumors and stroke.  Activities during summer therapy programs work on developmental and cognitive skills with an emphasis on constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) and hand-arm bilateral intensive training (HABIT).

One day, the participants lay on their stomachs on scooter boards for an activity. As part of CIMT, their stronger arm was in a cast, requiring more use of their affected arm. Geni Wier, 10, maneuvered to the other side of the room primarily using her affected right arm. Once she and the other children got there, they had to dig through buckets of beans to find different objects. Once Geni found the toy car, she gave it to the volunteer and scooted back to the other side with a look of happiness and pride on her face.

Besides working on their own, the children at the program participate in group activities. Before they used the scooters, they had to clean up the room, picking up toys and pushing tables together, all while still wearing the cast as part of CIMT. Trisha Peters, Geni’s mom, commented that  group work is a great part of the program.

“This [program] is a chance for [Geni] to be around kids afflicted the same way as her,” Peters said. “The activities help the kids figure out how to work together.”

Drennan Gwinn, 8, has been coming to RIKC for five years, and this is his fourth time at the summer program. He had troubles scooting using his affected arm, but the volunteers were helpful and encouraging. With their help, Drennan made it to the other side with a look of relief.

“I like the occupational therapy focus and group setting,” said Stephanie Gwinn, Drennan’s mom. “Of course Drennan likes it, because he likes being around people.”

Janet Padley, pediatric and adolescent coordinator at RIKC, said that before the summer programs were created, people were leaving the state to go to CIMT programs. Now, people have RIKC’s programs for their children.