Physical Therapy

Sunday September 29, 2013

  Post from Virginia

During PT (Physical Therapy) Kollin was lying on his back on the therapy table (a semi-soft platform about double bed size that can rise or lower as needed). His task was to throw his arms diagonally from above his head down across his body to create enough momentum to roll from his back to his side.  To motivate him, Gary would stand on one side and ask, “What if your girl friend was over here?”  Then Kollin would turn into the energizer bunny and roll to that side.  Then Gary would run to the other side and ask, “What if your girl friend was over here?”  Then Kollin would manage the flip to the other side.  This went on for a bit until Kollin was out of steam and when next Gary asked “What if your girl friend was over here?”  Kollin responded, “I’d tell here she’d better get over here if she wanted any of this (pulling up his shirt)!”

A favorite move for Kollin is to roll his wheel chair over to the mirror in the PT room and pull up his shirt or flex his bicep and comment, “Not bad, not bad!”

During therapy when KSL was there filming,, Kollin had been really exerting himself. He loves an audience.  His therapist asked if he needed a little rest.  First he said he was OK but then said to Gary, “Dad be my furniture,” which means to kneel behind him, giving him stability to rest a bit.  He leaned onto his dad’s chest, smiled, then closed his eyes and proceeded to give a good snore or two.

During that same session he was to throw a 5 pound ball about 8 feet across the room to Devon and then to catch it again.  The goal was 10 tosses.  He did just fine and on about #7 said, “Get ready.  This one I’m going to throw really high.”  He lowered his arms, looked up at the ceiling—and torpedoed it right at Devon’s crotch!

In another exercise he was propped up on all fours, with his therapist stabilizing his hips.  Kollin’s task was to do push ups.  He was asked how many he could do and Kollin replied, “Oh, about 100.”  Remember, his strength has been hugely diminished and his response generated a good chuckle from all around.  He started the workout and at one point lost his balance and landed right on his face.  Picture that situation and imagine all the responses a kid might give.  Kollin’s response?  He laughed and said, “Oh no!  I can’t believe I landed right on my face doing girl pushups!  I hope no one finds out!”  Sorry, too funny and too revealing of his marvelous humor to keep it a secret!

During the KSL interview the newsman asked, “You’ve had quite a month.  What has been the hardest part for you?”  My mind ran through a good dozen answers, but Kollin looked thoughtful and answered, “I guess when therapy is over.”  He really likes therapy.  What an example of that principle: Never look back. Just look forward! Set goals!