Melissa's Journey to Independence
By Theresa Harriman, LPN, Crest Services, Albert Lea, Minn. Melissa Jean was born with spina bifida. When she came to live at Crest Services in February 2009 at 21 years old, she was using a manual wheelchair and was at high risk for developing skin sores from her inability to move. She had limited ability to wheel herself from point A to point B, as she tired easily.
In getting to know this vibrant 21-year-old, we wondered what we could do to help her become more independent. To start, we had a ramp installed at her house and home office, and purchased a handicap accessible van for the house to use to transport her to activities and appointments. Also, with the help of Melissa's mother, Julie, taking her to Gillette Hospital, we got an electric wheelchair for Melissa in September 2009.
She was very scared at first about learning how to operate the chair. After taking out a couple of heating vents at her house, ramming into a few walls and several close calls with housemates' toes, I am happy to report that Melissa has become a pro at driving her wheelchair. Jeff Gordon has nothing on her!
Melissa no longer has to rely on anyone but herself to do what she wants. She is independent at home and work. She can get in and out of the van without assistance from her staff and is able to transfer herself in and out of her wheelchair without help. She is also able to tilt herself back in her wheelchair, which helps offset pressure on her buttocks and lowers her risk for sores.
The next piece of equipment we got for Melissa was a stander, which allows her to stand without assistance. To see her stand for the first time was really exciting for all of us. She was able to stand and brush her teeth for the first time! How many of us take for granted that we can stand to brush our teeth?
Today, Melissa is a happy, healthy 24-year-old who has a boyfriend and goes to movies, out to eat and shopping like anyone else her age.
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