Silver Lining

image: @sam

It’s now been 18 days since I last worked. 

Fortunately, for 9 of those days, I was supposed to be on vacation in Florida to visit family.

Unfortunately, like the rest of the world, we are now cooped up at home; and unless you are employed as an essential service or are able to keep working from the comfort of your home, there’s no chance of being allowed to work at the moment.

This is where things get tricky for me.

As a physiotherapist, I am classified as an essential service. However, as I and many other musculoskeletal physiotherapists are not on the front lines staffed as cardiorespiratory therapists in hospitals; we have elected to shut down the clinic as we felt it would be unsafe for ourselves and the patients to be in such close proximity. Quite potentially spreading the virus should someone be a carrier.

On a clinic by clinic basis, Physio’s collectively decided that it was best to shut our doors to treating patients in person in an attempt to help limit any transmission or spread of the COVID-19 virus. As most of our work is mostly hands on, it was a risky position to put ourselves in moving forward. Although majority of us are young and not likely to experience SEVERE symptoms, we are in a population that has been shown to be one of the highest in contracting (likely asymptomatic) COVID-19, resulting in further spread to vulnerable populations.

Thankfully, we live in an era that relies heavily on the internet and this provides us with a unique opportunity to continue to help patients who are in need via tele-rehab. This opportunity allows us to continue the necessary care put forth for our patients, along with taking measures to flatten the curve by limiting the number of people moving around, whilst allowing the medical doctors to spend more time with acute and emergent patients in need.

The problem however, is that we are unable to see a large proportion of our patients due to the restrictions in place and as a result, our patients are left in pain and likely to make visits to the emergency room or family practitioners, using up much needed resources and supplies.

To top things off, the government expects us to shut down our business in order to qualify for the new emergency benefits or we continue to work at a significantly reduced income and struggle to pay for daily necessities. This is in turn, leaves our patients to manage with their issues independently. In my opinion as a health professional, this constitutes unethical care.

To read more about this issue and support the allied health professionals, click the link for more information. https://www.change.org

There is however, a silver lining to this “curfuffle,” in that it provides me with an opportunity to be at home with my family more than I normally would. I have a 6 1/2 month old daughter, for which I am grateful to be able to spend a large chunk of time with now.

Despite spending hours on end thinking when am I going to work again…
When am I going to make money for the family again…
What’s it will be like when this is all over…

I am blessed with an opportunity to witness my child develop in ways some parents are never given that opportunity to.

In the span of 3 weeks, I have watched as my daughter has gone from simply rolling from side to side to pushing herself backwards, only to then learn to crawl forwards about 2 days later. I’ll admit, I have been a typical Physio-Dad in trying to encourage her movement.

Now nearing the end of the 3rd week and she’s sitting up on her own and almost, just almost pulling herself up to balance in front of a couch.

Its truly amazing being able to witness all of this change on a day to day basis, and with my own eyes versus getting a video from my wife while I’m at work, showing me what my daughter has just done.

Some people joke about being locked indoors next to a spouse or roommate or family member, and running out of patience. For me, its quite the opposite. The bond I’ve develop with my daughter and the ever growing love for my wife are the few things helping to hold me together during this challenging time.

I had mentioned in a previous blog about the importance of stress management, especially during times like this, and how everyone has different methods of coping. Some people might argue that they don’t have any such methods, but they do, they just have yet to find what works best.

For me, its exercise and family time.

The exercise comes easy when you have a home gym.

The family time however, is a challenge when you wake up before the kiddo does, and come home after she’s asleep. 

I’m new to the whole parenting thing and I’m sure there’s parents out there saying “just you wait till your kids are older,” or “you’re going to regret what you said.”

For me, right now, this is what dreams are made of.  Let me relish in the joys of dancing around like a complete goof with my daughter.  Let me enjoy the sights and sounds of her rolling around and giggling, before it turns to screen time and talking back.

Thanks for reading and as always,

Live active and prosper.  

Aras Ruslys
Registered Physiotherapist