Welcome As a national medical charity, The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN), has been making a vital difference to adults living with disability for over 150 years through bespoke long term care and rehabilitation. Today, demand for our work is growing as medical intervention saves more lives at the point of trauma and we are continually developing new ways to enable more people with neurodisability to achieve the best possible quality of life.
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Contents Maximising quality of life
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Geoff & Geana’s story
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Pam & Jim’s story
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Jaxx’s story
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Alan’s story
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Leading through excellence
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Susan & Peter’s story
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Denise & Bob’s story
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Graham’s story
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Looking to the future
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Maximising quality of life Every person at the RHN is unique and this is reflected through their different tastes. We take the time to understand personal interests and tailor recreational opportunities to each individual. That’s why there are already over 90 specially-adapted activities available and when we discover there’s something missing, we will find a way to introduce it.
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Keeping a social life For people who are severely disabled going out is no small feat. But it’s important that they’re able to enjoy the things they are used to. A wide choice of trips are available such as the ballet, park visits, days at the seaside and sporting events. We provide ambulances to transport residents and ensure each person is accompanied by a nurse. These services are made possible with donations to the charity.
Learning new skills
Music & art
Bringing the outside in Valuing time
Existing hobbies are supported, but trying new things is also encouraged.
Work from art sessions is displayed throughout the year at the RHN and in the community, as well as being celebrated at an annual exhibition. Sessions are run individually or in groups and provide important therapeutic gains as well as being a social activity.
Going out is not always possible so activities and performances are brought in. The ‘Sensory Spectacular’ held every Bonfire Night provides an inclusive alternative to fireworks for everyone to enjoy. Activities such as this ensure no one is left out.
Boccia, a form of bowls, was introduced in 2008 and there is now a regular Saturday league. It is played by our residents who have become devotees of the sport and they are looking forward to seeing national teams compete in the 2012 Paralympics. Gardening has been taken up by patients and residents from across the RHN. A popular choice with residents who can sell their plants and add home-grown vegetables to their meals.
Music is a great sensory stimulant so it‘s never far away here at the RHN. Every Friday afternoon we welcome ‘The Music Man’ who leads an interactive music show for the whole of our community.
Every year, more than 150 people volunteer to help in all kinds of ways. Whether it’s escorting patients to the Sunday service, running baking sessions, facilitating sports groups or simply spending time with a resident, volunteers are essential to what we do. This is all provided with the generous support we receive from individuals, trusts and companies.
Our charitable status allows us to provide more to our patients and residents – each year we need to raise over £2m to allow us to continue these services. To donate or find out more visit www.rhn.org.uk Page 5
Geoff & Geana’s story
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Finding ways to communicate again
You can tell a deep connection between two people. They laugh at each other’s jokes, even before they’ve finished talking, and even if they’re not funny.
“I don’t know that I felt frustration, it was just utter despair,” says Geana.
Geana knew that if the two worked hard and worked together, they could find a way to communicate. With a speech therapist at a local stroke hospital they It was a tiny smile at one of Geana’s offthe-cuff comments, developed a simple one-blink-for-yes, just a twinkle in twice-for-no system. the corner of an eye, that made her A far cry from what they had before, but it realise Geoff was was a start. still there. Behind the stillness. It was when Geoff was transferred to the RHN that Geana felt the couple’s journey After the smile, there was hope they to better communication really began. might one day communicate again. “I knew he was there,” says Geana. “He’d just look at me really intensely like he was trying to tell me something. From then on I knew that there was nothing wrong with his brain.” Geoff had a stroke in 2010. An engineer, he was a man who prided himself on using language correctly, describing details, explaining processes. After the stroke, Geoff could only move his eyes. He couldn’t communicate at all.
Specialist expertise
“People at the RHN understood the situation, they gave us tools, and they gave us time. It just transformed everything for us,” remembers Geana. The RHN concentrates on fully understanding the needs of the people it works with to develop a package of support and rehabilitation that suits them.
Today at the RHN Geoff is at the heart of his own rehabilitation. He helps set his own goals and decides with his therapists what to work on next. Through specialist therapies and some incredible technology, the couple have been able to communicate again.
Moving on At the RHN Geoff uses specialist eyegaze technology, that allows him to speak through a computer. Instead of yes or no, Geoff can spell out words and select frequently used phrases.
“Without the RHN, Geoff wouldn’t have had the opportunity to improve in the way that he has done,” says Geana. “We can only thank the team here for that opportunity.” Geoff and Geana’s journey back to communication has been extremely hard for the couple, and for the RHN team that has supported them. But the dedication has paid off. Geoff can move his head slightly, and his speech and language therapist is now working on helping him to train his facial muscles. Now he can raise his eyebrows. Move his lips. And smile.
Now he can talk about his needs, how he “And that probably means more laughing feels, what he wants. And he can tease his wife. at my hilarious jokes!”, says Geana. Like purposely using long words and complicated sentences that poor Geana “It’s the amount has to listen to, letter by frustrating of thought that letter. But she gets goes into what her own back, Geoff gets. They frequently finishing his sentences for really look into his him. Just like she needs.” always did.
Did you know Our speech and language therapists not only work on verbal communication, they also work on swallowing and finding alternative ways to communicate such as using images, spelling and gesture.
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Pam & Jim’s story Facing up to life with Huntington’s disease often means making difficult decisions. Like deciding whether a loved one should be cared for somewhere other than home. Ever since they met at university, Pam and Jim Adams knew that they might have to make life-changing choices that other couples only face in their worst nightmares. “Pam has Huntington’s disease in her family,” explains Jim. “There was no predictive test when we met – but we always knew there was a 50/50 chance that she’d have it.” “When she was diagnosed the hardest thing was telling the kids. But kids are resilient, and they’ve always been very supportive.”
Growing stress As Pam’s condition got slowly worse, Jim found looking after her in their home extremely stressful.
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Our expertise and tailored care provide the right support for tough decisions
After experimenting with at-home carers, Jim decided to move Pam to the RHN’s Wolfson ward. Now she’s looked after by a team of experts during the week, and goes home to see Jim and the family at weekends.
“That’s one of the advantages of this place – the social interaction. There are nurses, physiotherapists, other patients – always someone coming in. Pam meets lots of people and it helps her use her brain – it slows her deterioration.”
A new family
“It really is like a family for her. And whoever Pam meets really cares about her. You know it’s not just a nine-to-five job for them.”
“It’s been a good transition. And that’s because of the love and care she has received here.”
Though Jim misses Pam, he knows that everyone at the RHN is working hard to fulfil Pam’s potential. It was impossible for him to plan round-theclock activities at home. Now Jim says that the week flies by for her because she has so much on. “Pam does so much, like gardening and aqua exercise – she recently went on a visit to the Natural History Museum and there are many more trips planned.”
Maintaining dignity The RHN’s holistic approach to care means that different members of the team work together to improve Pam’s quality of life and help maintain her dignity. When Pam moved to the Wolfson ward she initially refused her food. So her dietitian made sure she received the calories she needs through supplements. Meanwhile, her speech and language therapist was helping her to eat more safely as well as working on her communication.
Sitting in on a recent session with the speech and language therapist, Jim saw Pam getting to grips with an interactive communication aide. “Pam showed me that she is still able to do some things. This will help her talk to people but it’s also great for her own sense of achievement. I have not seen that purpose in her for some time and I am truly grateful for that.” It’s not been an easy journey for the couple. Jim is still coming to terms with what’s happened, but he’s convinced that the RHN has changed both their lives for the better. “At the beginning I couldn’t accept that I wasn’t looking after her. I still haven’t fully adjusted, but I think that Pam has a better quality of life now – and so do I. Now I’ve got more time to spend being, rather than just doing. And it makes the visits, and our weekends, even better.”
Huntington’s disease (HD) • HD is a hereditary, degenerative disorder. Children who have one parent with HD have a 50% chance of inheriting the disease and there is currently no cure. • Symptoms can begin at any age, but the average onset is 42 years. Touching all aspects of life, the disease affects physical ability, behaviour and the capacity to understand. • The RHN is one of the largest units in Europe providing care and therapy to residents in the later stages of the disease. The focus is on maintaining and improving quality of life.
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Jaxx’s story A few months ago, if you walked down a certain corridor at the RHN you might have encountered a slightly puzzling scene. You might have seen 37-year-old Jaqueline Cave Jaxx to her friends – ambling up a short flight of stairs holding a plastic cup of water. At the top, she’d turn around and walk down again. Then back up. And then back down. Jaxx was in her final few months at the RHN’s Transitional Rehabilitation Service (TRS), re-mastering the skills she needed to move back into her own home. There were just a few more things she wanted to get right: like carrying a cup of tea upstairs. Jaxx’s life changed in an instant. Before a serious road accident, she was an outgoing and confident young woman. A keen cook and a special constable with the Metropolitan Police.
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Sharing the skills for an independent life
The accident left her unable to walk, to feed or wash herself, even to communicate.
“We took it in turns to have a shared meal. It’s a nice thing to do together and I enjoy the creativity,” she says. “I’m looking forward to cooking for my mum.” It is Jaxx’s mum that really sums up the difference in Jaxx. After a visit back home one weekend, her mum said “she’s no longer a visitor in her own home, but she is Jaxx again.”
Thanks to intensive rehabilitation at the RHN and hard work by Jaxx herself, she regained good movement and speech, and learned to walk again. However, it still wasn’t yet safe for her to go back to her own home. Instead, she moved to the RHN’s TRS. The TRS is a specialist residential service where ‘brain injured’ residents get support to re-learn independent living skills and gain the confidence to return to the community.
“You’re returning to the community one day, so you need to get a taste of it. It would have been a shock to go home before as I wouldn’t be as independent as I am now.”
On the TRS, Jaxx had her own room and bathroom. On hand was specialist equipment, as required, and RHN experts worked with her to regain some of the abilities and the confidence she had lost.
After months of being unable to do anything for herself Jaxx and the TRS team worked hard together to enable her to re-learn simple things, like planning journeys and going shopping on a busy high street. “You’re observed crossing the road and then you get feedback,” she explains. Jaxx has always loved cooking, and on the TRS she explored new recipes. The residents regularly held a Come Dine With Me night, where they cooked for each other.
That gain in confidence and ability is a huge achievement for the RHN and for Jaxx. A few months ago, she could not walk or speak. Now she’s living in her own home as an independent person with support from her mum. Soon, she hopes to begin volunteering for the police again. “It has helped me in lots of little ways to take more responsibility,” says Jaxx.
Transitional Rehabilitation Service (TRS) • The TRS helps people with brain injury to get back to as independent a life as possible. We help people to re-develop or compensate for all sorts of skills they have lost as a result of their brain injury, such as paying bills, accessing the local community and getting back into work. We know that this gives them the best possible chance of making their move home permanent. • In 2010, HRH the Earl of Wessex opened a new extension, housing two self-contained flats. These closely simulate a real life setting and allow residents to practice living a fully independent life again.
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Alan’s story What would you do if you couldn’t communicate with the outside world? How would you feel not being able to speak to loved ones, or even say what you wanted for dinner? In May 2010 Alan Burtenshaw found out first-hand. A stroke left him with lockedin syndrome. Suddenly he found himself aware and awake, but unable to move any part of his body apart from his eyes. “When I visited him I could see in his eyes that he wanted to communicate,” says Alan’s son Mike. “It must have been frustrating, and I could see it was bothering him.” “I could hear what was being said to me, but I couldn’t respond,” says Alan. “It was terrible. But I knew that I could get over it, so I concentrated my efforts.” Less than a year on, Alan is able to speak again and get about using a wheelchair. It is an amazing recovery that is testament to his incredible determination.
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How we helped Alan break out of locked-in syndrome
For example, Alan’s speech and language “With the first visit, we knew it was the best place for him,” says Alan’s wife therapist was able to harness this Elaine. determination to achieve rapid progress with Alan’s communication. “The staff are really The friendly and At first, with very limited movement, Alan passionate about caring approach of the staff, the used a switch with his feet to signal ‘yes’ what they do. sophisticated or ‘no’. Then the team moved on to an They all know me, technology and the alphabet chart, an aid which allowed him A job well done to communicate by signalling when the I know their names specialist facilities convinced them the desired letter was read out to form words and they always Alan always was a practical man, never RHN was a place and then sentences. say ‘Hello Alan’ on where Alan would shying away from DIY challenges like building his own kitchen, even his own Alan progressed so quickly, he was soon the ward.” thrive. recording studio. onto the next stage towards speaking. “I never thought my Dad could know so He supported other people at the RHN At times Alan’s rehabilitation was many people,” says Mike. “Here they who were developing their speech skills incredibly difficult and very slow. Alan treat you not like a patient, but like a and led discussion groups. struggled and would get tired, but he was person. What Dad was like before, and always determined to press on, to work “We’ve had some good discussions,” he what he’s like now - you can’t even harder. describe the difference. We’re ecstatic.” says. “We all learned from each other.” Ask Alan if it was difficult to learn even the most basic skills again, and he’ll reply “not really” as if it was another niggling job, he just had to get done.
At first, Alan’s family weren’t sure moving him to the RHN was the right thing to do. It was a long way from their home in Brighton, and they weren’t sure what to expect.
Locked-in syndrome • With locked-in syndrome, brainfunction remains mostly intact but the individual is unable to move. The classic example is when the patient only has the use of vertical eye movement or the blink of an eye. • This locked-in state can be transient with the patient making a near-full recovery. However, in the majority of cases the condition is permanent and improvements are generally slow and relatively minor. • Great strides in technology have dramatically improved the ability of people with locked-in syndrome to communicate and express thoughts and feelings. Reclaiming some independence enhances their dignity and quality of life.
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Leading through excellence For more than 150 years, we have helped people living with some of the most complex disabilities in the UK. Providing the best quality care and striving for improved standards, we are recognised experts and leaders in the field and continue to share best practice.
SMART
Awards for innovation
Assessing low awareness states is extremely difficult with misdiagnosis throughout the world unacceptably common.
The RHN received two awards for innovation by UKABIF, the leading professional membership organisation for acquired brain injury. The awards were for:
SMART (Sensory Modality Assessment & Rehabilitation Technique), which accurately diagnoses disorders of consciousness, was pioneered right here at the RHN and in 2003 was recognised by the Royal College of Physicians. We continue to train professionals from across the globe, crucially improving standards for this most vulnerable group of patients. SMART has proved so successful that the designers were honoured with MBEs for their service to healthcare in 2011.
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• The Trache-Clinic, which aims to ensure maximum safety, comfort and an improved quality of life for patients with tracheostomies. • The RHN Tech-Link scheme, which helps residents to get the most from their assistive technology.
Research
Quality standards
Research conducted at the RHN established the tangible benefits of using music therapy as part of the rehabilitation programme following a stroke. The research was published as a Cochrane Review – available online in the Cochrane library and was led by international fellow in music therapy, Dr Wendy Magee.
Excellence is important but unless we cater to what is actually needed, we cannot stay relevant in today’s world. Working in close partnership with the UK’s largest commissioner of services for the field (The London Consortium for Neuro-rehabilitation), we ensure that we meet their high standards.
Huntington’s disease
Splinting
The complex needs of our patients means we have become specialists We are one of Europe’s largest specialist in splinting, which is used to maintain providers of care and therapy for people movement and prevent deformity. We living with advanced Huntington’s disease regularly train therapists from across and play an active role in the European the UK, running practical sessions to HD Network, the international forum for develop expertise. research and spreading best practice. In 2009 we founded the Working Group on Advanced HD and continue to push for better standards.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) affects eight in every 10 of the people we care for. Our therapists are leaders in the field and provide regular placements for speech and language students, spreading skills and understanding.
Music therapy The Music Therapy Course is the world’s only training offering standardised methods for music therapy in neurology. Prior to our hosting Europe’s first ever Course, the RHN employed the UK’s only qualified therapist. The Course, which attracted delegates from around the world, trained 29 British music therapists and established the RHN as the centre of excellence for neurological music therapy in the UK.
Published Research Below is a small selection of the varied research we have published. ‘Gardening With Huntington’s disease Clients – Creating a Programme of Winter Activities’, published in Disability & Rehabilitation, 33(2). ‘Neuro-disabilities: What Impact Could Volunteers Make?’, published in Neuroscience Nursing, February 2011. ‘Education Requirements for Nurses Working with People with Complex Neurological Conditions: Relatives’ Perceptions’, published in Nurse Education in Practice, July 2011. To see the full collection of published work, please go to www.rhn.org.uk
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Susan & Peter’s story
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Our patient and carer centred culture creates amazing results
As a successful businessman, Peter Talbot isn’t the kind of person who takes problems lying down. But when Susan, his wife of 34 years, suffered a brain injury and became completely paralysed after falling down the stairs, he found it difficult to cope.
On the ward, staff could see potential for Susan to improve her skills so they worked with her to make gains. Small movements. Little improvements. Determination.
When she started to move her fingers, they wired up a coin sized button to a radio, encouraging Susan to move more. Peter brought in stress balls to develop her strength.
Getting involved
Very slowly, over six months, Susan was able to move her fingers - then her feet.
“When something like this happens, you’re lost,” he explains. “I thought she was going to die and I just wandered around in this mist.”
Susan’s development at the RHN is a story of what can be achieved with a healthy dose of hope, and a lot of hard work.
Susan was admitted to a rehabilitation ward at the RHN in April 2009. “Her ward sister was very keen to engage”, says Peter. “She helped me come to terms with Susan’s position. When you’re feeling down the staff can see it; and their message is ‘don’t give up hope.’”
There was an incredibly long way to go, and at times it was a real struggle. But dedicated hard work and small victories by everyone – Susan, Peter and the staff at the RHN – eventually paid off.
It is this ability to be an integral part of his wife’s care that has most moved and impressed Peter.
Susan became the first ever resident to move from long term care into rehabilitation.
Even simple things like allowing carers to help dress and bathe their loved ones, but also involving them in difficult decisions about patients’ treatment, makes all the difference.
In January 2010 Susan moved on to a long term care ward where the RHN’s specialist staff do their best to help residents adapt to their disability and foster as much independence as it allows.
The small improvements continued, and then some big ones too. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists worked with Peter to develop innovative ways to help Susan.
We know supporting and involving carers is a vital part of what we do, and we know it can help improve patients with their rehabilitation.
“It helps patients, gives them their dignity,” he says. “It lets the family feel that they’re doing something. Without it, you really would feel helpless.”
There is still a long way to go but she’s made progress beyond what anyone thought possible. “Suddenly I was going home and saying to my children – ‘Wow! Mum moved her fingers today’”, says Peter. Now Susan can walk, communicate and do simple things for herself, like clean her teeth. Peter says her personality is shining through again. “She’s always liked to be clean and tidy – and that hasn’t changed. She’s always telling me to clear things away. She’s as finickity as ever.”
“It helps patients, gives them their dignity, it lets the family feel that they’re doing something. Without it, you really would feel helpless.”
Susan has now moved back to the family home for good and says “I want to thank the RHN for making me better so that I could come home with Peter.”
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Denise & Bob’s story
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How our day unit is making a positive difference to one couple’s quality of life
Denise was a popular music teacher and an amateur opera singer. She used to hold well-attended singing lessons during break times for her pupils. So when pupils stopped turning up to her classes it wasn’t because they didn’t want to be taught. It was because her handwriting had got so bad, they couldn’t read her notices. When Denise began to fall frequently, it was confirmed, Huntington’s disease, which had affected her father, had been passed on. As Denise’s motor skills slowly deteriorated, her husband Bob began to worry her motivation was being worn away too. Bob would go out to work, and when he returned Denise would often hardly have moved. When friends would visit she would hardly talk. She used to fall asleep at the dinner table, because she wasn’t stimulated. “For Denise there was no longer any singing, no pupils and no school,” says Bob. “She used to have such an active social life. But Huntington’s turned her into a recluse.”
Determined Between them, Denise and Bob decided they wouldn’t let the disease take over. The couple became determined to make the best of it. Key to the strategy was that Denise would begin attending the RHN’s Community Neuro-disability Unit. It’s a centre that maintains independent living whilst giving people with neuro-disabilities the opportunity to join activities, to socialise, and to re-develop skills, with experienced staff and specially tailored activities.
“It’s given Denise a fresh outlook on life,” says Bob. “Her life revolves around this hospital and the staff. She’s always talking about what she’s done here to her family and friends.” For Bob, the journey to the RHN twice a week is difficult and stressful. He has to get Denise ready and negotiate the London traffic. But the moment they pull into the car park, he knows every traffic jam was worth the effort.
“I like baking here… It helps me to create things. I like the smell of cooking and I like to be involved.”
Denise’s baking sessions with her occupational therapist have helped strengthen her grip, and writing out recipes has improved her handwriting.
He says there’s such a friendly, calm and comfortable atmosphere. There’s no “Now my hands are steady,” she says. rush, and everything is centred on helping Bob’s hoping she might soon be able to Denise achieve the things she wants. help with the housework again.
Like joining music therapy sessions, and getting back into singing. Denise is a regular visitor to the RHN’s own chapel, where her singing voice really begins to And it gives carers a much needed break. reach its potential. Today Denise’s life is very different. On Wednesdays and Fridays Bob drops her off at the RHN’s Day Unit where she gets involved in activities ranging from baking, to pottery and listening to her beloved opera.
Therapists work with patients to offer activities that they enjoy, but which also develop their abilities.
As well as boosting her well-being, the expert-led activities that Denise enjoys have a positive impact on her life. Physiotherapists work on balance and have also developed exercises that Denise does at home. She has not had a fall in over six months and now feels much more confident on the move.
“The family has seen such a massive difference,” says Bob. “When friends come round Denise is always talking about the RHN and what she gets out of coming here.”
“Everybody has a smile on their face… The atmosphere is so warm and relaxed.”
“Everybody at the RHN has a smile on their face,” says Bob. “I’m sure they all have problems of their own, but you would never know. The atmosphere is so warm and relaxed.”
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Graham’s story
How the power of music helped one man fulfil his potential
When Graham first came to the RHN Releasing frustrations after a traumatic brain injury, he was so scared that he thought about trying Graham’s journey with music therapy to escape. He stayed, but was nervous started when he saw a piano just down about what was going to happen next. the corridor from his room. “I just felt lost,” he explains. “I didn’t want to be here – I thought I’d have to book an appointment with a member of staff just to go down the shops.” Although Graham could walk and talk, his injury left him with problems reading, writing and thinking properly. But he’s glad he stayed. The mixed team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other experts at the RHN’s Transitional Rehabilitation Service (TRS) have worked with Graham so that he can become as independent as possible. As well as helping him learn key movement and co-ordination skills, they have helped him manage his moods and develop strategies to remember important things. When he was very low, the RHN helped Graham to slowly develop a better quality of life.
“I knew that unless I got it out I wouldn’t trust anybody or do anything. It feels good. I never thought I had it within me to construct a song. I still can’t believe I wrote it.”
Giving residents access to music therapy “I kept looking at the piano and they asked me if I played. I couldn’t, but asked can achieve many things. It can help regulate moods, offer a chance for selfif someone could teach me,” he says. expression and build self-esteem. The journey is typical of how the TRS Today Graham is very proud of the works. Staff identify key interests in residents, and then use those interests to song he wrote, sang and recorded onto CD with his music therapist. Although help them in their rehabilitation. Graham had come a long way at the TRS before starting music therapy, it has had Learning the piano was frustrating. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” he says. an enormous impact on improving his self esteem and developing his interactions “I didn’t know which key was which.” with other residents on the TRS. But the process helped improve his attention span. With the help of his music Finding the right path therapist, he was soon writing lyrics for “I know that “The song is a song which helped release some of his frustration. what I’ve about me being so down that I’ve achieved in my lost everything in “It helped me get some of the horrible life isn’t lost – life. It’s let me stop guilt out,” he says. and if I don’t thinking about the downfalls and start give up I’ll get it thinking about the back.” upside.”
Graham is looking forward to leaving the TRS soon and moving into his own flat, with some support in the community. He hopes his song can help people facing a similar situation. “If people had a head injury like me I could show them the song and say: ‘Listen to the lyrics. Before I came here I could never have done this.’”
Did you know As well as helping on an emotional level, music therapy has been proved to have positive effects, changing brain structures and reconnecting parts of the brain isolated through injury. Reference: Schlaug, G., Norton, A., Marchina, S., Zipse, L., & Wan, C. (2010). ‘From singing to speaking: facilitating recovery from nonfluent aphasia’. Published in Future Neurol.,September; 5(5): 657–665.
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Looking to the future Our vision is that people with severe disability due to neurological impairment achieve their full potential and enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
The challenges ahead Our mission
From a hospital to a service
• 1 in 6 people has a neurological condition that makes a significant impact on their lives *
In keeping with our charitable mission, over the coming years our aim is to transform the RHN from a hospital for neuro-rehabilitation and long term care in the London and South West region, to a national service for rehabilitation and long term care - providing the best standards of treatment and optimal quality of life to the largest number of people with severe neuro-disability.
• 1 in 50 of the UK population are disabled by a neurological condition * • Progress of medicine in general and intensive care has increased the number of patients who survive acute brain injury **
We believe passionately that all people have the right to achieve their full potential and enjoy the optimum possible quality of life, whatever their level of ability. Our mission is to help people with severe neurological impairment achieve this goal wherever they live in the UK. As a charity, we will direct every effort and apply all our resources to bringing maximum benefit to those who have complex disability due to acquired brain injury, neuro-degenerative disease or other major central nervous system impairment – in particular those with severe cognitive impairment and high physical disability.
* ‘Neuro numbers, a brief review of the numbers of people in the UK with a neurological condition. London’: Published in Neurological Alliance 2003 ** ‘Brain function in the vegetative state’. Published in Acta neurol.belg., 2002 102, 177-185
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We aim to continue: • Delivering clinical excellence, ensuring our care is delivered to the highest standards • Being the market leader in complex neuro-rehabilitation service, building innovative and effective services • Maintaining close links with the NHS, local authorities new and existing commissioners
Need more information?
• Attracting the highest calibre of staff and develop a world class workforce
If there is a condition or treatment you want to know more about, or maybe you just want more information on the RHN, please visit www.rhn.org.uk or call 020 8780 4500.
• Being the place of choice for long term care • Progressing our Huntington’s disease Service • Leading and influencing the field of neuro-rehabilitation with research, education, information and advocacy
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West Hill, Putney, London, SW15 3SW Enquiries: 020 8780 4500 Fax: 020 8780 4501 Email: info@rhn.org.uk Website: www.rhn.org.uk
to landfill
Registered charity no. 205907