Video: Physical Therapists Gear Up For National Rehab Awareness Week

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Medical professionals throughout the nation will set aside one week in September, to raise awareness about the benefits and impact of physical rehabilitation.

National Rehab Week helps put the spotlight on the need for more opportunities for nearly 50 million Americans living with some sort of disability.  WCBI’s Allie Martin introduces us to a local family whose children are overcoming obstacles through rehabilitation.

Two times every week,  Veronica Hernandez brings her quadruplets to NMMC’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at Longtown Medical Park.

Allyson, Ashley, Alexander and Anthony were born four months premature.  Three of the siblings had bleeding on the brain and all need some form of therapy.

“They need to catch up to children their age, walking, crawling, talking and eating,” Hernandez said.

Veronica says her kids have made dramatic improvement since beginning their therapy.

“They learn quickly when they start coming here, they immediately started doing things that they taught them, this place is gotten them to where they need to be, quicker than I could have done myself,” she said.

Medical professionals say that is the point of having a week set aside to raise awareness of the benefits of rehabilitation.   The theme this year is “Miracles Tomorrow, Start With Rehab Today.”

“It really speaks to the idea of how, early intervention,  think about the children upstairs receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, what an impact that will have later in life with early intervention,” said David Friloux, director of rehabilitation services at NMMC.

There are 40 therapists at the Outpatient Rehab Center,  but statewide, some areas are facing a shortage of physical therapists.   A representative with the Mississippi Physical Therapists Association says pending legislation on Capitol Hill would help fill in the gaps.

“We want to encourage physical therapists to go to therapy school in the larger cities and return to rural areas to practice and with this bill they would be able to have loan forgiveness,” said Carmen Oguz, of the Mississippi Physical Therapists’ Association.

Veronica Hernandez doesn’t know how much longer her quads will need therapy, but she is thankful the services are available so her children can lead normal lives.  National Rehab Awareness Week is September 26th through the 30th