Let me introduce myself. My name is Ryan Kokiw and I have a physical disability, Cerebral Palsy.This is my story on how physiotherapy changed my life forever.Now before we get to that you might be asking yourself what is physiotherapy? Well let’s answer that question.
Physiotherapy attempts to treat what limits a person’s abilities to move and do things in their daily life. It is the treatment of disease, injury, deformity or disability to improve quality of life.Your next question might be, well Ryan how did it effect you and how did it help change your life?I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a neuromuscular disease, that in my case, effects the right side of my body and my gross motor function and some fine motor skills.So, to help me become more independently mobile I was referred to KidsAbility.This centre helps kids with all types of disabilities. They offer many life-altering therapies including, but not limited to, physical, speech & fine motor. KidsAbility aims to help all kids have a better chance to live a more fulfilling and independent life.
As a baby I only first started walking at three years old, because my mobility was very limited. I had been going to KidsAbility for physiotherapy for 17 years of my life and during that time my physiotherapist name was Sharon Littlejohn. Without her helping and teaching my mom and myself stretches and other therapies & equipment I would not be the independent person I am today. I believe I would be stuck in a wheelchair and not have the ability to walk at this point in my life.I am now 19 years old, and physiotherapy gave me most if not all of my independence. I have had the 3 surgeries in my lifetime and without physiotherapy I would not be as strong as I am today. Without the help of KidsAbility and all the people that helped with my recovery.So, when people ask me how are you so mobile with your disability I’ll always tell them physiotherapy and dedication to be more independent helped me get to where I am today.Physiotherapy is not just for physical disabilities that affect mobility. It can be for all types of people that suffer from injuries or chronic pain.I highly recommend that if you have a physical injury or chronic pain please go see a physiotherapist, or ask your doctor about it so that they can help you find one because physiotherapy will help you take back your life.
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