National Rehabilitation Week, September 21 – 27, is designed to promote the value of rehabilitation, highlight the capabilities of people with disabilities, salute the professionals who provide service to people with disabilities, and to renew our nation’s commitment to fulfill the unmet needs of people with disabilities.

Rehabilitation is a medical specialty which helps restore people affected by potentially disabling disease or traumatic injury to good health and functional, productive lives and also helps minimize physical or cognitive disabilities. Rehabilitation often centers on an interdisciplinary team approach to care by physicians, physical, occupational, respiratory therapists, speech-language pathologists, nurses, social workers, and other professionals who work with patients to restore the greatest level of function or independence. The rehab team helps individuals overcome obstacles and accomplish normal tasks of daily living.

Rehabilitation is individualized so every patient can progress at his or her own ability level. Some of the disabilities that are treated through rehabilitation include stroke, head injury, joint repairs/replacements, sports injuries, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and arthritis. Rehabilitation can lengthen life, improve the quality of life, and reduce subsequent illness.

Nearly 50 million Americans are disabled. Disability does not discriminate – every person is at risk of disability. Therefore, everyone is a potential candidate for rehabilitation. Most Americans will require at least one rehabilitation service at some point in their lives. Statistics show that medical rehabilitation improves lives and saves money. For every $1 spent on rehab care, it is estimated that $11 are saved on long-term disability costs. People participating in rehabilitation programs of care are able to regain productivity and return to work, school, and independent living. Independence gained through rehabilitation is priceless.

As part of the recognition of National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration, we should rid ourselves of prejudice and see people with disabilities as competent, capable, talented, caring, and contributing members of our society. We should take pride in the many accomplishments of those who have overcome disability. Let’s teach our children that disabled certainly does not mean unable. It’s important to continue to work together to make America fully accessible and to help ensure that all people have access to quality rehabilitation services which can enable them to overcome illness or injury.

Please join Natchez Regional Medical Center and its rehabilitation staff in celebrating National Rehabilitation Week September 21-27. On Friday, September 26, the Inpatient Rehabilitation Staff will host a “picnic” on the 5th floor of the hospital at 12 noon for current and former patients as part of the week long celebration. If you can join us, please call Pat at 601-443-2550.

Natchez Regional Medical Center offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology to patients in acute care, to patients admitted to the Inpatient Rehabilitation facility, and to patients in the Outpatient Physical Medicine Department. For additional information on rehabilitation services offered at Natchez Regional Medical Center, please call 601-443-2570.

Claudia Malone is the program director for the Natchez Regional Medical Center Rehabilitation Center.