Hi, my brother, Kevin (age 21), had a brain surgery (removal of avm, craniotomy) a month ago, on June 18, 2013. He had a stroke, which resulted in the left side paralysis. Four days ago, he was finally transferred to rehab from St. Micheal's hospital, but instead of going to Toronto University rehab, where he can get intensive therapy daily (High intensive long period of time, which only has 6 beds), he is in E.W. Bickle centre (Low tolerance long duration). I honestly think he must get intensive therapy as soon as possible, but because there's no bed available, he is stuck in this low intensive program, and it will take more than 2 or 3 months for him to be transferred to Toronto University rehab.
Kevin is right now practicing sitting on a bed, and he has no balance. When we were transferred to Bickle centre, a case manager said, "No rehab thinks he should get intensive therapy." Is that true? I think that's a complete lie, because Bickle centre is not even specialized in brain injury. I think it's just an excuse they came up with to send us to Bickle centre because there is no beds (and we don't even know what number we are on the waiting list; in fact, I don't think we are even on the waiting list.) I met one lady in Bickle centre who is on the same boat as us; she said that's what the case manager told her too. [If you ever had this experience, please leave a comment.]
Right now, he is getting 30 min physiotherapy three times a week, and 45 min occupational therapy two times a week. We are thinking about getting a private physiotherapist(1 hour, two times a week) to make it as intensive as possible (Our doctor approved us getting a private therapy, so we are allowed to hire a private physiotherapist.)
Do you think getting the private therapy is good? If it is good, could you recommend good physiotherapists?
And do you think he is not ready for "intensive therapy?" We are trying as best we can do to provide him a high intensive program offered in Toronto University Rehab. Please leave comments for Kevin and my family. If you were in a high intensive program, please tell me how many times you receive the therapy for a week. Thank you.
P.S. We have a family meeting about 2 weeks later. On that day, I'm thinking about asking for a high intensive short term program since it has more beds (20 beds) than a high intensive long term, which has only 6 beds. So when the short term ends, he can either go to a private physiotheray centre or something. My family is willing to pay for the private therapy (money doesn't matter to us anymore) but I'm not sure us getting a "intensive" program is going to work unless there's a bed... My brother needs a long period of time for rehab...