Sapna Punjabi, who has Multiple Sclerosis, has been deeply affected by the long Covid lockdown. Her limbs have become weak and stiff in the absence of physiotherapy leaving her a dependent again. Here she prays for an end to the pandemic so that she can reconstruct her dream and rebuild her confidence.
2015 is where my MS story begins.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in March 2015. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves. In MS, resulting nerve damage disrupts communication between the brain and the body. A lot of research is done on this illness, but the conclusion still remains "No cause, No cure". Signs and symptoms of MS vary widely and depend on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are affected. MS has a number of symptoms and the condition of each patient varies.
At first it was just my left lower limb that was experiencing numbness and weakness, which led to me dragging my left foot while walking. In October 2016, I had my first relapse which resulted in the dysfunctioning of my left upper limb. After consultation and opinions of the neurologists, I was told that the only way to keep me on the go was physical therapy. I used to visit a therapist who worked on me for about 3 years.
Intense physical therapy
In March 2019, I started my physical therapy sessions thrice a week at a reputed hospital in Mumbai. I would travel independently by public transport for an hour to and fro. I would take the rickshaw from home to hospital and then walk through the lobby at the hospital and reach the physiotherapy department independently. My therapy sessions would be intense/rigorous supervised by expert therapists. I would have occupational therapy (OT) for 45 minutes which would be just working on and strengthening of my left upper limb followed by a 45 minute session of physical therapy (PT) in which the therapist would work on strengthening my lower limb and improve my walking pattern.
Occupational therapy is an important part since it helps in making the patient independent to a level that at least basic tasks are dealt with by the patient independently. I started my therapy when I used to walk with a full walker. Within 8 days, my therapists got me down to a hemi walker (single handed walker). I used the hemi walker for about 6 months and then got trained on walking with a single handed crutch. It was a great achievement in 6 months and each day got me a new confidence. I continued my rigorous therapy sessions from March 2019 to March 2020 with great enthusiasm because I could see me getting closer to my goal (getting rid of the walker). It was the combined efforts of my therapists and me that I could come so far in a span of 1 year.
No physiotherapy during Covid
Just as I started imagining myself walking with the support of just a single crutch, the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. I was advised my doctor to be extremely careful of myself and not visit the hospital. I would not move out of home, not meet people etc. I was just indoors. The fear of the virus had taken over to such an extent that as a family, we never allowed anyone to enter our house. With my physical therapy coming to an absolute stop for a year and a half, life has become a challenge for me. I have lost my confidence to move out of home independently. My daily chores, which were possible for me, now need assistance. The pandemic made me so dependent that I needed help just to take a basic shower and to dress up. Seeing myself becoming completely dependent on my family, shattered everything and I could see myself coming down the slope that I went up. This was something that I never imagined going through, but today if I think of moving out of home, the first thing I have to check who can accompany me.
Making a fresh start
It's been 2 months that I have started my therapy sessions at home. It would surely take me a few months to reach where I was again but I'm sure I will. I still aim to get rid of the walker soon and walk with a single handed crutch.
Covid-19 has had a great impact on my personality overall. I sincerely pray that we see an end to the pandemic soon and I resume my hospital sessions, which will help me reconstruct my dream and rebuild my confidence to reach a whole new level of achievement.
