A center for medical rehabilitation of wheelchair users has been established in Polotsk

The Polotsk United Organization of the Republican Association of Wheelchair Users is headed by Nikolai Bezzyazychny, a silver medalist of the XIII Summer Paralympic Games in Beijing, a multiple winner and medalist of the World Cup stages and World Fencing Championships, and a laureate of the "Person of the Year of the Vitebsk Region" award.

It was Nikolai Nikolaevich who came up with the initiative "I Walk Again", intending to purchase a modern walking simulator for the health recovery of the organization's members. During negotiations with German partners, an agreement was reached on financing the purchase of equipment. But where to place it? With this question, Nikolai Bezzyazychny turned to the reception of the Chairman of the Polotsk District Executive Committee, Igor Markovich. The matter was entrusted to the chief physician of the Polotsk Central City Hospital, Alexander Stoma.

Thus, in the process of active interaction between medics and members of the public association, the idea of opening a rehabilitation center for wheelchair users on the basis of the relevant department of the Polotsk Central City Polyclinic arose. A multifunctional simulator "Imitron", purchased with funds raised by the society "Freundeskreis-Polotsk", was installed in a specially designated room.

Oleg Borisov, Deputy Chief Physician of the Polotsk Central City Hospital, called the effect of the training on the body the most beneficial – it stimulates the respiratory system, activates blood circulation, helps prevent spasticity, and assists patients in combating problems such as metabolic disorders, venous congestion and thrombosis, muscle atrophy, and excess weight.

Training sessions on the simulator will be conducted under the guidance of an experienced instructor-methodologist in physical rehabilitation, Alexey Kuralyonok. Society members tested the "Imitron" simulator right at the center's opening. One after another, they stood up from their wheelchairs, securely fixed their bodies in a vertical position using a safety belt, and began to perform walking movements. They felt a little dizzy from the unfamiliarity, but their faces were beaming with joy.

– Such a simulator will definitely extend the life of a wheelchair user. Thanks to it, you start to feel like a healthy person, – shared his feelings Nikolay Bez"yazychny, who has been unable to walk for 23 years after an accident – exactly half of his life.

The list of indications for the use of the walking simulator includes paralysis and paresis of the lower extremities with muscle contractures, conditions caused by serious injuries and diseases of the brain and spinal cord, cerebral palsy and other motor disorders in children, and neurological problems.

In addition to the simulator, patients of the medical rehabilitation center can use the services of specialists in therapeutic exercise, occupational therapy, mechanotherapy, acupuncture, procedural, and massage rooms. They also have day care beds at their disposal.

Text and photos by Larisa MALASCHENYA, "Vitebskiye Vesti".