Rehabilitation stays: immersion with Catherine Reverdin

I was diagnosed with MS in 1989. But as I counted down the years, I realized that the disease had already manifested itself in 1978 through optic neuritis. I had almost 11 years between the first attack and the diagnosis, during which time I enjoyed having three children and a very active life. Then the disease progressed and I was in an electric wheelchair for 23 years. I could only take one step from my wheelchair to my bed. Today, I can take a few steps again and use a manual chair. I realize that it's quite exceptional to be able to progress in this way. In my progress, I often use the Lyra Gait, a device for exercising walking. I've also changed the way I live my life. I've changed my diet, I meditate regularly and I've realized that I need to avoid stress, which is toxic for me.

The average annual rehabilitation stay lasts 3 weeks. There are usually two physiotherapy sessions a day, one occupational therapy session and, as required, neuropsychology and speech therapy. There is also adapted physical activity, and swimming pool therapy is also available. It all depends on individual needs. The ideal is two therapies in the morning and two in the afternoon. The therapists are very attentive, so if I'm too tired, I can adapt the program. There's also adapted physical activity every day, which I love. There's a fitness room with several types of machines, including the Lyra Gait, which I've used a lot.

For me, physical activity with the Lyra Gait machine has been extraordinary. The first few sessions were very complicated, as I hadn't walked for so many years. But even someone with no walking ability can use this machine and feel their legs moving. It's really fantastic the sensation of standing up and having your legs move. During my stay, I made so much progress that when I left the clinic, I could walk on crutches for 20 meters. It was completely crazy. When I got home, I just kept going. Of course, this is my personal experience and it would seem that I'm one of the rare cases to have responded so positively to this therapy.

It's normal to feel tired after a rehabilitation stay because we go from a personal rhythm at home to a sustained rhythm with more activities. When I leave Clinique Valmont, it takes me 8 to 10 days to recover, but after that I really feel the benefits. I feel in great shape and if I've been able to recover or improve certain functions, I can see it every day. That's really the aim of these stays: to preserve functions and if possible improve them. It may be minimal, but every time you see an improvement, it's wonderful! These gains make a huge difference.

For me, these stays are essential in order to maintain and, if possible, improve what we've already learned. Everything we can learn from occupational therapy in terms of ergonomic movements and energy conservation is so important. And on a neuropsychological level, we can do a lot by working on memory, attention, executive functions... in fact, everything that goes to make up our daily lives. I've learnt lots of useful little tricks and, being a hard worker, I've made a point of applying all that at home. They're crutches, but why do without them? In my opinion, outpatient therapies can't replace a stay in a clinic, during which you can practice and integrate certain routines. At home, it's easy for me to forget what I need to do if I'm doing outpatient therapy, whereas during an inpatient stay, I have time to integrate better habits.