Today in neuro, we discussed the story of K.T. and his diagnosis of ALS. Lauren discussed some interesting life facts about K.T. He was diagnosed at age 41 with ALS, and his first wife divorced him after the diagnosis. He later married his nurse. She also told us that brain trauma from football has a correlation with ALS, and that K.T. sued the NFL for not protecting against head traumas. Lauren also discussed how OTs would be involved in the treatment of ALS at stage 3. The OT would help with home modifications, assistive devices, ROM programs, strength, endurance, and using a neck brace to keep his neck up during his son's football games. After learning about ALS from the diagnosis snapshot, it was interesting to see how Lauren described the progress of the disease compared to what I read about, and K.T. first felt his hands feel different and then it went to his respiratory system, and he passed away at the age of 45.
Another interesting point that Lauren made that goes along with what we are learning about in Foundations is what to say if a client asks if they are going to get better or walk again, etc. Lauren said that KT asked his OT this question, and all the OT could say was that he knows the progression of the disease. She didn't say he would or would not recover.
Overall, Lauren did a great job with this presentation, and I enjoyed the discussion.
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