Minister visits rehab work- Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews joined seven-year-old Zac

– Casey Neill
SEVEN-year-old Zachary may be unable to straighten his right arm today if it wasn’t for the Angliss Hospital Community Rehabilitation Centre (CRC).
The Mount Dandenong boy suffered a dislocated and fractured elbow in a fall from monkey bars in just his first week at a new school six months ago.
The fracture went undiagnosed for three weeks and nerve damage from the joint relocation caused function loss in his right hand.
Two operations involving pins, wires and nerve relocation left Zach’s arm frozen at a 90 degree angle.
He was referred to the CRC from Dandenong Hospital.
“Dandenong Hospital couldn’t give us the intensive rehabilitation we required,” his mum Lena said.
“Without these guys we’d have some serious, non-fixable problems.”
Health Minister Daniel Andrews joined Zach for his rehabilitation session last Tuesday (15 July) as part of the State Government Community Cabinet outer east tour.
The $4.3 million CRC was officially opened in October 2006.
The facility was designed for centre-based and home-based outpatient rehabilitation services.
It includes individual and group therapy areas and kitchen, laundry and garden areas to allow staff to observe how a patient will cope at home.
Zach initially required two to three rehabilitation sessions a week with physiotherapist Amy John but as his strength and movement has increased his visits have become less frequent.
Lena said the structured rehabilitation program had review processes to measure Zach’s progress and gave her peace of mind.
“We know we’re not going to slip through the net,” she said.
Senior occupational therapist Ty Gunning said the aim of the physiotherapy was to maintain the level of movement that has returned and prevent any further damage.
“The movement he’s got is better than we initially thought we’d be able to achieve,” he said.
With the help of a specially designed splint, right-handed Zach has even been able to write again.
“The hand splint allows him to keep his fingers in position,” Lena said.
Anyone who would like more information on the program can speak to Ty Gunning at the rehabilitation centre by calling 9764 6229.