Stroke Survivor: Occupational Therapy works

Meet Ms. Eunice Naliaka, a beneficiary of the Neuro-Rehabilitation Clinic at KNH

By Verah Mugambi

In edition 16 of the KNH Newsline, we discussed the A to Z of Neurological Rehabilitation. While gathering information on that story at the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department, we crossed paths with Ms. Eunice Naliaka a beneficiary of the Neurological Rehabilitation Clinic at KNH.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death today. It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds, or when there’s a blockage in the blood supply to the brain. The rupture or blockage prevents blood and oxygen from reaching the brain tissues.

There are two main causes of stroke: a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or leaking and bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke).

Ms. Naliaka is an officer at Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and a patient at the neurological rehabilitation clinic who had a stroke in 2018. At the time, she was working in the Kerogoya branch, but since her husband works in Nairobi, she and the kids had come to visit her husband for the April holiday. It was during that time that she got an ischemic stroke.

“Surviving multiple strokes is not easy. I got a stroke in early April 2018. Before that, I used to have severe headaches but since I had an underlining condition; fibroids I was told that the headache was a result of the low hemoglobin count.”

“In early April that year, I got my first stroke and I lost my memory and was immediately rushed to the hospital. While in hospital, I got a second stroke, and this time, the bleeding had gotten worse. I was then taken straight to Intensive Care Unit (ICU),” Ms. Naliaka narrated.

She stayed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for two weeks and by the time she woke up, the left side of her body was completely paralyzed. “I couldn’t feel a thing. I was incapacitated; I couldn’t do anything even activities of daily living like washing, bathing, and dressing or preparing myself,” she continued.

Ms. Naliaka was admitted to the hospital for two months before going home. “I left the hospital in a wheelchair and a cane for walking. I was in diapers and I could not do anything. It was frustrating having people do everything for me including going to the washroom. I was too weak to even go to the hospital for my appointments,” she recalled with a sad face.

“So, in November 2018, a friend of ours introduced me to Mr. Asungu here at KNH. Since I was too weak to even walk, Mr. Asungu came to the house and we had a

PHOTO | ELIJAH NG’ANG’A

Assistant Chief Occupational Therapist, Mr. Japheth Asungu during a dressing training session with Ms. Eunice Naliaka, a patient at KNH Occupational Therapy Department

“A stroke is a medical emergency and should be handled like so and 80% of the disabilities can be prevented. We are having severe disabilities because of the delay in diagnosis. I wish the health sector could declare stroke as a medical emergency.” ,” said Mr. Asungu conversation. He insisted I have to start doing something like washing my cup after tea or plate after a meal.

“At first, I was so annoyed, wondering if he couldn’t understand my medical situation. My hand was held with a leso just to prevent it from dropping; that is how serious it was,” she explained while demonstrating.

Ms. Naliaka with the support of her family started practicing and she was determined to go back to how her life was before the stroke.

“Today looking back, I understand the great effort by Mr. Asungu and the team and I appreciate them. When I came here, they assessed me and placed me in different programs. They introduced me to a support group and at least you realize you are not alone,” she explained with a grateful smile.

“I started my sessions and it has been an amazing journey. I say amazing because I was so positive

and determined to relearn the dayto-day activities so even on days I did not feel like doing so, I just did it,” she continued.

How did the condition affect your family life?

First of all, a stroke is very expensive, so we were financially strained. My family was stressed a lot, especially my kids. Imagine seeing the mother you have known for so long very weak even in a diaper.

My firstborn who was in form four at that time was affected and I think it hit her the most. I thank God for her teachers who held her hand, supported, and encouraged her, and she is now in campus.

My other children are young so they were oblivious of what was happening, but they had to learn to accommodate me and help me when needed. Almost four years down the line, I am okay and they even make fun of me now on how I used to walk.

When did you go back to work & how was it?

I went back to work in the first quarter of 2019 and it was weird. I was afraid of the lifts; she said while laughing, and when I discussed it with the doctor, he told me that what I am scared of, is what I should do.

My colleagues also sympathized a lot and assumed that since I have had a stroke, there are a lot of things I could not do. Whenever I tried to do anything, someone would say; “usifanye hiyo, wacha tutafanya” and I always told them that I had to do it so that I could heal.

“One thing I have learned during this journey is that one should never lose hope. I had a high spirit that I must come out of this and if it was not for me, then I would do it for my family. I have been coming to KNH for too long and I see most patients coming in feeling sorry for themselves,” says Ms. Naliaka.

“Also it helps to have a strong and positive support system. Lastly am so thankful to the KNH O.T staff. These people were so warm to me when I came and I can’t believe now am even able to drive; take my children to school and I can cook chapatis. Generally, I can say that I am almost back to normal,” Ms. Naliaka concluded.

According to Mr. Japheth Asungu, an Assistant Chief Occupational Therapist at KNH, some neurological conditions can be prevented.

“A stroke is a medical emergency and should be handled like so and 80% of the disabilities can be prevented. We are having severe disabilities because of the delay in diagnosis. I wish the health sector could declare stroke as a medical emergency.” Mr. Asungu told Newsline.

Assistant Chief Occupational Therapist, Mr. Japheth Asungu during a gross hand function training session with Ms. Eunice Naliaka, a patient at KNH Occupational Therapy Department

PHOTO | ELIJAH NG’ANG’A

Assistant Chief Occupational Therapist, Mr. Japheth Asungu during a coordination training session with Ms. Eunice Naliaka, a patient at KNH Occupational Therapy Department

PHOTO | ELIJAH NG’ANG’A

Assistant Chief Occupational Therapist, Mr. Japheth Asungu during a cognitive/memory training session with Ms. Eunice Naliaka, a patient at KNH Occupational Therapy Department

PHOTO | ELIJAH NG’ANG’A