JACKSON, Miss.—It’s hard to figure out what algebra and a wheelchair have in common, but Cathy Henderson shed some light on that for Northwest Rankin High School students recently.
Henderson of Flowood, spoke with Pat Luscomb’s honors algebra class about being a physical therapist. Henderson, a physical therapist at Methodist Rehabilitation Center, explained that math is a daily part of her job.
FLOWOOD, Miss.—As the pro basketball season gets into full swing, many young players in the Mississippi are getting ready to hit the court, too.
And as with any fast-paced sport, basketball brings with it the risk of injury. Doctors and therapists at Methodist Rehabilitation Center urge players to spend time preparing off the court, so they can avoid injuries on the court.
JACKSON, Miss.—On the good days, Tom Burnley’s pain is like the sound of a radio playing in the distance, a disquieting presence perched just on the edge of his consciousness.
On the bad days, it’s like a marching band headed straight at him, big and imposing and impossible to ignore.
Burnley suffers from chronic pain, a condition that afflicts an estimated 90 million Americans and costs the nation more than $125 billion annually in health care costs, disability compensation, lost productivity and tax revenue.
JACKSON, Miss.—Dr. Risa Nakase-Thompson recently participated in a study that proved what she knew on an anecdotal level all along—no matter how difficult your situation, it helps to be surrounded by people going through the same thing.
Thompson, a neuropsychologist at Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson, recently collaborated with researchers from the Institute of Rehabilitation and Research in Houston, Texas and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. to measure the value of support groups for family members of persons with traumatic brain injury.
JACKSON, Miss.—Rebecca Coward was beaming as she took the floor to compete in the cheerleading competition at the Mississippi State Fair.
Anyone watching would have never guessed she is still in therapy for wrist problems that have sidelined her much of this year. Because of her continuing recovery she had to avoid stunting or tumbling, but she said she didn’t mind.
JACKSON, Miss.—As your little ghouls and goblins get ready for Halloween, take time to ensure that all the dangers of this fright-filled night are only make-believe, says Lauren Fairburn, coordinator of Think First, Methodist Rehabilitation Center’s statewide injury prevention program.
“We want parents, children and homeowners to do all they can to prevent any accidents on such a fun night for kids,” she said. And a good place to start is making sure your child’s costume is safe.
JACKSON, Miss.—It’s the middle of the night and your smoke alarm is blaring: What do you do?
Lauren Fairburn hopes your answer is: Get out of the house and stay out.
As coordinator of Think First, Methodist Rehabilitation Center’s statewide injury-prevention program, Fairburn works with local firefighters to educate families about the importance of creating a home fire escape plan.
JACKSON, Miss.—A box of chocolates, an elegant piece of pottery, an inspirational book of verse.
When Debbie Phillips of Jackson rings up customer purchases at Methodist Rehabilitation Center’s gift shop, she knows the value of such items goes well beyond the sticker price.
Every sale benefits the Wilson Research Foundation, which supports research at the Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery at the Jackson hospital.
CANTON, Miss.—For months now, Angela Griffin has been fixating on a Thanksgiving dinner full of her favorites -- turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, mustard greens, yams, potato salad, corn bread and German chocolate cake.
The feast will be her reward for a five-month long struggle to learn to eat again. In March, Griffin lost the ability to swallow after surgery to remove a brain tumor that was pressing on a cranial nerve.
HATTIESBURG, Miss.—When news spread that Las Vegas magician Roy Horn had been mauled by a tiger, most people could only imagine his terror.
Kellie Griffin knows the horror firsthand.
On March 14, 2001, a tiger attacked Griffin while she was at work at the Kemper Park Zoo in Hattiesburg, forcing the amputation of her lower right leg.
“Once I read the story about Horn, I pictured what happened and I felt the way he must have felt,” Griffin said.