It’s a tale nearly impossible to imagine, but Richmond resident Judy Graham’s life had to take a 180-degree turn since suffering not one, but six car accidents since 2017.
“In every accident, my vehicle was at a complete stop,” says the former oil and gas industry project manager who was forced into early retirement due to severe neck and leg pain.
“I travelled a lot for the job, and was on job sites wearing steel-toed boots and hard hats and climbing on rocks, but it became tough,” says Graham. “Because retirement was forced on me, I wasn’t ready for it and was really quite sad, but I knew I had to stop.”
Graham’s family physician, Dr. Lisa Nakajima, felt physiotherapy could help and referred her to a series of MSP-funded PCN sessions at Garratt Wellness Centre.
“Doctor Nakajima is an absolute Godsend to me, says Graham. “I am so blessed to have her as my doctor. I always try and listen because she is always right.”
Determined to heal, Graham took her physiotherapy program seriously and worked hard to master the weight and balancing exercises outlined for her. “The difference was phenomenal. It did remarkable things for me,” she says.
“Access to this treatment has been life-saving. I couldn’t afford physio otherwise. The program is incredible, and a huge necessity for elderly people.” Judy Graham, Richmond Resident
Graham has exhausted her initial allocation of funded sessions but has re-applied, and hopes to see her favourite therapist again.
“He is the most amazing person ever,” she says, with a tear in her eye about PCN physiotherapist Paulo Macapagal. “He is so kind and compassionate, and really encouraged me. He gave me a whole lot of hope that I will get better. I can’t say enough about him.”
Always excited for the visits, Graham was inspired to demonstrate how hard she was working at home.
“I always looked forward to it, loved seeing him, and left feeling so great and wondering how I got this lucky,” she says, “I miss him terribly and can’t wait to go back, because I know he is going to help with this pain.”
“Having access to this treatment has been life-saving,” she says. “And it being offered at no cost? That’s huge. I couldn’t afford physio otherwise. This program is incredible, and such a necessity for elderly people. I am ever so grateful.”
Since experiencing the benefits first-hand, Graham hopes that all Richmond family physicians adopt referrals to PCN services for their patients and understand what an important impact they are having on real lives like hers.
Learn more about Richmond Primary Care Networks.
