Starting today, restrictions on patient visitation go into effect place in hospitals across the Central Virginia area, including Sheltering Arms’ inpatient hospitals at Memorial Regional Medical Center and St. Francis Medical Center. The new rules, put into place due to the H1N1 influenza outbreak, restrict visitors under 18 years old or who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms from entering patient care areas. These restrictions are expected to continue until spring, 2010. More details on who is covered under the restrictions can be found in this Richmond Times-Dispatch article.
Sheltering Arms understands that family support is critical to patient recovery, so we’ve developed a way for restricted visitors to continue to provide support to their loved ones. Starting Monday, webcams will be available to any patient who wishes to visit with family or friends.
Sheltering Arms patients work hard every day to overcome disability from illness or injury, and we want to ensure they receive the love and support they need. These webcams will allow a level of contact that would otherwise be impossible.
We have pictures! Below is a slideshow from the third annual 2009 Power to Overcome Gala, held on September 23 at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. The gala is held as a fundraiser for Club Rec, and marks National Rehabilitation Awareness Week. Enjoy!
Sheltering Arms is very pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Maria Christina (Christy) Littaua to our physician team. Dr. Littaua has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of the Philippines and received her medical degree from the University of the East. She subsequently completed residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; and was employed in a PM&R practice in Pittsburgh for two years prior to joining Sheltering Arms. She is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the Association of Academic Physiatrists.
Dr. Littaua provides inpatient PM&R consultation services at acute care hospitals throughout the area, and she sees outpatients at the Sheltering Arms Physician Clinic on Maple Avenue. Her areas of clinical expertise include rehabilitation of orthopedic conditions, such as post-operative joint and back care, rehabilitation of neurologic conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and neurodegenerative disease, amputee management, and women’s health. She also performs electrodiagnostic studies (EMG-NCV) to diagnose various nervous system disorders.
In addition to her clinical interests, Dr. Littaua enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She also enjoys swimming, photography, music and travel.
Sheltering Arms has been ALL OVER the TV this month. The third airing of The Power to Overcome documentary was this past weekend on channel 6. Also, Sheltering Arms superstar patient Jamaal Williams was on channel 6 last week talking about the documentary and his recovery from stroke. Tomorrow morning, there will once again be talk of Sheltering Arms on the television!
Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, Joan Manley of Lexington (seen to the right), will appear for a live interview on WRIC TV-8 during the 9 a.m. hour tomorrow. She’ll be talking about, among other things, the reason she’s in town. Ms. Manley is one of our honored guests at tonight’s Celebration of the Power to Overcome gala at the Jefferson Hotel.
Ms. Manley knows all too well what it takes to overcome disability. She is a spinal cord injury quadriplegic due to an automobile accident. She works with numerous organizations, boards, and is a part-time Advocacy Specialist with VAIL Center for Independent Living. She speaks regularly for local groups about living with a disability while promoting accessibility for all in her community.
You’ve seen the still pictures, now here’s the video! Below is video from a segment on the WTVR TV (CBS6) program “Virginia This Morning” that aired on September 15. The segment featured Jamaal Williams and his mother, Daisy, talking about Jamaal’s recovery from a stroke he suffered at the age of 28. Jamaal made a remarkable recovery with the help of his therapy team at Sheltering Arms. You can learn more about Jamaal and two other remarkable patient stories from Sheltering Arms TONIGHT, by watching the Sheltering Arms documentary “The Power to Overcome” on channel 6 at 7:30pm.
If you guessed the set of Channel 6 (CBS) in Richmond, you are correct! This photo was taken yesterday (September 15) during the interview with Jamaal Williams and his mother Daisy on the station’s Virginia This Morning program. Jamaal, a former Virginia Union University football player, discussed his recovery (with Sheltering Arms’ help) from a stroke he suffered at the age of 28. The interview will be posted in its entirety on our website very soon. Jamaal is one of the incredible patients featured in the Sheltering Arms documentary, The Power to Overcome, airing this month on three area TV stations.
The final airing of the documentary is coming up on Saturday, September 19 on Channel 6. Don’t miss it!
Be sure to tune in to WTVR, channel 6, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15! Sheltering Arms physical therapy superstar Jamaal Williams (seen in the picture to the left) and his mother, Daisy, will appear for a live interview during that time, on the station’s “Virginia This Morning” program.
Jamaal and his mother will be talking about the hard work he and his therapists put in to help him recover from a stroke he suffered at the age of 28. We’re very proud of Jamaal and we love to share him with the world!
Jamaal is also one of the subjects of the Sheltering Arms documentary, The Power to Overcome.
Did you see the airing of the Sheltering Arms documentary, “The Power to Overcome”, last night on WRIC, channel 8? If so, please give us your feedback! We’re aware there was a bit of an issue with the quality. This was related to equipment at WRIC that played back the video.
If you missed the airing last night, you have two more chances! The next airing is on WWBT, channel 12 on Saturday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. We’re assured that the program will air in its full high definition glory!
Don’t forget, coming up this month three television stations in Richmond will air a documentary that highlights the hard work and dedication of three patients and their therapy teams. The program gives an inside look at the compassion, technology, expert care, history and innovation at a place where miracles happen every day. To view a video preview, visit this post on the Sheltering Arms Blog.
Here’s a look at the patients profiled in the documentary:
Jamaal Williams is a name familiar to just about anyone involved with Sheltering Arms, as he is an inspiration to us all. Jamaal is a former Virginia Union University football player who had a massive stroke at the age of 28. When he arrived at Sheltering Arms, he was completely paralyzed on the left side of his body and was unable to speak. Today, with help from his rehab team and technologies like the REO robotic trainer and SaeboFlex, he is mobile, vocal, and independent.
David Thomas was left immobile and unable to eat food or speak following a brain aneurysm. His family was told to consider putting him in a nursing home. Instead, he was transferred to Sheltering Arms, where the gains he made in the hospital and after his return home have been nothing short of miraculous. His first words post-stroke were to his daughter, when he said he loved her. Recently, he walked her down the aisle at her wedding.
Dorothy “Dot” Hughes has a lifelong relationship with Sheltering Arms. In the 1950s, her two sons were born at the hospital. All that she was asked to bring with her were cans of evaporated milk. No payment was required. In 2002, she was once again cared for by Sheltering Arms, this time as a stroke rehabilitation patient. Today, she participates in Club Rec, a day recreation program for individuals with a disability or physical limitation. Club Rec is one of many services in Sheltering Arms’ Partner for Life Program.
The documentary was produced by Eric Futterman, a two-time Emmy award-winning videographer from Richmond. Eric has produced a number of other videos for Sheltering Arms. You can learn more about him here.
Here’s a reminder of the air dates for the documentary. Set your DVR if you won’t be home!
Richmond TV viewers will have the opportunity to see the stories of a few of the wonderful people who have been helped by Sheltering Arms in the last 120 years, in an upcoming television documentary. The 30-minute documentary, created by Emmy-award winning local filmmaker Eric Futterman, will air in September on three local Richmond TV affiliates. It follows three Sheltering Arms patients, David Thomas, Jamaal Williams, and Dorothy “Dot” Hughes, as their rehabilitation team helped them learn the power to overcome disability.
Here’s the schedule, and a look at a promo for the program. Set your DVR if you won’t be home on these evenings!
Founded in 1889, Sheltering Arms has served the needs of the sick and injured in Richmond and Central Virginia for more than 120 years. Today, we specialize in state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation therapy, offering a full range of rehab and total wellness services, continually striving to offer innovative care at locations that are convenient for our patients and their families. Find your nearest Sheltering Arms location by clicking here!
Sheltering Arms is very pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Maria Christina (Christy) Littaua to our physician team. Dr. Littaua has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of the Philippines and received her medical degree from the University of the East. She subsequently completed residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; and was employed in a PM&R practice in Pittsburgh for two years prior to joining Sheltering Arms. She is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the Association of Academic Physiatrists.
Be sure to tune in to WTVR, channel 6, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15! Sheltering Arms physical therapy superstar Jamaal Williams (seen in the picture to the left) and his mother, Daisy, will appear for a live interview during that time, on the station’s “Virginia This Morning” program.
