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Rehabilitation medicine is more than just treatment. It is a return to life, restoration of hope and faith in one's own strength. For Kateryna Zahorodnia, a physical and rehabilitation medicine specialist from Ivano-Frankivsk, rehabilitation has become not just a profession, but a mission. Her story is a path toward realizing the transformative power of rehabilitation and its ability to change people's lives.
“At first, I thought that rehabilitation was like outdated physiotherapy. But during my internship, I witnessed a woman who had suffered a stroke take her first steps with the support of physical therapists. Her son was crying tears of joy when he saw his mother walking again. At that moment, I realized that I wanted to be part of such stories. It was a decisive moment in my career,” shares Kateryna.
Unlike other areas of medicine, rehabilitation is aimed at restoring a patient's functionality and ability to live a full life.
“In our department, we talk about quality of life. We help people become independent and functional. Patients return home with prostheses, in a wheelchair, or even walking on their own. We don't just restore their ability to move — we give them a reason to keep going,” explains Kateryna.
Rehabilitation is always a team effort. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and social workers always work closely with patients, involving them in every step of their recovery.
“Our approach is different: we don't work instead of the patient, but together with them. People are surprised by their active involvement: three hours of classes every day, focusing on every little detail. But it is this approach that gives results. Patients become motivated, can see their progress and start to trust the process. However, sometimes difficulties arise due to cognitive disorders or overprotection of relatives. We have to explain that the patient's independence is the key to their full recovery,” says the doctor.
Kateryna dreams of a time when rehabilitation services will be available to everyone.
“It is important for every community to have at least a small rehabilitation center. This would enable patients to receive care close to home, rather than having to travel hundreds of kilometers. We also need specialization: separate teams to work with amputations, spinal cord injuries or orthopedic injuries. This would allow doctors to focus on their area of expertise and provide even better care to patients,” emphasizes Kateryna.
The work of a rehabilitation therapist is not easy, but it is the human stories and achievements of patients that become the main source of inspiration.
“When a patient who has just received a prosthesis stands on their two legs for the first time, it is an unforgettable moment. Or when we discharge a person who can now move independently and continue living their life. In those moments, we all feel that our work truly matters. It’s this sense of purpose that keeps us motivated and committed to our profession,” says the doctor.