Donna Maheady APRN, EdD
The exact number of nurses
who use wheelchairs worldwide is unknown. However, stories found in social
media posts, blogs and first person accounts suggest that numbers are
increasing.
When thinking about a
nurse or nursing student who uses a wheelchair, some may ask, “After completing
a program, can he or she find employment?”
Alternatively, “If injured during a nursing career, can a nurse continue
to work?” The experiences of the following nurses shed light.
Andrea Dalzell, diagnosed with transverse
myelitis when she was 5 years old, attended the nursing program at CUNY College
of Staten Island in New York. During orientation to the nursing program, Andrea
met with some opposition. With the knowledge of her legal rights and support
from the campus disability services office, her progression in the nursing
program continued. (Apple TV Star, n.d.)
“Whether it was passing
finals with the highest grades, receiving exemplary feedback from patients’
families or figuring out a way to accomplish her daily responsibilities from
her chair, Dalzell has done more than just show she can be a nurse; she has
proven she can be an excellent one.” (United Spinal Association, n.d., para 3).
Andrea recounts the
challenges surrounding learning to perform cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
She knew it would not be easy with paralysis so she took up boxing to gain the
necessary strength to pass the test. After graduation from nursing school,
Andrea starting working as a case manager for a long-term managed care company.
Apple, Inc. asked Andrea
to participate in a commercial and give a talk about how the Apple Watch helped
her during nursing school and in her work as a nurse. The Apple Watch helps
Andrea with reminders from Siri, allows her to be hands free as she rolls and
glances at the watch, and allows her to make a phone call if a phone is out of
reach. (Apple TV Star, n.d.)
Lindsey Runkel always
wanted to be a nurse. A mountain biking accident left her paralyzed so she was
hesitant to include the fact that she uses a wheelchair on her application to a
nursing program. Today, she is the first paraplegic nursing student at the
University of Connecticut, currently doing a clinical rotation at Stamford
Hospital.
Nancy Manister, director
of the accelerated second-degree nursing program at UConn stated, “She met the
academic standards to enter the program, and then we met with her as part of
the process of figuring out what we needed to do with Lindsey for Lindsey “We
really have found that she has actually needed very little in the way of
accommodations.” (UConn’s first paraplegic nursing student, 2019, para 12). When
faculty put Lindsey in a nursing simulation lab, she was more than capable of
performing, things like hanging IV meds, palpating the patient, and taking
vital signs. Lindsey continues to impress patients, fellow students and
faculty. She is ready to roll with whatever comes her way.
In
the Czech Republic and Scotland
Born and raised in the
Prague, Czech Republic, Marie (Bartova) Scott was injured in a horse related
accident after she qualified as a nurse. At the time of her spinal cord injury
(T-12 paraplegia), she was employed by the U.S. government at the embassy
health center in Prague.
Marie recalled that, "The
understanding and support I received from the employer and colleagues will
never be forgotten. It meant so much to me to know I was still a member of the
team despite my reduced mobility. Adjustments to the workplace (ramps,
bathroom, cupboards and work desk) helped, but, it was mostly the positive
attitude of my colleagues which broke the barriers." (Maheady, 2018 para 1,2)
Marie continued to work
as a staff nurse at the US embassy health center and later took on a more
senior role where she could utilize her management skills. A video of Marie
working in the embassy clinic is available (Helmut 1 (2016). She spent six
years there before taking a maternity leave. Her husband is Scottish and they
moved their family to Scotland four years ago. Marie stated, “I am now working
as a staff nurse in neuro rehabilitation units and care home settings in
Scotland. With our excellent care staff, I can fulfill my role and enjoy it
very much. In fact, I have been told on more than one occasion that my
condition is seen as a good influence to residents and their families."
(Maheady, 2018 para 3, 4)
Michelle Quested was
working as a staff nurse in the neonatal cardiology department at Birmingham
Children’s hospital. A car accident resulted in rupture of two discs in her
lumbar spine and crushed her spinal cord. After surgeries and months of rehabilitation,
she returned to work as part of a team instructing nursing students in the
cardiac department.
However, Michelle longed
to return to a hands-on clinical position so she began working on modifications
to her wheelchair. Her chair had to be narrower to facilitate ease of movement
and changed from push power to battery power. She returned to work in the
hospital’s neonatal cardiology ward. (Story Trender, 2017).
Reactions from children
in the hospital and their parents have been positive. She reports that, “Whenever
children ask me about being in a wheelchair, I tell them that I have poorly
legs like they have a poorly heart, and it helps them to understand. “It does
not faze them at all.” (Story Trender, 2017, line 48)
Kannika “Yew” Sriwija, was
injured one month from completion of her nursing program. The injury paralyzed
the lower half of her body and forced her to quit college. She spent over a
year recovering and learning to live a normal life using a wheelchair.
During her treatment, she
volunteered as a consultant with patients in the hospital. This experience and
the support of the hospital and her doctor motivated her to continue her
studies, Kannika returned to school and graduated in 2018. She is now working
full-time at San Sai Hospital (City News, 2018).
Summary
Essential elements, for the
success of these nurses who use wheelchairs, include motivation, perseverance,
adapted equipment/technology, volunteer work and support from faculty,
disability services staffers, doctors, workplace peers and administrators.
Cliché
or not, if there is a will there is a
way! Roll on nurses!
References
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