Disabled in Thailand

[krabimike]

I have been Dating a Thai Lady for several years. She has a Twin brother 28 years old he has been in a wheel chair since he was 17 years old. He has good upper body movement, Seems to even push with his feet somewhat to sit up in his chair.

I know that the Thai's in this village have some idea that when you are bad off we love you, but you do not produce... I am trying to say this as not to talk down or discredit where their culture is, or where they happen to be in their development of the disabled. It seems they just think he will get sick and die one day so let it be.

I would like to take him to Bkk to a rehabilitation Clinic Maybe get his bed sores healed. See if there is something somewhere that can be done to improve his quality of life. He is a great guy! smart, handsome and full of life.

Does anyone know of a physicality here in Bangkok or somewhere in Thai that might fit this person?

[harrry]

Bed sores should be treated locally. This is important and potentially life threatening. The local health centre should be able to handle it under the 30 baht scheme or refer to the regional hospital.

Physiotherapy is available through the regional hospital too but as it is limited it may be better to see if this can be obtained privately through them or another hospital. Sessions will cost round 200 baht for a session.

[Beetlejuice]

Firstly, do you know the reasons why he developed this debilitating condition at age 17?

Could anything be done for him if he received some professional medical therapy, medications or surgery?

Surely it would be better to first evaluate what has caused his medical decline and the on going causes by a medical specialist in this field rather than referring him to a rehabilitation Clinic?

[krabimike]

Bed sores should be treated locally. This is important and potentially life threatening. The local health centre should be able to handle it under the 30 baht scheme or refer to the regional hospital.

Physiotherapy is available through the regional hospital too but as it is limited it may be better to see if this can be obtained privately through them or another hospital. Sessions will cost round 200 baht for a session.

Yes this is an on going problem! that is the point! looking for a private hospital that can take him in, teach him how to survive and get his health cleaned up! I am sure there is nothing within 3 -400k from their village. was hoping someone would have a name. yes I have googled and come up with Brumrumgrad and such. but was hoping for something more specific

[harrry]

Bed sores should be treated locally. This is important and potentially life threatening. The local health centre should be able to handle it under the 30 baht scheme or refer to the regional hospital.

Physiotherapy is available through the regional hospital too but as it is limited it may be better to see if this can be obtained privately through them or another hospital. Sessions will cost round 200 baht for a session.

Yes this is an on going problem! that is the point! looking for a private hospital that can take him in, teach him how to survive and get his health cleaned up! I am sure there is nothing within 3 -400k from their village. was hoping someone would have a name. yes I have googled and come up with Brumrumgrad and such. but was hoping for something more specific

Unless you have more than 20000 baht a day to spend I strongly suggest you check with the local public hospital. His bedsores at least will be well treated under the free health scheme.

[krabimike]

Firstly, do you know the reasons why he developed this debilitating condition at age 17?

Could anything be done for him if he received some professional medical therapy, medications or surgery?

Surely it would be better to first evaluate what has caused his medical decline and the on going causes by a medical specialist in this field rather than referring him to a rehabilitation Clinic?

Three young teenagers on a motorcycle. No alcohol or drugs involved. driver walked away one dead one in a chair.

I have mentioned more then once to take him to Bangkok International or Bhumrumgrand. But the family reels back and feels my money would be much better spent elsewhere. (on them of course)

I would like to find a clinic that specializes in paraplegic care. and yes I agree that a good and accurate evaluation should be done, as he has never been to a decent hospital before.

[krabimike]

Bed sores should be treated locally. This is important and potentially life threatening. The local health centre should be able to handle it under the 30 baht scheme or refer to the regional hospital.

Physiotherapy is available through the regional hospital too but as it is limited it may be better to see if this can be obtained privately through them or another hospital. Sessions will cost round 200 baht for a session.

Yes this is an on going problem! that is the point! looking for a private hospital that can take him in, teach him how to survive and get his health cleaned up! I am sure there is nothing within 3 -400k from their village. was hoping someone would have a name. yes I have googled and come up with Brumrumgrad and such. but was hoping for something more specific

Unless you have more than 20000 baht a day to spend I strongly suggest you check with the local public hospital. His bedsores at least will be well treated under the free health scheme.

funny how some people don't get it! I have as much to spend as it takes. and I have watched the local if you want to call them hospitals take care of him for 2 years. along with that it is not just the hospital it is home care also! I have a nephew he raced for team KTM is now in a wheel chair plays basketball has a beautiful family and lives a full life. I would like to see this young man have the same opportunity. if that cost a little so be it.

[harrry]

Bed sores should be treated locally. This is important and potentially life threatening. The local health centre should be able to handle it under the 30 baht scheme or refer to the regional hospital.

Physiotherapy is available through the regional hospital too but as it is limited it may be better to see if this can be obtained privately through them or another hospital. Sessions will cost round 200 baht for a session.

Yes this is an on going problem! that is the point! looking for a private hospital that can take him in, teach him how to survive and get his health cleaned up! I am sure there is nothing within 3 -400k from their village. was hoping someone would have a name. yes I have googled and come up with Brumrumgrad and such. but was hoping for something more specific

Unless you have more than 20000 baht a day to spend I strongly suggest you check with the local public hospital. His bedsores at least will be well treated under the free health scheme.

funny how some people don't get it! I have as much to spend as it takes. and I have watched the local if you want to call them hospitals take care of him for 2 years. along with that it is not just the hospital it is home care also! I have a nephew he raced for team KTM is now in a wheel chair plays basketball has a beautiful family and lives a full life. I would like to see this young man have the same opportunity. if that cost a little so be it.

Well send him to Bummengrad with a million dollars or so and it may help for a year.

Most people cannot afford it but if you can just go ahead and do it. Do not just talk about it.

[Beetlejuice]

Firstly, do you know the reasons why he developed this debilitating condition at age 17?

Could anything be done for him if he received some professional medical therapy, medications or surgery?

Surely it would be better to first evaluate what has caused his medical decline and the on going causes by a medical specialist in this field rather than referring him to a rehabilitation Clinic?

Three young teenagers on a motorcycle. No alcohol or drugs involved. driver walked away one dead one in a chair.

I have mentioned more then once to take him to Bangkok International or Bhumrumgrand. But the family reels back and feels my money would be much better spent elsewhere. (on them of course)

I would like to find a clinic that specializes in paraplegic care. and yes I agree that a good and accurate evaluation should be done, as he has never been to a decent hospital before.

Sorry to hear of this situation.

I suggest the following:

Without informing your girlfriend and her family or just taking your girlfriend if she is interest, visit some of the hospitals you mentioned. Make inquiries, if anything or what can be done, what`s involved, the costs, is it possible for the guy to receive treatment on any of the Government schemes such as the 30 baht scheme for example.

If something positive can be done but it`s going to be very expensive, than this has to be discussed with the family. Do they have any money or land they could sell to pay for medical treatment? You could offer to chip in with the cost of whatever you can afford.

If for any reasons they refuse to cooperate or insist that you should pay the whole lot, than whatever you decide to do must be up to your own discretion. .

I doubt if anyone on here can suggest anything better as this must involve a professional medical team to obtain an opinion.

[tim armstrong]

Unfortunately physical disability is not well funded in Asia. Maybe you could try some of the larger NGO's and International organisations for info about Thailand. Suggest - Ryder Cheshire Foundation -they have centres around the world and specifically deal with physical disability. Also CARITAS - very large Catholic Aid organisation - good source of info. There must be a way of getting in touch with disabled athletes organisations. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[tim armstrong]

Mike, I just did a quick google search. Try AngloInfo.com they have some organisations listed in Thailand. I would also try the WHO office in Bangkok they should know what's available.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Where is the guy located? Province? District?

Mac

[yermanee]

There is the Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities in Pattaya,

They give education, medical help etc.

Maybe contact them for advice.

Yermanee

[mogandave]

I live out of town, but when I had rotator cuff surgury at Bumrungrad, the doctor gave me a prescription for PT and told me to take it to the local hospital and that they would be able to help. I was pretty skeptical, but went to the local hospital and they had a pretty good PT program, staff and equipment. i went every day for a couple months and it was great, and because I have my social card it was all free.

There should be a local hospital that can help. and then get him into a school where he can learn something that will let him work sitting down.

"Idleness is the heaviest of all oppressions."

[seajae]

a good sheepskin/wool is good to stop bedsores, in Australia they use them for bed ridden patients to stop them developing or to help stop them getting worse.

[wym]

I think the key advice is to take charge yourself, let the family know it's your money to spend as you see fit.

As around for a good local doctor first of all to come visit at home and make the necessary changes wrt the bedsores issue - this indicates the home care is not up to snuff as this is a very serious but easily remedied condition, would never have occured with proper equipment and home care.

Sorry I don't have specifics wrt the rehabilitation/PT side of things, but looks like you got some good leads.

Don't feel you need to pay for the best of the best, just make it better than it is at the moment and keep plugging away in the right direction improving things from week to week month to month and you'll see positive results.

[geriatrickid]

First stop the local provincial hospital. Meet with the attending physician and set out clearly what your goals are. The physician will either say, we can do it here, or suggest another facility. Some of the reasons why there may have been a failure to intervene are;

1. The family gave up because of ignorance. They didn't know that people can come back from a debilitating injury. One doesn't see intensive intervention in the rural areas.

2. The lack of resources until now, money and family support, will have discouraged positive activity. Physical and occupational therapy is expensive and requires assistance from the family. Hospitals and physicians are not going to do anything that isn't covered under the health plan unless they get paid. Specialized rehabilitation is not covered by the health plan. (It's not unique to Thailand, as there are exclusions and limitations under many socialized health care plans. That's why western charities for various disabilities exist, as they fill a much needed social services hole.)

Stick to your plan. You are doing the right thing. Don't let anyone discourage you. People like you make the world a better place and set an example.

[fletchsmile]

I'm a big fan of Bumrungrad, and its very useful for foreigners who don't speak Thai. I'm not sure that's your answer in this case though. They're great for fixing things but not necessarily for ongoing care and general advice.

Some of the more local hospitals in BKK would likely offer better value for money and be more geared to your average Thai in the way they would handle things, and also what he expects, as Thais do sometimes approach hospital visits in different ways to foreigners. eg my wife rarely asks questions.

If you think a hospital in BKK is a good start, I'd suggest: Saint Louis, Bangkok Christian or Rama III may be good alternatives. I've used all at various points and found them good quality and often better value for money on certain things.

If you were looking for major surgery or the best equipment to fix a condition permanently or top notch facilities/equipment I'd say Bumrungrad would be a good bet. For bed sores, general health some of the others might be better value. Bumrungrad can be a bit mercenary

There's also a fair bit you could just try and educate people with. For bed sores it's important to regularly move the patient so they are not always putting pressure on the same points. Regular changing of dressings. Use of barrier creams etc. A lot of this you could get from the internet and its a question of education plus finding a member of the family who will attach some importance to it. Shown what to do I'd think the family would make a half decent job. They are probably just clueless. The karma factor is obviously there in society, but then again so is taking away other people's suffering if you show them how. I must admit when my dad was bedridden and had bed sores I didn't know at first what to do, but just asking and following nurses instructions there were bits even I could pick up and help with.

Hope it all goes well

Fletch

[mogandave]

I did not mean to recommend Bumrungrad, I meant to indicate my surprise at how well staffed and equipped the local hospital was.

To be clear, someone that has not walked for years, is not going to learn how to walk again, but they can learn how to take care of themselves, if the want to.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[bina]

if u are going to interfere, then it will have to be in the long run. remember, the road to hell is paved in good intentions. if u start something u alone will have to see it thru.

thais are good at 'taking care' but they dont always see waht 'taking care' really means. when my husband sees elderly people going out and about using canes or walkers he thinks they shoudl be sitting in chairs by the fireside and sleeping. when we had injured animals and i 'forced' the animal to get up, or take a few steps he would interfere saying 'just let hm sleep' . if i let the animal 'sleep' all the time, in the end it would die from lack of body tone or inaction. like many uneducated thais, they dont see inaction as bad. they see it as 'protecting' their loved ones from feeling pain. forcing soeone to stand up and use a limb even if it hurts might seem to them as cruel where as we see it as being cruel to be kind in the long run.

also, we've had several people here die of cancer after very long treatments etc. He feels taht it is cruel, and in teh end we all die so why bother (he also doenst go to doctors until its almost too late; and if i ever fall sick or have a stroke or soemthing, he will probably let me stay in bed, seeing that as the best course of action not realizing he should be encouraging me to do more, move more etc.)

so same thing here. we have a after schoo day center on the kibbutz for children ion wheel chairs and he completly doesnt understand why everyone puts so much effort in to doing things with the kids (making them stand up using braces, etc). he feels it is cruel. he doesnt feel they should be hidden away or thrown away but sees our ideas of help as uncomfortable.

so part of your work will be reeducating someone in the family as to why what u want to do is better for the person. also, does this person want your help? remember, showing someone a better situation and then leaving is worse then keeping the situation status quo - like many do gooders. true bed sores are horrible, but there is a big difference in treating and maintining someone w/o bedsores to travelling to physiotherapy etc.

jsut realized that i reiterated fletch... so there u go..

[lannarebirth]

Have you researched McKean Rehabilitation Hospital in Chiang Mai? It's original mission was to to treat leprosy but with that disease being in sharp decline they have expanded their mission to include physical rehabilitation. I do not believe it is too expensive for Thai nationals receiving inpatient therapy.

http://www.mckeanhosp.com/

[namatjira]

i wish you and your girlfriends brother the best of luck, you might well not be able to restore his mobility but

if you can help with his quality of life then you have done very well indeed.....but who knows, a competent

medical evaluation will help you with your plans...again, good luck, and here is hoping for the future

[96tehtarp]

Unless you have more than 20000 baht a day to spend I strongly suggest you check with the local public hospital. His bedsores at least will be well treated under the free health scheme.

The local public hospital will definitely put the OP in touch with the best options in his province. They may even refer him to another province's regional hospital that offers better options. In short my advice to the OP is to start talking to doctors, and keep talking.

There are many solutions available. To get to them the OP will need to start talking. It really is a simple as finding a doctor who knows where the best solutions are. The doctor who knows may be in a local clinic. He'll take one look at the boy and say "Take him here." It probably won't be in Bangkok.

As harry said above, the big hi-so hospitals will offer something like a 60 day treatment program for 20k baht a day.

It seems that the OP's family are reluctant to do anything due to cultural reasons. If the OP can't talk (Thai) then he'll need to find a doctor who can speak English, or bring along a good translator in order to blast through the family's apathy. In this situation it is blasting through the family's apathy which is required, and not heaps of money.

I wish the boy luck, he's 28 and should be able to live a good and productive life without bedsores etc. and this doesn't need to cost a lot of money.

The big HI-so hospitals in Bangkok are great but they charge through the nose. Outside of Bangkok the very best doctor's work at both public and private hospitals so one often see's the same doctor at both places. BTW the govt. discovered that the administrative cost for collection of 30 baht was costing them 80 baht. They waived the fee. It's free now.

[krabimike]

I think I have some good direction. I want to thank everyone for their input and advice. I do believe that the first items on my agenda is to talk to some doctors, take his past medical records with me. I think I realize that the big step is to help the family realize that there is some things we can do and I am willing to make an effort. I suggested that we build a bathroom that is handicap usable with hot water and a self lift. But even this did not bring much interest. So I think I have a long ways to go. I do speak, read and write Thai at a intermediate level so I am going to put more effort into becoming his friend and see if we cant just do some outings. I tried the other day to get him to except a trip to the sea. even if I had to hire a van/ambulance. But his mother put the kibosh to that, so little steps. once again thanks for the info and the advice it will be put to use!

[wym]

I think first item on your agenda should be to get the mother on board.

Unless you're willing to give up your GF for the sake of her brother, unintended consequences, road to hell etc.

Start with basic simple baby steps - not expensive to pay a doctor to make a house call either.

[bina]

if u start taking the boy around (well, man, not boy) the family will surely question as to why. thai families like to keep things within families and tend to think, rightly so, mostly, that 'outsiders' want something in return either money or something else. i have found that thais really feel that someone's own business is their own (not barring gossip, but in decision making, no one will try to get someone else to stop drinking, or go back to school, or whatever, seeing it as the person's own lpersonal decision, even at an early age)... so the guy has to want to do something and HE has to convince his mom. etc etc etc.