Werner David G. – Multiple Sclerosis
Patient Story: How Multiple Sclerosis (MS) gave me new meaning in life
Werner David W. from Graz, Austria is a qualified primary school teacher and children’s book author. And he has Multiple Sclerosis – approximately since he was ten years old.
In an interview, Werner David told us how the disease has changed his life, about the new vocation he has found as a result of his MS diagnosis, and how he integrates robotic technology into long-term rehabilitation.
New vocation as a children’s book author
The children’s book “Wilfried, der einsame Stern” (Wilfried, the Lonely Star) was a way for Werner David to give his feelings a meaningful outlet. “Because of the MS disease I often felt very lonely. I then asked myself what is the loneliest thing in the universe. A star is so far away from everything, that must be the loneliest thing.“, Werner David said in an interview about the origin of his book.
The children’s book is a touching story about friendship and loneliness which aims to show children that loneliness doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.
The disease with a thousand faces
Talking to Werner David, it becomes clear that has been through a lot. He was diagnosed with MS at the age of 18, but he had likely already been suffering from the chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease for several years.
Like other autoimmune diseases, MS causes the body to turn against itself. The immune system attacks the body’s own structures and destroys them as if they were harmful pathogens. As a result, the brain can no longer transmit movement impulses to the body, or they cannot be transmitted correctly.
People with MS experience paralysis, loss of coordination, or painful muscle cramps, among other things. MS typically takes a relapsing remitting form. The degree of disease activity is different for each patient. It is for this reason that MS is also referred to as the disease with a thousand faces.
Robotic equipment in long-term treatment of MS
In Werner David’s case, the disease mainly affects his lower limbs. He has been in a wheelchair for ten years.
Robotic equipment like the OMEGO Plus helps him with his rehabilitation. During inpatient as well as outpatient therapy, he often uses the bicycle function: “Even though I can no longer move my legs myself, the assistive therapy on the Omego Plus allows me to ride a bike again.”
Therapy for foot drop
Werner David also uses the foot lift function on the Omego Plus in his therapy to address foot drop. Even though he is in a wheelchair, the training provides health benefits for him.
By mobilizing his legs and ankles with Omego Plus, he is able to:
- train his endurance
- prevent muscle atrophy
- stimulate cardiovascular system and metabolism
- preserve mobility
- build muscle strenght
- improve joint care
- reduce risk of thrombosis
In addition, the areas of the brain that are responsible for controlling the movement are specifically stimulated.
Don’t let negative thoughts get the upper hand
During difficult periods, it helps Werner David to focus on what’s going on in his thoughts when they’re going round and round: “It’s not about always thinking positively. That’s simply not possible. Negative thoughts come up from time to time. It’s important to accept negative thoughts and not allow them to take over. That way, I always find my way back to a positive attitude to life.”
We wish Werner David continued success with his rehabilitation and look forward to many more great children’s books!
Author: Michaela Partel
Sources:
Website Werner David Wiechenthaler
Images: Werner David Wiechenthaler
