Team

Experience & Activities

Pretoria rehabilitation specialist Janine Botha acknowledges that she is “not extremely friendly” at 3am.

While achieving a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) qualification, she always knew that she wanted to work in an environment that did not require so many nighttime duties.

“I applied for a position in rehab straight after doing my community service,” says Janine.

Student for life

“What I did not expect was that the inspiring patients and team members would lure me into a lifetime of learning and growing.”

Janine, a mom to a 20-year-old daughter and year-old Staffie, enjoys the dynamics of working in a team exploring holistic management options.

The Basic and Intermediate trainer for Rehab Skills Lab says with patients spending so many hours in a wheelchair, seating is everything.

“If you don’t get the seating right, you are probably wasting many of your therapy inputs.”

Doctor in the house

As a doctor, Janine brings a different perspective to the discipline and, as such, offers a more holistic approach.

“It is never only about the seating in my courses.”

The 49-year-old also revels in the lighter moments of her profession.

One of her most memorable involves a physiotherapist and a spinocerebellar ataxia patient.

“The physio explained to the patient that his spinal cord worked like a telephone cable from his brain to his legs, and the cord had been damaged to the extent that the message could not get through to his legs.

“The patient listened quietly and intently and responded softly, “But Miss, my house does not have a telephone.”

Communication is key

As humorous as these anecdotes are, she believes they also carry many lessons.

The physio-patient interaction in this instance, for example, serves a reminder that, even with the best intentions, the intended communication is not always what the other person understands.

“I strive to meet my audience where they are during all training.”