The moment when the person can live life again.
Professor Emeritus, University of Tsukuba,
Katsuko Kamiya
In Japan alone there are tens of thousands of patients who were categorized as never to recover. Because patients show very little indication of recovery, and no establishment of methodology available to heal those patients.
However, I would like you to know that there are some safe programs available which improve the quality of a patient’s life. They were carefully planned by the (medical) professionals.
There are various levels in a range of different programs. And due to these programs more patients have been recovering.
If a person is able to eat, move about in a wheelchair, excrete regularly, and communicate by some method, then I think this is the moment when that person can live life again.
I hope that these programs become generally accepted and more people will be able to recover. I also hope that medical professionals and the general public get to know the methods so that they can help these patients to recover.
Katsuko Kamiya
Profile
She has always been nursing and studying impaired consciousness patients. In 1991 at the Japan Society of Nursing Research, she has advocated change to make the provision that impaired consciousness patients should be called “Multi Impaired for Activities of Daily Living” in nursing science.
In 1992 NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) broadcast a special documentary program called “I Would Like to Hear Your Voice – the Vegetative State Patients’ Challenge to Come Back”. The nursing activities, which were introduced in the program, attracted not only medical and nursing professionals but also the general public. It showed that the excellent results were due to good nursing practice.
In 1993, she received the 27th Eiji Yoshikawa Cultural Award for excellent nursing achievement towards impaired consciousness patients.
In 2006, she received “Person of Merit Award for Promoting Barrier Free Life” from the government, for activities with “Aomori Nebuta (Festival) with Carer”.
The NHK’s special program in 1992 “I Would Like to Hear Your Voice – the Vegetative State Patients’ Challenge to Come Back” is still in many people’s memory after 20 years because of her excellent nursing activities and results.
In addition, in 2009 NHK broadcast another special documentary “Can You Hear Me? Come Back from the Vegetative State”. It has shown the world that it is possible for the “vegetative state” patients, who have not received positive treatment in the past, to recover if they were treated with a new approach.
Her appearance in those two documentaries and her unique nursing program are giving comatose patients and their families new hope.
Prof Katsuko Kamiya’s Publications
- Watashi no Kango Noto (My Nursing Notes), Igaku Shoin, 1993.
- Quality of Life – Iryo Shinjigen no Sozo (Creation of the New Medical Dimension): Shigeaki Hinohara (ed), Medical Review, 1996. PP. 26-34.
- Kiso Kango-gaku – Jissen Kango Gijutsu Gakushu- Shien Tekisuto (Basic Nursing – Nursing Practice Learning Skills Support Text): Midori Kawashima (ed). Jiritsu no Tame no Ido Enjo Gijutsu (Movement Support Skills Aiming for Independence), 1999, pp. 177-193.
- Watashi-tachi no Kango Kanri Jissen (Our Nursing Management Practice): Katsuko Kamiya & Chouko Sumiyoshi, Igaku Shoin, 2000.
- Naashingu Baiomekanikusu Jiritsu no Tame no Seikatsu Shien Gijutu (Nursing Biomechanics, Life Support Skills Aiming for Independence) VTR 3 Series, Chuou Houki Shuppan, 2002.
- Kango-sha ga Ninau Ishiki Shogai Kanja no Kea (Nursing for Impaired Consciousness Patients Care): Katsuko Kamiya (ed), Medica Shuppan, 2004, pp. 17-43.
- Naashingu Baiomekanikusu ni Motoduku Jiritsu no Tame no Seikatsu Shien Gijutu (Based on Nursing Biomechanics, Life Support Skills Aiming for Independence) Second Printing, Nursing Science Academy, 2006.
- Naashingu Baiomekanikusu ni Motoduku Jiritsu no Tame no Seikatsu Shien Gijutu (Based on Nursing Biomechanics, Life Support Skills Aiming for Independence) Third Printing, Nursing Science Academy, 2010.
Book Log Website:
http://booklog.jp/users/katuko-kamiya