By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: On an evening marked by thoughtful reflection and learning, members of the Rotary Club of Johor Bahru (RCJB) gathered at the Amari Hotel for their weekly meeting, where an illuminating talk by Dr Sharon Anne Khor Keat Sim offered a rare and deeply moving glimpse into the world of neurorehabilitation — a field that quietly restores hope to lives disrupted by neurological illness and injury.

Dr Khor, a Consultant Rehabilitation Physician and Head of the Medical Rehabilitation Department at Hospital Sultan Ismail, delivered a compelling presentation that brought science, compassion and human resilience together in a way that left many in the audience profoundly moved.

Using a detailed PowerPoint presentation, Dr Khor guided the Rotarians through the complex yet hopeful journey of neurorehabilitation — the medical discipline devoted to helping patients regain function and independence after diseases or injuries affecting the brain and nervous system.

For many in the room, it was the first time hearing directly from a specialist in this field, and the session quickly evolved into an engaging dialogue as Rotarians posed questions and Dr Khor responded with clarity, insight and empathy.

Neurological disorders, she explained, remain among the leading causes of disability worldwide.

“Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is one of the major causes of death and disability globally,” she said. “In 2021 alone, there were over 20 million new cases worldwide, and it remains the leading cause of death and disability among people under the age of 45.”

Stroke, she added, poses an equally alarming challenge.

“Globally, stroke is the third leading cause of death and disability. Statistics suggest that one in four adults over the age of 25 will experience a stroke in their lifetime. In 2021, nearly 12 million new cases were recorded.”

Yet beyond the stark statistics lies the human reality — the sudden, life-altering moment when a person’s independence can vanish without warning.

“Imagine waking up in the middle of the night unable to move one side of your body,” Dr Khor told the audience, her voice measured yet powerful. “You may choke on your saliva and find yourself unable to call for help. Stroke can occur suddenly, and it reminds us how easily we take our everyday abilities for granted.”

She paused before continuing with quiet reflection.

“How fortunate we are to be able to express ourselves, swallow our food, or simply walk to the bathroom. After an injury to the brain or nerves, these ordinary functions may disappear, leaving a person completely dependent.”

It is here, she explained, that neurorehabilitation becomes a lifeline.

“Neurorehabilitation is a doctor-supervised programme designed to help individuals with diseases or injuries of the nervous system,” she said. “Its purpose is to improve function, reduce symptoms and enhance the overall well-being of the patient.”

More importantly, rehabilitation helps restore dignity and independence.

“It promotes neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to reorganise and form new connections — which allows patients to regain lost skills and prevent further physical or cognitive decline.”

Dr Khor emphasized that rehabilitation should begin as early as possible after medical stabilisation.

“In many cases, mobilisation can begin within 24 to 48 hours of hospital admission, provided there are no progressive neurological complications,” she explained.

The process, however, is often demanding and emotionally taxing.

“For someone recovering from a brain injury or stroke, even sitting upright at the edge of a bed can feel like running a marathon,” she said. “Patients may experience dizziness, fatigue and palpitations, and they require tremendous encouragement and support.”

Yet those early steps are vital.

“Early mobilisation helps reduce the risk of complications such as blood clots, pneumonia, contractures and skin breakdown,” she said. “It is the beginning of the journey toward recovery.”

Through persistent therapy, many patients gradually regain the ability to perform everyday tasks.

“With consistent training, patients can relearn essential activities like eating, dressing, bathing and walking,” she said.

Cognitive rehabilitation also plays an essential role.

“We work on improving memory, orientation, communication and executive functions,” she explained. “Repetitive auditory and visual training can improve attention, and computer-based tools — including virtual reality — are increasingly used to create immersive therapy experiences.”

In rehabilitation, repetition is key.

“As the saying goes, practice makes perfect,” she noted with a smile. “High-dose repetitive task practice — up to three hours a day, five days a week — can significantly improve outcomes.”

Equally important is ensuring that therapy remains meaningful to the patient.

“Functional recovery is stronger when the task is relevant to the patient’s life. We aim to help them do more, do it faster, and do it better.”

Dr Khor also highlighted the importance of teamwork in rehabilitation.

“Holistic rehabilitation requires a multidisciplinary team,” she said. “This includes rehabilitation physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and specialised nurses.”

Each patient’s programme, she stressed, must be tailored to their individual needs.

“We work closely with patients to establish short-term, intermediate and long-term goals that are realistic and motivating. Understanding what drives a patient — their hobbies, passions and aspirations — is an important part of the process.”

While the journey can be long and demanding, the rewards are deeply meaningful.

“It takes experience, patience and passion,” she reflected. “But there is nothing more fulfilling than witnessing a patient regain independence after months of hard work.”

As the evening drew to a close, Rotarians expressed appreciation for a talk that had opened their eyes to a field of medicine often hidden behind hospital walls.

For Dr Sharon Anne Khor, however, the message was simple yet powerful.

“Do not despair,” she said gently. “Even after devastating neurological injury, there is hope. Rehabilitation allows patients to look beyond the darkness and rebuild their lives.”

And in that quiet promise of recovery, she reminded the audience that healing is not merely about medicine — but about restoring the human spirit itself.