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What
a week!
Nathan
Farrugia, rehabilitation services manager at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija,
tells Zillah Bugeja about the day-to-day running of the Iasis
Wellbeing and Fitness centre
Monday
I'm up at abut 7am, get dressed, have a coffee. I don't normally
have breakfast, even though I believe it's important and I preach
as much, I'm just so rushed in the morning. I'm at work by 8.30,
after a journey of 20 minutes.
I started off dealing with problems that arose the night before,
even though I'm normally here till closing time.
A lot of the work is troubleshooting.
My job is to raise money for the Razzett by creating direct revenue,
rather than soliciting donations. One way I do this is through
physiotherapy. Having been interested in sport, physiotherapy
came naturally, when we studied anatomy I already had a good idea
what muscles are and how they worked. I'm the PRO for the Malta
Association of Physiotherapists, we are trying to increase awareness
of physiotherapy as a profession and of its uses. It's often a
last resort after clients reach a stage where nothing else has
worked. It can be of benefit when used as a preventative measure
rather than just as a cure.
I enjoy it, the patients are a break in the day, in fact I'm so
busy I've had to employ another physiotherapist. Since January
this year, I was appointed by the Malta Olympic Committee to supply
sports massage and therapy services to all natinal athletes, including
the team sports., in preparation for the Small Nations Games.
So I'm bringing them here to the Razzett.
The Razzett also organises a swimming school for children on Saturdays
and Wednesdays. There are PE lessons and basketball for school
kids where the school does not have the facilities, Skola Sport,
membership to the gym and swimming pool and fitness programmes
to go with membership. All the money goes towards the disability
programmes, whatever may be needed. We're doing well, considering
that this was a new idea and was started from scratch. Obviously
a place like this needs a lot of money to run.
I had 18 patients, above average, had lunch from somewhere nearby,
as healthy as possible, and worked till 8.30pm. then I went to
basketball training.
In the evening, my wife Deirdre and I went to Four Seasons in
B'kara for a quiet drink.
Tuesday
A relaxed day, considering. I had about nine patients, mostly
back injuries, which is the main complaint of the general public.
Bad posture is the biggest cause of back injury – it is mostly
a build-up of strain. Then when you lift something or play a sport,
it's the last straw that broke the camel's back. I use hydrotherapy
and hands-on mobilisation, manipulating the joints to try and
put everything back in place. It's gentle, and gets better results
I think than using electric impulses. The last treatment session
is geared toward injury prevention, and that's when I give a series
of exercises, ideally done every day or when discomfort is felt.
As a tip. I'd advise anyone to see that their chair at work has
a forward tilt, and the computer monitor should always be directly
in front of you.
Went to training in the evening. It limbers me up and I feel better
the next day – even if I don't feel like it I know how much
better it will make me feel. It's imperative that you get some
form of exercise in life, because often your back is stuck in
one position.
Back home and watched a video. I'd rather watch something that
doesn't require concentration. This is the only thing Deirdre
and I argue about, because I'd love to see a good punch-up movie.
If it's a romantic one, her choice, I fall asleep half way.
Talking of romance, earlier on I popped into Gallarija to buy
a present for my wife for Valentine's.
Wednesday
I had a problem because the aerobics instructor was sick, so the
morning was spent on the phone to find a replacement. Most of
the managers at fitness clubs are friends of mine, and there was
no difficulty in one of them helping me out – especially
seeing as we are in totally different locations.
I'm working on a major fundraising activity for the Razzett, it's
the BUPA fitness competition where each fitness club can send
six top athletes to compete in a circuit of events. It'll be interesting
for individuals to see how fit they are, there will be a lot of
cardiovascular work, and it won't be easy. I'm not entering, it's
too tough!
In the afternoon I worked on reports for the MOC doctors so that
they can see how their athletes are doing. Reports are imperative
so that coaches can change training according to progress. Being
Valentine's Day I didn't go to training. Deirdre's friends got
together and cooked a meal for eight of us. It was good fun, good
wine and good company, as they say.
Thursday
An eventful day. An athlete needed emergency treatment and we
ordered a brace for him from the States.
I had a meeting out of the office with one of the sponsors for
the fitness competition. The time was spent writing articles and
keeping up with PR.
I have very responsible staff in the pool and fitness rooms and
they are experienced with dealing with problems as they arise.
The pool is kept at 31 degrees Celsius, any higher and you risk
a lot of bacteria. It's a hydrotherapy pool which means warmer
water and less chlorine with access available for those in wheelchairs.
Also the depth increases gradually to 1.9 metres.
Next Sunday there'll be a scuba experience going on here, a chance
for anyone wanting to do a course this summer to try it in a safe
and comfortable environment.
I went to training after work, that includes running and drills
followed by a game. I used to play with Rabat, we won the league
three times, the training level was too high for me to keep up
with. I decided to take it easy. Something has to give. This team,
Siggiewi, has high morale, they are all young and next year will
be a challenge to any of the top teams. I'll be able to train
harder and more often when things quieten down at work.
10.30pm I had a quick read of my Tom Clancy novel, Without Remorse.
He's my favourite author but I need a break between his books,
they're so involving. I read a book every two weeks, I'm a speed
reader, that's the only way I could have got through university…
I also like to read religious stuff, seeing how religions compare
with each other. The Dalai Lama's books are intriguing, he's one
of my favourites.
Friday
In the morning I coached one of the basketball teams. We had eight-year-olds
from St Dorothy's. I enjoy it because it gets me out of the office,
it's not normally my job but I had to replace one of the staff
members. The children don't behave, but then they're not expected
to, are they! They are more receptive if they are having fun.
We play on a half court, much more interesting.
Sport has helped me a lot in life, it got me back on track whenever
I had a problem, because it's a stress reliever. You also make
a lot of friends through sport because you find out how people
really are, how they react under stress. I had four best men at
my wedding, plus my brother, all friends I made through sport.
It was a straightforward day. I had patients every half hour in
the evening. Normally I'd go out to Paceville on a Friday. That
evening we were invited to my sister-in-law's for a curry, it
was great. We had to pick up Deirdre's parents from the airport.
They came in at 1.30, and could smell the curry on our breaths
before they landed! We took them home, unwrapped presents and
finally got to sleep at 4am!
Saturday
We were woken up rudely at 7am by our neighbours who are doing
work on their house. So once we were up, we decided to do some
shopping.
I came into work in the afternoon, did some accounts, played a
basketball game which left me knackered – we lost in the
last minute, it had been close.
I've been playing for the past 13 years, so I'm used to winning
and losing, but the young ones take it more to heart. After the
game the team and partners all went out to Sun Rise Inn in Swieqi
for chicken burgers – we all avoided beef. It was very relaxed.
Went home early because I had to get up early the following day.
Sunday
8am, up and shaved to get to the TV studio for 9.30am. It was
a ten minute promotional slot on Tista' Tkun Int for the Razzett,
when I was explaining what we were doing here and the upcoming
events, especially the fitness competition.
In the afternoon, my father came with me to our place in Balzan
we're building, in order to plan the electricity. Dad is an expert
in this field. I put all the plans on the computer, which took
me an afternoon.
My brother came over and we played on Playstation 2, yeah I got
myself a new one, the Ice Hockey game I think.
In the evening Deirdre cooked pasta with artichoke and chicken
sauce, one of our favourites. I rarely cook, but when I do I try
and do something different.
To round up the day, I did some reading and then spent the evening
cuddling up!
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