Dr. Natalia’s Inspiring Journey into Massage Therapy and Disability Care.
Part 1
The ambulance service in the United States differs significantly from that in Ukraine. In the U.S., most ambulances are staffed by highly trained paramedics or EMTs, while in Ukraine, doctors often provide these vital services. Dr. Natalia was once an ambulance doctor who delivered life-saving assistance to those in dire circumstances.
One time the ambulance she was working in was called to an automobile accident. She resuscitated an 18-year-old man who was severely injured. Four months later she encountered the man she had saved. His mother was pushing him in a wheelchair. His pelvis was severely damaged from the accident and he needed rehabilitation. Seeing this caused Dr. Natalia to think beyond saving people and intrigued her about the rehabilitation required after traumatic injuries.
She was curious and wanted to know more. But at that time, there was no internet, so she relied on books to educate herself.
When her son was born, he was premature, had anemia, and a problem with his central nervous system. The knowledge she acquired through reading books helped her understand the treatment required for his recovery. This experience with her son made her even more interested in rehabilitation.
During her medical school journey, Dr. Natalia was fortunate to have a mentor who ignited her passion for lifelong learning. He encouraged her to explore the vast field of medicine and continually refine her skills. Inspired by his wisdom, she embraced this challenge with enthusiasm.
Among the many rehabilitation disciplines she explored, one truly captured her heart: therapeutic massage.
Dr. Natalia launched her massage therapy practice in a modest room rented from an older man living in a two-room apartment. The limited space posed significant challenges, and she often found conducting her sessions in clients’ homes more effective. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Natalia remained determined. She primarily worked with adults because they had the financial means to afford her services.
Mark frequently visited a local computer café. Back in 2004, when most people could not afford personal computers, the café served as a place for coffee, snacks, sending and receiving emails, and surfing the internet. One day, while at the café, Mark spoke with the manager, who mentioned that she had been seeing a massage therapist to help alleviate her aching back. She had been experiencing good results. Mark, who had suffered a brain injury from a car accident in his childhood, was also struggling with acute muscle tension in his shoulders and neck. This was exacerbated by the stress of moving to Ukraine. During one visit, Mark asked the manager for the therapist’s name and contact information. The manager agreed and provided Mark with Dr. Natalia’s phone number.
Since Mark did not speak Ukrainian, he arranged a meeting with Dr. Natalia through his translator, Ira. At his first appointment, Dr. Natalia doubted the success of the treatment due to his age but agreed to try her best. After three months, Mark experienced significant improvement; his shoulders felt less tense, and he had a greater range of motion in his neck. Dr. Natalia was surprised by these results.
One day, on his way to a massage appointment, Mark received a message that he believed was from God. The message conveyed, “If your results have been this good, imagine how beneficial this could be for children with disabilities. You should start a massage clinic serving disadvantaged children. I will guide you.”
Astounded by the message, Mark decided to undertake this mission. He planned to speak with Dr. Natalia about the opportunity. However, he wondered: Would she believe this message from God? Would she be willing to help? Would this be his first successful step or lead to disappointment?
Part 2 coming soon…
