CSP Founder’s Lecture 2024: 'Hands behind! Nose over toes!', says Michael Rosen

Giving the CSP Founder’s Lecture 2024 at the annual conference in the Manchester Central Convention Centre today he explained how, after being admitted to hospital with coronavirus, he was put into an induced coma and spent six weeks on a ventilator.

His doctor gave him a 50-50 chance of survival, he said.

‘In June 2020, I was so deconditioned from 47 days in intensive care, that I couldn't stand up, let alone walk.'

Thanking delegates, he said: 'I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, or at most I'd just be lying in bed.'

His talk focused on this time and after, and on what he learned during his time in hospital and throughout his recovery period.

Michael also read from a diary of entries written by physios and other allied health professionals of their observations and personal messages while he was in a coma.

In three weeks at St Pancras Rehabilitation Centre, the physiotherapists and occupational therapists there taught me to walk - and much more

At the rehab hospital a physio and an occupational health therapist said they'd get him up walking within three weeks. 'I didn't believe them. I learnt to walk when I was one. I learnt to walk when I was 17 after a car accident. I'm learning it again now I'm 74. Three times - it seems a bit excessive.'

The physio gave him a row of balloons to throw. 'I try, but they were too heavy. Every day was "Stand up. Hands behind! Nose over toes".'

They gave me a stick, I call it Sticky McStickstick, it helps me walk but then a physio says I've become "stick reliant" so I had to throw away Sticky McStickstick.'

Michael’s children's book Sticky McStickstick is dedicated to all the physiotherapists, OTs and medical staff who helped him get better.

'It is a tribute to you folks, it's all about how you taught me to walk.

'OTs and physios taught me how to own my own body, how to listen to it, how to learn from it, how to work it so that it can work.'

The CSP is leading calls for improved rehab and recovery provision, working with more than 60 professions and patient bodies to campaign for patient access to services in each UK country.

CSP report raises awareness of health inequities in rehabilitation and recovery services

The publication of the Intermediate Care Framework and new model for community rehab in September 2023 from NHS England was a landmark moment for rehab within the NHS in England.