Rehabilitation: Caring for Both Body and Mind

Chunichi Shimbun Morning Edition, April 28, 2006

The film Born on the Fourth of July (1990, USA) portrays a returning soldier who was born on America’s Independence Day.

The protagonist, played by Tom Cruise, is driven by patriotism and a sense of duty to volunteer for service in Vietnam. However, he loses a close friend in battle and suffers a spinal cord injury himself, leaving him confined to a wheelchair. Upon returning home during a time of widespread anti-war sentiment, he is met with cold stares and alienation.

He begins to suffer from PTSD—post-traumatic stress disorder—with symptoms such as nightmares, insomnia, flashbacks, despair, and depression. To numb the pain, he turns to alcohol and sex. After much inner turmoil, he eventually listens to the advice of a friend, accepts his disability, and throws himself into the anti-war movement, determined not to let others repeat his mistakes.

For someone who was once healthy, becoming disabled later in life is a tremendous challenge. Many fall into despair, constantly regret the past, or even contemplate suicide.

But if they have someone to support them, or find a purpose for living, the possibility of recovery, rebirth, and renewal emerges.

Watching this film reminded me of Mr. K.

He was a cheerful and energetic university student. During summer vacation in his third year, he went to the beach with friends after a group date. Wanting to impress his girlfriend, he dove into the sea from a three-meter-high rock, severely injuring his lower back and damaging his lumbar spine. From that day forward, he could no longer walk on his own and needed assistance with everything—going to the bathroom, changing clothes, even bathing.

Despite this, Mr. K accepted his disability, endured the grueling rehabilitation, never gave up on his studies, completed an excellent graduation thesis, and secured a position at a cutting-edge company on his own merit.

What was it that supported him through all of this? The way people come to terms with their disabilities and the journey toward emotional healing differ from person to person. If medical care can properly address both the body and the mind, then we can hope to see more people, like Mr. K, achieve true rehabilitation.