State Sen. Bo Watson raised his clenched fists in mock frustration as he tried to convey without words where he earned his physical therapy degree.
Simulating the communication barriers that can burden stroke victims, the Hixson Republican - alongside a half-dozen other local decisionmakers - spent his lunch Wednesday "adopting a disability" at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital.
In honor of National Rehabilitation Week, the hospital's leaders invited community members to abide by certain limitations for the course of a lunch and a therapy session afterward.
"People take their daily activities for granted," said Ashley Ham, occupational therapist with HealthSouth.
Assuming a disability and trying to accomplish even simple tasks, such as eating, can be eye-opening, she said.
Participants were all wheeled into the therapy room in wheelchairs. They were assigned disabilities such as amputated limbs following an accident, difficulty swallowing after a stroke and limited use of the torso.
"It's nice to see these guys willing to do it," said HealthSouth CEO and Administrator Scott Rowe. "I don't know if they knew what they were getting into."
INPATIENT PHYSICAL REHAB SERVICES* HealthSouth Chattanooga Rehabilitation Hospital* Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation* Kindred Hospital
Rowe said National Rehabilitation Week gives rehab facilities the chance to recognize employees who help give patients back their independence, as well as to spread awareness about what it's like to live with a disability.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chancellor Roger Brown was asked to eat his lunch as if his left arm and left leg were broken. Brown struggled to cut up his food without being able to use a knife and fork.
The chancellor said he hopes to better understand the needs of more than 800 students at UTC who have disabilities. In the past, he's also participated in an "adopt-a-disability" event at UTC in which he used a wheelchair for a day.
"I need to understand those who depend upon the services of the university for success," he said. "I want to understand from their point of view."
Contact Emily Bregel at ebregel@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6467.