to ambulate or not, that is the question....

hey all,
so last week on my neuro prac was very exhausting . I have been working with this left hemi pt ((R) MCA stroke)I have been working alot on improving vol mvt of LL'S ,STS and weight shift in standing. The pt has been progressing very well . Not so much emphasis has been on ambulation as it was decided that it would be better to try for the best gait pettern by attending to other impairments first rather that reinforce a faulty mvt pattern by mobilising the pt too early with a quad stick and assistance.So the decision was made to only mobilise the pt when he had adequate hip /knee extension and trunk and pelvic control. The pt was doing very well and his LL control was improving immensely but mid week the pt became very depressed and anxious and down in himself. Because he has expressive aphasiA it is very hard to understand what really is bothering hin apart from the obvious. On wednesday afternoon the pt was found by his family on the ground in the bathroon on his buttocks. He had attempted to walk to the toilet on his own and fallen. He was unhurt but it just brought home to me that it is a hard call to delay mobilisation in the sake of having the better gait pattern when it is so important to the individual themselves. We decided the next day that we would begin to mobilise (x 2 assist)and the pt has been in much better spirits and I am glad to say is doing really well with his moibility.