Student Blog

A Weekend Away ⟩
November 27, 2012, by Paula

School/Life Balance What are OS/OT?

Last weekend, I was able to take a break from the normal school and work schedule and go to one of my favorite places: San Luis Obispo. The weekend was so refreshing being able to engage in some of my most valued occupations and spend time with family and friends. I went to my favorite coffee shop and worked on letters for family and friends (this is a lost art, I encourage you each to try writing letters again — they are so much more personal than emails and texts 😉), was able to share special dinners with close friends, hiked some of the most beautiful coastal lines I have seen and was able to just relax in the presence of loved ones.

While I was there, I was also able to spend time with the family who first introduced me to Occupational Therapy. When I was in college, I took a part time job taking care of a little boy who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is a neuromuscular disease which specifically involves the individual’s motor neuron function and results in muscle weakness and atrophy. Seeing the effect that occupational therapy services had on the little guy’s physical health and overall self efficacy was incredible to me and so I started volunteering at the outpatient clinic where he had his appointments. This family has become family to me and I am inspired by the experiences and frustrations I have shared with them in the struggles to receive necessary services and equipment. The thing is, this is a family full of innovative OTs. They are constantly modifying the environment to be more comfortable, accessible and supportive of their son’s success in the world. Despite the frustrations, they continue to keep a positive attitude and use the opportunities they have to educate care providers and other families of the approaches that work for them in caring for their child and allowing him to be a kid, regardless of the label of disability which is often placed on him. Currently, this little guy’s goals are to convince Santa to bring him a dog and a Wii U gaming system for Christmas.  😊 Read more about SMA.

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Cancer Can’t Catch Caryn ⟩
November 27, 2012, by Amber

Community

It’s challenging being a graduate student. The constant demands of schoolwork can become overwhelming at times. Now imagine doing it with cancer. My classmate and friend Caryn is fighting Hodgkin’s lymphoma and has been undergoing chemotherapy for the past two months. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for her to continue with life as usual. Yet Caryn shows up to class every day with a smile and infectious laugh. She continues to excel academically, conquering midterms and continuing her role as Co-President of our honor society. She is even training for a half marathon in January, raising money to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

To say Caryn is an inspiration is an understatement. So after learning that she shaved her head this weekend, the occupational therapy class of 2013 mobilized a response. On Monday, every single member of our class of 130 people wore hats or scarves in a show of love and support for our friend. It was incredibly touching and more than a few tears were shed. We will continue to support Caryn in any way that we can while she continues her fight!

Read Caryn’s cancer blog.

Fight On, Caryn!

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Last day of fieldwork ⟩
November 27, 2012, by Alisa

Fieldwork What are OS/OT?

I had just finished my last Level I fieldwork. The last day we bought the staff donuts, and all was good. As I reflect on my fieldwork experience, some of the highlights were helping to create a gratitude tree and helping clients and staff to reflect on what they are thankful, coordinating The Price is Right trip as a fundraiser for the organization, and helping clients create resume. There is no doubt that a resume is important; we are often judged by what’s on paper even before we get a chance at an interview. I feel that I’ve empowered my clients to believe in themselves, identify their strengths and work experience, and pretty much sell themselves on paper. Some of clients that I worked with told me: “I’m going to go home and frame the resume” and “I want ten copies of the resume, and I’m gonna post them up everywhere.” I could tell that I’ve helped them achieve a certain level of satisfaction and to be able to have a physical copy of our work gave it more meaning to them. Their hard work have amounted to something tangible, my present to them.

At first I wasn’t sure where I would fit it to the setting since there are no occupational therapists at the site, but as time passed by, I learned to be helpful and take more initiative. I didn’t mind being a generalist, helping out around the office and mingling with clients in the lounge. There’s something about hearing people stories that fascinate me. I am helping them engage in occupational storytelling, reflecting on their past and current occupations, in order to better understand and help them create a new occupational identity. Specifically to this site, clients are working toward education/employment. Occupational therapists can work with this population in order to facilitate that, and I feel that I’ve learned a lot from this site. It has made me better understand the client population, who has a diagnosis of mental health disorder and substance abuse disorder, and feel more equipped to work with them. I could see myself working in mental health. What about you? Which population do you see yourself working with?

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Alisa Goes to Ohio ⟩
November 27, 2012, by Alisa

Getting Involved

I don’t get to travel a lot, but I’ve gotten the opportunity to travel across the country a few weeks ago! The Division generously supported a selected number of students to attend the AOTA/NBCOT Student Conclave in Ohio, Columbus in November. I got to learn about the culture and realized the power of OTs. We are unstoppable! Being at the same place as 500 other OT/OTA students provided a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and learn from each other. As a student ambassador, I also tabled at the USC booth and met many students who expressed interest in doing the MA/OTD/PHD programs. I also met an USC OT alum who graduated in the ‘70s and is now a professor at another university. It was also encouraging to see students in their undergraduate programs just starting to think about graduate school.

I realized that wherever I go, education is always going to be part of what I do. The conference area had businesses that are open to non-conference goers too. I met a group of guys at Einstein Bagels who thought that it was a women’s conference. I chuckled and corrected that this is an occupational therapy conference. He looked at me and said, “What’s that?” I then explained to him, “Occupation as in how you occupy your time. How do you like to occupy your time?” He said he fights, and he is here visiting Columbus to support his friend in a fight competition.  I educated him by saying, “Imagine one day if you can’t fight anymore, you might see an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists can help you get back to what you’re doing before and live life to the fullest.” He then replied, “That’s very specific.” We exchanged a few more remarks and parted ways, but it made me realize that wherever I go, I take the opportunity to educate people about the profession. I believe in the profession, that we can make a difference in people’s lives and improve their quality of life. It is then also our responsibility to spread awareness about occupational therapy. Let’s all work toward the Centennial Vision to help make occupational therapy “widely recognized” and “globally connected.” One way to achieve it is by talking to the person next to you while waiting in line at the grocery store, the bus stop, or a coffee shop. Who knows where the conversation could lead you? What has been your experience with educating people about occupational therapy?

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The Diversity of Occupational Therapy ⟩
November 19, 2012, by Amber

What are OS/OT?

Today in my Health Promotion and Wellness class we had a guest lecture from Alix Sleight, a doctoral program resident at our faculty practice. She has focused her studies on the role of occupational therapists in hospice care. Hospice is care that is designed to support patients and their families at the end of life. Care can be provided in the patient’s home, at a freestanding facility, or in a hospital unit. It was very interesting to hear about this type of care, as there are not many occupational therapists currently working in this area of practice. As part of an interdisciplinary team, an occupational therapist can help the patient by affirming life (maintaining independence and comfort) and preparing for death (wrapping up affairs, mending relationships). Interventions can include coping strategies for decline, stress and anxiety management, energy conservation, adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, caregiver education, advocacy, to name a few. Alix did a wonderful job addressing spirituality and the importance of addressing this topic with our patients. The majority of hospice patients are older adults, so the lecture was of particular interest to me. The practice area I’m most interested in is geriatrics, so it was wonderful to learn about this critical period in their lives and how I can help facilitate a peaceful transition.

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