I'm back from my brief blogging hiatus. I'm going to attempt to make it a more regular thing from this point on. Summer has officially begun and one of my coworkers, a Level II fieldwork student advised me to use this summer as my chance to spend as much time with my friends and family as possible... apparently once September comes around, my life will be taken over by textbooks and therapy clinics. (Which I am extremely excited about. Yes, I'm a nerd). So I've been doing just that- I went on a vacation to Baltimore/DC with my dad, I've caught up with a few college friends and previous coworkers, and I've made a few really awesome new friends at my job. There's really nothing more incredible than meeting people who share your interests, values, and especially your passion for learning.
As far as my OT life these days- Two recreational therapists from our long-term care program asked me if I'd be interested in helping them start up a type of community integration group with a few higher level residents. We'd get them involved in planning and implementing their own outings. For example if they decided they wanted to see a movie, they'd need to check for times, prices and location, they'd need to tell their therapist if they were going to miss therapy, etc. Hopefully this idea will be put into action... I'll have to get on that!
I'll write more soon. I need some sleep!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Today I had a really cool experience and discovered a branch of rehab that shares a lot of connections with OT. This afternoon I was invited on an outing with a recreation therapist, and two of our brain injured residents. It was a beautiful day so we went to the boardwalk at Seaside Heights.
The major lessons I learned today were about patience and accessibility. I am reminded over and over again how our society is set up for people with a lot of mobility and not for people with physical limitations. For people with physical or mental disabilities, every aspect of life takes a little more planning, problem-solving and patience.
I took one of the patients into an arcade to play some games. Not one game in the place was set up for easy accessibility for a customer that needs to use a wheelchair. Sure, the chairs under the slot machines were able to be moved, but the metal bases were so heavy that even I struggled to move them over so she could reach the game. After the arcade we went for pizza... which should be an easy thing to get at Seaside considering every other shop is a pizzeria. I took a look into a few of them and realized that the tables or isles were much too close together to fit the patients chair through. I finally found one that would fit her comfortably and safely. I have been taught that as therapists, our job is to give our patients all of the options of the norm, but I now see how difficult it can be for disabled people to have these options if the environment doesn't allow for it. Luckily, the environment is a factor that can be changed... although it's not always that simple to tell a business to remove some tables and widen the isles to accommodate handicapped people. We still have a long way to go in terms of disability rights... more than I ever thought.
The major lessons I learned today were about patience and accessibility. I am reminded over and over again how our society is set up for people with a lot of mobility and not for people with physical limitations. For people with physical or mental disabilities, every aspect of life takes a little more planning, problem-solving and patience.
I took one of the patients into an arcade to play some games. Not one game in the place was set up for easy accessibility for a customer that needs to use a wheelchair. Sure, the chairs under the slot machines were able to be moved, but the metal bases were so heavy that even I struggled to move them over so she could reach the game. After the arcade we went for pizza... which should be an easy thing to get at Seaside considering every other shop is a pizzeria. I took a look into a few of them and realized that the tables or isles were much too close together to fit the patients chair through. I finally found one that would fit her comfortably and safely. I have been taught that as therapists, our job is to give our patients all of the options of the norm, but I now see how difficult it can be for disabled people to have these options if the environment doesn't allow for it. Luckily, the environment is a factor that can be changed... although it's not always that simple to tell a business to remove some tables and widen the isles to accommodate handicapped people. We still have a long way to go in terms of disability rights... more than I ever thought.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
I'm really excited that my blog has already gone international! Thanks to my newfound OT's in New Zealand for checking me out and leaving comments. It's going to be so interesting to see how blogs and web journals will help in our profession, especially on a global level. Links are posted on the right!
I know this is way too early to talk about, and I have no intention of limiting my education by any means- but it's going to be cool to see where I "end up" in the OT field. One thing that attracted me to OT is that the possibilities and opportunities are really endless. I can work with kids, adults, or elderly adults. I can work with brain injury, sensory integration, orthopedics, mental health, assistive technology, education, research... it goes on and on.
Although I have a lot more to see out there, I find myself being drawn to brain injury and stroke patients in particular. Their recovery fascinates me the most because it's so variable on so many levels. Nothing is ever exactly the same from patient to patient and the OT needs to engage in every system of the person to see the best outcome possible. Not only must an OT have an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise to help their patient physically, but it's essential that they also have empathy and compassion for the PERSON they are treating.
I've studied psychology for the past four years, and I can really see it's significance when I observe people with strokes (or any other disease or injury, for that matter!). To many patients, it's a tragedy. It's a terrifying, confusing tragedy. I can't even imagine not being able to understand what people are telling me, or even worse, not be able to express what I need. I encountered my first experience with Global Aphasia today where the patient couldn't express or comprehend spoken language. Sometimes I see patients cry, sometimes I notice that they are frustrated and angry, and oftentimes they are scared about what has happened to them. I see now how important it is for a therapist to allow their patient to acknowledge their emotions. We need to let (or even encourage) our patients to express how they are feeling inside. Emotions are what make us real. Sometimes all we need to do is extend a compassionate hand to hold, and pass over the tissues.
~~~
In other news, I received the Graduate Assistantship. :) It will cover 1/3 of my tuition bill, which is fabulous. It's going to be a lot of work and is a huge time commitment. I'm in for one busy year! 17 more weeks!
~~~~
I received some great quotes that I found inspirational:
Keep away from people
who try to belittle your ambitions.
Small people always do that,
but the really great make you feel
that you, too, can become great.
- Mark Twain
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ Ghandi
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. ~ William James
If I can truly make a difference in just one person's life,
within my lifetime, my life would not have been in vain. ~unknown
I know this is way too early to talk about, and I have no intention of limiting my education by any means- but it's going to be cool to see where I "end up" in the OT field. One thing that attracted me to OT is that the possibilities and opportunities are really endless. I can work with kids, adults, or elderly adults. I can work with brain injury, sensory integration, orthopedics, mental health, assistive technology, education, research... it goes on and on.
Although I have a lot more to see out there, I find myself being drawn to brain injury and stroke patients in particular. Their recovery fascinates me the most because it's so variable on so many levels. Nothing is ever exactly the same from patient to patient and the OT needs to engage in every system of the person to see the best outcome possible. Not only must an OT have an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise to help their patient physically, but it's essential that they also have empathy and compassion for the PERSON they are treating.
I've studied psychology for the past four years, and I can really see it's significance when I observe people with strokes (or any other disease or injury, for that matter!). To many patients, it's a tragedy. It's a terrifying, confusing tragedy. I can't even imagine not being able to understand what people are telling me, or even worse, not be able to express what I need. I encountered my first experience with Global Aphasia today where the patient couldn't express or comprehend spoken language. Sometimes I see patients cry, sometimes I notice that they are frustrated and angry, and oftentimes they are scared about what has happened to them. I see now how important it is for a therapist to allow their patient to acknowledge their emotions. We need to let (or even encourage) our patients to express how they are feeling inside. Emotions are what make us real. Sometimes all we need to do is extend a compassionate hand to hold, and pass over the tissues.
~~~
In other news, I received the Graduate Assistantship. :) It will cover 1/3 of my tuition bill, which is fabulous. It's going to be a lot of work and is a huge time commitment. I'm in for one busy year! 17 more weeks!
~~~~
I received some great quotes that I found inspirational:
Keep away from people
who try to belittle your ambitions.
Small people always do that,
but the really great make you feel
that you, too, can become great.
- Mark Twain
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ Ghandi
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. ~ William James
If I can truly make a difference in just one person's life,
within my lifetime, my life would not have been in vain. ~unknown
Friday, April 27, 2007
To anyone who may read this (which is like 3 people, lol), please check out my friend Karen's OT student blog that she recently made...
http://otstudents.blogspot.com/
I think it's an awesome idea to write about your experiences as a student and even as a clinician. It's so good to know I'm not alone in my hopes/fears/dreams! I know we'll be able to look back at this one day and appreciate what we've been through... we'll be better therapists for it, and hopefully more understanding teachers when it's time to mentor our own students.
Karen I think it's great that you get to practice with real patients already. That's what I'm looking forward to the most. As an OT tech, I'm extremely limited in the amount of hands-on interaction I can have with patients (which is understandable). It's nice to observe, ask some questions and try to figure things out without having any of the responsibility... but I'm already starting to crave it!
So I registered for my Fall classes, and my schedule looks like this:
~Foundations of Motor Performance
~ Clinical Conditions: Physical
~ Clinical Conditions: Psychosocial
~Science of Occupation
~ OT Practice Skills I.
I also applied to be a graduate assistant, so I'm waiting to hear back about that. School starts in 19 weeks, and as excited as I am, I am definitely not going to rush the summer along! I need to enjoy this one! ;)
http://otstudents.blogspot.com/
I think it's an awesome idea to write about your experiences as a student and even as a clinician. It's so good to know I'm not alone in my hopes/fears/dreams! I know we'll be able to look back at this one day and appreciate what we've been through... we'll be better therapists for it, and hopefully more understanding teachers when it's time to mentor our own students.
Karen I think it's great that you get to practice with real patients already. That's what I'm looking forward to the most. As an OT tech, I'm extremely limited in the amount of hands-on interaction I can have with patients (which is understandable). It's nice to observe, ask some questions and try to figure things out without having any of the responsibility... but I'm already starting to crave it!
So I registered for my Fall classes, and my schedule looks like this:
~Foundations of Motor Performance
~ Clinical Conditions: Physical
~ Clinical Conditions: Psychosocial
~Science of Occupation
~ OT Practice Skills I.
I also applied to be a graduate assistant, so I'm waiting to hear back about that. School starts in 19 weeks, and as excited as I am, I am definitely not going to rush the summer along! I need to enjoy this one! ;)
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Follow your dreams... except the one when you're at school in your underwear.
Patient: Hey Patti, are you an occupational terrorist?
HAHAHAHA. I like that one. Here are some lessons that I've learned so far during my short career in the rehab field. I hope to add to this as my life experiences continue...
Lessons from OT:
... Having the ability to listen and understand is more powerful than knowing the right things to say.
... A person's recovery is as unique as their fingerprints, you are never dealing with the same thing twice.
... Some questions might sound dumb, but they still need to be asked.
.... You will spend a great deal of effort helping someone out of bed, into their clothes and into their wheelchair. But once you head for the door, they will inevitably need to use the bathroom.
... There is no job duct tape can't handle.
... If you show passion in your job, you can see its reflection in your patients attitude and outcome.
... It's okay not to know everything, I'm sure even doctors need to use Google every now and then.
... Every day holds a learning experience, even when it's something you really didn't want to learn. :)
HAHAHAHA. I like that one. Here are some lessons that I've learned so far during my short career in the rehab field. I hope to add to this as my life experiences continue...
Lessons from OT:
... Having the ability to listen and understand is more powerful than knowing the right things to say.
... A person's recovery is as unique as their fingerprints, you are never dealing with the same thing twice.
... Some questions might sound dumb, but they still need to be asked.
.... You will spend a great deal of effort helping someone out of bed, into their clothes and into their wheelchair. But once you head for the door, they will inevitably need to use the bathroom.
... There is no job duct tape can't handle.
... If you show passion in your job, you can see its reflection in your patients attitude and outcome.
... It's okay not to know everything, I'm sure even doctors need to use Google every now and then.
... Every day holds a learning experience, even when it's something you really didn't want to learn. :)
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Hoppy Easter and OT Month!
Ryan doing an eval on a new pt...
Ryan: How old are you?
Patient: 93
Ryan: What's the secret?
Patient: Well I worked all my life, and I drank three glasses of whiskey.
Ryan: Every day?
Patient: Yes
Ryan: So you were hammered every day?
Patient: Yes.
~~~~~~~~ OT Bits of Wisdom....
Me: How long have you been married?
Patient: 48 years.
Me: Wow! What is the secret to a long marriage?
Patient: Compromise... and knowing when to shut your mouth.
:)
Ryan: How old are you?
Patient: 93
Ryan: What's the secret?
Patient: Well I worked all my life, and I drank three glasses of whiskey.
Ryan: Every day?
Patient: Yes
Ryan: So you were hammered every day?
Patient: Yes.
~~~~~~~~ OT Bits of Wisdom....
Me: How long have you been married?
Patient: 48 years.
Me: Wow! What is the secret to a long marriage?
Patient: Compromise... and knowing when to shut your mouth.
:)
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.
Time for an update, as per death threats from Karen, my Memphis-OT-sister! (whom I need to visit this summer!) Life has been good, and a heavy weight has been lifted off of my shoulders now that I know I'll begin my OT education in just a few short months. It's going to be interesting to start learning more about what I see in practice every day at work. I try my best to observe and listen to everything that goes on during therapy, but there's so much I need to learn. Some of my friends recently got their licenses and it's really cool to watch their transition from tech and student to therapist... is that really going to be me one day?
I got to be a pseudo-OT last weekend with my grandma in PA, so of course I felt super cool. I made sure everything she uses frequently was within easy reach in her kitchen and bedroom and I removed an area rug. Her biggest concern was finding a way to get her bedside commode bucket to the bathroom, while still being able to use her RW. I showed her a slide/pass technique she could use by making little 'reststops' for the bucket along the way. She seemed more confident about it after she tried it. My grams apartment is much too small/smoky/creepy to stay at, but one of my favorite OT friends (who happens to live only about 15 mins from my grandma!) graciously welcomed me for the weekend. I swear God brings people into my life for a reason... I'm incredibly blessed.
So all in all, everything is good. I'm trying to make the most of my last few months of real freedom! I'm catching up with some old friends, and many of my friends are graduating college next month. I'm reading some books for "fun" (as in non-educational for once!), and I'm working hard on keeping up my gym routine. Till next time!
I got to be a pseudo-OT last weekend with my grandma in PA, so of course I felt super cool. I made sure everything she uses frequently was within easy reach in her kitchen and bedroom and I removed an area rug. Her biggest concern was finding a way to get her bedside commode bucket to the bathroom, while still being able to use her RW. I showed her a slide/pass technique she could use by making little 'reststops' for the bucket along the way. She seemed more confident about it after she tried it. My grams apartment is much too small/smoky/creepy to stay at, but one of my favorite OT friends (who happens to live only about 15 mins from my grandma!) graciously welcomed me for the weekend. I swear God brings people into my life for a reason... I'm incredibly blessed.
So all in all, everything is good. I'm trying to make the most of my last few months of real freedom! I'm catching up with some old friends, and many of my friends are graduating college next month. I'm reading some books for "fun" (as in non-educational for once!), and I'm working hard on keeping up my gym routine. Till next time!
Monday, March 12, 2007
This is why I love my job.
After transporting a patient to OT...
Patient: I wanted to tell you earlier when you were in front of me.. You have the cutest little hiney.
Patti: .... thanks. Little? I think it's big!
Patient: Oh no! You're very proportional!
AHAHAHAHAHA. Pain killers will make people say anything, I swear. :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While chatting with a patient who was laying on a mat...
Patti: My dad retired from the Army.
Patient: What does he do now?
Patti: He drives for a company.
Patient: Oh he died?! God rest his soul.
Patti: No no... not died.. he DRIVES.
Patient: Oh god rest his soul.
Patient: I wanted to tell you earlier when you were in front of me.. You have the cutest little hiney.
Patti: .... thanks. Little? I think it's big!
Patient: Oh no! You're very proportional!
AHAHAHAHAHA. Pain killers will make people say anything, I swear. :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While chatting with a patient who was laying on a mat...
Patti: My dad retired from the Army.
Patient: What does he do now?
Patti: He drives for a company.
Patient: Oh he died?! God rest his soul.
Patti: No no... not died.. he DRIVES.
Patient: Oh god rest his soul.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Arriving at one point is the starting point to another.
I DID IT!!! I GOT INTO GRADUATE SCHOOL!!! I'M GOING TO BE AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST!!!
I wish I could put into words how I feel right now... but it's just impossible. I feel like suddenly everything is falling into place and I just feel SO GOOD! Woo! I've worked so hard for this for so long, and now it's in my hands. I know my journey has only begun and I have an incredible amount of things to learn... but to know that soon I will be helping people who've had strokes or other injuries become independent again is such an empowering feeling. I want to be the best therapist possible and I am so blessed that I have people in my life who are guiding me in the right direction.
Yes, I took a picture of my acceptance letter... because I AM that cool. ;)
Today was such an emotional day!!! I actually cried when I found out that I got into school. I never cry! But it felt so good! I feel like I can breathe again, as crazy as that sounds... I was sweatin' it for a while! :)
I'm going to OT school!
"When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it" ~ W. Clement Stone.
I wish I could put into words how I feel right now... but it's just impossible. I feel like suddenly everything is falling into place and I just feel SO GOOD! Woo! I've worked so hard for this for so long, and now it's in my hands. I know my journey has only begun and I have an incredible amount of things to learn... but to know that soon I will be helping people who've had strokes or other injuries become independent again is such an empowering feeling. I want to be the best therapist possible and I am so blessed that I have people in my life who are guiding me in the right direction.
Yes, I took a picture of my acceptance letter... because I AM that cool. ;)
Today was such an emotional day!!! I actually cried when I found out that I got into school. I never cry! But it felt so good! I feel like I can breathe again, as crazy as that sounds... I was sweatin' it for a while! :)
I'm going to OT school!
"When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it" ~ W. Clement Stone.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Sitting, waiting, wishing...
Patti calling her 8-year-old sister to see if "The Letter" came:
Patti: Laurel, did I get any mail?
Laurel: Yep!
Patti: Are the envelopes big or small?
Laurel: Really big!
Patti: YES! Who's it from???
Laurel: Ummmm... The inter...nal... rev...a..new... serv...ice.
Ugh. Still no letters, but at least my tax return came. ;)
Patti: Laurel, did I get any mail?
Laurel: Yep!
Patti: Are the envelopes big or small?
Laurel: Really big!
Patti: YES! Who's it from???
Laurel: Ummmm... The inter...nal... rev...a..new... serv...ice.
Ugh. Still no letters, but at least my tax return came. ;)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
There and back again...
I'm waiting not-so-patiently for the acceptance/rejection letters to arrive at my doorstep. (But more importantly right now, I'm waiting not-so-patiently for my friend to get here so we can go out for sushi...)
So while I wait, I think that it's important for me to write about how I've come to the place I'm at now. And what better way to start than from the beginning... my birth. (Mini-autobiography ahead, you can stop reading now if you want, this could take a while.)
I was born Oct 22 (making me a libra and I fit every trait of it), 1984, in Mannheim, Germany. My dad was in the army, which meant that we up and moved every 3 years. We moved from Germany to Louisiana, to Pennsylvania, to Hawaii and finally to NJ. It was a hard thing as a kid to pack up and leave as soon as I felt comfortable, but it really helped me become more willing to try new things and it gave me so many life experiences. I still keep in touch with my best friend from Erie, and my best friend from Hawaii. I've found, however, as I get older, I really have a desire for consistency and comfort, if that makes sense. It took a lot of bravery for me to finally quit a job that was breaking me down, because I was so comfortable there.
As far as my family life- I was an only child for 14 years. I thought that I was perfectly happy that way, until my sister was born 8 years ago. My mom says she is exactly like me (whether that is good or bad, I'm not sure sometimes!) But to me, she is brilliant, funny and full of life. Maybe too much life... even dinnertime is a broadway production at our house. and yes, we have the same parents.. that's not something a lot of people can say! She is my little friend, comedian and personal chef, and I can only hope that as she grows older, she'll always trust me and come to me for anything.
Since first grade, I have been to 8 different schools. I always enjoyed going to school. I guess I was always a bit of a nerd, and school wasn't a chore for me. As a child, my ambition was to become an astronaut (I currently hate planes!), then it switched to a pharmacist, and finally an occupational therapist (which I feel surpasses an astronaut or pharmacist any day!).
When we moved to NJ, we were going to buy my great aunts house. When plans fell through with that, we ended up living with her for our first year and a half in NJ before building our own home. Aunt Jeanne became like a second mother to me. She was always there for me, she cheered me on at karate tournaments, she came to all my concerts and shows at school, and she would do anything for me or for my family, she's just that kind of person.
I remember sitting in my dorm one night when I received a call from my dad. He told me Aunt Jeanne was in the hospital and she was on life support and would probably not make it through the night. I remember feeling crushed and helpless. This can't happen to her, it's just not possible. Dad picked me up from Rutgers the following day and took me home to see her. I can't describe who I saw, but it just wasn't her. Weeks turned into months, and she only got worse. She was attached to a respirator and she had a feeding tube. I was losing my faith and was preparing for the worst at that point. She was in a coma for weeks, and in a way, I felt like I was in one too.
Some kind of miracle happened, though. Very slowly she seemed to come back... week by week they removed her machines... first the ventilator, then the feeding tube... she came alive again and it was incredible. She wasn't able to speak yet because of a tracheotomy and it was incredibly frustrating for her to communicate. She pulled through this, but her difficult journey had only begun.
She started rehab at HealthSouth.... which was the turning point of my life, as much as hers. This was the first time I had been exposed to occupational therapy. I remember meeting her OT, Stephanie, and all I can think was "where is she going to start?" (Speaking OT lingo here, she was definitely max A x 2!) Aunt Jeanne lived alone, she was independent, that's how she wanted it. She just came back from death, there's no way she can be alone again. Her physical therapist, Grania, got her back on her feet again and helped her regain her strength and mobility, and OT gave her back her life. She learned energy conservation techniques with assistive devices, she regained confidence in her ability to get around her home, bathroom, and kitchen. She learned medication management techniques, and she was given lots of adaptive equipment to make her recovery easier. Her OT also helped her regain the function of her hands, which were incredibly weak. Aunt Jeanne's biggest fear was that she would be unable to return home again, and OT helped her abolish that fear.
Aunt Jeanne is home now, watching soap operas and playing Slingo on the computer while her fat cat sits on her lap. She is driving and substitute nursing at the local elementary schools. She's active in the emergency management team in our community. And once again, she was there to cheer me on while I walked across the graduation stage to get my college diploma.
I never thought I'd find something in life that I would be so passionate about. Discovering OT has given my life a new meaning, and has given me such an appreciation for life and for people.
I'm so happy to be working at HealthSouth now, even if I am just a lowly technician for the time being. I learn something about OT and about myself each and every day, and that's all I could ask for. My co-workers have become my teachers, and a certain few are like big sisters that I've never had. I love to wake up in the morning and go to work because I know every day is going to bring something new to my life. I'm sure this all sounds sappy, but OT has really changed me in a lot of ways, and I'm becoming the person I want to be. I just hope that one day I can return the favor to someone, and have a positive impact on their life like they have on mine.
So that's Patti-in-a-nutshell.
So while I wait, I think that it's important for me to write about how I've come to the place I'm at now. And what better way to start than from the beginning... my birth. (Mini-autobiography ahead, you can stop reading now if you want, this could take a while.)
I was born Oct 22 (making me a libra and I fit every trait of it), 1984, in Mannheim, Germany. My dad was in the army, which meant that we up and moved every 3 years. We moved from Germany to Louisiana, to Pennsylvania, to Hawaii and finally to NJ. It was a hard thing as a kid to pack up and leave as soon as I felt comfortable, but it really helped me become more willing to try new things and it gave me so many life experiences. I still keep in touch with my best friend from Erie, and my best friend from Hawaii. I've found, however, as I get older, I really have a desire for consistency and comfort, if that makes sense. It took a lot of bravery for me to finally quit a job that was breaking me down, because I was so comfortable there.
As far as my family life- I was an only child for 14 years. I thought that I was perfectly happy that way, until my sister was born 8 years ago. My mom says she is exactly like me (whether that is good or bad, I'm not sure sometimes!) But to me, she is brilliant, funny and full of life. Maybe too much life... even dinnertime is a broadway production at our house. and yes, we have the same parents.. that's not something a lot of people can say! She is my little friend, comedian and personal chef, and I can only hope that as she grows older, she'll always trust me and come to me for anything.
Since first grade, I have been to 8 different schools. I always enjoyed going to school. I guess I was always a bit of a nerd, and school wasn't a chore for me. As a child, my ambition was to become an astronaut (I currently hate planes!), then it switched to a pharmacist, and finally an occupational therapist (which I feel surpasses an astronaut or pharmacist any day!).
When we moved to NJ, we were going to buy my great aunts house. When plans fell through with that, we ended up living with her for our first year and a half in NJ before building our own home. Aunt Jeanne became like a second mother to me. She was always there for me, she cheered me on at karate tournaments, she came to all my concerts and shows at school, and she would do anything for me or for my family, she's just that kind of person.
I remember sitting in my dorm one night when I received a call from my dad. He told me Aunt Jeanne was in the hospital and she was on life support and would probably not make it through the night. I remember feeling crushed and helpless. This can't happen to her, it's just not possible. Dad picked me up from Rutgers the following day and took me home to see her. I can't describe who I saw, but it just wasn't her. Weeks turned into months, and she only got worse. She was attached to a respirator and she had a feeding tube. I was losing my faith and was preparing for the worst at that point. She was in a coma for weeks, and in a way, I felt like I was in one too.
Some kind of miracle happened, though. Very slowly she seemed to come back... week by week they removed her machines... first the ventilator, then the feeding tube... she came alive again and it was incredible. She wasn't able to speak yet because of a tracheotomy and it was incredibly frustrating for her to communicate. She pulled through this, but her difficult journey had only begun.
She started rehab at HealthSouth.... which was the turning point of my life, as much as hers. This was the first time I had been exposed to occupational therapy. I remember meeting her OT, Stephanie, and all I can think was "where is she going to start?" (Speaking OT lingo here, she was definitely max A x 2!) Aunt Jeanne lived alone, she was independent, that's how she wanted it. She just came back from death, there's no way she can be alone again. Her physical therapist, Grania, got her back on her feet again and helped her regain her strength and mobility, and OT gave her back her life. She learned energy conservation techniques with assistive devices, she regained confidence in her ability to get around her home, bathroom, and kitchen. She learned medication management techniques, and she was given lots of adaptive equipment to make her recovery easier. Her OT also helped her regain the function of her hands, which were incredibly weak. Aunt Jeanne's biggest fear was that she would be unable to return home again, and OT helped her abolish that fear.
Aunt Jeanne is home now, watching soap operas and playing Slingo on the computer while her fat cat sits on her lap. She is driving and substitute nursing at the local elementary schools. She's active in the emergency management team in our community. And once again, she was there to cheer me on while I walked across the graduation stage to get my college diploma.
I never thought I'd find something in life that I would be so passionate about. Discovering OT has given my life a new meaning, and has given me such an appreciation for life and for people.
I'm so happy to be working at HealthSouth now, even if I am just a lowly technician for the time being. I learn something about OT and about myself each and every day, and that's all I could ask for. My co-workers have become my teachers, and a certain few are like big sisters that I've never had. I love to wake up in the morning and go to work because I know every day is going to bring something new to my life. I'm sure this all sounds sappy, but OT has really changed me in a lot of ways, and I'm becoming the person I want to be. I just hope that one day I can return the favor to someone, and have a positive impact on their life like they have on mine.
So that's Patti-in-a-nutshell.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Nothing in my way...
I survived my Kean and Stockton interviews. My biggest problem is that I get myself anxious over nothing. Both interviews went very well and I left both of them feeling calm and comfortable. In all honesty, I liked the Stockton interview better... I felt like they ran it more professionally. I went in and it was a group of 8 interviewees. Dr. Schindler gave a brief power point presentation about the program (Kean didn't do anything like this), and we were introduced to the faculty. We then divided into interview groups. I was interviewed by Diane Durham and Kim Furphy. They were both incredibly nice and made me feel so at ease. I had no problem answering the questions. I'll find out if I got into either school in a few weeks!!!
Oh I have to write this so I'll remember.... This morning I received a picture text from some of the OTs I work with holding a "Good luck" sign. I thought that was the nicest thing ever. I am incredibly lucky to work with such supportive people, it makes a world of difference. I've never had this kind of support before and it's the best feeling ever. I hope I can repay them someday for everything.
The best part about this pic are the 4 people in it... they are the best mentors ever.
Susan, Barb and Robin are the OT's who have really taken me under their wing, and Stephanie is the first OT I've ever met when my aunt was a patient at HealthSouth. The irony. :) I want to be like them when I'm a therapist. I appreciate so much the time they take to explain what/why they're doing certain exercises during therapy. Now that I know how much we students appreciate any advice we can get, I'll try to do the same for future OT's one day!
Oh I have to write this so I'll remember.... This morning I received a picture text from some of the OTs I work with holding a "Good luck" sign. I thought that was the nicest thing ever. I am incredibly lucky to work with such supportive people, it makes a world of difference. I've never had this kind of support before and it's the best feeling ever. I hope I can repay them someday for everything.
The best part about this pic are the 4 people in it... they are the best mentors ever.
Susan, Barb and Robin are the OT's who have really taken me under their wing, and Stephanie is the first OT I've ever met when my aunt was a patient at HealthSouth. The irony. :) I want to be like them when I'm a therapist. I appreciate so much the time they take to explain what/why they're doing certain exercises during therapy. Now that I know how much we students appreciate any advice we can get, I'll try to do the same for future OT's one day!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Carry me on my way...
I've reached another step toward my goal, and it's probably the most exciting and terrifying step so far!!! Interviews!
My first interview is tomorrow morning at Kean University. Up to this point I had decided that it's not my top choice but I feel like I'm not quite sure about that anymore. Stockton is my top choice, but I also just graduated from there. It might be a nice change to try a new school and see what else is out there. I'm sure the interviews will help me make a better decision, so we'll see what happens!
At this point, I just want to get in and get started. Either school is fine and both will lead me to my destination.... but each will bring it's own set of unique experiences, challenges and opportunties... and that will make all the difference. Or maybe i'm just too philosophical. Either way, I should be sleeping!
My first interview is tomorrow morning at Kean University. Up to this point I had decided that it's not my top choice but I feel like I'm not quite sure about that anymore. Stockton is my top choice, but I also just graduated from there. It might be a nice change to try a new school and see what else is out there. I'm sure the interviews will help me make a better decision, so we'll see what happens!
At this point, I just want to get in and get started. Either school is fine and both will lead me to my destination.... but each will bring it's own set of unique experiences, challenges and opportunties... and that will make all the difference. Or maybe i'm just too philosophical. Either way, I should be sleeping!
Friday, January 19, 2007
A little doubt goes a long way...
Wow I had a major scare yesterday. The application deadline is in less than two weeks and I found out that Admissions had never seen or received my application yet. I don't know if it got "lost" or misplaced or if there's some scam going on there (hey you never know!!!), but after some serious harassing (aka: calling every department X 2), they found it!
In the meantime I had reprinted everything and was getting ready to apply all over.
Jeeze, my little thought blog is turning into a soap opera. I guess calling it the "Envelope of Fate" earlier wasn't so dramatic after all!
... Relax, Patti... relax.
In the meantime I had reprinted everything and was getting ready to apply all over.
Jeeze, my little thought blog is turning into a soap opera. I guess calling it the "Envelope of Fate" earlier wasn't so dramatic after all!
... Relax, Patti... relax.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
You're in the middle of the ride...
I graduated college on December 17th. It feels like a lifetime of anticipation flashed before me- before I even had the chance to understand the reality of it. Everything I have learned so far throughout my life has molded me into the person that I am today. The experiences I have had, and the new ones I now encounter make me look at the world with new eyes, with my view changing every time I blink. It's a world of change, and that's a powerful but extremely exciting thing to me.
I've been thinking a lot about my future lately (as graduating college tends to make a person do!). I've realized that I've had so many experiences in my 22 years of life, most good, some bad. Either way, every experience has taught me a lesson about who I am and where I'm going in my life. There's a poem that was read during my graduation ceremony that puts things in perspective for me. Posted below is Ithaka by Constantine P. Cavafy
As you set out for Ithaka
hope your road is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
angry Poseidon-don't be afraid of them:
you'll never find things like that on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as a rare excitement
stirs your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
wild Poseidon-you won't encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.
Hope your road is a long one.
May there be many summer mornings
when, with what pleasure, what joy,
you enter harbors you're seeing for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things, mother of pearl and
coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind-
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to learn and go on learning from their scholars.
Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you're destined for.
But don't hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you're old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you've gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.
Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you wouldn't have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaka won't have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become,
so full of experience,
you'll have understood by then
what these Ithakas mean.
I believe that this poem explains the journey that life takes, the struggles involved, the knowledge we seek and the wisdom we eventually gain. The only negativity that we experience comes when we allow it to join along for the ride. There's no reason to rush through any parts of life, because if we do, we're missing lifetime opportunities that are right in front of us. We are reminded that it's not the destination that makes us who we are, it's the experiences we've had along the journey that define us.
Ah I love poetry... I am a nerd.
~
On another note- the graduate school applications are officially mailed out! As crazy as it sounds- shipping them off was an experience in itself! It's like all my years of work were reduced to an envelope. The Envelope of Fate. ... (okay that might sound a little dramatic, even for me.) So it's out of my control for now.
Until then I wait.
I've been thinking a lot about my future lately (as graduating college tends to make a person do!). I've realized that I've had so many experiences in my 22 years of life, most good, some bad. Either way, every experience has taught me a lesson about who I am and where I'm going in my life. There's a poem that was read during my graduation ceremony that puts things in perspective for me. Posted below is Ithaka by Constantine P. Cavafy
As you set out for Ithaka
hope your road is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
angry Poseidon-don't be afraid of them:
you'll never find things like that on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as a rare excitement
stirs your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
wild Poseidon-you won't encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.
Hope your road is a long one.
May there be many summer mornings
when, with what pleasure, what joy,
you enter harbors you're seeing for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things, mother of pearl and
coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind-
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to learn and go on learning from their scholars.
Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you're destined for.
But don't hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you're old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you've gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.
Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you wouldn't have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaka won't have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become,
so full of experience,
you'll have understood by then
what these Ithakas mean.
I believe that this poem explains the journey that life takes, the struggles involved, the knowledge we seek and the wisdom we eventually gain. The only negativity that we experience comes when we allow it to join along for the ride. There's no reason to rush through any parts of life, because if we do, we're missing lifetime opportunities that are right in front of us. We are reminded that it's not the destination that makes us who we are, it's the experiences we've had along the journey that define us.
Ah I love poetry... I am a nerd.
~
On another note- the graduate school applications are officially mailed out! As crazy as it sounds- shipping them off was an experience in itself! It's like all my years of work were reduced to an envelope. The Envelope of Fate. ... (okay that might sound a little dramatic, even for me.) So it's out of my control for now.
Until then I wait.
Friday, October 06, 2006
The future's open wide. . .
It's incredible how one morning you're being dropped off in your dorm room for the first time, with every emotion you ever felt suddenly coming out all at once. Then the next thing you know you're applying to graduate - and all those emotions come back again. In a way, they come back for the same reasons as the first time. You're excited about the huge world ahead of you, you're terrified at the uncertainty of the future... but then again, this is a moment you've been dreaming about since you can remember.
I've decided to blog about this major transition I'm about to face. Partially so I can look back and chart my progress, and partially because I'm the only person in the world who hasn't made a blog. (I once saw a blog someone made just about their cat, so I must be way behind). Anyway- Here goes the journey from being an undergraduate, to the graduate school process, to hopefully the Occupational Therapist.
I've decided to blog about this major transition I'm about to face. Partially so I can look back and chart my progress, and partially because I'm the only person in the world who hasn't made a blog. (I once saw a blog someone made just about their cat, so I must be way behind). Anyway- Here goes the journey from being an undergraduate, to the graduate school process, to hopefully the Occupational Therapist.
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