Neuro Note 4

I watched a movie on Netflix called Walk, Ride, Rodeo. It was about a 19 year old girl who loved riding horses and competitions. Her identify was in her occupation of professional riding. She had a bright future ahead of her in college and as a rider. One day, she was driving and she ran off the road and flipped her truck. She was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown out of the car. She hit a fence post with her back very hard. The doctor in the movie says Amberley's T12 vertebrae was crushed and she was paralyzed from the waist down. The spinal cord was not completely severed, but the doctor stated she would need a wheelchair for the rest of her life.  Amberley stated she wanted to accomplish three things after her time in rehab: walking, riding and participating in the rodeo. This is what we discussed in class as how sometimes clients ask us "Will I ever _____ again?". For Amberley, her blank was riding her beloved horse, Power. She struggled with herself and the new life she had to live. She had moments where she wanted to give up, but she did not. She worked hard in rehab.

Although the movie featured her journey in PT and not OT, I saw many places where occupational therapy could shine.

Amberley took it upon herself to have a seat belt installed to her horse saddle so she could maintain balance on her horse without the use of her legs. She made adaptations to the saddle to accommodate her after the injury. She had strong family support and support from people world wide. She shocked people with her attitude and mindset of "I can do this". She went on to compete in her dream completion, the American in Texas. I chose this because the movie does a good job at showing that a devastating injury does not have to mean losing the ability to participate in meaningful occupations. Things might have to be adjusted but Amberley could still ride her horse. I learned a lot about how determined a client can be in their own healing process. There are many factors like family and social support and client motivation that contribute to the intervention outcome. I recommend this movie as one that was not only entertaining (based on a true story) and educational to OT students.

To watch Walk, Ride, Rodeo follow the link:
https://www.netflix.com/title/80995799

This picture is Amberley and Power. Retrieved from: http://ihearthorses.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/power-976x1024.jpg

Media Project

This project was a nice challenge for creativity. I try to be creative in everyday life and in my own home, but it was quite challenging when given the case of Joe and the media of pipe cleaners. I was forced to think creatively and out side of the box. I wanted to give Joe a solution to lower body dressing while still providing the just right challenge. The ideas I kept thinking of would have all worked wonderfully for someone with sensory or fine motor deficits. Joe's main concern was the need for full assistance when lower body dressing. It took me a while to come up with something that Joe could use in performing his occupations. Finally, I came up with a way to use pipe cleaners for lower body dressing! The most meaningful and useful thing learned was to not limit myself or my creativity. No matter what resources you have, there is always something that can be made. Pipe cleaners were less than $1 and I was able to create something to assist in lower body dressing. I also learned that thinking yourself is the best way to become more creative. Sometimes I would resort to Pinterest for inspiration but I could not find anything. It made me realize that I can be creative and use these skills to help my future clients.

While working on this project, I learned how to become more creative and use things around the house to be meaningful to a client. Interventions do not always have to be pretty, expensive or even fun to look at. They just have to get the job done. Thats how my pipe cleaner dressing aid is. It isn't perfect but it is unique. I learned a lot about the use peers to encourage creative thoughts and ideas. As a future OT, I will feel more comfortable and confident when faced with a challenging situation. I can use almost any resource for something outside of its intended purpose. This assignment will challenge me in my furniture clinical work but has also made me more confident as I begin my career.

Neuro Note #3

Katherine Wolf was a 26 year old new mom when her life changed forever. She was in the height of happiness with the birth of her first child and her husband about to graduate from law school. She was in the kitchen one morning and said she was feeling funny. She got her husband to call 911. When they got to the hospital the surgeon told her husband she would not survive. However, she did! She suffered a stroke in her brain stem due to a congenital malformation she was unaware of. We have learned in class about the brainstem and its importance. It controls breathing, heart rate and motor functions.

During surgery, they removed half of her cerebellum and intra cranial nerves. She was then in a coma for two months! This was a major life altering event. She was able to go back home and decided to live the life she was given to the best of her ability. She uses a cane and sometimes a wheelchair to walk or get around. She cannot drive. She talks about how she was just thankful she did not have to leave her son. Being a mom and wife are roles she values and makes up her identity. She did not let suffering a CVA take away from her performance in meaningful occupations. I chose this because it really inspired me and affected me watching this sweet young mom go through something so traumatic. She did not let it dampen her spirit. One thing Katherine said was very inspiring. She stated, "living as a mother with a disability is actually a profound gift because they're seeing life being broken and not perfect...".

She proceeded to have a second child named John. With her husband, they founded and started  working at Hope Heals. It is a  non profile ministry and their goal is to inspire and support other families with disabilities through faith. I highly recommend everyone watch their short video which can be found at https://bit.ly/31LiFUo. I believe that if Katherine had just given up, she would have fallen into depression. It is an inspiration to keep going and adapt as needed to any curve balls life throws at you. She made the most of her situation and is changing the lives of other families through her ministry! I learned a lot from her about motivation and the importance of keeping meaningful occupations in your life after a life altering occurrence. With a support system and a good medical team, she is living her life to the best of her ability and is thankful for everyday.

 Retrieved From: https://bit.ly/31LiFUo

Bryant, K. (2019, July 25). 'Having a Stroke as a New Mom Changed Everything, but I'm Treating It 

Like a Gift'. Retrieved August 19, 2019, from https://www.parents.com/parenting/dynamics/having-a-stroke-as-a-new-mom-changed-everything-but-im-treating-it-like-a-gift?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=health_health&utm_content=video_internalcrosspromotion9

Neuro Note #2

I watched a Ted Talk called "ALS hasn't won- ALS ONE!" by Kevin Gosnell. He was diagnosed with the fatal disease, ALS, in 2015. He is a proud dad of three sons and as he states "married to his best friend". He talks about the struggles of ALS. He says as he progresses he will experience dysphagia and have to go on a feeding tube like we discussed in class. This is a decision he will make before progression with his care team. I chose this Ted Talk because it discusses research and the lack of funding for it. He talks about insurance and how they won't pay for basic household needs like a seat for the toilet or equipment for his bathroom. This is something OT's can be involved in as we are our client's advocate.  He discusses the emotional impact of knowing he won't see his children achieve all their milestones. He won't be able to see the success of his company. He will be "imprisoned" in his own body because of dysarthria. It really made me realize the impact of this disease even more and the importance of having an OT. During the remaining valuable time one has, they could have an OT make the most of it through adaptive technology and family education. He reiterates the importance and value of time. As an OT, we can help that client still have meaning and value to their lives as the disease progresses. 

He was a successful business man. He and his childhood friend created their own company called T&K Asphalt Services.  He puts great emphasis on time and how it is the most valued commodity. He strives to bring light to the need for ALS research. He gathered the best ALS doctors to a conference room in Mass General hospital in efforts to take ALS with a head on unified approach. They created a care team and plan. The focus was on working as a team. They are launching ALS One, to try to create a treatment in four years or less. They raised money through various fundraisers. They made a website and are still continuing to this day. The team came together to use their skills and valuable time to work for a cure to ALS.
He stated he knows this work will not help him, but hopefully his work will help the next family diagnosed with ALS. During his last year on earth he made a massive impact in the ALS community.

I will recommend this concise Ted Talk to anyone who wants to learn more about ALS and the research going on through ALS ONE which Kevin Gosnell founded. It was an inspiration to me.

TED. (2015, November 25). Kevin Gosnell: ALS hasn't won- ALS ONE! [Video file]. Retrieved from 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvCUhA2KuAY