Summer 2014

A lot has been going on so far this summer. Right now, I'm living in VT, but I still don't have WiFi at home or good reception where I live. Still, I've pretty busy attending yoga twice a week since May and trying to get back on track with running since I'd like to do a 10K or half marathon. Also, I usually drive back to the city two weekends a month. My car is 6 months old, and it already hit 10K because of all the driving I've done so far!

Anyway, I'm glad to have found some time to write a short blog post. I'm still working at the nursing home, and I got my contract extended for another 6 weeks. However, I'm awaiting my Vermont license to arrive in the mail. The application process was quite simple since I already have my NYS license. It'll be nice to find work there since I'd like to remain in VT. I don't miss the high cost of living, traffic or the crazy drivers in NYC. Now, my biggest gripes are slow drivers and when I would be allowed to pass them haha.

Hmm, I just turned 30 last week (no, I don't look it!). It feels great knowing that I'm making something of myself at this point in my life. My parents said I should go for my doctoral degree, but I think I'll consider doing that later on. I still have plenty to learn... I would love the opportunity to fabricate a splint once the materials are made available to me!

PS: I really need to get WiFi so I can work on earning CEU's! 

Happy OT Month!!

Holy cow, I haven't updated in a while! To make the long story short, I became a traveling OT. In February, I was assigned to work in a skilled nursing facility for 13 weeks. Since I don't have WiFi at home and have limited data on my cell phone plan, I haven't been online as often as I would like. However, I've gotten used to it!

Starting my new job as an OTR was quite challenging, and I had to to put in a lot of hours, but I like what I do. I like most of the residents with the exception of a few who are just plain mean. There used to be two OTRs, but now it's just me and a COTA (certified occupational therapy assistant) who's very good... It just means MORE paperwork for me: completing evaluations and discharges, monthly recertifications and adding goals on weekly progress notes if needed.

I just renewed my 13-week contract with my current assignment, so I'm planning on moving to a place in VT which is about 3 miles away from where I work. I'm pretty excited since I plan on hiking and spending a lot of time outdoors! :)

25th Post: How My Life Influenced My Decision in Becoming an OT

The new year is a fresh start for me, so I decided to reveal something personal about myself. It's a topic that I sometimes feel uncomfortable sharing with people unless I've known them for a while. 

One of the main reasons why I want to become an OT is because I know that nearly all of us take the ability to do simple things everyday for granted, but I understand how it feels not being able to do what most people can do. Why? I have a disability. However, that didn't stop me from overcoming my obstacles or from living the life I have right now. As an OT, I want to encourage and help others overcome theirs so that they are able to take charge and live fulfilling lives. 

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When I was 3, I was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. This may have occurred when I was born or before that because my mother said I didn't have any illnesses that could have contributed to my hearing loss. My parents were devastated, but they were determined to raise me just like any other child. I was fitted with hearing aids, and soon I picked up on words and learned to speak. 

I attended Lexington (school for Deaf children) until the third grade. By then, I excelled in school (my slightly Tiger Mom giving me extra homework may also have contributed to it, hehe). Mom believed that I should be learning in a mainstream environment. Initially, I was reluctant to leave my friends and the one place where I felt I belonged. However, I realized I had nothing to lose.

I was enrolled in a public school as a fourth grader. The transition was a bit scary, but I never looked back. I helped Mom prove those professionals at Lexington wrong: I was ready and capable of handling the challenges of becoming a mainstream student with the necessary supports. It turned out that I adjusted relatively well, made new friends, and was motivated to do well. The hard work paid off, and I made the Honor Roll.

In middle school, I took the specialized science high school admissions test (SSHSAT) and was accepted to Brooklyn Tech, the third best school. Nevertheless, I was ecstatic and seized this perfect opportunity. It was pretty tough, but I did the best I could. My chosen field of study was Bio-Med, and I decided early on that Medicine was no longer the right career path for me. 

At Stony Brook, I majored in Psychology and Health Science (with a focus in Disability Studies). I made amazing friends, learned Sign Language and finally understood it, started an American Sign Language (ASL) Club that lasted a few semesters, and first heard about OT and was intrigued by it. After graduating, I held a job in social services for a year before returning to school to study OT!

Happy 2014!

Happy New Year! Also, I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays. I celebrated mine by eating a lot and rang in the new year with family and friends. I'm happy to say that 2013 was truly bad@ss, and I hope that 2014 will be awesome as well! :)

Not too much is happening lately, since I am still job hunting. I hope to find something soon because I really would like to start working!

This OT's Top 3 Favorite Devices (aka. "Gadgets")

One of the things I love about OT is that we have countless tools to make everyday living easier. A number of patients refer to these devices as "gadgets" because they're cool! Our job is to ensure that the equipment that they use will help promote their independence in different ways.

Anyway, here are my top 3 Favorites!

3. Dycem
I've used this with my patients, and it's amazing. You can cut it in any shape, and it's so versatile and easy to clean. The best thing about this is that you can come up with creative solutions.

2. TheraPutty
What can I say? I'm a kid at heart. This is like Play Doh but more durable and has anti-bacterial properties. It's really used for therapeutic purposes, and is color-coded ranging from very soft to firm.

1. Long-Handled Dressing Stick
This assistive device may look like it's designed for dressing only, but I found 10+ things you can do with it. This is actually my favorite, and I call it the "Multipurpose Stick"!

10+ Things I Could Do With a Dressing Stick 
(Multipurpose Stick)!

1. Use pointed end to remove socks and shoes.

2. Put on pants. (Flattened end can keep one pant leg from sliding out of place and long handled reacher can be used to hold and pull up the other pant leg.)

3. Dry legs and feet. (Hooked end can hold one end of the towel and long handled reacher can hold the other). 

4. Press elevator buttons.

5. Press ATM keys.

6. Flush toilet.

7. Grab loops of jacket/coat.

8. Use hook end to pick up empty soda cans or dump them into recycling bins/trash.

9. Grab hard-to-reach items (e.g. under the bed).

10. Flip on/off light switch.

11. Gently yank chain (e.g. ceiling fan)

12. Press down lever handles (e.g. door)

13. Hang clothes in hangers or bring down clothes in hangers.

14. Pull against handle (e.g., closet door) or pull open door (e.g. dryer door).

15. Use hook end to open soda can!
      CAUTION: The stick should be parallel to the table and make sure there are no objects or people nearby. (Even though I tried this out and it worked, I would NOT use this as an intervention.)