Media Project: Using Tin Foil as Assistive Technology

The Wedge:

Poster presentation on Craig and "The Wedge"

Occupational Therapy school has challenged me in new ways in the last couple of weeks.  In the course Neurological Aspects of Occupational Performance (OT 537) we were given a form of media and asked to transform it in to a purposeful modality for therapy. This assignment definitely got my creative juices flowing and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I was assigned tin foil as my media and the case study of Craig, a man in his mid thirties that just sustained a C5 complete spinal cord injury. Craig enjoys his life with his wife and owns his own small business, he is currently in the acute phase of his injury and experiencing Autonomic Dsyreflexia. 

After I read my assigned case study I racked my brain for activities I could do with Craig and Tin Foil. I continuously drew a blank so I decided to look back at my spinal cord injury notes. In the acute phase of SCI an OT's role is positioning, splinting, range of motion, and manual muscle testing. A light bulb went off, Craig is experiencing AD, I could use foil to help combat this by making a wedge! This would allow him to work up to a sitting position, allowing him mobility while in a seated chair, sitting to eat and do other activities of daily living. I got to work!

From this project I learned: 

Some occupational therapy interventions are as simple as working on positioning. The wedge will serve as a building block for Craig and eventually help him gain independence.

How my OT outlook changed as a result of this project:

Prior to this project I believed an OT intervention needed to be a flashy game or high tech assistive technology, I now understand that something as simple and repositioning and building endurance to allow one to complete an ADL or occupation (like using the wedge to sit up and brush ones teeth) is effective and exciting. 

How this project will effect me moving forward:

I think moving forward I will be more mindful of the new uses for everyday objects in occupational therapy. I also really enjoyed explaining what I was doing to my friend and family who were not as familiar with OT and OT school. I got a kick out of being called "Macgyver" by my mom and boyfriend.

The wedge at work!

Executive Functioning Success: Blog Review

Neuro Note 4 OT 537

Prior to OT 537 I was unaware of what Executive Function Disorder was. Now I know that executive function disorder, or EFD for short, is "A set of skill deficits that impair one’s ability to perform higher level cognitive tasks such as planning, organizing and managing time and space." When looking in this disorder I found an organization based out of Oregon called Executive Functioning Success. This organization works to counsel students and individuals struggling with time management, organization skills and other executive functioning struggles. Executive functioning success markets tutoring options, book, planners, study materials, and even a blog.

Image retrieved from google images

The executive functioning success blog began in October 2018, therefore it is still very new. The blog has 10 post, covering topics like; "Three Tips for a Happier Holiday Season",  "Build Your Own Ship: Goals for 2019" and "The Power of Paper for Your Future- An ADHD Palooza!" The blog aims to bring awareness to people with EFD about how they can make small changes and see big improvements. I also feel that the author and owner Marydee Sklar uses this platform to share what has worked for her over the year and is building a community of people to support one another.

I read several post by Marydee, who herself struggles with executive functioning, one of my favorite posts of hers was on a book review. The book Marydee reviews is Late Bloomers - The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievers. She encourages anyone who struggles with EFD, she specifically calls for adults struggling with EFD, to read this book. Marydee discusses how this book allowed her to realize that there are aspects to be celebrated about being a "late bloomer". I do however, think this leaves room for confusion.  Marydee claims that she struggles with EFD but is also a late bloomer. My concern is that people who do not fully understand Executive Function Disorder may self diagnose as a late bloomer or an individual with EFD when in reality they are one or the other or both.

Marydee Sklar- founder of Executive Functioning Success
Image retrieved form google images

I do wish Marydee had more information on the ins and outs of EFD on her blog, however the tips, tricks and general awareness she brings to this disorder are great. She is fighting the good fight with loads of encouragement and positivity. She is raw and real. She talks about the way she celebrates small success and big success like completing a marathon using time management in training to combat her EFD. 




Reference:

Executive Functioning Success. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://executivefunctioningsuccess.com/

Lancaster, S. Executive Function Disorder [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved August 19, 2019, from www.blackboard.com

You're Not You

Neuro Note 3 OT 537

The summer between fifth and sixth grade my (new) friend Ali lost her dad to a degenerative disease called ALS. I knew how sad it was and I was so heartbroken along with everyone else at vacation bible school and in our little sixth grade class. Over the next three years of middle school Ali and I were extremely close, however she rarely talked about her dad.

Image retrieved from:
google images

       Now thirteen years later I feel like I have a better understanding of what Ali and her family went through and maybe why she never really talked out it. Following the OT 537 lecture on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, I decided to watch the movie "You're Not You" about a woman, Kate, in her thirties diagnosed with ALS. The movie following this fictional character as she navigates her final years and the progression of the disease.
     Prior to the lecture and movie, all I knew about ALS was that it took my friends dad young and there was an ice bucket challenge to raise awareness. However I now feel like I have an understanding of what happens to an individuals body and the differing mindsets that one goes through. In the movie it is abundantly clear that Kate is of sound mind and is struggling with the people she knew prior to her diagnosis. "You're Not You" dives into what a diagnosis like ALS does to not only an individual but the support system as well.
      Kate's marriage struggles following her diagnosis, her husband is caring for her but begins to stray from their marriage and her friends begin to treat her differently. Because of this Kate develops a very strong relationship with her new caregiver. Together they join an aquatic therapy group and Kate is able to meet friends in similar circumstances. Her overall mind set is improved and she is able to enjoy her last months. SPOILER, in the end she is able to make amends with her husband and friends and they have their time together as well.
      I do believe that this movie brings to light issues that Occupational Therapist are responsible for addressing which is support system education and assistance. I know my childhood friends family could have found benefits in additional supports. This lead me to research ALS support groups. For the purpose of this blog I searched the state of Tennessee. I found that there are 5 support groups across the state located in the Tri-Cities, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and west TN. I will link that information below.

image retrieved from google images.

      I also looked into resources for children. I found that the ALS association has linked approximately 17 sites for more information for children to learn about or cope with a family member having ALS. This includes grief camps and counseling, webinars, and Facebook pages. All incredibly help resources for families to build a community of others who understand what they are going through.
     Overall I think raising awareness about ALS and the effects it has on families is imperative and movies like "You're Not You" are essential to that process. Occupational therapy plays such an integral role in helping individuals and families learn about what is going to happen next and make sure they know that they are not alone.


Links:
You're Not You: Ways to Watch
Tennessee ALS Support Groups
ALS Children's Resources


Reference:

Children's Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://webdc.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=DC_8_PALS_Resources_Children


Support Groups. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://webtn.alsa.org/site/PageNavigator/TN_8_SupportGroups.html?_ga=2.57776418.947242325.1566101634-5536838.1564614921&_gac=1.116540148.1566147328.CjwKCAjw7uPqBRBlEiwAYDsr1xdM_DzPu-ejSGqdjc6DorEvCOlo4rDC6VGgw8AtNb7bcHpArxjFXRoC8w4QAvD_BwE

Queer Eye: Disabled But Not Really

Neuro Note 2 OT 537

Advocacy is SUCH an integral part of occupational therapy and let me tell you, pop culture is beginning to advocate for special populations in ways that make my OT/s advocation heart SING.

The show "Queer Eye" by Netflix is a show about transforming 5 aspects of a persons life; eating habits, personal style, appearance, home/interior design, and lifestyle and culture. I have enjoyed this show for a little over a year now. Queer Eye is such a happy, uplifting show and delivers message about self acceptance and advocacy. The second episode of the fourth season profiles a man named Wesley Hamilton, he is in his early 30s and is 7 years post spinal cord injury.

Wesley Hamilton
Image retrieved from: disabledbutnotreally.org

A little about Wesley and his injury. At the age of 24 Wesley was shot multiple times in the  and thus sustained a lower level spinal cord injury, specifically a T11-T12 incomplete SCI. He still has mobility and function in his upper extremities and values spending time with his daughter and family, working out, running his nonprofit, and motivational speaking. His spinal cord injury has CHANGED HIS LIFE and he has the most amazing attitude however it did not start this way. He initially struggled with depression, self image issues and debilitating decubitus ulcers (bedsores) that led him to hospitalization and surgery. Wesley began transforming his life through diet and exercise.

After the transformation in his life Wesley began the "Disabled, but Not Really" nonprofit organization to spread awareness about nutrition and healthy living for people of all abilities. There mission is as follows;

"Our mission is to instill in those with disabilities, a physically limitless mindset that breeds courage, confidence, and competence. Our core beliefs are in promoting fitness, providing the opportunity to become productive and self-serving while gaining the knowledge necessary for a living a nutritional lifestyle.

At Disabled But Not Really, we believe that our horizon is only as far as we accept it to be. Our vision is to create an environment where anyone with a disability can find a safe place for growth. We intend to develop facilities where not only our adaptive athletes can learn, grow, and thrive, but their families, spouses, and caregivers can as well."

The DBNR website profiles seven athletes who are currently working and training with the non-profit. Of these seven athletes six has sustained spine cord injuries at varying levels mostly in the thoracic region. This organization is bring awareness to the athletic community about the ABILITIES of individuals with SCI and other "disabilities" that are typically misunderstood. I think moving forward I will use Wesley's story to inspire others; both individuals I meet in a therapy settings and in causal settings.

Another thing I have taken from this research and the episode of QE was the amazing remodel that was done of Wesley's home. The Fab Five restructured Wesley's bathroom to make it more accessible to him and give in quite a bit more independence. To do this remodel, Bobby Berk, Antoni Porowski, and Karamo Brown met with Wes and essentially did and occupational profile to determine what barriers he was facing and ways to adapt areas of his life for improvement. The laundry room was moved to an accessible location with a front loading washing that Wesley is easily able to reach, all cabinets in the kitchen are now low enough for easy access, the bathroom mirror has been slanted downward so he can see himself to get ready, and so many other subtle but life changing modifications. 

Image retrieved from: google images

I highly recommend taking 60 minutes out of your day to watch Queer Eye but specifically this episode, then take another 10 and do some research on DBNR, then if you're really feeling it watch Wesley's Ted Talk below. Learn and advocate, just like the fab five and Wesley have done and are doing!!!

 Wesley's TedTalk

Reference:

Bio. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.iamwesleyhamilton.com/bio

Lewis, A. (2019, March 15). Queer Eye is back! So here's everything you need to know about the Fab Five. Retrieved from https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a18283218/queer-eye-netflix-fab-5/

SCI Superstar: Wesley Hamilton. (2018, February 26). Retrieved from https://spinalpedia.com/blog/2018/02/sci-superstar-wesley-hamilton/

We have a vision to inspire and empower the global disabled community through fitness, nutrition, and wellness. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://disabledbutnotreally.org/our-team/

Yang, S. (n.d.). Wesley Hamilton thanks the man who shot and paralyzed him on 'Queer Eye' Season 4. Retrieved from https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article232753482.html