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I am an occupational therapy student in Michigan. I am currently a senior and have come to the realization that I will be out in the field practicing on real people soon. I want to learn about the daily struggles both emotionally and physically that people with disabilities face. I want to be able to use this knowledge to better treat my patients and have thier concerns and priorities take center stage. I do not want to rely on a theory to plan my treatment. If I have some background knowledge that goes more indepth than a textbook, I believe I will be a better therapist. Please feel free to share your story and experiences with me. I truly believe in client centered practices and listening to the client.

Hello Student,

welcome to Disaboom.

 

A laudable idea You have there. But I would like to point out that I don't struggle daily. I'm using a wheelchair for ten years now, and am well adjusted to my daily life.

For me I can say that I loath it when therapists feel sorry for me. They should know better I always think.

 

Daisies

WELCOME ! WHERE DO I BEGIN , I AM POST POLIO, I STRUGGLE DAILY AT TIME POINT IN MY LIFE ,I WAS STRICKEN WITH POILIO A WEEK BEFORE MY THIRD BIRTHDAY, AFER 9 OPERATIONS AND THOUSAND OF HOURS OF P.T. I WALKED WITH A LONG LEG BRACE AND CTUTCHES , I WORKED FULL TIME , DROVE A CAR MARRIED AND ADOPTED TO CHILDREN FROM INDIA  MY LIFE WAS JUST WHERE I WANTED IT , THEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHAT SO EVER I FOUND MYSELF MOVING AT A SLOWER PACE AND WALKING LONG DISTANCE AND STAIRS WERE BECOMING A NIGHTMARE , NEVER HAD PAIN WITH POLIO IN THE PAST AND ALL OF A SUDDEN JOINTS ARE SORE ,SHOULDERS ARE SCREAMING AND I WAS GETTING TIRED BEFORE THE DAY WAS DONE . IN A STATE OF PANIC I SEEN MY DOTOR AND FOUND I AM OK AND PPS HAS ENTERED MY LIFE ! NEVER HEARD OF PPS TILL THEN , WENT OUT AND READ EVERYTHING I COULD ON POST POLIO SYSDROME , CHATERS I LEARNED AOT AND SEE MYSELF , OTHERS I JUST CRYED READING AND TOLD MYSELF NOT ME !!!!! TWO YEARS AGO I LOST MY MOBIILITL TO WALK AND I AM IN A CHAIR FULL TIME , MENTALLY I FELL DEFEATED ! KEEP ASKING WHY AT SUCH A EARLY AGE ! BEGIN IN A CHAIR HAS COMPELTY CHANGE MY LIFE, I  STILL AM VERY ANGRY , I DONT ACCETP IT WELL , AT ONE POINT I WAS UNABLE TO SAY THE WORD "WALK " WITHOUT BUSTING INTO TEARS .........I AM TRYING TO ADUST TO A WHEELCHAIR FULL TIME AND CONTINUE TO LIVE A FULL LIVE , IT IS A UPHILL ALL THE WAY FOR ME ! ALMOST FEELS LIKE A SECOND DISABILITY TO ME..........LIFE GOES ON AND I AM STILL TRYING SOMEDAYS ARE BETTER THEN OTHER , NEVER DID I THINK IN MY DREAMS I WOULD SAY I MISS MY BRACES AND CRUTCHES ! LORD KNOWS I DO , THAT IS MY STRUGGLE ! ACCEPTING MY LIFE IN A WHEELCHAIR !  AND OF COUSE TO TOP IT OFF FOR SOME UNKOWN REASON YOUR PARTNER CAN NOT COPE SO THEN RUN ! HEY LIFE GOES ON AND SO WE! I STILL HAVE SOME NEGATIVE DAYS, NOT AS MANY, THINK I FOUND MY SMILE AND MY SOUL IS HEALING , I HAVE MANY BLESSING AS WELL IN MY LIFE , JUST TIMES I NEED TO STOP AND COUNT THEM !!         RAINEY826

Listening to the client is a good place to start.

 

I have mild cerebral palsy and am a pediatrics resident.  My CP mostly affects my hands but also my gait over the past few years, and wasn't diagnosed until I was an adult.  I've been in OT twice and PT three times, plus it was an OT student who finally taught me how to swim.  My therapy went well when we were able to work together on my goals.  It went less well when the therapist's goal seemed to be to turn me into a non-disabled person.   I remember when they wanted me to lift weights with the wrist I had broken and I finally had to demonstrate I couldn't lift a pound weight with the wrist I hadn't broken either!    Part of successful therapy is believing there is no "One True Way" and that getting the job done is more important than how it is done.

 

I would agree with the other comment that I really don't struggle all that much.  At least I don't struggle from my actual disabilities.  It's the difference between the medical model and the social models of disability.  The big challenge is always dealing with the attitude of others.  I can only write a few sentences at a time with a pen.  You know from your hospital rotatiations that a daily note is written by medical students and residents.  My school didn't want to allow me to type those notes so I spent months fighting, finally had to get letters from my doctor and functional capacities eval before they would even consider my request.  Fighting for the greater part of a year was a struggle, and an unnescessary one.  I am fortunate my current program has no problem with my typing notes "as long as they are on the charts."  So I'm much better able to do my job.  Same person, same disability - different attitude from the environment. 

I know you are a student, and probably do not have much free time, but why not consider volunteering (even if only 2 hrs weekly), at an OT department at a local hospital.  In such a situation you would have a much better chance of talking to people, and understanding their needs on a personal basis than from written answers you get from here.

 

However, I do not discourage any who might wish to reply to this sincere request--it is only my own observation.  I personally have rarely been helped by an OT, who usually has no clue as to my real needs.  I have read here about great OTs at the Shriners Hospitals, but my experience has been with people who have preconceived notions about how I should do things, and are unable to actually look at my own situation, ideas, and experiences and adjust their recommendations and support accordingly.

Always remember each patient is going to be different no matter how simular they are. What works for one may not work for another. Never forget why you wanted to be an OP. When it becomes a job, it's time to seek out another career. You are on the right track. A good listener makes for a good theropist. Don't feel sorry for us. You will find many of us to be very gung-ho. You will only reach true success in helping those that are ready and willing to help themselves. Know and be able to recognize the stages of the healing process. Here is a great organization and place to do all types of research. www.amputee-coalition.org/membership All the best to you and thanks for caring. Crockett

I agree it would be best for me to volunteer at a clinic or hospital to observe patients and learn more. I am taking fieldwork classes that allow me to do just that, however; students are only required to complete 16 hours per 10 weeks. My current job is working with children with disabilities and it allows me to see the family dynamic. I wish I had more hours in the day, to do all that I want.

Thanks so much for your comment and advice. I really appreciate the information. I am surprised, I have received so many comments and they have all been really helpful. Once again Thank-You!

OT Student

I am glad to hear that you are not struggling with your daily life. I completely understand your comment about therapist feeling sorry for their patients. I do not want to feel sorry for my patients. I personally feel that therapist are not there to be one to offer pity. There are many other functional issues that could be addressed during treatment. My entire purpose of this post is to learn more about conditions from a personal point of view and not the textbook. You can read about spasticity and how it could affect daily activities, however; if you see it and talk to those who deal with it, you have much better idea as to possible treatment strategies.

Thanks for your comment!

OT Student