Untitled

[wannabeot]

And that’s a Wrap...

Venezuelan politician Henrique Capriles Radonski once said that “The best university is the university of life” (Radonski, (n.d.).  Perhaps, just maybe that’s exactly what we just experienced. Now I don’t for one minute think he had any idea that he would be quoted in this context, in actual fact quite the opposite. It feels like the standard “I’m taking a gap year” or “Studying is not quite for me” speech you prepare for you parents when discussing post grade school plans… Punctuating these with the odd punchy quote that seems tailor made for your side of the argument is never a bad idea!

At this point I would like to step back for a minute. How does one near the end of a four-year journey only for the final topic to be… closing reflections of on this block… Feels like we are short changing the “journey”.

Four years ago, I walked into varsity a very different person to the one that will walk out… (hopefully) Each and every experience, trial and triumph (yes, leaving physiology and surviving a good few blogs is definitely a triumph) both in the varsity programme and out changes one. Some experiences increasing cynicism, while some develop insight, knowledge, empathy, skills and other patience, friendship and generally how to survive on minimal sleep. Just this morning I sat speaking with some of my lecturers (who I might add are counting down the days till they see the back of me) but one lecturer made a comment that made me think… “come on Caryn, be honest. One day you are going to look back on all of this and say those were the best days of my life” (Lecturer, Personal Communication, 2017). I have been extremely fortunate/lucky/blessed/worked hard and experienced really awesome “best days of my life moments” … My immediate response the past 4 varsity years are not particularly among those and neither do I see them worming their way in. BUT (and for those who know me it’s a big but) on further reflection and thought maybe in some far-removed way they have been, as these four years will allow me (legally) and equip me to spend the rest of my life fulfilling my passion. That right there has got to be worth a good few “best days of my life moments” and for that these past four years will stay right up there. Who knows perhaps I may even look back one day and develop a “favourite” lecturer.

 But let’s get back to the university of life or at least how I saw it… Gone are the cushy equipment laden hospitals, the safety of four walls and always knowing where you are going. Gone went negotiating a single day without at least one argument of which discipline was using the bus and for how long. Yes, Welcome to community or “life”. Despite spending the past 3 and half years “working” in the public health system, community still came as a shock to the system. The first week excitement of the freedom of slops and daily use of our black Lacoste style shirts soon gave way to the realization that your feet get ridiculously dirty and the shirts well they have no pockets, which strangely have become the biggest asset of our oversized bright green scrubs. More than this though was the responsibility and freedom that came with this block. Oh, the sins fancy weekly timetables can hide. This was the real world. No supervisor looking over your shoulder asking for daily write ups or indicating that after sitting for 5 minutes that you needed to be up and busy or looking like you are busy. It was dealing with different people each day and finding a way to make things work. It was home visits where we got to experience first-hand the failings of our health system. It was interaction with people whose only prerogative was to find what they could get for themselves while doing as little as possible. It was coming face to face with the real and increasingly ineffective nature of our education system. It was frustrating, anger provoking at times irritating, yet it made you think.

It could not be ignored! Every day we were faced with this. Yet this was our reality for ONLY 6 weeks, only Monday to Friday, only 8 till 3. After which we were able to retreat to the comfort of our own homes and beds. This however is the reality facing the residents daily.

After my first week in community I was left with more questions than answers. Questions I drove my friends completely crazy with. Questions I hoped to answer over the course of the block.

Here I sit at the end of block with even less answers and possibly more questions than the start. As OT students, I still feel like perhaps we are spreading ourselves to thin throughout the community, trying to cover as much ground as possible but in the end only being able to do it possibly half as well. Withdrawing from some of the projects that are not functioning would see us have more time to apply ourselves to areas where there is greater collaboration, effort and appreciation. How we increase engagement in projects without creating dependency is something I have not yet been able to answer, but this does not mean we stop. Former South African president Nelson Mandela is quoted as saying, “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest” (Mandela Quotes, (n.d.). With this in mind maybe it’s not always about how much you “do”, but rather that you “do” and continue to “do”.

A friend once told me, “bad things happen when good men sit by and do nothing”. (Friend, Personal Communication, 2017) Let us not be those sitting by looking at other to make the change!

Shake the tree, create chaos, challenge norms but whatever we do we need to keep pushing until change is evident. 

To the fabulous team of four overachievers… Thank you! It has been a treat sharing these last 6 weeks with you.

As porky pig used to say... “That’s all folks” 

C

xx

References:

Henrique Capriles Radonski Quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved October 19, 2017, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/henriqueca470072.html

Nelson Mandela Quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved October 19, 2017, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nelsonmand737776.html

[wannabeot]

Your health or mine…

Extra, extra read all about it… Kwads Health Promo Day running next week!!

Wait what…

So that is pretty much how the conversation started… “Wait, what… you are preparing for what? Why are you doing that so of thing? Isn’t that like the job of nurses and doctors? Or I don’t know… anyone other than occupational therapists?” (Family Member, Personal Communication, 2017)

Sigh…

I guess these family members can be forgiven as they come from an old school nursing background where thinking was very seldom focused on prevention but rather on “gosh darn… drat… we need to find ways to control what has just walked through our doors, all hands-on deck we need to work out how to fix this. Much of this shift in thinking can be attributed to the large strides medical care has taken over the past couple of decades.

Many medical aid schemes are also jumping on the band wagon with their creation of elaborate and personalised incentive schemes in an effort to promote health.

The World Health Organisation has estimated the 50% of the worldwide burden of disease can be attributed to chronic illnesses. Conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, cardiovascular problems, diabetes and strokes are far and away the leading causes of deaths worldwide (WHO, 2017). When you look at it like that health promotion just makes so much sense.

But what exactly is health promotion?

According to the world health promotion is process through which individuals, groups, communities are empowered and encouraged to take control of and improve their health (WHO, 2017). Again, look at it like that and it makes a whole bunch of sense. Improving people’s ability to better care for themselves… Genius!

 So how does Occupation Therapy fit into all of this? Well… We as Occupational therapists believe that “health is strongly influenced by [individuals] having choice and control in everyday occupations” (CAOT, 2002, p.31) and if we are saying this we are saying occupations are a big thing in health. But what exactly is an occupation… because according to the majority of people it’s that thing that makes Monday’s so damn difficult and has us celebrating the different days of the week with weird and wonderful names such as, hump day and throwback Thursday in an effort to get to Friday quicker.

Not quite the “OT” definition… We are kind of like the hippies of the medical world we like to be different, according to the American Occupational Therapy Association, “Occupations are purposeful and meaningful daily activities that fill a person’s time” (AOTA, 2008).  So pretty much everything and that is how we fit in, by creating health promoting programmes using these occupations that are so important to each individual. Without each of us being able to do our daily “occupations” life would be pretty average to say the least! Ok… but not only promotion, Occupational therapists are trained in client cantered care and are knowing as “experts” in providing assistive devices and adaptions to environments and therefore are a vital presence in a multidisciplinary team at primary health care level.

Back to our community I have witnessed first-hand during this block the power of media and technology. We have used multiple forms to advocate for our health promotion day, which we hope will be a great success but also have witnessed it on a smaller scale where by a group of moms caring for children with disabilities have made a messaging group where they are able to not only discuss problems they are having but also encourage one another…

So then if it is so powerful why are we not making more extensive use of all the different media platforms?

Media is an easy way to reach a mass audience with your message however, it is seldom interactive and where it is interactive it is difficult to control content. This can lead to contentious content being propagated which can do more harm than good. It can also be difficult to convey feeling, build one on one relationships and dispel misunderstandings through the world of media. These very things being principles on which Occupational therapy is founded.  There is a time and place for media and when used correctly it is a very powerful tool but there is no substitute for human contact.

Here’s to a successful Health promotion day next week.  

C

xx

 References:

American Occupational Therapy Association (2008). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and Process, 2nd Ed., American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(6), 625-683.

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (2002). Enabling occupation: an occupational therapy perspective. Author, Ottawa: ON

 Chronic diseases and health promotion. (2017). World Health Organization. Retrieved 13 October 2017, from http://www.who.int/chp/en/

 Health promotion. (2017). World Health Organization. Retrieved 13 October 2017, from http://www.who.int/topics/health_promotion/en/

[wannabeot]

MIELIES....

Mielies...  (Agriculture) South African an ear of maize (Collins English Dictionary, 2014)

I have early memories of an advert involving a lady standing on a hill with a booming voice selling her… MIELIES… to anyone and everyone with in ear shot. As someone who enjoys eating mielies this advert always left me with a craving to get my hands on a juicy mielie.

Fast forward a couple of years and those memories were brought to the surface. During the past week, not only did I get my hands on a mielie but I got to make it myself while interacting with the store owner alongside the road in the community we are based.

As part of our community interactions our trusty bus driver took us to meet with local entrepreneurs, in an effort to understand some of the many different elements contributing to this community. Along the way we met with a lady selling mielies so we stopped to chat with her, braai mielies and eat. She was extremely open and accommodating, and took the time to teach me the even the small details required to successful braai and sell mielies.

Townsend and Wilcock define occupational justice as each and every individual’s right to be exposed to opportunities and resources that allow for engagement in meaningful and purposeful occupations (Townsend & Wilcock, 2004). Expanding on this they identified four “Occupational Rights” …

1.   Right to experience occupation as meaningful and enriching

2.   Right to develop through participation in occupations for health and social inclusion

3.  Right to exert individual or population autonomy through choice in occupations

4. Right to benefit from fair privileges for diverse participation in occupations

(Townsend & Wilcock, 2004)

However, sadly occupation injustice is being seen as a major trend, particularly among communities and populations such as the one we are currently based in. Occupational injustice is the result of people being restricted for engaging in occupations that will allow them to meet their essential needs, gain fulfillment and increase or experience health, safety and comfort (Kronenberg & Pollard, 2005).

There are differing kinds of identified consequences to occupational injustice, namely: apartheid, imbalance, marginalization, deprivation and alienation.

While engaging with the local entrepreneur selling mielies not only did I become acutely aware of the potential dangers that exist in her chosen line of work (I could barely get anywhere near the mielies to turn them without feeling as though my hand, arm and possibly my entire body was going to be engulfed in scorching heat and flames.), it became increasingly clear she is a victim of occupational injustice. Having previously worked as a domestic worker, an occupation she saw as her one and only choice given her social, economic, political and educational standing. After many years she became frustrated by having to work for others, while not having enough time and energy to tend to her own house and family. She also indicated she spent much of her earnings on the transport required to arrive at her place of work. This combination of factors led her to seek alternate methods of generating income. However, as her social and environmental context is much the same she has been forced into accepting engagement that provides her little meaning and enrichment. All the while feeling over worked, as she needs to be in town to purchase mielies by 4am each morning or run the risk of being left without. Only to return to the community and spend her day in the baking sun hoping to sell all she has purchased.   (Entrepreneur, Personal Communication, 2017).

As occupational therapists, we believe occupation to be at the very center of human beings and aim to enable meaningful and purposeful engagement in these occupations. I left my morning work with a mixture of feelings, an overwhelming sense of opportunity to be free to engage in occupations that carry so much meaning in my life. Yet saddened at the thought of the many many people who do not experience this, and simply involve themselves as a last or possibly only resort.

C

xxx

References:

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Kronenberg, F., & Pollard, N. (2005). Occupational therapy without borders: Learning from the spirits of survivors. London: Elsevier Church.

Townsend, E., & Wilcock, A. (2004). Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(3), 131–132. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749606300213

[wannabeot]

Dear Mr. President

Please can you help?

Before I jump right in let me first give you a little bit of background information as to what exactly it is that I do. I am a fourth-year occupational therapy student. As part of our academic requirements during our final year we are stationed in 1 of 2 communities in fairly close proximity to our campus. During our six week block we are required to engage in the community, run projects and plan and implement intervention with residents requiring assistance, especially those experiencing difficulty attaining transport to the various health care clinics.

The Kwadabeka community is serviced by the Kwadabeka Community Health Centre. This centre serves as a referral site to six further clinics in the surrounding communities. (Health, 2017)

Our base is situated at one of the six satellite clinics, the Clermont Clinic and it is from here we venture into the community.

It was during one of our drives around the community in the past two weeks, we were given the address of a resident who had been identified as “in need of assistance.” With the four of us and our trusty driver in good spirts we left the clinic to navigate the labyrinth of roads in search of her house, along the way coming face to face with a friendly enough green snake. I say friendly as it slithered off in the opposite direction to where we were headed. We approached the house and knocked on the door… Only to be called to the nearby window, here we were met with the friendly and inviting face of an elderly lady who was in visible discomfort. She explained to us she had been shot many years ago and lost feeling and use of her legs. She was being cared for by her grandson however, he was often out. Locking the house and leaving her with the key at the window. She indicated that community caregivers had previously visited her house on a regular basis to offer basic care and assistance but that they had not been to see her for as long as she could remember. She detailed her daily struggles, but it was only when she spoke of here toileting needs that she became emotional and simply shrugged her shoulders and looked at us through the window. (Resident, Personal Communication, 2017)

I walked away from the house with feelings of complete and utter failure.

She needs things we are unable to give.

How can we make a difference or must I simply be happy with possibly impacting one or two… what if that is just not good enough?

How is it that our country and its services are failing its people at such an alarming rate?

I began to think…

I mentioned him earlier but our bus driver is really fantastic, he is a gentleman from the community who negotiates the maze to deliver us to our home visit residents. He doesn’t seem to complain much but when he does it’s about the house numbering. Many times, completely frustrated he sighs and asks: if he as a member in the community together with the many members we ask along the way have such difficulty locating houses. How are the emergency services supposed to negotiate their way around when sent on a call out? (Bus Driver, Personal Communication, 2017) The community seems to be stuck between two numbering systems both of which seem to be equally confusing and incomplete.

In April of 2017 an article in the Medical Brief outlining the lack of funds in health departments and frozen medical posts. With the same article quoting a report from the “The Times” in which it reported on the Department of Health’s revelation that it is unable to employ full staffing compliments and is facing a 3.2-billion-rand shortage for the 2017/2018 financial year. (Media, 2017)

Health care workers are attempting to provide for their patients without the necessary equipment. Items ordered on tender are at times delivered many months later. Having personally witnessed over an 8 month wait for splinting and pressure garment materials ordered by a local community clinic. Patients too have to endure months of waiting for wheelchairs ordered through the tender system.

These issues from the seemingly insignificant matter of a number on a house, to others that warrant “front page” articles in leading newspapers are easily forgotten when one is able to turn to private facilities, fully staffed, clean and short of hours of waiting in ques. As the saying goes… out of sight, out of mind. If only it were so easy for those involved.

My one story of one resident… She is not the only one in this community, with too many sharing similar stories to hers. This is not the only community in Durban, struggling with basic needs on a day to day basis. Durban is not the only city in South Africa, a country swelling with opportunity, hope and passion yet a country with a fundamental fatal flaw…

A broken core.

Mr. President your country needs you, please stand up!

C

xx

References:

Center for Economic and Community Development. (2017). What is Community Engagement? Retrieved September 8, 2017, from http://aese.psu.edu/research/centers/cecd/engagement-toolbox/engagement/what-is-community-engagement

Committee, C. and T. S. A. (CTSA) C. C. E. K. F. (2011). Principles of Community Engagement. NIH Publication No. 11-7782, http: ⁄⁄www.cdc.gov/ phppo/pce/. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.04.014

Stats SA. (2016). Community Survey 2016: Metadata.

Survey, C. (2016). SURVEY.

United Nations Division for Social Policy Development. (2012). Toolkit on Disability for Africa: Module 13 - Culture, Beliefs, and Disability, 32. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/disability/Toolkit/Cultures-Beliefs-Disability.pdf

Wegner, L., & Rhoda, A. (2015). The influence of cultural beliefs on the utilisation of rehabilitation services in a rural South African context: Therapists’ perspective. African Journal of Disability, 4(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v4i1.128

[wannabeot]

Fighting the “Invisible”

Not the hugest of fans of super serious and “fact” laden blogs, however I feel this community block may just require me to break this mould slightly. We are confronted by hard truths daily, often leaving one to question wether there is even a point to all this... 

Census 2016 found South Africa to have a population of 55,6 million people with the prevalence of disability among this number rising from the previous count to 7.7%, with KwaZulu-Natal’s numbers also on the rise. (Survey, 2016)

Disability is defined in the South African Community Survey of 2016 as:

“The loss or elimination of opportunities to take part in the life of the community, equitably with others, that is encountered by persons having physical, sensory, psychological, developmental, learning, neurological or other impairments, which may be permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, thereby causing activity limitations and participation restriction with the mainstream society.” (Stats SA, 2016)

While looking for home visit client’s over the past week it was mentioned to us that there were more residents in the surrounding houses who could benefit from home visits. We assigned Thursday morning to visiting the residents for initial assessments. Thursday arrived and off we went, all be it slightly under prepared as yesterday’s temperatures reached the low 30s and today it was cold and rainy… not conducive to wearing the “freedom” afforded to those on community block… Slops!

Nevertheless, we would not let this prevent us from going. Finishing off at our first house we proceeded to know on the door of the second. There seemed to be noises coming from inside so we walked over to the nearest window to see if we could attract attention. Here we saw a small child sleeping on a bed visibly suffering from a form of physical disability. We were eager to meet with the family and the child to assess and see what sort of treatment, care and support we could provide. We returned to the door and proceeded to knock louder, with no response we looking to leave a message with a neighbor when we were called by an elderly lady tending to a vegetable garden. She indicated to us that it was her house we had come from but as we were knocking on the door on the other side she was unable to hear. We explained to her we had been given her details by a resident in the area who felt we may be able to assist her. She became agitated and returned to tending her garden before indicating we should leave as there was nobody sick or suffering from a disability in her house and that she did not require help. (Resident, Personal Communication, 2017)

The United Nations out lined a number of aspects adding to and perpetuating the negative beliefs relating to disability in their toolkit for disabilities in Africa, these included:

·      Lack of understanding and awareness of disability.

·      Misconceptions or social constructions concerning the causes of disabilities.

·      Ill-informed and insensitive media coverage that perpetuates negative views.

·      Reinforcement of prejudice and fears through law and policy that may affirm harmful beliefs about disability.  (United Nations Division for Social Policy Development, 2012)

The stigma surrounding disability in South Africa is a real issue, impacting on seeking, compliance and continued engagement in intervention. In an article written on the influence of cultural beliefs on the utilization of rehabilitation on services in a rural South African context: Therapists’ found patients not to be attending therapy as transportation was difficult due to the stigma attached to persons with disabilities, as many believed them to be cursed and would therefore not offer transport. Persons with disabilities were also perceived to be of less value in their communities. The study found that cultural beliefs regarding the causes of diseases and disabilities harmfully impacted on seeking rehabilitative services.

“it’s not always just money, its people’s attitudes towards disabled people’.” (Wegner & Rhoda, 2015)

How can we overcome this and reach the “unreachable”? This encounter hit me hard. We were right there yet there was nothing that we could do. 

It is our responsibility as health care providers to make sure that we are culturally aware, knowledgeable and competent so that we are able to provide the best possible service. We also need to continue to advocate for our professions and implement programs highlighting disabilities, breaking down stigmas and encouraging early intervention. As the saying goes… “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Neither will these perceptions and stigmas simply disappear at the drop of a hat, this however must be seen as motivation in continuing to fight to provide “health for all.”

C

xxx

Center for Economic and Community Development. (2017). What is Community Engagement? Retrieved September 8, 2017, from http://aese.psu.edu/research/centers/cecd/engagement-toolbox/engagement/what-is-community-engagement

Committee, C. and T. S. A. (CTSA) C. C. E. K. F. (2011). Principles of Community Engagement. NIH Publication No. 11-7782, http: ⁄⁄www.cdc.gov/ phppo/pce/. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.04.014

Stats SA. (2016). Community Survey 2016: Metadata.

Survey, C. (2016). SURVEY.

United Nations Division for Social Policy Development. (2012). Toolkit on Disability for Africa: Module 13 - Culture, Beliefs, and Disability, 32. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/disability/Toolkit/Cultures-Beliefs-Disability.pdf

Wegner, L., & Rhoda, A. (2015). The influence of cultural beliefs on the utilisation of rehabilitation services in a rural South African context: Therapists’ perspective. African Journal of Disability, 4(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v4i1.128

[wannabeot]

Touch... Pause... ENGAGE

Following an extended sabbatical from the laborious process of forced blogging, I am officially back! The silver lining behind weekly blogging is definitely that for me it indicates the final practical block of my Occupational Therapy Degree, and so, without any further time wasting I welcome you to join in the journey of what has been promised to quite certainly be “the best block ever.”

So, what exactly is this “Community Engagement???”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines community engagement as:

“...the process of working collaboratively with and through groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest, or similar situations to address issues affecting the well-being of those people It is a powerful vehicle for bringing about environmental and behavioral changes that will improve the health of the community and its members It often involves partnerships and coalitions that help mobilize resources and influence systems, change relationships among partners, and serve as catalysts for changing policies, programs, and practices” (Committee, 2011)

The center for Economic and Community Development looks to simplify this definition further by stating

“…community engagement seeks to better ENGAGE the COMMUNITY to achieve LONG-TERM and SUSTAINABLE outcomes, processes, relationships, discourse, decision-making, or implementation.” (Center for Economic and Community Development, 2017)

Although not walking in completely ignorant and backed with the insight from the handovers gained from previous blocks, as to some of the barriers and difficulties we may face. It was still with this attitude of “community engagement” that I approached our first day.

Ok…

Side bar…

Confession time… honestly perhaps slightly daunted by not having the psychological security of a four-walled clinic with semi up-to-date medical files and a number of possible translators on hand.

Community requires us to do exactly that, get out there and apply our skills through working and engaging with the community.

Enter day one… As we have been told that this block becomes extremely busy, first port of call was to create an amazing timetable on which we could not only record all our engagements but also count down the days to the slightly exciting matter of the end of our university based education! #fornow Also known as any excuse for the stationary junkie in me to write, mark and decorate with every highlighter known to mankind.

Now everyone knows that creating a timetable ensures your day is already greatly successful. Onwards and to what we thought was upwards… Only for, as marathon runs call it us to “hit the wall.”

Wow, week one and reality hit! Within such a short time we witnessed how scarcely sustainable our engagement and upliftment projects are. With the previous block of students having barely left the community, yet without them little of what was implemented was continuing. We came face to face with dependency that we have possibly created by being what we perceive to be enthusiastic students who are here to make this big difference. We were met with hostility by a member in the health professions community who we saw as an ally and vital source of knowledge on the community. Many rejected calls and unsuccessful home visits later all the excitement of the first week has become slightly tainted.

This week has left me to wonder…

Are we spreading ourselves to thin and trying to achieve the impossible when possibly the biggest changes and impactful moments are sitting right under our noses or do we simply keep plugging away hoping that one day someday it will all change.

These are questions I hope to better answer over the course of the next 6 weeks to allow for deeper, more community focused engagement.

 C

xxx

Center for Economic and Community Development. (2017). What is Community Engagement? Retrieved September 8, 2017, from http://aese.psu.edu/research/centers/cecd/engagement-toolbox/engagement/what-is-community-engagement

Committee, C. and T. S. A. (CTSA) C. C. E. K. F. (2011). Principles of Community Engagement. NIH Publication No. 11-7782, http: ⁄⁄www.cdc.gov/ phppo/pce/. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.04.014

[wannabeot]

Thanks to this awesome bunch for the all the fun, laughs, support and samosas throughout this block! Tuesday's and Friday's will never be the same❤️

[wannabeot]

Tis the season to be Jolly... Fa la la la la,la la la la.

We may have just survived...

What can definitely be put down as the most RIDICULOUS semester to dates finally coming to an end. 

Ok so really speaking we still have some most wonderful of clinical science modules to complete and the small matter of exams, but prac is Done! Which means for the time being blogs can be packed away, now thats not to say I won't blog at all until the next time I am forced... I have grown quite fond of the “Tumblr Trophies” one acquires on achieving certain milestones, but it will allow for a period of a bit of “freedom” of choice. I’ve spoken many times of the rather “interesting” relationship I have with my blog, and though I do think this relationship has grown to be rather better than worse. (although I maybe be completely off point and deluded on this too) It is still very much a love-hate relationship. 

So in wrapping up I'm gonna dabble around all things psych, semesters, strikes and what I have picked up along the way. 

MY TOP TIPS TO COPE WITH THE BLOGGING JOURNEY:

Write little notes throughout the week. This makes Thursday/Fridays mad scramble slightly easier. 

Look ahead at what is to come. When you have a blogging schedule you get the fortune of being able to look at what topics need time to prepare, such as reading or movie watching. These can be done wee before the time to make life a little less hectic when the semester starts hitting the busy points. 

Invest in a Bestie who will, get excited and support your blogging journey by creating the most ridiculous list of words... such as modulation... and cool quotes and sayings for you to work into your blogs each week, even if they have nothing to do with the topic! 

If all else fails become “a famous” and pay an IT specialist to manage your ever growing social media accounts!

Craze, silly, stupid, wild... do with them what you must.

This years fees must fall protests really took their toll. not only in the obvious damage to property, disruption of lectures and far too many students, police and private security getting injured. A less obvious loss was experienced by our service users due to our absence. One day this all this came together. We arrived in the morning for prac and the first thing my client said to me was, ”Where have you been? I really missed our sessions!” During fieldwork we are dealing with real people, not that different to you and me, and they intrust us with their lives and their stories. They rely on us. 

It is upsetting our treatment was caught up in this tumultuous time.  

All in all Psych block was great, I loved and was challenged by my time spent at the substance abuse centre.

But today I can truly say I'm very pleased to be done. 

Somedays it feels like you get to take two steps forward for every one step back. You can see and feel the growth. Whilst other days like today you realise everything can be the opposite of everything, perhaps the growth was simply an illusion and all this time it was really one step forward for every two back, but that’s how it is when you are fighting subjectivity. 

It is what it is... Average... That’s all. 

I leave you with this quote that was particularly applicable for far too many points of this semester... 

“Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have” (Rowling & GrandPré, 2003).

C 

[wannabeot]

This Joint is Rocking...

Take a jar add some rocks... Throw in some pebbles... Squish in some sand and just when you thought it full, mix it all up with any liquid form you may choose. 

Now I know what you might be thinking... There she goes again, that crazy mix of school activities meets occupational therapy stuff. And for some a definite feeling of... okay this time she has most certainly gone to far! 

This time I can honestly say... “It wasn't me!” 

There was this professor chap who was addressing a few executive chaps on how to efficiently manage time. So this old chap was given an hour and I’m pretty sure the other chaps had a few thoughts going through their heads prior to the lecture... we are big successful businessmen. What is this old timer going to  tell us that we don't already know? or maybe they were waiting to be blown away by some deeply rich business principles and “12″ steps to straighten out your time management, and then the golden oldie rolls in with jar and bag of rocks... FOR REAL BROTHA!! 

Dr Steven Covey and some others have their spin on this so I decided let me add mine...

So he threw these rocks, pebbles, sand and liquid into the jar and he kept asking these chaps if the jar was full, at first they were like ya like totally full... and he was like nah not really... and they were like ya, ya thats what we meant. Being the fast swimmers they were the next time he asked they were like noways... loads me space. (Can just see the back slapping and executive cheering and whooping going on) So when they olé bullet asked what can be learnt from this naturally they thought they had it wrapped... so they busted out their answer...something like no matter how full you think your time is just work a little smart and hared and you will be astounded at what else you can fit into your schedule. Let me just say I think it is after this point a lot of people stop reading and walk away like... yoh that was power my bru, POWER! Cause that what is all about right business, academic institutions, as much as you can into every minute of everyday come hell or high water. 

DING DING DING... BARP... YOU GOT IT WRONG...NAH NAH NA NAH NAH...

Okay not quite as ostentatiously as that, but you get my drift, bailie chap had one over them again. Then he sold them with a one liner - 

If you don't stick the big rocks in first you will never get them in there later. BOOM! Enter Brooklyn church choir with hearty.... POWER.

This jar dropped in at just about the right time, we are busy wrapping up for the semester. This is normally the cue for crazy amounts of work, zero social life, few hours of sleep, too many assessments, exams and stuff to keep track of and why don't we “throw” in some rocks, tear gas and tons of five 0 while we are at it. All this pretty much morphs me into some sort of supposedly hard done by, grumpy, horrid creature... or so my mom says. 

Ok little jar work your magic... these big rocks what are they, they different for each person and its generally the stuff and people that will be around when the others fade away for whatever reason, and as big as this degree is in my life right at this moment, its definitely not going to be around forever and there are definitely more times that it needs to ride in the back and not shotgun. 

So... hopefully... looking ahead to next year, Im going to take this jar along with me and fill it up with the big stuff first and sometimes it will be varsity but more “other” big stuff too, and to those brave enough to rock on this journey with me (see what I did there), to put up with my grumpy, tired, selfish and moaning days... Thank you! I hear by give you full permission to knock me over the head when Im running around directionless and in a state of self-pity... 

C 

xx

[wannabeot]

Bang my head against the wall

There are many things special about psych block and I have throughly enjoyed myself over the past weeks BUT wow, Read, read, read... like only psych block can make one do. To escape from all the mountains of articles and research on frames of references, approaches, models and all that jazz Ive been treating myself to a bit of personal book therapy. As OT’s we are the biggest proponents of living a “balanced” life... Aren't we? So I have not completely cheated my evening escape is non fiction and OT related... all be it physical. 

My book has taken me on an interesting journey, from loving it, to wanting to climb into the book and shake the characters until they saw their ridiculous behaviour. to disappointment in myself for even feeling that and back to loving it. But before that discussion lets take a slightly more stat(tie), research(y) look at things...

An article by D. Naidoo looks at TBI’s from a South African context. What is a TBI? Traumatic Brain Injury, different to a head injury by the fact that it must contain the presence of neurological symptoms. TBI’s are South Africa's the leading causes of death for person’s below the age of 45 years and the males in South Africa have the second highest road traffic injury related deaths in the world, majority attributed to TBI’s.

 In the United States they have recorded 1.5 million TBI’s per year, with the leading causes:

1. Falls 

2. Motor vehicle accidents

3. Assaults 

In 1991 a study done in South Africa found there to be 316 TBI incidences per 100 000 people per year. A 2007 study showed that South Africa recorded six times the number of injury related deaths and two times the amount of Motor vehicle accident injuries than what was the global norm at the time. Studies have also shown Violence to be our number one cause followed by motor vehicle accidents with a large number of accidents involving pedestrians. (Naidoo, 2013)

Is it possible that TBIs and substance abuse link?

It is a well known fact that substance abuse greatly increases the risk of sustaining a TBI... Decreased inhibitions, heightened senses, excess emotions floating around... someone is bound to decide the are superman, Lewis Hamilton or Rocky Balboa. It has been found that substance abuse produces poorer results when in rehab for TBI’s, and though there may be research to suggest a link in TBIs relating in substance abuse, much of the evidence points to TBIs more often than not being a consequence rather than a cause. (Bjork & Grant, 2009)

Back to my book... Beyond the High Blue Air (Spinney, 2016)

This book follows the paths of a family, in particular a mother, along the heart wrenching road that is TBI recovery. 

Spinney’s son then aged just 29 and with the world at his feet suffers a devastating head injury and is left in a coma... 

As one tends to believe of all books, they are like fairy tales and in the end prince charming will ride off into the sunset sitting on top of a fire red Ducati with the girl of his dreams who has never left his side through it all hanging on the back... Im not here to talk about that but rather what I feel this book has shown me. 

Team work is dream work... The importance of being able to work in a team as a health professional and be open to different ideas and opinions  because at the end of the day if one wants to break it up in to yours and mine, winning and losing... The only winning solution is when your patient recovers. 

Holistic treatment... Wow wee, treat the patient holistically they say, challenge enough as it is now throw in a frantic family. If you want to remain sane include them, teach them, keep them unto date with what you are doing and why and report back to them on how there special person is responding. Show them how to accept progress no matter how small it maybe. 

People are crazy, not only will they do wild things in the name of thrill, fun, entertainment but more so the lengths people will go to to “fix” those who are “broken” from bedside nurses to neuro doctors to parents. Even when the odds are stacked in the wrong column we keep fighting, try another direction in the hope that it will bring with it a better response. 

And my oh wow moment... 

His mother is exhausting herself turning to work out why her sons expression is sometime a mix of pain and sheer frustration in one grimace... she has a eureka moment.. “what would I do if my nose was itchy and I couldn't scratch it... Miles, I thought I might just give your nose a bit of a scratch and see if you like it... I stop his response is unambiguous. Slowly and deeply he inhales, and then exhales in a long, drawn-out sigh of undeniable relief, his face and body now completely relaxed.”

When pouring over ideas and ways to help people remember sometimes its the little things, the finer details that make all the difference in the world. 

As we approach the end of the semester and finals week just know... coffee makes everything OKAYER...

C 

xx

Naidoo, D. (2013). Traumatic brain injury: The South African landscape. S Afr Med J, 103(9), 613. http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/samj.7325

Bjork, J. & Grant, S. (2009). Does traumatic brain injury increase risk for substance abuse?. Journal Of Neurotrauma, 090330061141047. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2008-0849

Spinney, L. (2016). Beyond the high blue air. London: Atlantic Books.

[wannabeot]

Glai kai nai kue glai...

It’s one of those moments that brings a giant sigh, a... WOW! At long last sigh! And this coming from a measly 3rd! Can only imagine what those damn 4ths were feeling! (yes, that is possibly, maybe, defiantly jealousy you are reading in my text) It’s the... well... almost is, the culmination of a year and a halves worth of late nights, endless reading and tears, many many tears. 

Welcome to research day!

Due to #feesmustfall action on campuses across South Africa this years presentation date and venue got shifted about a few times, but we got there, eventually. It is the job of us lowly 3rds to assist, we are given different tasks and duties throughout the day but mostly we are there to marvel at this thing we have come to know as the certain death of our ever waining social lives. 

Research - as it stands it is still this strange beast placed in our lives. Not really sure of what we are doing and with the full picture not yet seen, slowly week-by-week under the guidance of our awesome supervisor it is developing... I think!

 Lets just say the 4ths presentations didn't really clear any of it up either, now that is not to say that they herein any way average. No. Everyone of them were nothing short of phenomenal, smooshing all that work, all those late nights and library excursions into a 20 minute presentation, like boom take that, there you have it! Yes they smashed it!  

It just feels so far!

Glai kai nai kue glai... How much further is near? 

It’s almost done, only one year and a little bit left but this week it may as well be light years away. This week and on research day in particular the end of this part of the journey has never felt further, honestly, day one, year one, it was almost certainly closer. Being a student is hardly the toughest test you are going to have to face in your life, but right now and for the following 14 months it is life and it is tough. But this is the life we have chosen. The one which we will dedicate hours to, long days and even longer nights to. 

Looking at the 4ths each of them taking their turns to present, the greatest thing in the room, the most inspiring element was the togetherness, the solidarity. The love, emotion and support shared within group, throughout the class but also from every person in the room. Like everyone in some way everyone was connected to the fight of someone becoming an OT... Cause lets face it somedays that is what it feels like... War.    

We may still have a way to go and even though it’s still not so clear how what we've got becomes what they gave, together, supported, loved, good days and great days we will make it. Pretty sure the “American dream” is actually to become an Occupational Therapist, arguably the greatest profession ever. 

But till our turn next year... 3rds... Be a pineapple: Stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside.  

C

xx

[wannabeot]

Who’s teaching who?

“You can’t just make me different and then leave” - Looking for Alaska

Perception is a funny thing, it’s meant to be our idea, interpretation, picture, feeling, belief, judgement, yet it usually influenced by the masses and their opinions. Let us dare not break the mould and decide for ourselves or better yet go against the common perception of a thing. 

Messed up, no good, low-life, waste, outcast, dirty, failure, thief, liar, every thing to learn and nothing to give, weak, useless these are just some of the common judgements placed against drug abusers. 

Walking into this prac block I was pretty excited at the prospect of being one day closer to the end of it. I never gave much thought to the idea of learning along the way. Yes learning varsity stuff for sure, designing of “client centred” programs, setting better aims, tricks and flicks to make case studies easier. Hopefully teaching the service users assigned to me a thing or two or helping them develop insight and skills they can use when returning to life outside of the centre, but me learn from them... not so much, or at least so I thought. 

Some of societies judgements are not so far off, drug abusers lives are generally in a state of disarray but then again who of us can honestly say they have got all their ducks in neat little rows, personally I have bunnies and right now they feel like they are at a rave. These people are seen as weak yet they have done something you and I are terrified of doing, they have put up their hands and claimed their mistakes, they have admitted to being out of control and in desperate need of help. Me... there are days I battle to ask my GPS for directions. Perhaps we are not so different after all, perhaps each of us in our own ways go through the stages of change each day. Contemplating change, planning for change, implementing these plans but often falling short of our ultimate goal and needing to start the cycle again, is this then failure? Is this the end? Why are we allowed a second, third, forth chance yet our perception of druggies is one strike you’re out. 

Yes they can be manipulative but as they can learn from us we have a lot to learn from them. 

Returning to prac today after varsity disruptions and mid-semester break, I was fortunate to meet up with one of my service users before he was discharged on completion of the program. He was very upset that we had been unable to be at the centre for the past two weeks due to the disruptions but thanked me for the sessions we had. 

To the service users I had the privilege of working with... Thank You! Thank you for challenging my perceptions and putting me outside of my comfort zone. I hope that each of you find the strength each day to fight your fight and on the days that you are not quite there that others will be there to guide and support you. I hope you are able to show others the strength and character I got to see. 

The thing about varsity practice hours is that you very seldom get the chance to know the long term outcomes but the lessons you have taught me in these few weeks have changed me and will stay with me always.

C

xx

[wannabeot]

Casual Day for what?

So what’s this “Casual Day” thing anyway?

Casual day is South Africa’s most prominent fundraising campaign for persons with disabilities, it is largest project of the national council for persons with physical disabilities in South Africa. (NCPPDSA)  Their aim to raise funds and awareness for people living with disabilities in South Africa. The Casual Day initiative has been running for 22 years, and what better day to host it than a Friday! Each year the first Friday in September is dedicated to Casual day - corporate’s, schools, organisations and individuals purchase stickers in support of the initiative and dress up in craze and fun outfits for the day, many of these work places, schools and organisations running fun events on the day for there staff and pupils. Casual day is run in partnership with its national beneficiary organisations who receive a portion of the funds to run their organisations. (for more information pertaining to these organisations please visit: www.casualday.co.za)

As an a future Occupational Therapist it is encouraging and motivating to see active support and awareness being created for people living with disabilities. Working with many of these clients I have been able to experience first hand the profound impact living with a disability can have not only on the life of the individual but also those they invariably become financially, physically and emotionally responsible for the care of these individuals and loved ones. The support from they receive from the various organisations can be life changing. Not only is it vital that we support persons with disabilities in financial and practical ways such as provision of wheelchairs and crutches etc.. but also that through the awareness raised stereotypes and stigmas are broken down, that gawking look, stare, hand over mouth in disbelief, pointing behind the backs, shocking parenting comments thing that goes on when people who look slightly different, walk slightly different, children who behave differently to the “picture perfect pin-up-girl” mould society has created dare to venture out into public. I say big ups to Casual day continue to “up your game” and shine a light on a community that is just like us quirky and different. Needing love and acceptance. Facing the challenges life throws at them, whilst having just as much motivating to succeed and wanting many of the same things in life as you and I. 

During our practical block part of our responsibilities is to organise and run a wonderfully craze and fun filled “Casual Day” for the people living or using the services at the facilities we have been placed. As our facility is a substance abuse centre, the service users are required to attend groups during the day, we therefore could unfortunately only run our event for one hour, 

It was during this event that (as off the disability/casual day topic as this maybe) I had one of those light bulb moments that come around every so often. At the start of the event I felt so despondent as we had poured in a lot of effort into our event... an “Amazing Race”. Our teams however seemed to be oblivious to this. Asking question like... “how long is this going to take?”... “do we have to do this?” and isn't this so often our attitude in life, give me the shortest, easiest route, the way in which I can return to my predictable, me controlled life as soon as possible. Don't make me interact with people outside my normal group our make me operate outside of my comfort zone. Now who knows the most marvellous time, biggest learning experience, best friend may be waiting for you  on the other side...

Cue handing out of the first clue... and BANG, wow people running everywhere, people helping people, screaming, laughing, encouraging. At the end.. “no is it finished?”, “can’t you just make up more clues?”, “that was the best few hours I've had in a long time”, “can we take craze team photos?”. What an incredible morning!!

Life its a funny thing, you only get one, but every now and then it gives us a “leg up”, second grab at the dice... I recently read a book, Me Before You, it had many wonderful points but this guy stuck out... “you only get one life, It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible” - Jojo Moyes. Take on life Casual Day or not, take it on with everything you've got. 

C

xx

[wannabeot]

Mirrors are for Reflection!

It is as it is. In this country, in this province, at this university, at this stage of ones degree the powers that be decide that we definitely do not have nearly enough work on a weekly basis so lets throw in a blog.

Now please don’t misunderstand me I love blogs, I love finding them especially ones that are in my field of interest, sports blogs, OT blogs, I love reading blogs, especially travel blogs they have a special ability to be able to transport you to a world far away from your desk and the ever growing pile of readings, write ups and studying you have to do. For someone who's feet get as itchy as mine this is entirely necessary as when making the decision to further my studies meant planting myself in one place for the best part of 5 years, throw into the mix full time varsity at a “mature” age (so my class mates like to remind me)  and minimal opportunities for income generating work it all felt just a etchy bit daunting! 

Yes I do have room in this apparently cold heart of mine for blogs... writing them... not so much. I tend to vacillate somewhere between seriousness and stupidity, deep and shallow thought. I feel I express myself far better in an oral conversation than these written vibes. 

So it was with this sort of attitude or thought pattern that I took to the journey of blogging at the beginning of the year or better described as blogging was forced upon me. And so the cycle began - Friday nights around 11pm were reserved for the mad rush of creating a blog that need to be posted by 12! As one can imagine reflection often only touched the surface and I never felt a particular love or interest growing in either what I was writing or the art of blogging. Admittedly this “unloved” feeling was possibly, definitely most probably contributed to by the leaving it to the last minute, tired after a long week vibe I had created. I also never found it was particularly helping my eureka moments of reflection, sharing, self correction, be all you can be, spread your butterfly wings, ride the unicorn rainbow. 

There is a saying, probably written by a super blogger, cause they are cool like that, writing smart “ish” and creating great lines/quotes - “change is as good as a holiday”

Ok now there is something I am really enjoy... Holidays, so let’s give this a try.

Semester 2: new blogs, new topics, new rules.

I vow (yes this is serious stuff) not to leave my blog for 11pm the night it is due... mmmm ok partly because varsity also jumped on to the new semester new rules thing and we now have to submit by 6pm and really 5pm doesn't suit me I have things to do, people to see, gym to smash. Lets try that again. I vow not to leave my blog for the day it is due (big step) and to try dig deep and let these deep reflective thoughts show. Believe it or not they are there. 

I am not about to profess my undying, never ending, all encompassing love to the writing of blogs, but changing my method or lack there of but mostly my attitude has definitely allowed me to see some merits and gain enjoyment out of the exercise even though my thoughts are still more comical than serious, in my own way they are deep, and I guess that is what blogging is about your thoughts, your feelings and however you want to put those across.  I still feel I express myself better verbally but hey this blogging thing... Its not so bad and with time and effort I’m sure it will get better... or at the very least easier. (hopefully)

C

xx

[wannabeot]

Beautiful, complex and at times completely misunderstood

Schizophrenia - 

“a long-term mental disorder of a type involving a breakdown in the relation between thought, emotion, and behavior, leading to faulty perception, inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal relationships into fantasy and delusion, and a sense of mental fragmentation.”

Schizophrenia is derived from the greek words:

Skhizein - to split 

Phrenos - mind

However it is not a split or multiple personality disorder! Schizophrenia is a disturbance in the normal balance of thoughts and emotions. 

A Beautiful Mind(2001) - Director - Ron Howard

Lead Actors - Russell Crowe - John Nash

                       Ed Harris - Parcher

                       Jennifer Connelly - Alicia Nash

                       Christopher Plummer - Dr. Rosen

                       Paul Bettany - Charles

John Nash had an unusually brilliant brain. Although unlike his fellow class mates who were younger and possibly less formidable than he was he had never gained international acclaim. Discriminated and mocked by his peers from the outset as he never quite fitted in. Socially awkward and many a time downright inappropriate John battled to form meaningful friendships and relationships, this was until he met Alicia. His rock who sticks by him, encourages him and enables him to regain his mental strength following his diagnosis. 

This is a wonderful movie with many twists and turns, portraying the many difficulties, stereotypes and social pitfalls of living with a life long mental disorder for not only the person suffering with the disorder but also the family and friends around them. Russell Crowe displays the mannerisms of the disorder particularly well but as with the majority of chronic illnesses medication is vital in order to help suppress the symptoms. This may cause an incorrect message to be sent out to others suffering with mental disorders, will power still needs to be accompanied by medical knowledge and intervention. 

Perhaps the greatest message of the movie comes in Nash’s closing speech...

“I've always believed in numbers, in equations, in logic and reason.But after a lifetime of such pursuits: I ask What truly is logic? Who decides reason? My quest has taken me to the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional, and back. I have made the most important discovery of my career - the most important discovery of my life. It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reasons can be found. I am only here tonight because of you.

You are the only reason I am. You are all my reasons. Thank you.”("A Beautiful Mind (2001)", 2016)

There have been many songs written about love and support...

You my ask...

“What’s love got to do, got to do with it...” (turner, 1984)

It’s everything! 

“love can break borders and love can break walls

Love can unbind us, love can define us

Love can see through what our eyes can’t undo

Love got me thinking love can do anything” (Jacobs, 2013)

How you say? 

“Lean on me, when you’re not strong 

And ill be your friend 

ill help you carry on” (Withers, 1972)

We need love. We need support, especially in the dark days, especially in the lonely hours. 

C

xx

A Beautiful Mind (2001). (2016). IMDb. Retrieved 16 August 2016, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0268978/quotes

turner, t. (1984). What's love got to do with it. Capitol.

Jacobs, S. (2013). Love can. South Africa: Unsigned.

Withers, B. (1972). Lean on me. Sussex.

[wannabeot]

I’m not fussy!

I’m a girl,

I’m a boy,

I’m black,

I’m white,

I’m indian, 

I’m young,

I’m old,

I’m rich

I’m poor

I’m highly intelligent, 

I’m the runt, the stupid one

I’m an only child, 

Im one of three children,

I’m the oldest, 

Im the youngest, 

I’m the breadwinner of my family,

I’m a mother,

I come from a loving and supportive home,

I come from a family filled with abuse.

We don't care they said. We don't bother with status. We don't see race. We don't even care if you are young or old. 

What to expect walking into week one, safe bet... Turn to hollywood they are sure to paint a pretty vivid picture in the multiple movies featuring substance abuse and what their movies won't tell you I’m pretty sure you can pick up by following the stars the reside amongst the famous hills. Movies generally paint a scary picture, one filled with danger, heartbreak, greasy, grimy characters wandering the streets, living in abandoned buildings. Contrast this with the lives of the rich and famous, fuelled by seemingly endless supplies of cash the picture generally looks a whole bunch brighter, fancy cars, dinner parties, substances seem to just add to the fun of it all. Even the rehabilitation centres are posh, buildings and facilities a five star hotel would be proud of, pool loungers and rolling lawns. So it was somewhere between the two that I placed my expectations with which to approach week one. 

Prepare to have your expectations challenged and your views changed. We have been assigned service users undergoing detox thus allowing us to perform intervention with them throughout there 8 weeks of the program. Hollywoods picture all of the sudden seems entirely superficial, drugs and alcohol are not  fussy with who it chooses. It has taken men, women, boys and girls and turned their lives up-side-down. They are people the same as you and me who along the way got some given some options from the other side of the fence that looked interesting and these explorations ended in poor choices and addiction. Addiction that has left them staring up form the bottom of a big black hole, many of them with very few people left standing next trying to give them a leg up or reaching down to help pull them up. Just like you and me they are filled with fears, hopes and dreams and I think that 90% of the time the are truly invested in achieving those dreams. It was a privilege to be able to relax and play soccer with the whole group and listening to them share their stories whilst showing off slick ball handling skills, it is clear they have experienced a whole different side to life and fight daily, hourly against demons that want to pull them back to that life. 

Although feeling slightly out of my depth I am excited to be able to not only follow the journey of this group but add value to each one through group and individual sessions aimed at better preparing them to deal with the lemons life throws at them once leaving the protection of the centre and program. 

C

xx

[wannabeot]

Preparation sort of done...

At first glance semesters are terribly long, 14 weeks, give or take 65 varsity days. In student language… Far to long

Enter Mock Prac…

What is mock prac?

Loosely defined one could say it has nothing much to do with preparing you for the up and coming fieldwork block but everything to do with filling you with Extreme Fear… capital EF!

Strategically placed to remind one that …

·      By the time fieldwork starts 2 weeks will already be gone.

·      Minus another for vacation, also known to occupational therapy students   as a week off to catch up with the ever-growing mountain of work.

And we are already down to 11.

·      Take off 2-3 for the final weeks of semester, project presentations and academic stuff

Leaving us with between 8-9 weeks, just for fun lets break it down further to enhance the fear factor…

·      4 weeks to casual day event

·      5 weeks till midterm presentations and demos

·      8 weeks to final presentations and demos

When put like that may I please reverse my request for shorter semesters.

Mock prac is as informative as it is frightening, it informs you that you are very ill prepared for what you are about to face, it informs you that you need to read… A LOT more, it informs you that porridge brain is not just a phenomenon experienced during pregnancy, that your second year notes are not only out of mind but very definitely out of sight at the back of your cupboard, it informs you that there is one ship load of work to accomplish before we get to experience another of the “rare” student privileges… Exams

 During our time together with our groups and supervisors we spent some time setting goals for the coming semester and fieldwork block. I am going to share one with you in the hope that by doing so more people will hold me accountable.

I must warn you though, it is an area I have Olympic like talent.

PROCRASTINATION… the art of being able to involve oneself in more pleasurable activities and tasks whilst convincing oneself the real and important task is overrated and can most definitely wait!

Looking for an official definition and some tips on combatting this finely tuned art I came across this gem…

Procrastination:-

The action of delaying or postponing something.

“Your first tip is to avoid procrastination”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

REALLY!!

I’m so glad I have that obstacle covered!

Although I must say… so far, so good… blogging on a Thursday, a whole day before it is due!

As for Extreme Fear, I may have slightly over exaggerated, another student privilege.

Nerves and fear aside I am very excited for this block! I am greatly looking forward to casual day where we will be hosting a big event for our clients, but mostly I look forward to learning each day, growing to become a better therapist and leaving a positive impact on the lives of the people I come in contact with.

 Here’s to an awesome semester!

C