October is Occupational Therapy month in Canada, so we took some time to share a few examples of the amazing outside-the-box work our team has completed with their clients.
OT or Chef? Our OT Pablo helped a client with a brain injury resulting in limitations to her fine and gross motor control to regain independence through meaningful activity engagement. This included connecting the client with some local equestrian centres as this was a passion of hers. Pablo also spent time working in the kitchen with the client, to explore options of food packaging and different appliances and adaptive tools that would improve her independence with cooking meals for herself. As someone who has been lucky enough to try Pablo's cooking and baking, I can attest to the fact that he was the right therapist for this job!
OT or Excel Wiz? Our OT Grace helped a client who was a corporate manager of a travel agency. She was referred to OT to help support her RTW following a concussion. Grace got approval from her client's insurer for her to take several self-paced online Excel courses over a period of 6 months to help her improve screen tolerance and cognitive skills and practice using symptom management strategies such that she could return to full time work. This is a wonderful example of using something that is actually relevant to the client and the task she needed to accomplish in order to improve her function (no need for irrelevant computer/brain games).
OT or Gamer? Our OT Marina worked with a client who was a pedestrian involved in a car accident, which resulted in a fracture to her thumb (among other things). This client was an avid video gamer, and was not able to tolerate the play because of her thumb injury. Marina worked with her client to analyze the movements and positioning of the thumb while gaming, and developed compensatory and remedial strategies to help her return to gaming without pain.
OT or Baking connoisseur? Our OT Joanne supported a client who sustained a concussion to return to her work as a Brewer. For those of you who don't know, there is a real science behind brewing, with a lot of steps to follow and multitasking required (not to mention the consequences of a mistake can be costly!). To prepare the client for return to work, Joanne spent time with her client practicing work simulation activities such as following a new and complicated baking recipe, with various distractions and interruptions throughout the task. After the client successfully made delicious brownies (did I mention we love our jobs?), she herself, her rehab team and her employer were confident in her ability to successfully manage the science of brewing beer.
Some other hats we wear (there are too many to name them all!):
Cycling coach
Translink Navigator
Driving co-instructor
Office set up master
Job analyzer
Communication facilitator
Energy conservation expert
Pain management guru
Goal setting enthusiast
Home cleaning wizard
These are just a few examples of the variety of approaches we use as OT's. If you or someone you know is struggling with everyday life tasks, chances are an OT could be of assistance! Get in touch today to learn more about how Occupational Therapy can help: https://www.pacificpeaktherapy.ca/contact
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