Ella's OT Student Blog

Throughout this semester my classes have been taking about the importance of adaptability in OT. This skill was "put to the test" in my Neuro Aspects class with our most recent project. We were given a common item and had to create a product to help our client. Each client had a story so we knew their back story, diagnosis, interests, etc. My client was Jane, a nurse who enjoys hanging out with friends, cooking, gardening and making pottery and was recently diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. My item was a plastic or metal hanger. I made a wire stand that can be used to prop up a phone, tablet, paper, or book. I thought this would be a good item for Jane so she focus on conserving her energy while doing things she loves, instead of walking back and forth to read directions, instructions, etc. because GBS causes extreme fatigue. This project really made me step outside of the box and use my OT brain. My biggest take away from this project was the amount of creativity a...

The Memphis Rollin' Grizzlies were founded in 2003 and they provide a way for those with disabilities to participate in sports. Recently, my class had the opportunity to go watch a Memphis Rollin' Grizzlies basketball practice. It was very interesting and unique learning opportunity! The Rollin' Grizzlies are currently in the off season, so we watched the team scrimmage. I played soccer for 20 years, so I am very unfamiliar with the specifics of basketball, outside of your dribble with your hands and try to get the ball through the hoop. Prior to attending the practice, I read over some of the rules of basketball so I wasn't completely in the dark, but I learned at the practice that there are some slight differences between wheelchair basketball and able body basketball. For instance, in wheelchair basketball traveling is when you take two pushes or anything else that causes you to move. A player is out of bounds when any part of his chair goes over the lines. Players...