Year 2 Week 5: Distraction is Key

Key Term: Distraction is key...

... key to not panicking about a formative assignment for at least 30 mins anyways.

Let me explain; Now it is slightly long and descriptive but stay with me; if you can...

Last week when I was meeting my PAT, we discussed the impact of those distraction moments, when you are consumed with worry; you know the ones, that distract you for a wee bit and make you smile and forget for that time the worry and anxieties you might have. This week I had one of those moments; On Tuesday we had our formative assignment for Applied OT; which was a presentation of the specialist area we plan to cover in our viva which is in just over a weeks time. Normally I am consumed by worry before having to speak in front of people for at least the whole day until the point of having to speak (if not days before). But this week I had arranged to meet someone to discuss using twitter for half an hour at lunch time. Now normally I would have said no to such a request so close to an activity that I know increases my anxiety levels because I'm not very productive in those hours before as my worry increases. But since it was the only mutual time available I decided that on this occasion Id work around it and give it a bash. I'm so glad that I did, because although I was extremely worried on the journey down like normal; having this meeting actually did what we had discussed last week and distracted me and made me smile; for half an hour I wasn't panicking about what Id say or that everyone would be looking at me. I was discussing an occupation I enjoy engaging in and sharing knowledge and feeling normal. Don't get me wrong I was still super worried in the 10-15 mins before and had a mild freak out just as I started speaking; but for half an hour I didn't feel that way and that was a huge thing for me. 

It strikes me of the importance engaging in meaningful occupations and how it can impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. We talk a lot about activities and occupations as occupational therapists and we as a profession fight for the occupational rights of our service users and clients because we understand the impact occupations can have on a person; and although this example is quite simplistic I wanted to share that it times of stress; activities that distract can be positive for the individuals involved. I have seen this in many of the people I have worked with as well in physical settings; how engaging in a board game or a game of cards can give that person time away from thinking about their illness and improve their mood. 

Planning and prepping for the aforementioned viva is ongoing and is still feeling like a major challenge, but I guess they never said a masters would be easy. This time last year I was freaking out about submitting a 1000 word essay (how I wish we only had to do that amount now) and a year on; new assignment formats still in still same reaction. But this time I feel it is reasonable since I know my working memory isn't great; the challenge of remembering authors and dates feels like a mountain to climb...

This week also included leading the Welcome to OT #OTalk,  which I am going to blog separately about as it will probably be a longer post, and I have already written quite a lot in this one. But I think It was a successful chat and I'm glad I was able to be part of it. 

Towards the end of the week, we were looking about Political Competence within our class discussions; and I was struck afresh by the varying factors that can impact on a persons occupational engagement.  Hammell (2008) discusses  that it is the occupational right of every individuals to engage in meaningful occupations; No matter their race, sex, stage of life or whether the are ill or have a disability. But as a society does our culture and services make this possible? As an occupational therapy student; It strikes me that it will always be a fight we'll be fighting as graduates continually as we navigate funding cuts and local and national policy; When I cam to university to study OT, I don't think I ever really thought about the bigger picture you know past wanting to qualify as an occupational therapist and that's what being on the course allows. I have been in conversations over the summer about how keen I am to get going and work; but there is still so much to learn... and so little time!

Now back to the pile of books...

I'll leave you with this lovely video for #OTWeek15, that has been stuck in my head since I watched it on Thursday; it's by the BSc 2nd Year students at uni, Pretty awesome if you ask me.





References

Hammell, K. W. (2008). Reflections on... well-being and occupational rights. The Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(1), 61.

Recharging our batteries

Recharging my batteries

I've been thinking a lot over the last week about batteries and how as an individual, I use my energy. Anyone who is close to me will know, I'm always tired, but for me It is almost normal to feel that way, it's like a faulty battery as such, no matter how much rest I get, I don't seem to stay charged for very long - Almost the impact of charging your iPhone with the iPad charger (If you have an iPhone and an iPad - don't do this! it wrecks the battery!), It does charge the phone, surprisingly fast but the charge doesn't stay long which creates problems... i.e. it doesn't last the day! During term time, this is how my energy works and for a lot of the day I feel I'm on the low battery alert, seeking out a charging point. 

I've been on 'summer holidays' for the last few weeks and thankfully have a few more to go before going back to university for my second year. I'm trying to balance fitting in all the other little things, I didn't have time to do during term time with getting enough rest time to really recharge my battery stockpile for feeling charged enough to start my final year. Yes anyone that knows me well, will say I'm always tired, they will probably also tell you how I like to be busy and doing things with my time so it's a challenge for me to sit and rest. 

I'm trying though, a work in progress... Now to 'veg' out Kelly style with a massive cup of hot chocolate and a book. 

Until next term... 

Week 38: Back to uni

Week 38

Key Term: Campus is a Ghost Town

... and we are back! 

This week is the start of our last section of first year with the start of 5 weeks of classes and 2 assignments due before the August. It felt strange to be back in uni especially since the campus was really empty as most students are finished for the summer holidays. It was great to meet up with classmates again and learn from each others experiences on placement.

We also had probably the sunniest day of the year so far this week which certainly had an impact on my motivation to do uni work. But I'm plodding through it this weekend with the weather being slightly more dull. 


For more insight into my journey to become an occupational therapist; follow me on twitter: @OTontheTracks

Deaf Awareness Session

I can now sign “Hello, my name is Kelly and I’m an occupational therapist” in British Sign Language (BSL)…

This morning involved an optional deaf awareness session at uni, and I'm really am glad I decided to travel down to Carlisle for the morning to take part.  I have an interest in learning BSL as a way of communication and I’m annoyed at myself that when I previously had the chance to learn that I didn’t stick it out.  

The session also taught me of the variants in sign language – SSE (Exact English Signing), Cued speech, Makaton as well as BSL (And the variants of this in other countries). Not to mention the fact that a lot of people with hearing difficulties will lip-read.

Here's a little more information on the various forms of signing:

British Sign Language (BSL) - A visual way of communicating using hand gestures, body language and facial expressions. (1)

Sign Supported English (SSE) – Basically using BSL in the order they would be used in spoken English language. (2)

Cued Speech – “Cued Speech uses eight hand-shapes in four different positions near the mouth to clarify the lip patterns of normal speech.” (3)

Makaton – Uses signs and symbols to aid communication. It is there to support spoken English. Using makaton can help people with no speech or limited speech to communicate, and also used by people who prefer not or haven’t learnt to sign. (4)

“Blindness separates people from things; deafness separates people from people.” – Helen Keller

The session let us experience (as much was possible with ear plugs), what it would be like to not be able to hear. Also we could experience how difficult it is to follow a conversation when you can’t hear, and how even if you miss the first few words you are lost for the whole conversation.  It was also apparent how difficult it is to lip-read especially if you don’t have any idea on the topic.

Whilst undertaking my studies towards becoming an OT, I am continually having my eyes opened to the growing list of difficulties people with disabilities face day to day, whilst doing tasks people without disabilities take for granted. 

I hope that during my career I am able to assist people with disabilities live as independently as possible in a way that allows them to continue to do the things that are meaningful to them. This brings me to my next point…

How great are hearing dogs?!?! 

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People (6)

I have only known one person who had one when I worked on reception, and it surprised me then how well trained the dogs can be - alerting the owner when their name was called by the doctor. But they are becoming increasingly common for people with deafness; and even children with deafness are increasingly being supported by them, as long as they are able to look after the dog. Similarly to guide dogs for the blind, they help their owners live as independently as possible by highlighting dangers to them such as the smoke alarm going off. They can be trained to alert their owner of the phone ringing/text message being received, the doorbell ringing and even to wake them up when their alarm clock goes off.

I hope to continue to develop my skills in sign language, so that I am able to effectively communicate with clients I encounter with hearing difficulties as an OT, and generally to develop a better understanding of the difficulties they might face.

References 

(1) British Sign. (2014) Available at: http://www.british-sign.co.uk (Accessed: 16th February 2015).

(2) Sign Supported English. (2015) Available at: http://www.signedlanguage.co.uk/signsupportedenglish.html (Accessed: 16th February 2015).

(3) Cued Speech. (2015) Available at: http://www.cuedspeech.co.uk (Accessed: 16th February 2015).

(4) The Makaton Charity. (2015) About Makaton. Available at: https://www.makaton.org/aboutMakaton/ (Accessed: 16th February 2015).

(6) Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. (2015) Available at: http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk (Accessed: 16th February 2015).