Neuro Note #5

With the Stanley Cup Finals currently taking place, I could not pass up the opportunity to write a reflection on a hockey article. The news article is titled "Exclusive: 1-on-1 with injured hockey player, Matt Olson." After learning about spinal cord injuries (SCI) in class and having a guest speaker on the subject matter, I have gained interest in that area of practice. Another reason I chose this article was due to this and wanting to learn and observe as much as I can in the area of SCI.

Matt Olson was a standout hockey player. The very sport he loved and spent so much time on is what caused his life-altering injury. During a game Mr. Olson was at top speed when he ran into the wall. He reflects on the day of the injury and said he immediately knew he could not move. His therapist and doctor talk about Matt's ability to master the therapy activities quickly, mainly because of his training as a high caliber athlete. He finds enjoyment in therapy and being able to work hard at something, even if it is not hockey. The article does not specify the level of Matt's injury, but does describe it as the most severe type of SCI. The doctor says he will be able to strengthen his arms but will likely never gain his leg strength back. Yet he is in therapy working hard on a bike. I googled the different forms of bikes that can be used during therapy for this type of injury. The one shown in Matt's video straps his feet into it so they are moved along with the pedals. This type of bike is called a functional electrical stimulation (FES) bike. The injured muscles are aided in restoration and function through small electrical pulses. The muscle pulses allow for the bike to pedal.

I gained a lot of inspiration from this article. Matt discussed how he still has is same sense of humor and work ethic, and I think that is very admirable after what all he has been through. I recommend this article to any health care professional or to someone suffering from a SCI. I also recommend it to anyone in general who just needs a little pick me up!






Reference:
Exclusive: 1-on-1 with injured hockey player, Matt Olson. (2016, May 19). Retrieved June 01, 2017, from 
http://www.kare11.com/mb/news/exclusive-1-on-1-with-injured-hockey-player-matt-olson/205434233

Functional electrical stimulation. (n.d.). Retrieved June 01, 2017, from https://www.christopherreeve.org/living-with-paralysis/rehabilitation/functional-electrical-stimulation

Parkinson's Disease Media Project

Material Assigned: Cupcake Liners

Client information product was designed for:
Demographics: 76-year-old, married, caucasian, female, retired history professor, living in a skilled nursing facility
Primary Diagnosis: Parkinson's Disease
Secondary Diagnosis: Cataracts and hypertension

Population that could benefit from product use:

• This product can be used as intervention across the lifespan, from children around the age of 4 to geriatrics. 
• The product was designed with Parkinson's and a skilled nursing facility in mind, but could be used with many different populations and settings. From a school, to a mental hospital, to acute care, to outpatient rehab, and more! 

Barriers of targeted population to be addressed through product use: 

1. Lack of social interaction in a skilled nursing facility
2. Cognitive challenge
3. Visual acuity deficits 
4. Poor trunk control
5. Decreased gross and fine motor coordination
6. Intention tremors

Product created: oversized checker board with velcro cupcake liner "checker pieces"

Materials Needed:

• Cupcake liners
• Poster board cut into a square
• Crayons or markers
• Velcro 

Purpose of the product:

Paula has been recently transferred from her home to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) after insurance changes caused her to lose her home care. This transition has been hard for Paula as she has been living with her husband in the comforts of their home for 45 years. She is also used to having much more freedom and independence than what she has now in the SNF. Paula misses being able to keep in touch with colleagues and friends via her computer, which she had open access to at home. Paula also feels that the activities in the SNF are boring and do not challenge her mentally. The purpose of the checkers game is to foremost provide Paula with social interaction. Whether it be played when her friends or husband visit, with her roommate or fellow clients at the SNF, or during an occupational therapy session. Providing an appropriate level of cognitive challenge is another purpose of this product. As well as aiding Paula in maintaining or increasing her visual acuity through correct placement of the checker pieces. Improved trunk control can be achieved through increasing the duration of the activity each time or altering the set up. The game board can be placed on a table, on a wall, or on the clients roll away table on her hospital bed. Increases in client's gross and fine motor coordination, achieved by playing the game either sitting or standing with a support. The client will have to pinch or grasp the checker pieces, as well as reach across the board to place them. Tremor control can be achieved through the use of wrist weights or arm supports. The client could also practice strengthening the non-dominant hand. The checker pieces are velcroed down, this prevents the pieces from being knocked around if the hand begins to tremor. Since cupcake liners can be bought in bulk at a low cost, they are easily replaced if one becomes torn. This product is great for intervention throughout the stages of Parkinson's disease as it can be graded up or down as needed. 

Take Away-Pat Summit- Dementia

Katherine's case study was on Pat Summit, go vols!!!! Growing up in Knoxville and going to all the Lady Vols games growing up, I was excited for this case study. I have looked up to Pat Summit for a long time. As big of a celebrity that she is in East Tennessee, I remember her diagnosis being kept very privately. Katherine did a good job telling us about her battle with dementia. Coach Summit had a medical history, having suffered from rheumatoid arthritis as well as having six miscarriages. It is believed she ended up passing away from an infection. Her battle was short as she passed away five years after being diagnosed.
During her early onstage time she continued to coach, but she began having issues calling plays. She said that numbers were the hardest for her. Coach Summit was in denial of her diagnosis, but was eventually encouraged to retire. She often lost her keys multiple times a day, and even left her car on while she went into a game.
During early stages it would be important to help with patient education, stress, and gaining mental strength. During middle stages an OT could work on sequencing, ADLs, motor skills, home modifications. An OT can not do much for the client during late stages of dementia, but care giver education can really help in this process.

Neuro Note #4

After discussing sexuality in class a few weeks ago, I overheard some classmates discussing an article that they had read on the topic of sex and disabilities. After getting the name of the article and hearing more about it I decided this would be a great article for a neuro note. The article is titled "Fucktionality: Why Sexual Function Should be Part of Occupational and Physical Therapies for Disabled people" by Andrew Gurza.

First off, every future/current OT and PT needs to read this article. Mr. Gurza uses such a blunt and straight forward tone, there is no beating around the bush. He describes a failed attempt at sex and the first time he asked his OT about it. When he brought it up with the OT, she became extremely awkward because she had never been in that situation before. I am lucky to have already touched on the subject in one of my OT school courses. However, there is so much more for me to learn. I started my learning experience by reading some of Mr. Gurza's other articles. I hope I can continue to explore this topic and become educated so I can help someone one day and not be caught off guard. Sexuality is such a big part of a person, and although it is not usually discussed openly, I think as a future OT I should make it comfortable to discuss. It is something everyone goes through and should not be something to be ashamed of!
So, as I previously mentioned, I highly recommend this article for anyone in the health and rehab field. However, I think it can be particularly beneficial for occupational and physical therapists as we work with clients to regain strength and increase functionality in daily tasks. I hope to reflect back on this article and topic throughout my career.

Direct website link: 

https://www.kinkly.com/2/13660/sexual-health/health-professional/fucktionality-why-sexual-function-should-be-part-of-occupational-and-physical-therapies-for-disabled-people

Reference:

Gurza, A. (2016, June 22). Fucktionality: Why Sexual Function Should be Part of Occupational and Physical Therapies for Disabled People. Retrieved May 23, 2017, from https://www.kinkly.com/2/13660/sexual-health/health-professional/fucktionality-why-sexual-function-should-be-part-of-occupational-and-physical-therapies-for-disabled-people

Direct website link: https://www.kinkly.com/2/13660/sexual-health/health-professional/fucktionality-why-sexual-function-should-be-part-of-occupational-and-physical-therapies-for-disabled-people

Take Away- Richard Pryor- Meghan Mincey

Meghan did her case study on Richard Pryor. Mr. Pryor was a comedian and performing was his main occupation. He was 36 at the time of his diagnosis and was very active in his career as a stand up comedian. Prior to diagnosis he suffered from a heart attack and had a triple bypass surgery. He also had a very rough childhood and was a trouble maker from a young age. Mr. Pryor was a heavy smoker and drinker, which could have potentially played a role in his diagnosis.
Following his diagnosis he suffered from depression and even tried to commit suicide once. As we discussed his goals, we discussed having him perform a short stand up from his power chair. Since his throat muscles were weak he could strengthen his throat muscles by screaming and other exercises. He also had memory loss, which would interfere with him memorizing his show. Activities to help in building and maintaining memory would be key to get him ready for a performance.

Good job Meghan!

Take Away- Huntington's Disease- Woodrow "Woody" Wilson Guthrie

Ellen's presentation on Woody Guthrie was very insightful on Huntington's Disease. Woody was a singer and this played a major role throughout his diagnosis. He was able to use music as a form of therapy. It also altered his music style. He always said he never sang a song the same way twice, this is because his disease often altered his voice and memory. Woody also struggled with hand coordination, making playing instruments or holding a microphone difficult. His irregular musician schedule would cause difficult in treatment and therapy sessions as he was always traveling. Traveling also became more difficult the more his disease progressed. As Woody's disease progressed he had violent behavior outbursts and lost his problem solving skills. Woody's mother was never officially diagnosed, but it is believed she also suffered from Huntington's Disease. She was placed in a psych ward. Woody stated that he thought he had what his mother had before he was officially diagnosed.
Good job Ellen!

Foundations Course Takeaway

What a fun introductory course to occupational therapy school. I really enjoyed this course because coming in I obviously thought I knew what OT was. However, through this course my understanding of OT and the field in general has grown exponentially. I really like how we started the course looking at it from a broad perspective, the history and the foundation of the field. As it went on we got more specific, adding theories and the OT process. This helped to ease me into graduate school and my understanding of OT. I enjoyed the open dialogue of this course and how it was comfortable to give an opinion and speak out or it was comfortable to sit back and listen to classmates. I liked the exam formatting for this course as well, as we didn't have to rely only on our multiple choice test taking skills. The short answers really gave me a chance to reflect and show what I know! I am excited for the class next year, as I think our class made great recommendations for this course. I can't believe I have finished my 3rd OT class! I will always remember this course as I continue my journey to an occupational therapist.