Here's the problem, at least as I see it. The person that my wife talked about goes to our church, so I see her every Sunday. I've never given her any feedback because even though my wife has told her that I will work with her, she hasn't asked. (Probably because of her OT experiences, so I don't blame her).
Anyway, this young girl basically had a stroke. She has typical hemiparesis symptoms, but UE and LE. As we ALL know, the LE has regained much better function than the UE. In fact, the girl walks with a cane. Her UE is basically useless. She has typical synergy movement and can do some grasping, but to the best of my ability she doesn't really use her affected arm for taking care of herself. When the girl was in outpatient rehab, she desperately wanted to be able to live a more normal life at home. She wanted to be able to care for and hold her baby. But, there is NO way that was going to happen by trying to have her regain use of her UE. I don't care how many hours of therapy she received, no amount of therapy was going to bring back the function of her arm. Now, it's hard for people to hear that a therapist can't help their arm and it's hard for a therapist to say I can't help your arm, but that's the problem. So many OT's are stuck in the UE role!! It's all they know! They can't say that I can't help you because then they wouldn't have anything to do!! Which of course is dead wrong!! What this girl needed her OT to do was to work with her on how to care for herself and her family using only one arm and 1.5 legs. This would require the therapist to simulate the patient changing, carrying, feeding and playing with a baby. My gosh, HOW HARD IS THIS!! You know, get a stupid doll from wal-mart and have the patient practice!!! But that would require that the OT be involved in mobility issues and as we all know that is the protected turf of PT! Bunk!!! that's what I say. How in the world can you work on occupation from a stinkin' chair, especially when the person if walking!! How stupid!! In my opinion, OT's are reducing themselves to some sort of backseat driver. They don't take a leadership role because they don't have anything to offer, and the know it! As long as our treatment focus is on UE then that's about all we have to offer, stupid cones, pegs, restorators, rickshaws, pegs, etc!!! Enough is enough with this stupid crap! We are killing ourselves by acting like a second-rate profession. But the sad reality is that's what we are!! At least in my experience in adult physical rehab! It times like this that I hate being an OT!! It's embarrassing!!! Disclaimer: If any of the above doesn't apply to you or your practice then don't worry about it. There are lots of good OT's out there doing a good job, but there are a lot more doing a crappy job!! Ron P.S. Chris, THIS is a rant!! :-) CA> From: Caryn Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> CA> Reply-To: OTlist@OTnow.com CA> To: OTlist@OTnow.com CA> Subject: Re: [OTlist] And Yet the "Saga" Continues CA> Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 15:33:29 -0500 >>I know... get the names of all the professors at this school and you >>guys could email them the otnow link (only half joking). I often >>wonder, not being an OT, only married to one, why is it that this >>profession is so misunderstood? I would like to tell of an experience >>with OT of my own. There is a young lady at my church that had an AVM. >>She is still partially paralyzed in her right side. (Please forgive any >>medical terminology errors). Anyway, she was doing outpatient rehab, OT >>and PT. I volunteered to help in rides for her to therapy. I asked >>her, what exactly is OT doing to help you re-learn how to cook, clean, >>and take care of you children (she had a 3 month old when this all >>happened), you know what her reply was? WORKING WITH CONES!! I said, >>what the heck? Aren't they working with you to help you with your goals >>of parenting? She said, that is how they are doing it. I asked if it >>seemed like it was helping and she said she couldn't really answer me. >>Fast forward 6 + months, she is now doing accupuncture, and outpatient >>rehab OT/PT. She believes the accupuncture has helped her the most. >>Anyway, I asked about the current therapy and they are still not working >>on occupational deficits, only UE exercises. Now realize, she has >>received therapy from 3 different rehab companies (major therapy corps) >>and not one of them has worked with her on OT. Of course, Ron has >>offered his services, but since he doesn't take her insurance, she >>doesn't have the funds and won't let him do it free. I get so >>frustrated, I have been so tempted to talk to the OT while I am waiting >>to pick her up, but I know these cattle companies only want the OT's >>doing it the way they see as most cost effective. I really feel for you >>guys and wish there was an easy answer, but with the larger companies >>running the show, I don't know if it will ever be practiced (as a whole) >>in the way it was created. >> >>Caryn -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
