Group Facilitation - Exploring Volunteerism

On February 26, 2018, I facilitated a group entitled "Exploring Volunteerism".  During this group, I was given the opportunity to facilitate on my own and bring a protocol that I created to life.  During the introduction, I believe I was not very sure of myself and I am sure my voice was a bit shaky (this tends to happen when I speak in front of others); however, when we moved on to the first activity, I became more comfortable with my group and it evolved into more of a dialogue.  The first activity was my favorite because the handprint craft allowed a more relaxed and informal setting and elicited a more open conversation between group members.  My second activity, the Volunteer Match website, went much better than I anticipated.  I was pleasantly surprised when my group members said they would use this tool in the future and might even use it for their own clients.  I think the Blue group is very unique because we all give input and participate to the best of our ability in these groups, and that was definitely true with the one I facilitated.  I anticipated this group to not be as exciting as the others because we are all required to get volunteer work for the MOT program, so volunteerism is not a foreign thing to any of us.  Despite that, my group shared and processed the information in a wonderful way.  I believe this group session went by effortlessly and lasted the appropriate amount of time.  My biggest take-away from this group facilitation was that I became more comfortable being in a position of authority and speaking in front of other people (which, will no doubt be a part of any occupational therapy setting I eventually become involved in).  Ultimately, I believe this facilitation was very beneficial for my learning.

Leadership Summit

Leadership Summit with Lauren Murphy and Audrey Robertson

Today, I met with Lauren and Audrey to discuss our individual group facilitations for life skills.  Since I have already turned in my rough draft for my group next Monday, my plan as already completed. I discussed this plan with the group and they gave me feedback.  They liked my activity ideas and provided specific suggestions on how to tweak them to make it better.  Lauren and Audrey had not yet turned in their respective rough drafts, so we also spent some time brainstorming about activities they could do and possible theoretical approaches they could take.  The most useful aspect of this group was getting my peer's input on how to approach my facilitation using my theoretical approach.  I told them how I could tie in the Cognitive Behavioral Approach and they gave me more insight as to how I could further defend my theoretical approach when the time came.  Since Audrey and Lauren both chose Allen Cognitive approach for their theoretical basis, they were given the opportunity to discuss strategies and critique one another based on their chosen approach.  This experience helped further refine my group skills and aided me in my process of putting the final touches on my group protocol.  

Group Facilitation - Conflict Resolution

Group Facilitation Reflection

Yesterday, Lauren Murphy, Sarah Caldwell, and I facilitated a group on conflict resolution.  I thought this group facilitation was rather painless and quite enjoyable once we were actually doing it.  The planning aspect did not take too long - my partners worked well together and we came up with a written plan within an hour.
Our introduction was unlike many other groups I had been in previously...We started off by explaining the group and expectations; however, we started off by asking them some ways they have handled conflict in unhealthy ways.  We decided to break the ice in a hard-hitting manner.  I noticed that our group members were hesitant to answer initially, but once they started speaking everyone became a lot more comfortable with each other.  Our activity went just as planned - we estimated how long each activity would take beforehand so we would not be crunched for time.  Our activity elicited insightful responses from our group as well.  They shared personal experiences with conflict resolution, which I believed help us build rapport with one another.  After the exercises were completed, we reflected on what we learned.  I thought that the group members were not going to share much of what they learned because as graduate students, I expected them to be well-versed in conflict resolution strategies.  However, all of them contributed to the conversation about that they learned and how they can apply is to real-life situations.  I believe the atmosphere we created encouraged conversation and gave each individual sufficient time to answer the questions.  We did not cut anyone off during their moment to speak and only transitioned to the next question when everyone was done speaking.  Ultimately,  I think our group did pretty well for our first group facilitation experience.  However, I do believe this would be much more difficult if our group members has some sort of disability.

Preventing Alzheimer's

Today I listened to a Ted Talk by Lisa Genova, the author of the novel Still Alice.  In her talk entitled "What you can do to prevent Alzheimer's", Lisa describes the pathology behind the most common neurodegenerative disease and possible ways to protect your brain from it.  She explains that Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is caused by plaques of amyloid beta accumulating within the synapses in a brain.  This phenomenon occurs naturally in the brain as it ages, but it becomes a problem once the number reaches a tipping point and becomes Alzheimer's disease.  Although there is no cure for this disease, Lisa suggests that certain measures can be taken to help prevent these plaques from reaching their tipping point.  Cardiovascular disease and lack of sleep are two examples of health problems that lead to an overgrowth of amyloid plaques in the body. If we make an effort to decrease these stresses on our bodies, then it can significantly reduce the risk of developing AD.  Preventative measures are more effective than trying to treat AD once you have it; however, she goes on to say that the effects that AD have on the body can be reduced through neuroplasticity and creating more connections in what she calls a "cognitive reserve".  For example, learning a new language like Italian will stimulate the brain and therefore create new connections.

I chose this for my neuro note because I have been interested in Lisa Genova's work ever since we discussed her book Still Alice during class.  I think it is remarkable that she is a neuroscientist and a talented author who has the creativity to implement her knowledge through a work of fiction.  After seeing this Ted Talk, I am going to continue my knowledge through reading Still Alice.  She briefly discussed how the main character, Alice, has a rare genetic component that put her at a great risk to develop AD. I also wanted to learn a little more about Lisa's background, so I explored her "About Me" page on her website: http://lisagenova.com/about-lisa/

She appears to be a truly intelligent person.

My main take away from this video was that Alzheimer's Disease is not necessarily inevitable. It seems that if someone lives long enough, he/she will more than likely get this disease.  However, science is making some serious headway with finding preventative measures and hopefully someday, a cure. As an occupational therapist, it might be a good idea to show this Ted Talk to someone recently diagnosed with AD so he/she can begin to facilitate ways to promote neuroplasticity.  This video could bring hope to many people.

Genova, L. (2017, April). What you can do to prevent Alzheimer's [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_genova_what_you_can_do_to_prevent_alzheimer_s#t-820240

The Hook N' Hold Ad: Media Project Virtual Display

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It is a traditional worker's glove outfitted with custom shaped wire that gives users the ability to increase the strength in their grip by using the soon-to-be patented HnH design.

Unique Features of this glove include:

• Two hooks located on different fingers that allow variable grip positions
• One holding loop located ion the thumb to provide a home for the hook

We guarantee to make the simple things in life feel simple again.

Don't believe us? Ask one of our satisfied customers: Jane!

"Hi there! My name is Jane. I am a single 33-year-old nurse. Not long ago, I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). Along with the funny name the disease also comes with some obstacles. I was unable to perform fine motor tasks due to distal weakness in my upper extremities. My occupational therapist suggested we use the Hook N' Hold as adaptive equipment to improve my grip. She explained to me that this could help me hold my whisk when cooking, my shovel when gardening, and my toothbrush when performing self care activities (see my picture above). Instead of continually grasping an object, I can simply engage the hooks and relieve any stress on my hands. The device is so simple to use and it makes my life easier. I hope to be able to get to a point where I will no longer need the Hook N' Hold; with enough work I will reach my goals! Even though I have GBS, the Hook N' Hold can be used by anyone who has fine motor problems. I love my Hook N' Hold!"

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This Is: A Glimpse into Brain Cancer

I have formed a habit of searching through the provided list of resources for what I will write in my neuro notes.  I skimmed through the various titles and came upon something unusual...a photo documentary.  After I clicked on the link, I came to a page filled only with photos. The pictures themselves were the story. The only explanation of the documentary was provided in the left hand corner of the page: this was Josh and Jenna's story.  "This is..." is the name of the documentary filled with emotional moments captured by a photographer named Jennifer Keenan Giliberto.  She explains that Josh and Jenna were generous enough to allow her to capture some of the most intimate times during Josh's battle with Grade IV, Glioblastoma Multiform.  Just two days into their honeymoon, Josh and Jenna discovered that Josh had a brain tumor.  These pictures are the brief glimpses into the roller coaster of a journey they had.

I almost closed the window once I realized what this documentary was.  When I saw that there was no text to go off of, I was hesitant to write my neuro note on it.  However, when I looked at a couple of the pictures in the documentary, I could not stop.  The raw emotion that is depicted is unbelievably intriguing.  No matter how many times I have heard how terrible brain cancer is, there is nothing quite like seeing it.

The documentary begins by showing pictures of Josh and Jenna in a hospital room before his invasive brain surgery.  Josh looks relatively healthy...this is the calm before the storm.  We are then taken on a journey through his surgery, therapy, and adjustment to life.  We see the hard times, but we also see the good times.  Despite all of the sorrow that goes along with this disease, Josh and Jenna experience unbelievable joy with the birth of their child.
The documentary is concluded with images that suggest that Josh is dying: he looses an extreme amount of weight and is lying lifeless in his bed with Jenna.  The last pictures show Josh being hoisted off of his bed and Jenna in uncontrollable tears.  I am not completely certain that Josh died that day, but that is what the pictures suggest.

Through this experience, albeit a short one, I have put together a bigger picture of what a fatal disease looks like. In our courses, we learn a great amount about the science of neurological dysfunction, but we must understand how these diseases affect the family unit. It's not just a MRI or a PET scan.  It's not just malignant cells that eventually kill their host.  It's unbelievable pain that NOBODY can understand unless you have been through it yourself. Families are part of our client demographic, and as such it is paramount that we use our therapeutic use of self in our practice. I cannot understand what their pain is like, and God willing I never will. This documentary is unique because it puts you in a first person perspective into this utterly gruesome experience.  I can say without a doubt that this neuro note experience hit me the hardest. There is something to be said about the impact that pictures have on the human soul.

After this experience, I did some brief research on what this particular type of brain cancer is.  I came across this website: http://www.abta.org/brain-tumor-information/types-of-tumors/glioblastoma.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
The research says that this type of cancer has a "median survival rate".  To me, that does not seem like a very positive prognosis. Looking at this website helped me put Josh and Jenna's story into perspective. I would recommend this site to those who are interested in learning about this type of cancer. 


Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/jkeenanphotography/photos/a.512697155472990.1073741838.441149622627744/1089317347810965/?type=3&theater


References 
JKeenan Photography. (n.d.) This is... Retrieved from http://www.thisisdocumentary.com/

Dementia: Ruby Jewel Bowen

Today I presented on the story of my grandmother, Ruby.  It was a really positive experience altogether: my peers seemed interested in her story and asked great questions as well.  Dementia is such an interesting topic to discuss because there isn't just one diagnosis that is attached to it.  Ruby had Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common form of dementia there is.  What I got out of doing this report was that I used my "OT think" to solve problems that a loved one faced.  It helped me practice putting myself into my client's shoes because I was close to her personally.  As occupational therapists, we need to empathize and understand what our clients are going through.  If we think about the challenging parts in our lives and relate that feeling when we are working as OTs, we will better understand their struggles and pains.