“You only grow by coming to the end of something and by beginning something else”

I thought this was a very apt quote to start off this week’s blog as I am nearing the end of third year physical fieldwork block and starting to think about next semesters Psychosocial fieldwork block. As with any ending, you start to reflect back on the journey. For me, this reflection includes whether or not my clients improved, and as a result, how I can continue to improve or change my therapy.

I have had a few clients over this practical block, with varying diagnoses. My first client, who had a T1 spinal cord injury, was the client I had for the longest period of time. I was able to see progress being made as he was still in the early stages of rehabilitation and he made quite a lot of progress very quickly. I also saw that my treatment was effective as I was the only one working on a specific aspect. I was able to teach him adapted methods for bed mobility, wheelchair mobility on inclines and declines as well as improve his transferring ability. It was wonderful to see this progress and I can honestly say I was almost more excited than the client when he was able to do designated tasks.

My second patient was also a spinal cord injured patient but he was level T3. You would not BELIEVE the difference in functional ability that one spinal level makes. This client was able to transfer and do all his ADLs independently. All he needed to learn, was to walk. I aided with this by using a standing frame to weight bear onto the lower limbs. I also included activities that required static standing balance and upgraded the sessions by incorporating some dynamic standing balance. This progress was also easy to identify as I did this same session on the Monday and then the Wednesday, and his times had improved significantly. This was also my first time dealing with a younger client who had work to return to. This allowed for exploration of return to work options and therapy involving work situations. This client was a challenge as I had never had a client that was making the transition between being in a wheelchair to standing and walking, but I thoroughly enjoyed learning about different activities, techniques and equipment used for this transition.

My third client was a cerebral vascular accident client as she woke up on morning with a weakened right hand side. She had difficulty with grips and grasps and so this allowed me to explore different types of hand therapy which I have never experienced. She was also in the transition of being in a wheelchair to standing and walking. However a completely different diagnosis means a completely different approach and different techniques. I was able to use my Neurodevelopmental lectures to guide my treatment. I went on holiday for a week, before which she was walking very slowly with a walking frame. When I came back, she was walking without any aids for approximately 15 minutes. This progress was absolutely amazing to witness as it once again highlighted the difference our therapy makes in a client’s life, and to know that I was a part of that progress made me incredibly proud to be a part of the OT team.

My fourth client is also a CVA and while I have only had one session with him, he seems very determined to regain as much function as possible. I have only assessed this client and he has increased tone in his left upper limb, quite significant at the elbow and paralysis of the left lower limb. I have only had patients with paralysis of the upper limbs, so I am once again able to experience something new.

In general, I have been very privileged to be placed at a venue that produces results so quickly, and that progress is visible with every session. This really is so rewarding to see and to be able to say that I had a part in a patient’s rehabilitation.

In terms of successes experienced over this practical block, I would have to say that my ability to establish a trusting and interactive relationship with my clients is my biggest success. My clients are very trusting and talk to me freely of their fears and concerns and ask me questions regarding their diagnoses and recovery. I feel my honesty and my inclusiveness of the client in my treatment planning has led to this good therapist - client relationship. It is something I pride myself on as I want my patients to feel safe with me, both physically and emotionally, as this leads to collaborative therapy sessions that the clients want to take part in, and is beneficial to the clients.

With regards to failures … or as I like to call them – lessons, I needed to learn to not let failure get me down, and that every failure is actually just an opportunity to learn and grow… that it is a lesson.

Overall, it has been a difficult fieldwork block that has come with MANY challenges and obstacles, but I have learnt that …"The best way to treat obstacles is to use them as stepping stones. Laugh at them, tread on them and let them lead you to something better." And as such, I will take my client handling, resilience and knowledge into my next fieldwork block.

I am ready to embrace this new beginning with open arms. Third year psychosocial fieldwork block, here I come.

References:
(2019). Retrieved from https://giphy.com/explore/the-end
Self Reflection GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY. (2019). Retrieved from https://giphy.com/explore/self-reflection
How to Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses - Bplans Blog. (2019). Retrieved from https://articles.bplans.com/how-to-identify-your-strengths-and-weaknesses/
John Irving Quote: “You only grow by coming to the end of something and by beginning something else.”. (2019). Retrieved from https://quotefancy.com/quote/1030948/John-Irving-You-only-grow-by-coming-to-the-end-of-something-and-by-beginning-something