A Symposium and It's Near the Outlets..

I am EXTREMELY excited!!!!!!!!

On April 9th I am getting up at the crack-of-dawn to head down to the Tulalip Resort and Casino in Washington. Not to gamble, not to got shopping, as I am fully aware that the Seattle Premium Outlets are RIGHT. NEXT. DOOR.

I am going to my 1st EVER Therapeutic Recreation symposium hosted by the WSTRA (Washington State Therapeutic Recreation Association).
The symposium's theme is Beating the Odds.

I am extremely excited to hear the keynote presentation by Logan and Laurie Olsen. It is titled

I love my PT/OT/SLP, but had a blast with my TR!

SOLD! That completely sold me on going. Logan sustained a BI (brain injury) as a result of a MI (myocardial injury), at the age of sixteen and spent seven months in St. Luke's Rehab in Spokane learning to sit up, chew, walk, and talk. Logan's story is very inspiring, she is well known for her ability magazine for young women called Logan.

It is not everyday you get a descriptive understanding of the recovery process of TBI(traumatic brain injury) from a client's perspective and also learn how beneficial Therapeutic Recreation interventions were for a client with TBI. Laurie is Logan's mother, and was also part of Laurie's recovery and with the help of a Recreation Therapist, incorporated Therapeutic Recreation interventions in her caregiving role to Logan during her recovery.

Also at the symposium:

Therapeutic Recreation in Pediatric Rehabilitation
Inclusive Recreation: What It Is, How To Implement
Involvement: It Starts Somewhere
Therapeutic Recreation Treatments for Cancer Patients

This symposium is all about promoting communication, problem solving, networking and socializing with other Recreation Therapists.

Is anyone else going to the WSTRA symposium? Many times work will pay for your day, if it is a work day, and they usually do have education funds to cover the fees for the symposiums. If you are a member of BCTRA or CTRA, it can also be used for your CEU credits.

If you are going to be there, make sure you say hello. How will you find me?

Just follow the LAUGH.

Keep checking for a summary of the symposium here on Wellness Through Leisure blog.

Going once, going twice, everybody hold your free space...

One thing I hate is when other disciplines call me the Bingo Lady.

I know, I play Bingo with people, but that is not just for the pure enjoyment aspect. I can play Bingo with a patient in Rehabilitation, and in the time it takes to finish a game, I can have an initial assessment almost completely done.

How you say? Here are some examples I look for in Physical Rehabilitation.

Does the person show up independently?

This can assess the person's memory, Independence, ability to follow instructions.

How manyy cards does the person play?
Which cards does the person take? Are they the large type, or small, are they aware of what they can handle?

All these assess the person's personal judgement and reasoning, even their view of their abilities.

When a number is called, can they find the number?

Sequencing, knowing that you find the B across the card, then find the number down the B column. People who are rehabilitating from a stroke may have difficulty finding letters, numbers, or looking at cards in their affected field of vision.

When they are playing a different game, for example find the Letter X, can they identify the pattern?

Just like learning to read a book, focusing on the words sometimes will distract the person from the story, the same is with Bingo, focusing on the numbers and then being able to find the patterns can be a complex action.

Vision, hearing, social skills are also other aspects of Bingo that can be assessed.

So next time you think of us a Bingo Players, yes, it is enjoyable, but there is more to Bingo than just Bingo.

It's Therapeutic Bingo.

Summer Fans for Summer Ladies

It has been one hot summer, and even hotter for most of my residents at CLFW.

Here is a craft that utilizes different abilities. My residents enjoy making useful crafts, as well as attractive ones. This craft can be altered in many ways, by changing embellishments, paper, size, decorating styles.

Here I used simple card stock in the normal large sheet size (11' X 18'")and folded them to about 1 1/2" inch to 2cm, and then repeated going back and forth, to create the fan. You can also use plain paper, paint, or do some collage with pictures from magazines.

Then I attached the two ends together using two staples, one at the top and the other at the bottom.

Using a hot glue gun, I glued Popsicle sticks on either sides of the fan, for the handle. Tongue depressors can also be used but are larger and may need to be painted, to increase the attractiveness of the handle.

Next using ribbon, wrap the handle and glue. I prefer the hot glue gun, as it really holds everything in place immediately. I also attached some more ribbon at the end for a bit of a tail/flare.



*Hint: I like finding information ahead of time on the history of fans, clothing, or even fashion. Most of this is readily available at the library and I prefer to search online and reserve materials, then pick them up. During the project, I like to stimulate conversations on the use of fans, we were having a heat wave and everybody had SOMETHING to say about it. Reminiscing is a great way to keep the project interesting, and full filling.

Benefits:

*to reminisce about past summer heat experiences
*to increase awareness about the dangers of getting heat exhaustion or getting overheated
*to reminisce about childhood summer experiences
*to create an attractive handmade fan
*to increase independence