Long time, no see!
... but, I just couldn't help but post this short film up!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
2009.09.25
I'm so obviously putting two-and-two together here...
The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. - - Abraham Lincoln
... and in rising to this new occasion:
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world... Then, without realizing it, you try to improve yourself at the start of each new day; of course, you achieve quite a lot in the course of time. Anyone can do this, it costs nothing and is certainly very helpful. Whoever doesn't know it must learn and find by experience that a quiet conscience makes one strong. - - Anne Frank
right, exactly - so obviously! ...
...
...
Oh gosh, how I so greatly fear change. What to do, what to do?
...
I guess, in fearing changing I attempt being funny... ha.
In all seriousness, though...
If the man who survived four terms as President of America, during the Great Depression... AND World War II... AND suffered from polio (now thought to be Guillain-Barre syndrome)... AND paralysis for the waist down... AND managed to hardly ever be seen in a wheelchair can utter such a statement, why can't I?
...
The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. - - Abraham Lincoln
... and in rising to this new occasion:
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world... Then, without realizing it, you try to improve yourself at the start of each new day; of course, you achieve quite a lot in the course of time. Anyone can do this, it costs nothing and is certainly very helpful. Whoever doesn't know it must learn and find by experience that a quiet conscience makes one strong. - - Anne Frank
right, exactly - so obviously! ...
...
...
Oh gosh, how I so greatly fear change. What to do, what to do?
...
I guess, in fearing changing I attempt being funny... ha.In all seriousness, though...
If the man who survived four terms as President of America, during the Great Depression... AND World War II... AND suffered from polio (now thought to be Guillain-Barre syndrome)... AND paralysis for the waist down... AND managed to hardly ever be seen in a wheelchair can utter such a statement, why can't I?
...
Monday, August 24, 2009
2009. 08. 24
Today, I had the opportunity to complete the Myers-Brings Type Indicator (MBTI) questionnaire which measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. I saw the test and thought, "Seriously, like this is going to work."
Sure enough, the questionnaire lead to a description that in most ways was pretty darn... . Well, I leave that up to you to decide :D
Drum roll, please.
I am type ESFJ.
HUH?
E = extroverted (as opposed to interverted)
S = sensing (as opposed to intuitive)
F = feeling (as opposed to thinking)
J = judging (as opposed to perceiving)
After completing the test, I was thrown this (rather long) explanation of what should ideally explain who I am. I've attached it below. The decision is your's.
"The Caregiver
As an ESFJ, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit in with your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion.
ESFJs are people persons - they love people. They are warmly interested in others. They use their Sensing and Judging characteristics to gather specific, detailed information about others, and turn this information into supportive judgments. They want to like people, and have a special skill at bringing out the best in others. They are extremely good at reading others, and understanding their point of view. The ESFJ's strong desire to be liked and for everything to be pleasant makes them highly supportive of others. People like to be around ESFJs, because the ESFJ has a special gift of invariably making people feel good about themselves.
The ESFJ takes their responsibilities very seriously, and is very dependable. They value security and stability, and have a strong focus on the details of life. They see before others do what needs to be done, and do whatever it takes to make sure that it gets done. They enjoy these types of tasks, and are extremely good at them.
ESFJs are warm and energetic. They need approval from others to feel good about themselves. They are hurt by indifference and don't understand unkindness. They are very giving people, who get a lot of their personal satisfaction from the happiness of others. They want to be appreciated for who they are, and what they give. They're very sensitive to others, and freely give practical care. ESFJs are such caring individuals, that they sometimes have a hard time seeing or accepting a difficult truth about someone they care about.
With Extraverted Feeling dominating their personality, ESFJs are focused on reading other people. They have a strong need to be liked, and to be in control. They are extremely good at reading others, and often change their own manner to be more pleasing to whoever they're with at the moment.
The ESFJ's value system is defined externally. They usually have very well-formed ideas about the way things should be, and are not shy about expressing these opinions. However, they weigh their values and morals against the world around them, rather than against an internal value system. They may have a strong moral code, but it is defined by the community that they live in, rather than by any strongly felt internal values.
ESFJs who have had the benefit of being raised and surrounded by a strong value system that is ethical and centered around genuine goodness will most likely be the kindest, most generous souls who will gladly give you the shirt off of their back without a second thought. For these individuals, the selfless quality of their personality type is genuine and pure. ESFJs who have not had the advantage of developing their own values by weighing them against a good external value system may develop very questionable values. In such cases, the ESFJ most often genuinely believes in the integrity of their skewed value system. They have no internal understanding of values to set them straight. In weighing their values against our society, they find plenty of support for whatever moral transgression they wish to justify. This type of ESFJ is a dangerous person indeed. Extraverted Feeling drives them to control and manipulate, and their lack of Intuition prevents them from seeing the big picture. They're usually quite popular and good with people, and good at manipulating them. Unlike their ENFJ cousin, they don't have Intuition to help them understand the real consequences of their actions. They are driven to manipulate others to achieve their own ends, yet they believe that they are following a solid moral code of conduct.
All ESFJs have a natural tendency to want to control their environment. Their dominant function demands structure and organization, and seeks closure. ESFJs are most comfortable with structured environments. They're not likely to enjoy having to do things which involve abstract, theoretical concepts, or impersonal analysis. They do enjoy creating order and structure, and are very good at tasks which require these kinds of skills. ESFJs should be careful about controling people in their lives who do not wish to be controlled.
ESFJs respect and believe in the laws and rules of authority, and believe that others should do so as well. They're traditional, and prefer to do things in the established way, rather than venturing into unchartered territory. Their need for security drives their ready acceptance and adherence to the policies of the established system. This tendency may cause them to sometimes blindly accept rules without questioning or understanding them.
An ESFJ who has developed in a less than ideal way may be prone to being quite insecure, and focus all of their attention on pleasing others. He or she might also be very controling, or overly sensitive, imagining bad intentions when there weren't any.
ESFJs incorporate many of the traits that are associated with women in our society. However, male ESFJs will usually not appear feminine at all. On the contrary, ESFJs are typically quite conscious about gender roles and will be most comfortable playing a role that suits their gender in our society. Male ESFJs will be quite masculine (albeit sensitive when you get to know them), and female ESFJs will be very feminine.
The bottom line being:
ESFJs at their best are warm, sympathetic, helpful, cooperative, tactful, down-to-earth, practical, thorough, consistent, organized, enthusiastic, and energetic. They enjoy tradition and security, and will seek stable lives that are rich in contact with friends and family."
Really, I am?
Your thoughts are great appreciated :)
Sure enough, the questionnaire lead to a description that in most ways was pretty darn... . Well, I leave that up to you to decide :D
Drum roll, please.
I am type ESFJ.
HUH?
E = extroverted (as opposed to interverted)
S = sensing (as opposed to intuitive)
F = feeling (as opposed to thinking)
J = judging (as opposed to perceiving)
After completing the test, I was thrown this (rather long) explanation of what should ideally explain who I am. I've attached it below. The decision is your's.
"The Caregiver
As an ESFJ, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit in with your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion.
ESFJs are people persons - they love people. They are warmly interested in others. They use their Sensing and Judging characteristics to gather specific, detailed information about others, and turn this information into supportive judgments. They want to like people, and have a special skill at bringing out the best in others. They are extremely good at reading others, and understanding their point of view. The ESFJ's strong desire to be liked and for everything to be pleasant makes them highly supportive of others. People like to be around ESFJs, because the ESFJ has a special gift of invariably making people feel good about themselves.
The ESFJ takes their responsibilities very seriously, and is very dependable. They value security and stability, and have a strong focus on the details of life. They see before others do what needs to be done, and do whatever it takes to make sure that it gets done. They enjoy these types of tasks, and are extremely good at them.
ESFJs are warm and energetic. They need approval from others to feel good about themselves. They are hurt by indifference and don't understand unkindness. They are very giving people, who get a lot of their personal satisfaction from the happiness of others. They want to be appreciated for who they are, and what they give. They're very sensitive to others, and freely give practical care. ESFJs are such caring individuals, that they sometimes have a hard time seeing or accepting a difficult truth about someone they care about.
With Extraverted Feeling dominating their personality, ESFJs are focused on reading other people. They have a strong need to be liked, and to be in control. They are extremely good at reading others, and often change their own manner to be more pleasing to whoever they're with at the moment.
The ESFJ's value system is defined externally. They usually have very well-formed ideas about the way things should be, and are not shy about expressing these opinions. However, they weigh their values and morals against the world around them, rather than against an internal value system. They may have a strong moral code, but it is defined by the community that they live in, rather than by any strongly felt internal values.
ESFJs who have had the benefit of being raised and surrounded by a strong value system that is ethical and centered around genuine goodness will most likely be the kindest, most generous souls who will gladly give you the shirt off of their back without a second thought. For these individuals, the selfless quality of their personality type is genuine and pure. ESFJs who have not had the advantage of developing their own values by weighing them against a good external value system may develop very questionable values. In such cases, the ESFJ most often genuinely believes in the integrity of their skewed value system. They have no internal understanding of values to set them straight. In weighing their values against our society, they find plenty of support for whatever moral transgression they wish to justify. This type of ESFJ is a dangerous person indeed. Extraverted Feeling drives them to control and manipulate, and their lack of Intuition prevents them from seeing the big picture. They're usually quite popular and good with people, and good at manipulating them. Unlike their ENFJ cousin, they don't have Intuition to help them understand the real consequences of their actions. They are driven to manipulate others to achieve their own ends, yet they believe that they are following a solid moral code of conduct.
All ESFJs have a natural tendency to want to control their environment. Their dominant function demands structure and organization, and seeks closure. ESFJs are most comfortable with structured environments. They're not likely to enjoy having to do things which involve abstract, theoretical concepts, or impersonal analysis. They do enjoy creating order and structure, and are very good at tasks which require these kinds of skills. ESFJs should be careful about controling people in their lives who do not wish to be controlled.
ESFJs respect and believe in the laws and rules of authority, and believe that others should do so as well. They're traditional, and prefer to do things in the established way, rather than venturing into unchartered territory. Their need for security drives their ready acceptance and adherence to the policies of the established system. This tendency may cause them to sometimes blindly accept rules without questioning or understanding them.
An ESFJ who has developed in a less than ideal way may be prone to being quite insecure, and focus all of their attention on pleasing others. He or she might also be very controling, or overly sensitive, imagining bad intentions when there weren't any.
ESFJs incorporate many of the traits that are associated with women in our society. However, male ESFJs will usually not appear feminine at all. On the contrary, ESFJs are typically quite conscious about gender roles and will be most comfortable playing a role that suits their gender in our society. Male ESFJs will be quite masculine (albeit sensitive when you get to know them), and female ESFJs will be very feminine.
The bottom line being:
ESFJs at their best are warm, sympathetic, helpful, cooperative, tactful, down-to-earth, practical, thorough, consistent, organized, enthusiastic, and energetic. They enjoy tradition and security, and will seek stable lives that are rich in contact with friends and family."
Really, I am?
Your thoughts are great appreciated :)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
2009. 08. 19
My sincere apologies for the lengthy absence.
Much has taken place, but little is worth mentioning:
I traveled to Europe for seven weeks at the end of April, largely, to attend my now-Godson's baptism, and returned just in the knick of time to attend my BSc. graduation. Since, I've received word that I've been accepted into the MSc(OT) programs at UToronto, UWesternOntario, QueensU, and McMasterU. I'm happy to announce that I've chosen UWesternOntario. Since making this life-decision, I've leased an apartment, moved many of my things in and am making the permanent move, Gucia in tow, 23 August - in three days.
Now that we've all reached the same page, we can proceed to the interesting stuff...
Today, leg-lenthinging surgery. (Information from: http://www.limblengthening.com/aboutll.html).
Limb lengthening is possible and has been performed successfully for about 50 years in Kurgan, Russia. Gavriil A. Ilizarov developed the concept in 1951 after seeing many WWII veterans who had leg fractures that had not healed (non-unions).
Ilizarov first developed an external fixation frame that was placed around the leg. Knowing that compression of the fracture would help stimulate bone healing, he built a frame that had this capacity. He instructed a patient to gradually compress the non-union by turning a rod. However, the patient turned the rod the wrong way and caused distraction (separation) of the fracture. Ilizarov noticed that new bone had formed in the gap between the bone ends. This was the beginning of much research and development that showed that limb lengthening was possible, safe and effective.
Limb lengthening and reconstruction techniques can be used to replace missing bone and lengthen and/ or straighten deformed bone segments. The procedures may be performed on both children and adults who have limb length discrepancies due to birth defects, diseases or injuries. The limb lengthening and deformity correction process works on the principle of distraction osteogenesis. This is a revolutionary concept that reverses the long-held belief that bone cannot be regenerated. In this process, a bone that has been cut during surgery can be gradually distracted (pulled apart), leading to new bone formation (osteogenesis) at the site of the lengthening. In this way, bone segments can be lengthened by 15 to 100 percent of their original length. The regenerated bone is normal and does not wear out. The muscles, nerves and blood vessels grow in response to the slow stretch like they do during a growth spurt or in pregnancy.
Obviously such a surgery, although surely quite painful, can drastically change a life, physically and emotionally. Here is an example:
Here's is a video brought to you by the Associated Press, using the same procedure for cosmetic purposes:
Your thoughts?
Much has taken place, but little is worth mentioning:
I traveled to Europe for seven weeks at the end of April, largely, to attend my now-Godson's baptism, and returned just in the knick of time to attend my BSc. graduation. Since, I've received word that I've been accepted into the MSc(OT) programs at UToronto, UWesternOntario, QueensU, and McMasterU. I'm happy to announce that I've chosen UWesternOntario. Since making this life-decision, I've leased an apartment, moved many of my things in and am making the permanent move, Gucia in tow, 23 August - in three days.
Now that we've all reached the same page, we can proceed to the interesting stuff...
Today, leg-lenthinging surgery. (Information from: http://www.limblengthening.com/aboutll.html).
Limb lengthening is possible and has been performed successfully for about 50 years in Kurgan, Russia. Gavriil A. Ilizarov developed the concept in 1951 after seeing many WWII veterans who had leg fractures that had not healed (non-unions).
Ilizarov first developed an external fixation frame that was placed around the leg. Knowing that compression of the fracture would help stimulate bone healing, he built a frame that had this capacity. He instructed a patient to gradually compress the non-union by turning a rod. However, the patient turned the rod the wrong way and caused distraction (separation) of the fracture. Ilizarov noticed that new bone had formed in the gap between the bone ends. This was the beginning of much research and development that showed that limb lengthening was possible, safe and effective.
Limb lengthening and reconstruction techniques can be used to replace missing bone and lengthen and/ or straighten deformed bone segments. The procedures may be performed on both children and adults who have limb length discrepancies due to birth defects, diseases or injuries. The limb lengthening and deformity correction process works on the principle of distraction osteogenesis. This is a revolutionary concept that reverses the long-held belief that bone cannot be regenerated. In this process, a bone that has been cut during surgery can be gradually distracted (pulled apart), leading to new bone formation (osteogenesis) at the site of the lengthening. In this way, bone segments can be lengthened by 15 to 100 percent of their original length. The regenerated bone is normal and does not wear out. The muscles, nerves and blood vessels grow in response to the slow stretch like they do during a growth spurt or in pregnancy.
Obviously such a surgery, although surely quite painful, can drastically change a life, physically and emotionally. Here is an example:
Here's is a video brought to you by the Associated Press, using the same procedure for cosmetic purposes:
Your thoughts?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
2009.04.15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bilingual Babies Get Head Start -- Before They Can Talk
James Owen
for National Geographic News
April 13, 2009
Even before they can babble a single word, babies in bilingual households may get a head start in life, according to a team of scientists in Italy.
Rather than confusing babies, hearing more than one language gives newborns a mental boost, according to the new study, which tested seven-month-old infants.
"In many European countries, parents are wary of giving a bilingual education to their kids and try to speak only one language," said study author Jacques Mehler of the Language, Cognition, and Development Lab at the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy.
"They are afraid [their children] might suffer when they get to school and so on," Mehler said. "Because of our results, I doubt that very much."
Baby Einsteins
The study involved 40 infants. Half of the participants heard Italian and another language (Slovenian, Spanish, English, Arabic, or Danish) at home. The other half were from Italian-language-only households.
The babies' ability to process language was tested using cartoon critters on a computer screen. Two different types of three-syllable, wordlike sounds were played a split second before one of the characters would appear in one of two areas on the screen.
The experiment was designed to test the babies' ability to anticipate where the creature would appear based on the sound cues.
Unlike the monolingual group, the bilingual group was able to successfully learn a new sound type and use it to predict where each character would pop up.
The bilingual babies' skill applies to more than just switching between languages. Mehler likened this apparently enhanced cognitive ability to a brain selecting "the right tool for the right operation"—also called executive function.
In this basic process, the brain, ever flexible, nimbly switches from one learned response to another as situations change.
Monolingual babies hone this ability later in their young lives, Mehler suggests.
While the babies in the test were still too young to talk, bilingual adults use a similar mental ability when switching between languages, the scientist noted.
Not Necessarily Smarter
The study builds on previous research by Mehler and colleagues that indicates that babies are able to distinguish between the sounds of different languages from a very early age.
But that isn't to say that single-language children don't later catch up with their multilingual contemporaries, Mehler added.
"I would be very conservative about the conclusion that bilinguals are smarter than monolinguals," he said.
Findings to be reported in tomorrow's issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 1996-2008 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.
Bilingual Babies Get Head Start -- Before They Can Talk
James Owen
for National Geographic News
April 13, 2009
Even before they can babble a single word, babies in bilingual households may get a head start in life, according to a team of scientists in Italy.
Rather than confusing babies, hearing more than one language gives newborns a mental boost, according to the new study, which tested seven-month-old infants.
"In many European countries, parents are wary of giving a bilingual education to their kids and try to speak only one language," said study author Jacques Mehler of the Language, Cognition, and Development Lab at the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy.
"They are afraid [their children] might suffer when they get to school and so on," Mehler said. "Because of our results, I doubt that very much."
Baby Einsteins
The study involved 40 infants. Half of the participants heard Italian and another language (Slovenian, Spanish, English, Arabic, or Danish) at home. The other half were from Italian-language-only households.
The babies' ability to process language was tested using cartoon critters on a computer screen. Two different types of three-syllable, wordlike sounds were played a split second before one of the characters would appear in one of two areas on the screen.
The experiment was designed to test the babies' ability to anticipate where the creature would appear based on the sound cues.
Unlike the monolingual group, the bilingual group was able to successfully learn a new sound type and use it to predict where each character would pop up.
The bilingual babies' skill applies to more than just switching between languages. Mehler likened this apparently enhanced cognitive ability to a brain selecting "the right tool for the right operation"—also called executive function.
In this basic process, the brain, ever flexible, nimbly switches from one learned response to another as situations change.
Monolingual babies hone this ability later in their young lives, Mehler suggests.
While the babies in the test were still too young to talk, bilingual adults use a similar mental ability when switching between languages, the scientist noted.
Not Necessarily Smarter
The study builds on previous research by Mehler and colleagues that indicates that babies are able to distinguish between the sounds of different languages from a very early age.
But that isn't to say that single-language children don't later catch up with their multilingual contemporaries, Mehler added.
"I would be very conservative about the conclusion that bilinguals are smarter than monolinguals," he said.
Findings to be reported in tomorrow's issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 1996-2008 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.
Monday, April 13, 2009
2009.04.13
Since my (second) last post, I've recieved a few comments regarding what exactly it is that I am working towards. As most know, I've applied for a MSc in Occupational Therapy. I, sometimes, say this without second thought - now that I've had a fair bit of experience with the field. However, truth be told, most don't know or understand the purpose of the field - I didn't, prior to August 2006, either.
* * *
It was actually a freak stuble into a volunteer position at WRH that exposed me to occupational therapy and the breadth of the work of an occupational therapist. On my merry way through a BSc in Biological Sciences, I had thought that research is the way to go. Well... this all changed when I recieved my NSERC grant to work in a biological invasions lab for the summer (of 2006 - no coincidence.). Suffice to say that research did not "fit into", for lack of a better phrase, the life that I had pictured for myself. I'm very much a people person and feed off of the energy that I get when working with people, helping them acheive the best work that they are capable of. After a thought-provoking and frightening summer, during which I had realised that any plans that I had made, career-wise, have just jumped out the window... I needed a new plan. Upon suggestion from my mama, I called the volunteer services at WRH, without any direction really. It was very much, and I do nor exaggerate here, "Put me wherever you have room. I'm desperate."
et voila - a completely, and utterly perfect career choice had just fallen right into my lap. Cinderella-type story, eh?
* * *
Now, enough about how I stumbled upon occupational therapy and my understanding of the field. This post is meant for all of you who have come to me in the past, wondering what exactly it is that I'm so passionate about, spending hours upon hours volunteering in, and wanting to persue as a major part of my life in the future. I've attached a video link from the American Occupational Therapy Association that gives a neat breif introduction into the field. For more information, a the Canadian equivalent of the AOTA has an awesome wesbite, that I've found very useful in both learning about the field and applying for the Masters program. Enjoy!
On top of this, I'd just like to share one of the stories that has really solified by beleif in the field. This story comes from the CAOT website that I mentioned above:
Rachel Thibeault
International Community Rehabilitation Consultant
Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Ottawa
When Rachel Thibeault graduated as an occupational therapist in 1979 she had no idea that her skills would take her to some of the most devastated, war ravaged countries in the world. She has witnessed the best and worst of human nature.
Despite the suffering she has been so close to, Rachel remains determinedly optimistic about the unique potential of occupational therapy to heal not just individuals, but to contribute to the rebuilding of civil society in communities traumatized by terror and war.
Between 1999 and 2002, she worked in Sierra Leone, a country catastrophically affected by a rebel war. It is believed that the conflict was initiated in order to finance the acquisition of arms by groups, such as Al Qaeda who wanted to access to the spoils of Sierra Leone’s diamond mines. Rebel soldiers dominated the population through terror—thousands of men women and children lost limbs , mutilated by machete wielding rebels. Many thousands of children were kidnapped from their families and forced into combat or to be “bush wives”—sex slaves for the rebel soldiers.
When the war ended, Rachel was asked by a UN-implementing agency to establish community rehabilitation programs for land mine victims. Her work in rural and urban communities in Canada and in Burkino Faso, Laos and Lebanon, had established her reputation as a skilled and versatile occupational therapist, and as someone who knows how to work most effectively at a grassroots level.
Once she arrived in Sierra Leone she realized that restricting programs to land mine victims was excluding many other people whose lives had been affected by the conflict such as—widows, child soldiers and the bush wives. The UN agency agreed to widen the remit of her work. The result was the establishment of several successful programs that have achieved on a small scale what on the surface may have seen unachievable—the reconciliation of the perpetrators and victims of war crimes and the reintegration of many child soldiers and bush wives into their communities.
Rachel had learned from her work in other countries that western models of psychosocial rehabilitation are rarely successfully applied in African countries. Her work in Sierra Leone was informed every step of the way by the people who understood the spiritual and cultural traditions of their communities. She worked closely with women’s networks and her admiration for such groups is enormous. “These networks did not use western-based strategies. The people in the programs were treated according to tribal beliefs—they used cleansing rituals and forgiveness rituals. Some of the worst child soldiers were asked to take care of the blind elderly—-a task imbued with great respect-—these strategies had astounding therapeutic results,” says Rachel.
Many of the girl bush wives had children themselves. Driven from their families at such an early age, few had parenting skills—-many of their babies had dislocated shoulders because the young mums were yanking them around by their arms. The programs Rachel helped establish taught the girls parenting skills so successfully that some have formed cooperative day care and nursery programs. Others started a tailoring service that makes and sells baseball caps for tourists. Another group started a highly successful business salting and drying fish for export. They now have their own fishing fleet and distribution system. The once reviled bush wives now employ local villagers.
Rachel insists that she has learned as much about the value of occupation in rehabilitation from the people of Africa than she taught them. “This work showed me purposes of occupation that I hadn’t seen before. It was ironic that I was the occupational therapist, and the people I worked with taught me so much about my own profession.” She gives an example. “When the war ended many people came back to their communities. Victims and perpetrators of war crimes lived in the same villages. The hatred was tangible. They were asked to build a school or a clinic together. At first they worked in total silence. Gradually a dialogue would be established—-“pass me some nails’ or “hand me that hammer”-- and the healing began. Working with occupation was their saving grace.”
Being witness to so much pain and suffering can be unendurable and Rachel knows when she must take a break to replenish herself. She explains that reaction to this was not always positive, “The first time I asked for time out, some of my western colleagues said that I would loose face and be seen as incompetent.” In fact the reaction was quite the opposite, “People in Sierra Leone have told me that seeing me express my emotions gave them a sense of dignity. They had been hurt by other professionals who seemed indifferent to their plight.” She recalls the time she returned after a break and was handed a box of Kleenex by some of the Sierra Leone women she worked with.
As a Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Ottawa, Rachel is fortunate that she is able to dedicate the research component of her post to her work in developing and war torn countries. She readily acknowledges the support for her work that she receives from the faculty.
Rachel has an unerring belief in the value of occupational therapy. “Occupation is universal and the skills of occupational therapy can be easily exported into many contexts and situations. The variety of practice within our profession crosses the line between the physical and psychological. We do not have a limited vision. We don’t get lost in esoteric discourse. We remain rooted in what makes human life human. Occupational therapy is way ahead of the game compared to many other health professions.”
Rachel laughs are the idea of retirement, “I hope to work until I’m at least 85!” She intends to continue to offer her skills as a rehabilitation specialist wherever they are needed -- even if that means journeying to some of the most dangerous parts of the world.
— Siobhan Rowe for CAOT
* * *
It was actually a freak stuble into a volunteer position at WRH that exposed me to occupational therapy and the breadth of the work of an occupational therapist. On my merry way through a BSc in Biological Sciences, I had thought that research is the way to go. Well... this all changed when I recieved my NSERC grant to work in a biological invasions lab for the summer (of 2006 - no coincidence.). Suffice to say that research did not "fit into", for lack of a better phrase, the life that I had pictured for myself. I'm very much a people person and feed off of the energy that I get when working with people, helping them acheive the best work that they are capable of. After a thought-provoking and frightening summer, during which I had realised that any plans that I had made, career-wise, have just jumped out the window... I needed a new plan. Upon suggestion from my mama, I called the volunteer services at WRH, without any direction really. It was very much, and I do nor exaggerate here, "Put me wherever you have room. I'm desperate."
et voila - a completely, and utterly perfect career choice had just fallen right into my lap. Cinderella-type story, eh?
* * *
Now, enough about how I stumbled upon occupational therapy and my understanding of the field. This post is meant for all of you who have come to me in the past, wondering what exactly it is that I'm so passionate about, spending hours upon hours volunteering in, and wanting to persue as a major part of my life in the future. I've attached a video link from the American Occupational Therapy Association that gives a neat breif introduction into the field. For more information, a the Canadian equivalent of the AOTA has an awesome wesbite, that I've found very useful in both learning about the field and applying for the Masters program. Enjoy!
On top of this, I'd just like to share one of the stories that has really solified by beleif in the field. This story comes from the CAOT website that I mentioned above:
Rachel Thibeault
International Community Rehabilitation Consultant
Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Ottawa
When Rachel Thibeault graduated as an occupational therapist in 1979 she had no idea that her skills would take her to some of the most devastated, war ravaged countries in the world. She has witnessed the best and worst of human nature.
Despite the suffering she has been so close to, Rachel remains determinedly optimistic about the unique potential of occupational therapy to heal not just individuals, but to contribute to the rebuilding of civil society in communities traumatized by terror and war.
Between 1999 and 2002, she worked in Sierra Leone, a country catastrophically affected by a rebel war. It is believed that the conflict was initiated in order to finance the acquisition of arms by groups, such as Al Qaeda who wanted to access to the spoils of Sierra Leone’s diamond mines. Rebel soldiers dominated the population through terror—thousands of men women and children lost limbs , mutilated by machete wielding rebels. Many thousands of children were kidnapped from their families and forced into combat or to be “bush wives”—sex slaves for the rebel soldiers.
When the war ended, Rachel was asked by a UN-implementing agency to establish community rehabilitation programs for land mine victims. Her work in rural and urban communities in Canada and in Burkino Faso, Laos and Lebanon, had established her reputation as a skilled and versatile occupational therapist, and as someone who knows how to work most effectively at a grassroots level.
Once she arrived in Sierra Leone she realized that restricting programs to land mine victims was excluding many other people whose lives had been affected by the conflict such as—widows, child soldiers and the bush wives. The UN agency agreed to widen the remit of her work. The result was the establishment of several successful programs that have achieved on a small scale what on the surface may have seen unachievable—the reconciliation of the perpetrators and victims of war crimes and the reintegration of many child soldiers and bush wives into their communities.
Rachel had learned from her work in other countries that western models of psychosocial rehabilitation are rarely successfully applied in African countries. Her work in Sierra Leone was informed every step of the way by the people who understood the spiritual and cultural traditions of their communities. She worked closely with women’s networks and her admiration for such groups is enormous. “These networks did not use western-based strategies. The people in the programs were treated according to tribal beliefs—they used cleansing rituals and forgiveness rituals. Some of the worst child soldiers were asked to take care of the blind elderly—-a task imbued with great respect-—these strategies had astounding therapeutic results,” says Rachel.
Many of the girl bush wives had children themselves. Driven from their families at such an early age, few had parenting skills—-many of their babies had dislocated shoulders because the young mums were yanking them around by their arms. The programs Rachel helped establish taught the girls parenting skills so successfully that some have formed cooperative day care and nursery programs. Others started a tailoring service that makes and sells baseball caps for tourists. Another group started a highly successful business salting and drying fish for export. They now have their own fishing fleet and distribution system. The once reviled bush wives now employ local villagers.
Rachel insists that she has learned as much about the value of occupation in rehabilitation from the people of Africa than she taught them. “This work showed me purposes of occupation that I hadn’t seen before. It was ironic that I was the occupational therapist, and the people I worked with taught me so much about my own profession.” She gives an example. “When the war ended many people came back to their communities. Victims and perpetrators of war crimes lived in the same villages. The hatred was tangible. They were asked to build a school or a clinic together. At first they worked in total silence. Gradually a dialogue would be established—-“pass me some nails’ or “hand me that hammer”-- and the healing began. Working with occupation was their saving grace.”
Being witness to so much pain and suffering can be unendurable and Rachel knows when she must take a break to replenish herself. She explains that reaction to this was not always positive, “The first time I asked for time out, some of my western colleagues said that I would loose face and be seen as incompetent.” In fact the reaction was quite the opposite, “People in Sierra Leone have told me that seeing me express my emotions gave them a sense of dignity. They had been hurt by other professionals who seemed indifferent to their plight.” She recalls the time she returned after a break and was handed a box of Kleenex by some of the Sierra Leone women she worked with.
As a Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Ottawa, Rachel is fortunate that she is able to dedicate the research component of her post to her work in developing and war torn countries. She readily acknowledges the support for her work that she receives from the faculty.
Rachel has an unerring belief in the value of occupational therapy. “Occupation is universal and the skills of occupational therapy can be easily exported into many contexts and situations. The variety of practice within our profession crosses the line between the physical and psychological. We do not have a limited vision. We don’t get lost in esoteric discourse. We remain rooted in what makes human life human. Occupational therapy is way ahead of the game compared to many other health professions.”
Rachel laughs are the idea of retirement, “I hope to work until I’m at least 85!” She intends to continue to offer her skills as a rehabilitation specialist wherever they are needed -- even if that means journeying to some of the most dangerous parts of the world.
— Siobhan Rowe for CAOT
Thursday, April 9, 2009
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