OTSA online!!!

Finally, OTSA is up in the internet. We've been talking about it since we started meeting last summer but it's much of a hassle to update. So, OTSA doesn't really have a site but we have a tab in the Prime Movers Review Center (PMRC) site. Check it out here in this link below~!!!

PRIME MOVERS REVIEW CENTER

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STUDENTS ASSEMBLY

Thank you for Kuya Arnel for the effort~!!! The site has such a nice layout and feel to it. I hope I can meet him and personally thank him for such a great job.

First Semester ends

And so the first semester has ended. My grades were quite low - not exactly what I planned but I had already expected. I'm really really REALLY disappointed in myself. I'll try better next semester! It's gonna be one heck of a sem, I just know it. There are so many things to do - the WFOT reaccreditation, OTzibit and the annual quiz bee event. I hope things turn out well. Right now, we're busy with planning and preparations so that by the time January comes, we'll be ready to take on the people~!!!

Don't really know if this even made sense hahaha~ until my next post~! :)

Seminar, seminar, matutuloy ka pa ba?

I went to school earlier this morning. It was about thirty minutes to eleven when I've reached Kalaw. I went down the FX with a smile on my face and went straight to school with the lab suit I was going to return to a junior that afternoon. There was also this appointment with my OT classmates that we were going to talk about the booking for tickets for our trip to Hong Kong this coming October for a seminar. Unfortunately, they already left when I got there. So I went straight home after delivering the lab suit to Kenneth. I got home around twelve and turned on the TV. THERE'S A HOSTAGE TAKING IN QUIRINO GRANDSTAND!!! That's like a few meters away from my school. What the?! I slept in the afternoon, hoping it would turn out fine when I wake up but it ended very very badly. I cried...the Hong Kong nationals were here to enjoy the country but instead, they met their deaths. A tragedy no asked for. I don't know what else to say. I tried to concentrate in my reading but I have failed to no avail. I tried to write a poem but it still didn't get my mind off what had happened. Will the same happen if we will pursue the seminar in Hong Kong?

Metropsych experience

Last Wednesday, we went to Metropsych in Pasig City as part of our four days practicum in our OT 4 and Psychiatry subject. We got to interview the mentally disabled people (Does it sound offending? I hope not) and next Wednesday we are going to pass our "Initial Evaluation" for our assigned clients. It was a really fun experience although after we got out of the facility, I for one , got really cautious around people. I feel as though I was still inside the facility and I subconsciously observed the people surrounding me. Weird enough, my fellow OT classmates felt it too. Experience really IS the best teacher. I wonder how much my observation skills have improved?

Surprisingly, I've learned that I really needed to read more about psychiatry. An OTs job is not merely "so-so". You've got to read, read and read; learn by hands-on and most importantly, think creatively in the actual job. This means that being an OT doesn't make you a "so-and-so" person. With wide knowledge in your head, two hands to do productive work and a holisitic mind, you can do great things in this field. We must remember that in contrast to physical dysfunction, mental illnesses are life-long. Clients with this kind of disability doesn't need someone to tell them that they are "SICK", they need someone to help them cope with it through life. And that an OT can give...(and of course, let's not forget the family's love with that)

That's about it~! Hope I can share more often. I've been pretty busy lately.

Is occupational therapy for you?

Here's a cute video that briefly explains the works of an occupational therapists. Found it on youtube~ hope you guys like it~! Be an OT~!

Cinderella for a night

August 20 - the Supreme PTOT Council alongside Team Elite conducted an acquaintance party for all year levels. A lot of people went and I think they have really enjoyed the party as well. There were also a lot of pretty girls with pretty outfits and thanks to Eryka and Lab-lab, I was dressed as nicely as them. It was awkward at first but I decided to break my shell a little and carried enough confidence throughout the party. Even when I was auctioned in front, I managed to control my nervousness and child-like mannerisms. (I think I did) I was sold for one thousand and five hundred pesos (Php 1,500.00) Overall, I had fun. Sigh...only if my feet didn't hurt like hell when I walk with the high-heeled shoes I borrowed from Hya. Heck! I wasn't able to dance because of the pain. I'll just sleep it off I guess.

I'll try to write a poem about it after my feelings have settled down a little. My mind is still in a disarray.

OT entrepreneur interview

Our professor gave us a deadline to pass the OT entrepreneur interview this coming second week of August. Our group had just finished an interview with Mike Sy. Yes, he is the same person who treated me (and the other OTSA officers) in World Chicken~! Hahaha I want to thank him so much for the great food last saturday. Anyway, all we need to do is have another shooting at "Prime Movers Review Center" and edit the video. I don't want to cut his statements, really. His words are so inspiring! And it's another sad thing that we need to keep the output confidential. I really would like to make his presence known to all. It's not that he's not noticeable. It's just that I would really love to make him known to everyone who doesn't even know his name. Like that kind of feeling. I feel like some kind of proud mom (but heck! I am so not!)

Well, till my next post~! Celebrate NDPR week with us~!

OTSA Constitution

Today, the OTSA officers had a meeting in MOA and I was late for like 30 minutes (I think?). I should've really estimated the time when I left the apartment. One should always leave time for natural delays (e.g. stuck train) I kind of ran to the meeting place, which was Cheesecake Cafe by the way. There were only four (4) of us available at that time and I was kind of sad that we were so few. I ought to ask where were the others but I held back my question. What if they were late as well? But when it came to me when we were deciding the "quorum" already - that 4 officers are needed to reach it - I have learned to myself that we truly were the only ones meeting that day. So I let the question out of the bag, "Kuya Mike, tayo lang po bang apat ngayon?" He responded yes. Cha and Tanya wasn't able to come because they had something up. Tanya, specifically, was by her father's side because he was in a critical condition. I pray for his recovery. I really do hope that we will be complete next time.

Anyway, we discussed the OTSA constitution in the meeting. It was excellent work but had some flaws. Luis, our chairman, pointed out quite a number of them. I was amazed at how observant and critical he was. I should make him my sensei (hahaha). But of course, I've had my fair share in the discussion but not as expressive as chairman did. (I really do love to call him chairman~) I was a little worried about Maureen because she was so quiet during the meeting. I know she is in second year but I believe that whether you are young or not, you have the voice and probably ideas that differ from much experienced ones. I'll try and help her speak out more. (Well, not that I speak much but she's just more quiet)

I really love this job that Sir Mike Sy had organized. I knew the first time I had joined the meeting back in April, I want this kind of job. I really do! And I knew that whoever gets the External Vice President position in June would quit after hearing the responsibilities. But I never thought that Renniere Singh would even trade with me after just asking it once.

I foresee so much in this organization and I hope I will be able to contribute as much as I can. Although, I am afraid of having invested so much expectation in the future. Expectations can hurt you real bad...but I don't mind anyway.

ALYANA Trailer

Autism is widely seen in children and OTs handle them frequently in the pediatric setting. I just want to share this trailer of "Alyana", the first ever documentary about autism in the Philippines. Hope to watch it some time and share my point of view.

Unexpected recitation!

Today, we had an unexpected recitation about "Sensation Evaluation". I haven't really read the chapter in Sullivan with much seriousness last Sunday and eventually when my professor asked me a question, nothing popped into my mind. Really, nothing did! I really ought to thank my friends for helping me out.

[SUPERFICIAL SENSORY RECEPTORS]
- for pain and temperature sensation

[DEEP SENSORY RECEPTORS]
-for deeper structures (i.e. muscles)

Hope my professor asked me about the evaluation processes instead! I have integrated it in my frontal lobe quite nicely~

Well, until my next post!

Drowning with drafts!

So, I was meant to post something meaningful and knowledgeable last week and they ended up in the drafts. I was planning to add pages and edit the "What is OT?" page too but I was too busy. Hope to finish them and post it soon! Until then, please bear with me.

The Biggest Hurdle...Med Neuro

Today, we met the doctor who will teach us in medical-surgical neurology and boy was it nerve-wracking! He reviewed us a little in neuroanatomy and I (perhaps the whole class too) realized that I've forgotten lots of what I have learned from last semester's anatomy. Wah! I'm in a big pinch! I need to review a semester's worth of neuroanatomy. I start to think why did I ever decide to review group dynamics last summer when I had a feeling that Med Neuro will be THAT hard? How stupid was that decision? Oh well, there's no sense in whining about it now.

Being an OT is expensive!

It's the third day of class...and the requirements have weighed more than I have expected. (sigh) Being an occupational therapy (or any medical allied course) really exhausts one's pocket. Aside from the many books to buy, the prosthetic kit and battery kit adds up to the expense. I hope that I get my retirement salary from "writers.ph" soon. It'll be a great help.

Looks like my dream of buying an original Braddom will be pushed farther away.

Sherlock OT

Yesterday, was my second day as a fourth year occupational therapy student. My first day was rather disappointing really and it still bothers me until now but I can't be moping about my problems all the time, ne? So anyway, It was our OT 4 class and since it's still the first week, we just did a short orientation. According to our professor, we will be learning all about "evaluation tools" and "batteries" which will be most likely used in the mental health practice. I'm not sure what form they really take but I heard her say something about "checklists" in the United States. She said that unlike in the States where the therapist only needs to fill out the check list, a thorough narration laid down by the client (occasionally, the family and friends as well) is written here in the Philippines. She added that these tools are essential in properly documenting the client. Well, I must say that an observation alone and confirming it on a piece of paper by a check can't really suffice compared to the detailed narration. Certain points can be missed out especially when the client changes therapists often. At that point, a successful therapy is far from happening. It will be stalled. For how long? Who knows? Up until the essential details can be covered, I guess. It's like your patching up a mystery murder from in a detective novel. That's right...like SHERLOCK HOLMES!!! A therapist is like a detective on a case; thus one's observation and deduction skills must be furnished. Without the clues which provide the outline of the crime, justice cannot be served; without the essential details which needs to be noted in the documentation, therapy will be lacking.



This will not be easy; nevertheless, it is what gives this course thrill.