OT for pets!

How wonderfully awesome is this? This dog is blind and so his owner created a device to stop him bumping into walls and other obstacles. #truelove

Family centred practice

Reading the mission statements of OT practice services for children in Ireland and I frequently come across "family centred care". Of course this is the basis for effective care provision in the area of occupational therapy, and why shouldn't it be? It stands to reason that including families in methods of intervention would surely ensure the continuation of home treatment plans, improve levels of satisfaction amongst families and clients and nourish that all important therapeutic relationship.

But how difficult is it to exercise effective family centred care when all services are dictated by the availability of resources such as time and money?

And what's more important; time and money or the life of a child and his/her family?

Bikram love

I'm making an extra special effort this semester to fit in one bikram yoga class a week - if I could I would do three classes a week but as the class is 90 minutes long (not including the 10 minutes of meditation before and again after) and it's a 45 minute drive from home I don't really have the time. So I've set a realistic goal that's achievable instead of an unrealistic one that I'll feel bad about when I fail every week! 

What I adore about the class is the intense heat and the rush of endorphins that hits me when I leave the hot room. I love it when I achieve improvement in a posture or when I'm able to push through the difficult classes with mental determination. It also helps with my rotten shoulder aches!

Absolutely crying laughing when I saw this photo because it is SOOOO TRUE! 

One week down....

It's been a hectic week. New tutors, new timetable, assignments and presentations, new books, new tasks...I'm wiped! But I'm loving every minute so far and I'm excited to get stuck in to assignments and presentations. This year is going to fly by so fast and I want to soak up as much as I can! 

Madeline Stuart

People like Madeline Stuart are changing the way society perceives "disability".

By changing perceptions, designing an environment that is inclusive for all and providing encouragement to those in need, "disability" will cease to exist.

Life hacks

Maybe it's the OT in me but I just love life hack ideas! 

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/04/25-clever-hacks-to-make-life-a-little-easier.html?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=onegoodthing&utm_content=%5B%5Brssitem_title%5D%5D

Overcoming life challenges

I'm a worrier. I stress. The three top things on my worry list are college (am I doing the right thing?), money (do I have enough to get me through college?) and time (do I have enough time to finish a degree, build a house and have children?).

I admit that these worries are beyond my control but such is the way with worrying. ,ore often than not it's a waste of time. So I'm trying to be more productive in my worrying. I practice mindfulness (though not always very successfully), I eat healthily (healthy body, healthy mind) and I practice Bikram yoga (it does wonders for my self confidence after a good class and it definitely improves my ability to remain focused).

I love the following article - lots of new ideas on building self esteem and reducing anxiety.

http://liveboldandbloom.com/11/self-improvement/20-ways-to-overcome-life-challenges

Any thoughts? Anything to add?

A really lovely read on how to help children suffering anxiety. These articles have been of particular interest to me over the summer months as my second year in college focuses on children and adolescents. I've never felt the desire to work with children (possibly owing to the fact that I find it difficult to interact with kids?!) but I'm keeping an open mind and I'll embrace the challenges I face throughout the year; afterall, challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

http://www.heysigmund.com/building-emotional-intelligence-what-to-say-to-children-with-anxiety/

I'd be interested to hear anyone else's thoughts or experiences in treating children with anxiety.

AOTI

My first Irish journal from the AOTI.

I loved that it's main focus is on mental health as it's area I feel hugely drawn towards.

Year 2

Year two begins on Monday and this is year is all about the kids #pediatrics 

#ItsOnUs Campaign

Take the pledge to end sexual assault.

www.itsonus.org

Less is more

This rang true on so many levels with me. I hate that our world is filling up with material objects that we want but do not need.

http://www.theguardian.com/global/2015/sep/01/depriving-your-kids-of-toys-great-idea

Summertime reflections

Four months have gone by since I set foot in my college's OT department. I've made no secret of the fact that returning to college last September proved to be a difficult transition for me. I'd regularly ask myself why, would it be worth it, am I doing the right thing. I felt like I could never strike the balance between college and my personal life. I immersed myself in books, journals and articles trying to absorb everything my college tutors were throwing at me. I stopped doing the things that make me happy - painting, crafting, yoga. I found myself too tired at the end of each day to do little more than veg out on the couch and watch mindless tv. The whole of first year went by in a blur of assignments, deadlines and unhealthy coffee and cake breaks. Before I knew it April arrived, bringing longer days and an end to the barrage of college work. I made a promise to myself; I would make the most of the summer months. I threw myself in to project after project, determined to wake up each morning with a plan for the day. Having a purpose, a goal, something to get me out of bed in the morning was nothing short of motivation in itself. I immersed myself in glue and fabric, paint and glitter, baking, Pinterest and exercise classes. Rooms have been painted, furniture upstyled, new clothes created and new recipes tasted. I made the most of my months off, each day making up for what I neglected during the eight months of college. I fulfilled the promise I made to myself in April; I made the most of the four beautiful summer months. Now I feel ready for second year and everything that it will no doubt throw my way. I now know what to expect. I know the hours that it will take from me. I know I will have ups and downs and I know there will be times when I will want to throw in the towel and give up. But I'll pull through those moments just like I did in first year. Reflecting on everything has brought me to this conclusion; finding a balance between work and play is essential to mental health. I'm determined to find my balance this year.