It all began at 2 years old when I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. I started an early intervention program and received speech, physical therapy and occupational therapy. I was in a POHI program to receive therapies while I attended pre-school with other disabled children. Looking back, I felt the most comfortable and like myself when I was 1:1 with my therapists. It was incredibly important that I was mainstreamed but I am incredibly grateful that I spent my early years receiving intense therapies. I attended therapeutic horse back riding and physical therapy in the pool at school. I never was medicated with Botox or various muscle relaxers. My parents followed what my therapists and other educators suggested and in my eyes the results are a blessing.
In 8th grade, I had a conversation with my dad about "a moment that changed my life forever." I think it was an English writing prompt for an assignment. He told me he thought it was when I met the OT who got me through the beginning of my education. My mom and I continued to talk about career goals. I explained I wanted to help kids with disabilities. She asked if I wanted to be a special education teacher. I instantly said "No." Then she asked if I wanted to be an OT and from that moment, I never looked back. I wanted to be an OT who worked in the schools. In high school I started researching everything I could about my dream job. I was able to job shadow and volunteer in a school setting over a summer and through a School to Work class.
When I entered into college several people (including the OT who was a major part of my life the first 10 years) told me I was about to enter a very challenging program. It was not easy however I loved everything about the challenges I was facing. It was my ultimate goal and passion to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy. As a young college student I loved working at a local movie theater which was very physical. Along with college life, I faced my first wave of chronic pain due to my CP. I went to an outpatient clinic for OT and PT for carpal tunnel and tight hamstrings my first year of college. The OT who worked with me introduced me to stress management. I also became very interested in doing some of my research and papers on chronic pain. I was intrigued how OT could be saving me once again. There were so many strategies that helped me through college. I practiced progressive muscle relaxation for the first time, I iced my sore wrists, and I gave up my movie theater job to focus on resting and studying. I began to think like an OT at age 20 years to pursue my goals!
My next hurdle was to work in a school based setting. This was absolutely my dream and I couldn't wait to witness young kids strive and reach their educational goals. After working in a couple of other settings as an entry level therapist in 2007, I began my role as a school based OT. On my first day of work I also began graduate school at Michigan State University to earn a Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling. I started out part time in the schools as I worked on my Master's. I lived with my parents in my 20s and this took away a lot of meal prep, cleaning, errands, etc. I was a young professional and I was okay if my weekends were jammed packed with work.
I started working full time in my school role in 2011. My life began to change. I became a homeowner. I have errands and chores and relationships outside of my job. I began to feel more confident with my position in the schools. I've done projects, I'm a fieldwork supervisor, I have had good reviews in the setting I am in. I am also exhausted! I feel like special education has changed dramatically since I first entered in 1983 as a student. It has even changed from when I began as a professional in 2007. I feel constantly interrupted, disorganized and I feel like I'm not giving my kids enough. I feel like a glorified administrative assistant!
In 2016, I started blogging about my journey as a school therapist, the medical journey I go through as an adult with CP and the effort it takes to balance all of this. I also started blogging about the importance of hobbies and adventures. Sometimes these adventures were about my new found love for yoga and how much that relates to OT. AOTA came out with the logo "Live Life to It's Fullest!" around 2018 and the only thing I know for sure is that my profession will always be OT even if I was starting to think about my life without working in the schools. I started calling my blog and my business idea "The Siesta Hut." Somewhere I wrote a mission statement and I have been in touch with 2 life coaches to move forward and build a business! I wrote a really short book and published it myself on Amazon and felt like my confidence depleted.
During the pandemic I sat. I sat so much that I experienced chronic pain like I never had before. At first it was sitting for entertainment (for about 3-4 weeks). Then I began my online work for the schools. This mainly consisted on emailing, zoom meetings and getting resources to families. Last fall I did online therapy and sat some more until mid January. Overall the kyphosis in my shoulders caused severe spasticity. I also reflected so much about my job and who I was. Even though I was sore I continued doing yoga everyday, bike riding 2 hours a day and my dentist even commented on how well I was taking care of my teeth! I was sore and very stressed but it was a major time to grow and really reflect on who I want to be. With my life coaches I have determined how incredibly methodical I am because of my CP and what a true blessing that is! I started remembering my life as a college student when my primary focus was earning my OT degree. I scheduled rest and hobbies and work time so I had this amazing balance. I was treating myself like I would a client and it truly allowed me to reach my goals. This summer while not at work everything I started thinking about for the Siesta Hut has resurfaced. Two of my former colleagues (a social worker and PT) have left the schools to start their own business/private practice. With both of them I have admitted how scared I feel. I have so many reasons why I'm hesitant but then so many reasons not to back down. At work I have requested reasonable accommodations. I have explained to Human Resources and colleagues my severe distractibility and my chronic pain. Some but not all accommodations have been put into place but not all of them. Asking for accommodations and having myself follow through with them have been really hard for me but this is a topic to discuss and share with others about in a blog.
I am currently working on a presentation for my workplace on employee wellness, finding/keeping a balance and taking my students along for that journey. Via Facebook and Instagram I have also been sharing updates about easing my pain through massage and PT techniques. I am leaning towards getting my LLC for The Siesta Hut and then continuing from there.
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