My First OT Artifact: My Mom

OT is personal. I had a hard time coming up with my occupational therapy artifact because I didn't think any particular instance in my life drove me to the profession. I knew I wanted to go into a profession that allowed me to serve others and have a positive impact in their lives. Growing up I did a lot of volunteering through babysitting neighbors' kids, volunteering at summer vacation bible schools, and helping out in Sunday school classrooms. For the longest time I was convinced I would become a school teacher. When I was finishing high school I was still unsure about my future career plans. I was looking for a profession that encompassed my interests for working with kids, healthcare, problem-solving, science, art, interpersonal relationships, and so much more! It was actually my mom who helped me find my passion for occupational therapy. After looking up what it was, I, like many of my peers, was hooked!

Last summer I was an exercise physiology intern at Knox Community Hospital's Center for Rehab and Wellness. It was here I was able to hone my skills as an exercise physiologist while learning more about OT by shadowing several therapists each week. Each of them had their own specializations, and one of them especially caught my attention. Vicky was an occupational therapist and certified lymphedema therapist. It was quite the surprise to see an OT do this type of work, but I quickly realized that occupational therapy theory and practice were very applicable in this context. Lymphedema can have many adverse effects on the human body. The swelling of one or more limbs can be quite uncomfortable and can limit a person's range of motion and functionality of the affected extremity. Moreover, the condition requires extra attention to skin health as individuals are more susceptible to recurring infections and fibrosis of the skin.

Oftentimes, Vicky would treat patients with secondary lymphedema, meaning the condition occurred as a result of surgery, radiation treatment for cancer, or an infection of the lymphatics. Individuals who are older, have excess weight or are obese, or have rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis are also more likely to develop the condition. Long story short: so many factors play into the development of lymphedema, and it's the OT's job to educate their clients about the importance of skin care, lifestyle adaptations, compression garments, and massage techniques. The treatment of lymphedema is just one of many examples of the impact of OT and our mission to improve individual's quality of life. Since being exposed to this type of work, it is an area I hope to learn more about and perhaps one day develop a program of my own at a clinic.

When I was 7 years old, myself, my brother, and my mom were in a horrible car accident. Her ankle was shattered in the accident, and I witnessed first-hand the significant impact this type of trauma can have on a family. As I said before, this instance didn't make me want to be an OT, but I'd like to think that the experience helps me to understand and appreciate the importance of rehab. To this day, roughly a decade and a half later, my mom continues to live with the effects of her trauma, and one of the conditions she continues to suffer from is edema in her ankle. This makes it difficult for her to walk or wear specific styles/brands of footwear. She is in pain after ambulating distances that most people would not have trouble covering. And her range of motion is compromised because of the hardware and swelling.

By observing Vicky's work with patients, I was able to pick up some tips and tricks to managing edema. One method is to use kinesiotape, which distracts the skin and and encourages circulation of lymph, reducing fibrosis and rerouting fluid congestion. For my OT artifact, I decided to apply taping to my mom's ankle. I applied a little lotion to her foot and leg to first manually drain lymph as well as loosen and moisturize the skin to promote healthy tissue mobility and hydration. I then applied a basic taping pattern used to guide lymph drainage along the natural flow of fluid circulation in the lower extremity.

Being able to use my skills and knowledge to help someone so close to me is so wonderful, and I can't wait to start my career and continue to help others who may be suffering from chronic edema.