occupational therapy – Page 6 – Jesus is for the Wounded

Enough Weirdness Already!

Published on June 1, 2013June 1, 2013 by Jesus is for the Wounded5 Comments

I realize the last posting was a bit weird. Please forgive me. This is how my mind works sometimes: trying to be funny, sincere, and well, express myself in some creative way. The result this week: an odd blog posting!

And now for today. The Lord is laying on my heart the reality that I may not be able to return to my profession of occupational therapy. To work in healthcare requires an incredible ability to serve others under stressful circumstances; work in environments laden with noxious smells, microorganisms, temperature and sound variations; meet a wide range of physical demands from extensive sitting to heavy lifting; and to continuously learn, apply, and re-evaluate extensive amounts of technical/scholarly information on a daily basis. This is impossible with the ongoing neurological complications of Lyme Disease and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. On the positive side, the need to be adaptable, resourceful, and creative in OT has graciously remained during this time of illness. These skills have been instrumental in helping me cope with the chronic illness that continues. The other skills come and go. Maybe they will come back? Who knows. This is a big realization.

Thankfully I do not need to make a decision about my career this evening! (However I do keep my licensing and continuing education requirements current, you know.) The Lord is also laying on my heart my next project within my home business, Trinity Jewelry by Design, so I will focus on that for the next few months. I’m thinking of developing some sports-related products that may be attractive to the kayak paddling community. If some additional research looks promising, I may move forward quickly now that it’s canoe and kayaking season in much of the United States. I do continue to learn a lot about using the internet, my online shop, networking, and the administrative requirements of a home business. Watch this blog for new developments as you will be among the first to get the news!

Since Steve and I never really know the stability of his employment as they undergo more changes this year, we remain open to the larger issues of where we will live and what work will carry him into retirement. We are not concerned about these types of unknowns, really. It would be challenging if the Lord leads Steve in any career moves at this time in our lives yet we both have experienced successful job changes and relocations under a variety of positive and negative circumstances. Jesus is already there, ahead of us in space and time with a plan for our lives. So glad for that! For example, I lived in the suburbs of the 3rd largest city in the US (Chicago) before I moved to marry Steve in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. In a city .04% the size of the Chicagoland area, I found the best husband, best doctor, best home, best quality of life, and best Bible teacher that I have ever had in my life! I had no idea all this was possible! Wow. God is amazing and provides for our every need no matter where we are on the map. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Very humbling, for sure.

So enough of the weirdness. Enough of the need to know. Enough of the need to control this or that. Enough of the worry and strife. I am going to stay in the moment and enjoy the crazy thunderstorm outside no matter what affect it may have on my illness or even if it blows out the power and this blog is lost forever.

I think I will be prudent and sign off now . . . :J

Now I lay me down to sleep

Published on May 24, 2013May 24, 2013 by Jesus is for the Wounded2 Comments

Now I lay me down to rest

I prayed I’d pass tomorrow’s test

I did not die before I waked

Now one less test I’ll have to take.

And so I prayed last night, that regardless of the late hour that I went to bed I would make it through leading a craft at our local Lyme Disease support group meeting. We made green hemp Lyme Awareness bracelets in recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness month. Things went well and sometime later this afternoon will be time for some real sleep. But of course there’s a few errands to run despite my fatigue. No problem. I’m used to functioning this way: spacey, spent, sore, and half awake!

Bittersweet it s the experience of sharing a craft activity with friends on this same journey of recovery from Lyme Disease. ‘Twas cool that I got to plan some of it with a dear friend earlier this week. A sweet part of our time together today was the fellowship while sharing a simpler version of the jewelry that has become my home business. We got to talk casually while keeping our fingers busy creating something pretty. And yet another sweet part was meeting a goal from my business plan for Trinity Jewelry by Design: to teach a class in jewelry making. Wow. I thought it might be for a local craft store someday. This works well too. Check!

A more bitter part of today is the reminder of my inability to work as an occupational therapist. Using therapeutic activities to help others recover in rehabilitation settings was part of my job as a Masters level clinician. Today was a much simpler version of those type of activities without the billing, documentation, staff, or time pressures. An activity analysis could show that the variety of exercises and tasks between the two would be similar but are usually more complex in OT. To perform at a level needed for employment every day would be way above where I am now. However I must say that it was nice to dabble in that realm some this morning. And we did have fun!

You just never know what perspective a new day will bring. Reminiscing on my former work life can be difficult at times. Yesterday I watched a webinar on home safety for persons with neurocognitive impairments. This used to be my area of expertise! I had a small business 16 years ago teaching fall and injury prevention programs to community groups, sponsored by medical equipment vendors. Then more recently I had used state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment protocols to assist patients and families with both physical and cognitive impairments to live in the least restrictive environments. I enjoyed working with patients, families, caregivers, and colleagues to develop plans to promote the best function, the most accessible environments, the best quality of life. I suppose those skills are still there in my background somewhere! I suppose it wouldn’t take too much research and review to get back up to speed again. I just don’t know at this time in my life if this is what I am called to do anymore when I am well?

”Tis a good thing that everything does not need to be resolved on a Thursday! What I can say is that this morning was a decent one and good things happened. I really appreciate praying with two gals afterwards and we could not do that in a work setting for sure!

Better get going. There is shopping to do and two Lyme bracelet orders waiting to be filled. I’ll sign off grateful in this moment and trusting the Lord for the ones to follow. He is good and is already there in tomorrow. ‘Tis a good thing that He is here with me now as well!

I just gotta be me!

Published on December 17, 2012December 17, 2012 by Jesus is for the WoundedLeave a comment

Ten years ago would find me hosting a team of entrepreneurs at a job fair, working in healthcare four days per week, planning holiday travels, and riding my bike or taking long walks in my neighborhood. I lived in the west suburbs of Chicago and spent a lot of time in my car. Traffic, you know!

Twenty years ago would find me learning to landscape my yard and live the married life, working full time, planning holiday travels, adjusting to a new diagnosis of a pain condition, and feeling glad to have my Master of Science degree completed at last. Painting and decorating the townhouse would preoccupy the weekends in addition to long drives to a Christian mega church on Sunday morning.

Thirty years ago would find me finishing my fieldwork in occupational therapy at a State hospital in Michigan, beginning to search for my first professional job, and balancing family dynamics as a college graduate under my mom’s roof. Time with friends and a steady boyfriend dominated my free time.

My how times have changed! This past year I got sick with a serious illness, met the qualifications to become a Master Gardener, started a jewelry business, hosted a booth in two craft shows, took a hiatus from weekly kayaking in a performance surf ski, and learned the true meaning of love in the eyes of my beloved Steve. The only things missing are the planning of holiday travels and spending a lot of time in my, er, truck. No car anymore and no suburban living anymore! I live in a small town near what they call a “big little town” and I like it.

Work is different too. I work 2 to 6 hours most nights, in the middle of the night, for my online jewelry business and not in a clinic somewhere. You could also say that I work to get well from Lyme Disease and its co-infections, requiring about 4 hours per day of various tasks that would bore you to list them right now. (See the Survival Tips page if you’re interested!) I’ve always valued “work” and have worked since my first babysitting job as a teenager. Twice before I’ve started my own business. The study of occupation has been with me and has helped me re-invent my career many times over the years. I am grateful for most of it!

If I just gotta be me, then I guess I have landed squarely at a place that reflects who I am and who I have been all of my life. I do believe my life is softer around the edges as the Lord has allowed many trials and blessings to shape who I am today. There is so much more to learn, do, see, be. In this moment, I am grateful for all the Lord has given me, good and bad. After all, I met you didn’t I? :J

Take this moment in time

To create something beautiful:

A world where we move closer together

With eyes for our Savior, Immanuel,

Where our stories speak with gentleness for

The paths taken and those we did not,

And the work of our hands makes a difference

In today and beyond . . .

For grace will be our companion

His love, peace, and joy.

Life becomes a journey worth the taking,

Yes!

Would we really want it any other way?

(Julie Lech, July 2006)