A young woman living with a skin-hardening condition has found confidence with her ‘Tragic Doll’ persona. At just nine-years-old Shirley Alvarez was diagnosed with systemic scleroderma, an autoimmune disease which hardens soft tissue throughout the body and can affect the entire body, including blood vessels. Within a matter of months, Shirley went from using a walker to being a full-time wheelchair user and had to quickly adapt to her new life. Shirley, from Queens, New York, created a new persona called the ‘Tragic Doll’ to express how it feels to live with scleroderma.

Would you provide OT intervention? How could your skills benefit this client?

Video Credits: Videographer / director: Carlos Chiossone

Producer: Hannah Stevens, Ruby Coote

Editor: Beth Angus

The development of a pressure ulcer significantly impacts the individual’s ability to participate in activities of daily living (ADL). The occupational therapist’s expertise can be used to identify causative factor(s) to skin breakdown, and to make recommendation(s) that protect the skin or promote wound healing while promoting participation in meaningful occupation.

Neonatal reflexes are inborn reflexes which are present at birth and occur in a predictable fashion. A normally developing newborn should respond to certain stimuli with these reflexes, which eventually become inhibited as the child matures.

As we continue to look at home safety modifications we must assess for grab bars. Grab bars are safety devices designed to enable a person to maintain balance, lessen fatigue while standing, hold some of their weight while maneuvering, or have something to grab onto in case of a slip or fall. A caregiver may use a grab bar to assist with transferring a patient from one place to another. 

Visual information improves postural stability and facilitates stabilization of upright posture. To date, how saccades and smooth pursuit eye movements affect postural control is still a matter of debate. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of oculo-motor exercises on static postural stability in healthy female adults

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) established guidelines for wheelchair users and in- dividuals with disabilities in the community. ADA guidelines are designed to meet the needs of the majority of users, no matter what their ability or disability level is. Although it does not special- ly apply to residential homes, it is important to keep the ADA guidelines in mind when modifying homes for an individual’s need.
ADA guidelines have already been proven to be effective for most people. Many homes in Erie County were built prior to 1976 and before the current, more standardized building codes. Those homes were not built for wheelchair use, walker access, and older adults. For these homes, home modification may be necessary using ADA guidelines.

A couple say their baby born with lymphatic malformation is their ‘little warrior’. Eighteen-month old Gavin was born with abnormal growth of cysts within the head and neck area. Parents Victoria and Joseph say this condition is so rare it happens in only one in every 4000 births. 

How would you provide OT intervention?  Would it solely be for the client or for the family as well?

Video Credits: Videographer / director: Gerrit Messersmith

Producer: Gareth Shoulder, Ruby Coote

Editor: Thom Johnson

Dressing can be a complex activity. Children need to be able to master a number of skills.

Stroke recovery can be difficult and confusing for the survivor and the caregiver. This guide is meant to help you, the caregiver, betternavigate the recovery process and the financial and social implications of a stroke.
Here tips on how to communicate with the healthcare team and manage the effects of a stroke, as well as information on legal resources, financial support, and health coverage.

As the recent pandemic has kept many in their homes for prolonged periods it is great to know how to make needed home modifications to ensure their safety.

The prime function of the handrail is for holding as support while going up or down stairs. Handrails must be “graspable”. It is therefore crucial to be able to grasp it quickly, easily and firmly if you should start losing your balance.