Sacred Heart Graduate OT s Come To The Kennedy Center

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1 Happy Saint Patrick s Day Sacred Heart Graduate OT s Come To The Kennedy Center May the luck of the Irish be with you! Table of Contents From Left - OT interns Ashley Connor, participant Mary Wolfite of Stratford, intern Andrew Kuhn encourage the use of various manipulatives to the seniors. Eleven first year graduate Occupational Therapy (OT) students from Sacred Heart University began working within The Kennedy Center Community Experience programs in late January as a part of their mental health curriculum. Each week students were able to observe, help assist with activities, and go on community outings to experience life through the eyes of others. Sacred Heart OT s...1, 2 Volunteer Lee Faiga....3 Exercise Science Club..4 Intern Photos...5 This isn t the first time The Kennedy Center has had the Sacred Heart students come and help out. Over the past several years, groups of Sacred Heart students have been coming to The Kennedy Center and participate in a program that was designed to prepare students for dealing with and understanding those who they may never meet until they are in the field. After students intern at The Kennedy Center, they have experience working with many kinds of disabilities, and are better prepared for their future careers.

2 Sacred Heart OT Interns Make the Grade The advantages of Sacred Heart Occupational Therapists (OTs) interning within The Kennedy Center programs are many, according to the numerous managers who have had the opportunity to mentor a student or two in their programs this spring. Spending time with this population will make them much better OT s, especially when it comes to speaking or relating to those who may be non-verbal, said Liz Lavorgna, Manager at Project ACT in Newtown. At Senior Options in Trumbull, this experience has allowed students to work with people on their individual goals which include: socialization, dexterity of hands and other body parts, organization, and even counting change or cleaning up their work space. Working with participants on their hand exercises is very important for seniors because they often have very tight and closed fits. We utilize various tools and manipulatives to get more range of motion for the individual, said OT intern, Andrew Kuhn. Above - OT interns Natalie Candarelli and Katharine Carter intern at Project Strive in Trumbull. Below - Students use manipulatives to encourage movement and stretching at Senior Options. Ashley Conner added, We also use other types of objects, including putty and textural items to encourage movement. If we want to gauge their progress over a six week period, we could utilize a goniometer, which tests for range of motion and can be used for a wide range of joint flexibility. Natalie Candarelli at Project Strive said, Our hope is to continue to advocate for OT s so they may work in programs such as The Kennedy Center in the future. These experiences also help us gain greater skills in our chosen field and better prepare us to work with people that need our specialized help.

3 Volunteer Lee Faiga of Fairfield Knows the True Meaning of Giving Back Above Volunteer Lee Faiga and participant Janice Robertson at Senior Options. Sometimes one event can change your entire life. For Lee Faiga, that event was a severe car accident on May 27, 2015, when she sustained life-threatening injuries as a passenger in a car with another student, after hitting a utility pole. In mere seconds her life changed forever. Miraculously, they both survived the crash. Following the near fatal accident, Lee started rehabilitation including physical therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, even hyperbaric chamber therapy, to learn how to walk and talk again. She continued this for two years until she was able to remove her neck brace and walk without a crutch or walker, although her gait is still unsteady at times. During this difficult period, several relatives and friends assisted her, which meant a great deal to both Lee and her family. In November of 2016, Faiga began volunteering at Project STRIVE in Trumbull, providing assistance to individuals with medically diagnosed disabilities, including rare disorders, genetic disabilities, and cerebral palsy. She also assisted at Senior Options, a program for recently retired individuals, and people with autism and other disabilities. Senior Options Manager, Lisa Klapyk said, Lee has an infectious personality and is truly passionate about our cause. You can see that passion through the way she interacts and communicates with our participants. Lee had to re-learn many basic skills that would otherwise come naturally to her. She understands the importance of being independent, because independence often leads to great self-confidence. Communicating and giving one-on-one time with participants can bring great healing to those that need it, said Johanna Oppel, Manager at Project STRIVE. My daughter was very lucky to be alive, said mom, Rachel Faiga. Honestly, I don t know if anyone else in our family could have come through this with the strength of character that she has shown. Lee has always had a special place in her heart for anyone with special needs. No judgement, just love and acceptance. Now she understands it from a totally different perspective.

4 I I n t e r n s h i p N e w s l e t t e r Sacred Heart University Exercise Science Club Gets People Moving Obesity is a serious problem for people with disabilities. According to statistics, this group has a 50% higher obesity rates than the average population. These individuals often suffer more serious and chronic medical issues like diabetes and heart disease due to a combination of lack of exercise and poor eating habits. Knowing these dire statistics, The Internship Department, in collaboration with the Nursing Department, contacted the Exercise and Science Club at Sacred Heart University as a way to bring exercise to The Kennedy Center. The hope was that by introducing exercise to the participants, they might incorporate it into their daily lives. The club agreed to bring a small group (6 members) of exercise majors to the program and began running weekly exercise classes. The group met in the recreation room at 39 Lindeman Drive in Trumbull with adults from Project IMPACT of Shelton participating. The club members hope to do varied types of exercises including stretching, Yoga, Zumba and eventually to host a healthy party for their final group meeting as a way to celebrate their hard work. In the future we are hoping to bring this type of exercise program to those with more extensive disabilities, like those in wheelchairs and walkers, said Liza Paulsen, Nurse Manager at The Kennedy Center. We would also love to get a donation of exercise trackers (i.e. Fitbits) which could help document their progress.

5 Get a Look at Our Spring Interns! Right-Keryn Bernsteil, Occupational Therapy intern from Sacred Heart (on left), flies paper airplanes with participant Stephanie Moguel of Bridgeport at Project Triumph. Below-Carmen Cuahuizo, Human Service Intern from Housatonic Community College, at Project Focus. Above-Jessica Garcia, Human Service Intern from Housatonic Community College, at Project Venture. Left - Jennifer Sandholm, Fine Art Intern from Paier School of Art, at Maggie Daly Arts Cooperative.