Just a phone call away-neuro note 4

     In Max Little’s Ted talk, A Test for Parkinson’s With a Phone Call, Max discusses his background as a mathematician and his vision to provide a cheap and effective objective tool to detect Parkinson’s disease, and a way to then measure Parkinson’s progression. Max states that when we have an objective measure, this is when disease detection and progression can be determined.  I am interested in Parkinson’s disease as a student, and I am excited to hear what Max is doing with a piece of technology that is moving more universal daily. Max is making a strategic play on assistive technology, and this assistive device could benefit all healthcare, including occupational therapy clients. By listening to Max’s talk, recording what he says during his talk on a word document, and then reflecting on his thoughts and how they can positively impact OT have been my active learning experience.

     Max proposes that limbs and vocal chord organs are both effected by Parkinson’s disease.

Vocal chords begin having tremors, rigidity, and weakness at the same rate as the limbs.  A client with Parkinson’s speech becomes more quiet and breathier as the time goes.  Thus, Max and his team

developed a cheap and simple tool that uses precise voice analysis software to detect Parkinson's with

99 percent accuracy.  Max has set up through the www.parkinsonsvoice.org a way for anyone healthy, who is questioning if they have Parkinson’s, or an individual with Parkinson’s, to have a chance to call in and have the test done.

             

     Occupational therapy practitioners could utilize this device to calm the nerves or fear of their

clients that may wonder if they have Parkinson’s.  There is just as much emotional as physical stress that accompanies a neurological condition or expectation of one.  If the therapist’s clients have a family history of Parkinson’s we could provide them with this app/device to keep up with their health and or have a way for early detection/diagnosis.  Another way the voice detector can be used in occupational therapy could be used on clients we are currently working with that have Parkinson’s.  It is a quick and simple way to see their progression as we progress rough our therapy sessions with our client’s.  This would be an economically positive device as well, because although many people that do not have insurance or may lack the money to go to the doctor and have the 300$ neurological test done for Parkinson’s, they do have a phone or could borrow a friend or families phone to do the test for cheap and would be able to detect their Parkinson’s despite their socioeconomic status.   For countries that may have a lower socioeconomic status, the doctors office or clinic could have 1 phone donated.  This same phone could be free to the public for use or could be used as a free diagnosis option for those that come into the clinic with possible symptoms or questions about Parkinson’s disease.  I absolutely love Max’s approach to this, and hope that it effects many in a positive way.

Little, M.  (2012, June).  A test for Parkinson’s with a phone call [Video file].  Retrieved from

https://www.ted.com/talks/max_little_a_test_for_parkinson_s_with_a_phone_call

               

Ronald Reagan's Case Study Review

     I had such a nice and attentive group!  I feel like it went well, they seemed to understand what my interventions were and enjoyed the idea of making a video for a treatment activity (especially since they were both previous actor/actresses)!

     I did mention in my presentation that I should have only directed the goals set towards Reagan.  Although I know that when clients do have dementia they seem helpless at times, I should not put all of the goals or even half of the goals off onto Nancy because Nancy could die at any point of Reagan's diagnosis and he should be able to achieve them by him self.

     Altogether, this was an enjoyable learning process!  Making the goals and interventions proved to be quite challenging, but I know it will get easier and come more naturally along the way.

Session 8A-MS case study Meghan

     Richard Pryor's occupations were comedian, actor, and social critic. His roles were marrying 7 times to 5 different woman and father of 7 children.  He was diagnosed in 1986 ith a MS diagnosis. He lit himself on fire due to depression, yet he is fine.  He had around the clock caregivers and a often sad because most of his friends did not come and visit after his diagnosis.

     I found Meghan's information about memory recollection activities/intervention's very interesting for more than MS!  I would be interested to research what other areas it is used in as well.  Meghan was well prepared and did a wonderful job executing her presentation!  I enjoyed it.

Doctor Remy Hadly-Lauren Murphy's Case Study Review

     Doctor Remy Hadly is a character from the show House.  She was 35 years old when she was diagnosed with Huntington's disease.  Her occupations were mainly all work oriented. Her hobbies were exercising and gardening. Several of her roles were being a physician and a friend. Long term goals for her is to maintain independence at work as long as she can, work on ADL's for eating, documenting, and memory skills.  HD is fatal, and due to secondary causes will eventually result in death anywhere from 15-30 years after diagnosis.

    She had a brief period of drug use in 2009.  She has anxiety which was diagnosed in 2006. Her mother died from Huntington's as well did her brother.  Her brother had a planned suicide death.  She was tested positive, and her symptoms began with shakiness and dropping things.  HD effected her balance. She lives in a one story home by herself and has 2 stairs entering her house.

     Challenges-feeding and drinking coffee without spilling it.  She would like to not spill things and work on her coordination.  Tremors make documentation at work difficult.  Her priority was to continue to be a physician as long as she can.

     Be careful with exercise due to fatigue, although exercise is a wonderful way to deal with HD if not overdone. Some assertive technology devices we may use are: weighted utensils, cups with lids, and a speaking tool for documentation.

     Lauren Murphy did an excellent job planning and explaining the intervention, goals, occupations, roles and HD in general!  She was well prepared and willing to answer any questions we asked her.  I enjoyed her presentation and learning more about Huntington's Disease.

     

TransFatty Lives-Neuro Note 3

     TransFatty Lives is an artistic, well articulated, emotional, and surreal piece of art that Patrick O' Brien humbles himself to give to us.  The name TransFatty comes from Patrick's undying love for donuts and is as well associated with his career as a popular NYC DJ.  Patrick has a passion for filmmaking also, but when his diagnosis took his life for a quicker turn than he was prepared for, he turned the camera and production on himself.  This documentary allows us to follow Patrick's journey from his first symptom mentioned, to his last muscular movement he makes before he makes the choice to live and depend on the Tobi for his main form of communication.  I am incredibly intrigued by ALS, and do not regret the chance to watch Patrick's journey and to note symptoms, emotions, and his change of focus as ALS changed his world.  These recordings will facilitate my empathy and knowledge on ALS and how it quickly will effect our clients.

     Patrick's diagnosis is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, and he was 30 when he was diagnosed with  it. During the documentary, it shows Patrick and how very quickly  he loses control of his lower body limbs. They become to weak to even allow him to walk, climb stairs or shower.  One of the moments in this documentary when I realized how difficult it would be to lose those daily functions, such as bathing, is when Patrick's dad was trying to help him lift each leg up into the tub, and Patrick could barely lift one leg up and into the tub without fatiguing.  After that scene, everything happened so quickly to Patrick it was hard to keep up with.

     Patrick met a lady along his ALS journey, whom he fell in love with after he had began using his electronic wheelchair.  She loved him for his personality and his unique view on life.  They dated for a while, and a fun fact is that although many of Patrick's muscles did not work during their time dating, his reproductive one did!  His girlfriend ended up getting pregnant with his baby, and this became the reason of this documentary he says. Patrick says that he wants his child to know who he is before and after ALS.  Patrick and his girlfriend ended up ending their relationship because it was impossible for her to take care of the baby (Sean, now 8 years old) and Patrick.  Patrick chose to go to a home in Massachusetts for individuals with ALS to take the stress off of his family.  Patrick was such a selfless guy, making that decision for his girlfriend and family, yet keeping himself alive solely in hopes to keep in contact with his son while building awareness and funding for ALS.

     Due to this being a real life documentary, many symptoms of ALS were shown.  It began with a skipping or shaking of his leg that would not stop.  Next came constant tripping or falling with Patrick's walking.  This caused balance issues as well.  Not long after Patrick went and visited his doctor, did he begin having more and more issues climbing the stairs and bathing.  Eventually, Patrick lost use of his lower limbs.  He still had decent function in his upper body limbs, and that is how he began documenting and helping produce the movie.  One of my favorite OT moments in this movie, is when Patrick knew that his loss of his hands was almost coming to an end.  He decided to try and have a "funeral for his hands" which upset me, but I can see from an OT point of view how important it was for Patrick to constantly except the change and challenges ALS were appointing him.  I do not think I would ever have the strength, courage, or humor that he exuded as he knew the fate of ALS.  I do not think Patrick wants us to feel bad for him, I think he wants to start a riot and show others what it is in hopes for future funding and a cure.

     In closing, I feel as if this documentary was a beneficial learning experience.  This prompted me to take notes as the documentary progressed, and at the end I had the opportunity to compare his symptoms with the ones I had from class.  They were accurate, but brought a sense of pain to watch them come along. Sometimes it seems so black and white when we learn of the neurological diagnoses in class, but the truth is, it is hard.  People's lives are effected.  Emotions are involved, "hand funeral" moments do happen, and the question we should ask ourselves at the end of this film is, how will I best enhance my client's with ALS's lives and what can I do to increase their quality of life for as long as that may be. 2 years or 10 years.  I would recommend this movie either in class or outside of class!

References

Brien, P (Producer), & Brien, P (Director).  (2015).  TransFatty Lives [Medium].  USA: Handsome

     Cargo.


    

Take it away-foundations

     Foundations was so much fun!  I feel like after this course I understand and am able to clearly define what OT is, what OT's do, which settings they work in, the history of OT, how to do an activity analysis, occupational profile, and how the OT process works.  I as well have a better understanding on what the OTPF does, the domain and process of it, and how each section applies to the application in the field.  Of course I have learned much more from this course, but these are my main OT take-a-ways I can think of currently!:)

     I look forward to learning about more theories in future courses, and having hands on or simulated experience on doing the OT process, especially doing the occupational profile on someone other than myself!  You did a wonderful job prompting us with learning experiences and assignments/tests to facilitate this!  

     I love that you always try and develop our OT think, and credit us when you see us using our OT hearts.  During the first semester of school, with all of our classes and assignments and struggles to have a life balance, it is nice when you receive a compliment or are told you are thinking like an OT.  Some of us may not be straight A students, or may freeze on tests, but you, as well as I, know that this does not make you a "good" OT.  We have learned that much of being a good OT is developing our therapeutic use of self and using the variety of characteristics to best suite our clients.   I look forward to continuing our journey together in this OT world, and appreciate all of the time and concern you show your students.

Until tomorrow...

This quote reminds me a lot of you, and is fitting for OT I feel!

Andy Griffith-Alexa Tooker Case Study

     Guillain Barre Syndrome moves from the legs and move towards the upper body.  Andy had severe debilitating pain and of course suffered through some depression.  OT will help Andy with pain management, helping him with his ADL's, acting,  and managing his guilt from not being able to participate in occupations and  he will be depressed.  He had limited use of feet and legs, they think this GBS was caused from an allergic reaction to the viral infection of the flu.  Andy needs constant supervision, and is fully dependent on his wife for daily ADL's.  He is hopeful to return to full health and to be able to live without assistance and to get back to acting.  Returning to acting, and sustaining his career for 10 or more years was a goal of Andy's!  Their main  goal for Andy is pain management techniques. Their secondary goals were to manage his feelings and figuring out how to cope with his pain, depression, and guilt and to work on leg muscle strength.

     Alexa did a wonderful job explaining GBS and focusing on Andy's initial goals, and thus tying those into his primary and secondary goals of the intervention.  The goals were both fitting and realistic!  You can tell Alexa was well prepared and had previously done her research to best inform us. I enjoyed it!