Paralympic Games in Beijing (Sep 6-17)

UniversalSports.com will be broadcasting the paralympic games live from Beijing. Here's the schedule.

I am eager to watch the rugby final on 9/16. Fortunately it's on a Tuesday and I don't have class that day. I may have a dozen other things I should be doing instead but, hey, it's only every 4 years. Until then, you can watch the opening ceremony here, all 3 and a half glorious hours of it.

Per the US Paralympics site, the games will also be broadcast on Universal Sports TV on 10/8 and a special presentation on NBC on 10/18.

First day of the last year

Monday was the first day of class once more. It was good to see everyone again (even though it really hadn't been that long, just felt like it). Back to routines (of staying up way too late and rushing out the door in the mornings - ha!)

I have half days on Mondays so it's not too bad. Then I don't have class again until Wednesday afternoon which at least allows me some time to catch up. We also had our adviser meet and greet. It's hard to imagine that just one year ago, I was in the same position has the new class.

Yesterday was also my birthday. There was a time (mid to late 20's) that I avoided any celebration. Nowadays, I'm just grateful and more appreciative to have lived through another year. Last night, we (kids included) went out for dinner and had some sushi. Everything was delicious. My daughter loves tobiko so we got her a couple of pieces too. Now gimme some cake! :)

Speaking of cake and sushi(like the segue? No? too bad), I'm not quite sure how I feel about this:



[via Cake Wreaks]

Neurophilosophy : Stroke victim gets artistic flair

Neurophilosophy : Stroke victim gets artistic flair & earns $$$ creating Spore creatures

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I've got spirit! Yes I do! I've got spirit! How 'bout you?

So, I've been following the Olympics and have found a new hero in Dara Torres. Of course, if you're in the U.S., you know by now that NBC has exclusive online rights so it's hard to find any video online. (I'm sure there are those who are technologically more savvy than me and can find them but I don't have the time/patience.) So I wondered if the same applied to the paralympics (held Sep 6-17) or at least find out if anyone is broadcasting it but not having much luck.

There was one site online (www.paralympicsport.tv) that seem to be promising. I guess we'll see.

In my search, I found another site (www.disabilitytv.com) from New Zealand that highlights lives of those who have disabilities. They also have a channel on youtube.

In the meantime, I leave you with two Nike commercials. The first one is of Oscar Pistorius, South African paralympic sprinter, and the second is of Rohan Murphy, U.S. paralympic powerlifter.

Slow motion karate chop

One of the classes I took over the summer was an upper extremity cadaver course for OTs. I am grateful that this class was offered and to the gentleman who gifted his body so that students can learn. You can only learn so much from books; nothing compares to practical learning.

So when I saw this on youtube, I cringed. It's a slow motion video of a man karate chopping a cement block. AHH!



On the same note, here's a video of people getting punched (talk about shockwaves!):

1 more week

until school starts... I'm not sad that school's starting. In a nerdy kind of way, I'm looking forward to it. I'm just sad vacation's ending.

In the time off that we've had, I've been thinking about what area of OT I'd like to go into. I think it's hard to go into pediatrics when you have kids of your own. Also, all three of my kids were born premature so they've all spent time in the NICU. By default then, it leaves adults or older adults. I think I would have preferred to work with either of these populations anyway even if I didn't have kids.

Another area that interests me is use of adaptive/assistive technology. Yes, I'm a gadget geek. I am simply amazing what a person can accomplish when a person is given the right tools (that goes for everyone, not just those who are physically disabled).

BTW, have you seen the Luke arm? It was invented by Dean Kamen, of Segway fame.

Yikes!

11 more days until school starts?! I'm not ready!

OK I did get my books and register. But that's about it.

What about all my grand plans about purging and packing and finishing my sewing and... ad nauseum... I did manage to finish the cushion cover for my mom last week.

I am looking forward to vacation this weekend and next. I need a break from working. Last one was back in February and that was for a wedding.

I am looking forward to this semester; it'll primarily focus on adults and more of the psychosocial aspect of OT. Or at least that's what I think it is based on the books.

Just think, one year ago I started OT school. I really believe time exponential speeds up as one ages.

Oh, and I found two references to occupational therapy. One was when I was catching up on movies and finally watched Auntie Mame, after she becomes a widow and encouraged to write a memoir, she states:

"...[T]his is some kind of conspiracy. Some trumped up occupational therapy, like leathercraft, or hooking rugs."

(BTW, she does write the book and it becomes a hit)

There are several references to occupational therapy in a puppy training booklet by Dr. Ian Dunbar entitled BEFORE You Get Your Puppy but they all essentially state the same thing:

Natural inquisitiveness prompts the lonely pup to dig, bark, and escape in his quest for some form of occupational therapy to pass the day in solitary confinement.

See? OT is everywhere!