Occupational Therapy

Go for this if you can. A wonderful opportunity to learn about new researches that will gear your practice into an evidence-based one. For more information, here’s the official link to the website.

Note: I’m attending if there are no classes.

Hi all,

First week of school has been great. I must say that it’s pretty slacked. Not many readings to do as yet. In addition, assignments have not been touched yet. The bookshop was then the shop that I went the most number of times to check out the necessary manuals and textbooks. Gosh! They are so expensive. A thin manual that would cost $16 in Singapore costs me $26 here! I nearly spent $200 on 3 manuals and a textbook. I have yet to buy another 2 as they have not print them yet!

All the modules that I have taken are interesting. The lecturers are engaging and the topics are relevant to my future practice area. I went to Yooralla Independent Living Centre for a practical lesson on last Wednesday. I was exposed to the different gadgets to ease communication for individuals with speech difficulties. The fun part was that we also get to try different types of powered wheelchair. For example, the chin control, sip and puff etc. I must say that the sip and puff was the most difficult to handle. I wonder how Superman did it efficiently.

Different types of powered scooters were also taught. We managed to get hands-on on the many available scooters. These scooters are for individuals who cannot manage long distances of ambulation. I’m glad that I see many elderly here used them in the community. So different from the elderly in Singapore. Ok… that’s for the lesson in the independent living centre. The next lesson will be in Week 3 on seats and the use of hoists.

Ok… So far all the modules are good. Well, except for one pretty daunting module, Illness and Spirituality. This module is pretty deep. I mean, requires deep thinking and varied life experiences. However, it’s interesting to see how the mature students analyse the situations. Probably I can start by talking more to them to develop my analytical skills further.

yup, that’s for the first week. More updates coming up while I ride on the journey.

One of the new highlights of this blog, I have managed to incorporate YouTube Video. You can check out on this url. I am really feel lucky to have a girlfriend who is a healthcare specialist, working to contribute the community with her knowledge towards the rehabilitation of a human. Not many gals or guys is able to have this patience to stand by someone who have fall and back on the recovery track.

This is an honour and humble job in the society and community.

Just like librarians. We make sure that every knowledge of mankind is kept and ready accessible for the development the society and community. Thus, this integrated of plugin hope able to give this blog more educational interactivity with the audience to learnt what occupational therapy is all about. And, double up as an e-learning and healthcare awareness.

Cool, and enjoy each show.

I had my enrolment on the 16th of July. Met some of the lecturers and made friends to 2 new OT coursemates from Germany. They are also doing their degree conversion. I’m taking 5 modules this semester. 2 of them are core modules and the rest are electives.

Core modules:
• Critical Review in Occupational Therapy
• Occupational Therapy Intervention

Electives:
• Occupation, Personal and Community Development
• Neurorehabilitation in Occupational Therapy
• Illness & Spirituality

Cool right?

I’m looking forward to start school now as the modules I’m taking are pretty interesting. I have a handling skill module(neurorehab) this time round again! Reminds me of those grueling practical tests back in NYP. Hahaha! We even set up a griefing club right after the test. It’s challenging but very relevant to my work area later on. I love working with individuals with neurological issues. Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease etc. I’m taking illness and spirituality as I cannot run away from patients who are on their verge of death such as cancer patients etc. It may help me understand them better when I interact with them in future.

School is starting tomorrow. And going back home will be real soon!

To readers,

I’m currently in La Trobe University, Australia, doing a degree conversion in Occupational Therapy. It’s been 2 weeks since I first arrived here. While doing my weekly shopping in the markets and supermarkets, I had noticed several things about the elderly and society here in Australia.

Firstly, they are very much independent. I saw many of them going to the malls on their own, taking public transportation and doing their grocery shopping. Some of them walked aided with a walking stick while some with the rollater or even the motorised wheelchair! Crikey! This is a big difference in the elderly back in my own country. Most of them are accompanied by maids. Yup, this includes both my grandmothers. They are semi-dependent on their maid to help them do their activities of daily living.

Secondly, the society seems acceptable with aged people walking with aids. Back in Singapore, one would most probably stare at a n elderly person with rollator along the aisle of a supermarket (if there’s one). In contrast, people here are cool. Even the kids do not stare in great shock.

Thirdly, this is the first time i saw the public transport here lowered down the entrance corner of the bus to ensure safely of a needed individual when alighting the bus. Cool right? I don’t know if the SBS in Singapore has one since I have never seen it in action before.

It’s really amazing on how living in other country for even such a short time can widen one’s perspective of life. Now, I’m still having my orientation. So looking forward to start of semester on 21st July.

Till then!