First Fieldwork

My group had our 1st session of OTA fieldwork last week, and it was awesome! We had no idea how many clients would participate & what they would be capable of doing. Our 1st activity was making hand weights from empty bottles & filling them with bird seeds or sand, and amazingly, all the clients participated (about 20). Some of the clients are more disabled than others, but they all seemed to enjoy the activity, & they were all well behaved - taking turns & being patient.

One of the clients stood out - she is such a pleasant girl & has a great smile & beautiful blue eyes. She was very friendly & enjoyed helping the others in the group. She also helped me clean up without me even asking her. I'm not sure of her mental level, but physically she has contracture in one of her hands. Her physical disability did not seem to slow her down at all. When we were doing a session of exercises, she was right there with us doing all the exercises with her dominant hand. I know, I know....don't get attached, don't get attached!

The non-profit facility where we're doing our OTA fieldwork operates 4 small businesses that employ about 41 adults with mental disabilities. It began in 1978 when a set of parents could not find a place in the Cary area to send their disabled child who was finishing school. Their 1st business was a bakery, employing 4 adults with disabilities. The bakery is still operating, along with a laundry department, a silverware contract department (preparing silverware/napkin rolls for major airlines at RDU), and janitorial & subcontract services.

All the employees are mentally challenged in one way or another - from mild to moderate. They are chosen to work at this facility based on their abilities to do at least 1 of the jobs available. A majority will not advance enough to go out into the "real" world of employment. Some may think this is a type of segregation, but as the director explained to me, these employees would have a hard time adjusting to the stresses and demands of working in a regular company. They are very comfortable with their current schedule & with the other employees. I just wish there were more employment opportunities like this for all mentally disabled adults.