My triad and I, along with a staff member, took our guys on a field trip to a healthy restaurant. We did this to reiterate eating healthy and practice controlling portion sizes, which we have been discussing for a while now. The guys are pretty self-sufficient in their own environment, but it's a totally different story when we went out.
Our book keeps emphasizing the importance of clients learning a new activity in their normal environment or at least a simulated one. After having first-hand experience in dealing with individuals with mental illness who are not in their normal environment, I get it now! When our guys are at home, they come and go as they please around the house and nearby outside, so one doesn't really get the full affect of their limitations. However, when we were at the restaurant, we had to escort them everywhere they went. To be honest, it was exhausting! It was so worth it though! The guys are so appreciative of everything we do for them. It's really humbling to work with such great people. I was trying to find a link on tips for taking brain injured clients on outings but didn't have much luck, and then, I came across this article about tips for taking children to restaurants, and it seemed to fit the criteria perfectly, so click on the title to view them.
On a different note, I went to a conference today where I interacted in groups with either COTAs or OTs and it really is amazing how some people act like they are better than you just because they have a degree attached to their name. Don't get me wrong, I'm really only referring to one individual, but they had a big impact on my life today. You see, I was having a pretty good day until I had to be in a group with this person. I could go on and on, but I won't. Moral of the story: Treat everybody with dignity and respect and remember, he who knows the least, knows it the loudest.
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