Sorry, no pictures this time. I haven't had my camera out since Sunday. On Monday, I was working by myself, the other 2 OT's were both gone. There are 3 staff here specifically designated as rehabilitation technicians. A huge part of the therapist's job here is to train the techs to perform therapy tasks because there are months and weeks at a time that the facility doesn't have a therapist here. They don't do new evals or take new patients but they do continue the care until the patient can go home or a therapist comes to help with discharging. It's so different!
I wasn't as affected by the heat so much this weekend, but wearing scrubs and seeing patients in the gym just makes my sweat like crazy! Most of the staff say that they were that way initially too, then it got easier. I am truly overwhelmed here by the level of injuries and the pace of patient care but am swimming along in the rapids and still keeping my head afloat :) The 2 OT's and I have a month together to get some processes figured out to improve the system and help with the flow, then I'm on my own for about 2 weeks before the next therapist arrives.
I am learning lots of Creole and will soon start formal lessons. The patients are very patient with my attempts to learn their language. Actually, I think alot of Creole words sound very funny with my Minnesota accent. They usually laugh at me, then gently correct me. They are very hard workers. So far, if I walk away from the patient I'm working with to go help someone else, I don't even have to tell them to do something, they just start exercising on there own. There are many patients that wait a long time to see the therapist and they rarely don't show up on the day of their appointments. I'm going to be spoiled when I return to the states and probably less tolerant to the no call/no show game.
Anyways that's all for today. Thanks to everyone for all their supportive comments and prayers. Lots of Love!!
Tonya, that is comical. That is exactly how you thought it would be. You anticipated the people would show up and always do what they are asked to do or like you said, go above and beyond and continue exercises without being told. Oh boy, watch out Osakis patients that don't show up!! Yikes! Ha! Can't wait to hear more. People are asking about you. I tell them to go on your blog, but not sure if they will. Have a great week. Lots of love from here also!! :)
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