Sunny Day Therapy's Blog- Helping Children & Caregivers Shine, Do, and Thrive

My journey as a new mom breaking a vertebrae helped me understand what it feels like to be a patient searching for answers and hope. The fear of not being able to be the best for my son was so real at that time.  I remember burying myself in my work thinking that I didn’t want him to see me in pain.  I attempted to hide my pain and frantically exercised pushing through pain in a way that felt traumatic and desperate.  I studied techniques and found therapists hoping to create my own survivor guide for the future.  Yet, there was a time when I didn’t feel so proactive, when I didn’t even think about advocacy, when I dwelled on all I had lost and feared about someday not being strong enough to do the activities I love. Thankfully, I had a supportive family and friends and found community (therapists, a Facebook group, and meaningful activities). It was so hard I remember at the time to discover that the things that once brought me joy like even reading a book were so hard on both a physical and cognitive focusing level. We often forget that when our physical and self regulation needs aren’t met, it affects our so many activities (from sleep to leisure to work). 

The power of occupation (meaningful activity) and purpose is an idea that guides my vocation.  Just as Lucy Rose found new life in her music, I found hope in my writing, my word art, and play with my son. (Read on to see the link to Lucy Rose’s story on BBC News.)  Although horrible, injury had a way of bringing out my creativity, a long time value, or that gave me comfort, familiarity, self-expression, and control.  I learned about the practical importance of adapting tasks, home modification, and ergonomics.  Text book ideas became real to me.  Of course, if any one had suggested to me there was a silver lining to my pain and injury at the time, I would have cried.  When I was in the experience, this perfectionist was forced to accept the bad with the good.  Living in the chaos and dark of thoughts is hard. One should not have to dwell in that space alone; I was so lucky to have family and friends to listen to and be with me and help me.  I have learned that true bravery is asking for help when you need it.   

My son, family, and clients all saw me with gentle, patient eyes during that time.  I hope to be the same good listener for my clients.  Moreover, I intend to be the type of provider who connects people with communities of helpers, encourages people to find resources, and constantly learns/serves others.  

We never know what story a person is living, how or why they’ve built up the words or cognitive processes to be the way they are, how their pain and injury affects their participation in daily activities.  Not all disabilities or injuries are visible; my clients with brain injury and autism sometime report to me the hurt that they can feel when they are expected to be a certain way or someone doesn’t take the patience to listen to or help them with something that is hard.  Having a back injury taught me to slow down and be more intentional.  As I enter a busy season of my life, I want to remind myself it’s ok to rest, it’s ok to slow down. Actually, it’s brave to set boundaries.  It’s wise to say no. It’s okay to be just the way I am. 

This past year has been one of the best of my life; that’s not to say it is not hard.  There are moments I hurt at the end of the day and certain activities I have learned just aren’t for me.  Yet, I’m learning the art of being me… and that’s given me incredible courage to go for big dreams, to seek out connections, and to learn new things. I choose to be an advocate for hope, occupational therapy (and other helpful disciplines, too!), storytelling, play, occupational balance, welling and intentional living in the context of community. 

I hope you find as much perspective and hope in this story from BBC News as I did: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68796497

If I ever I have the joy of meeting you, I hope to be “all ears” in truly understanding where you are, what you are going through, and how you need help. Communication comes from the latin word root for “to share.” Creating a shared space in which a client feels safe to be “vulnerable” with what they are working on is important to me; in the same way, I hope to be authentic in how I share tools and resources. I hope to seek out collaboration from other health care providers & accumulate a referral network and resources to share with clients.

According to Postpartum International, one in five new moms receive an actual mental health disorder diagnosis. One in ten dads report having postpartum depression and 18% report having a clinically significant anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder at some point during the pregnancy or the first year postpartum.  Imagine the undiagnosed cases! Mental health issues are one of the most common treated conditions in the United States with mental health issues soaring among teenagers.  When someone has any physical diagnosis or transition, they are more likely to experience mental health issues as a comorbidity. People should have not have to be alone when going through any type of stressor; there are so many professionals with perinatal mental health training and each type of provider can provide a unique lens and tools for helping people overcome challenges. As an occupational therapist, I am trained to help you & your child understand your body signs, sensory patterns, & develop a sensory safe environment and strategies for calming/promoting wellness. I feel passionately about promoting healing through the use of creative occupations (meaningful activities) and community connection.  The reason that I do this blog, develop continuing education, & speak is to shed light on human struggles and spread awareness about solutions, supports, & the resilient stories of humans overcome their struggles.