OCS Physical Therapy Newsletter
May 2021
Happy Memorial Day!
A Fond Farewell to PT Kristian
As we finish this school year, our physical therapy team is bidding a fond farewell to PT Kristian Lawrence. Kristian has been working with OCS for the last 2 years. She has been serving in schools in the central portion of the county in and around Jacksonville. She has done so much for our students with special needs and families and she will be deeply missed.
We hope all who had the pleasure of working with Kristian in their schools will share their best wishes with her as she heads back to Georgia to be closer to family and to work with student's in the communities in which she grew up.
Kristian, all of your friends, here on the PT team, want to wish you all the best and safe journeys in your future adventures!
PT Pati is Inviting Our Students to Come Out and Play This Summer!
Everyone knows physical therapy can really really hard to do. BUT there is no reason why it also shouldn’t be really really fun. As we head into summer break, I wanted to give some recreational and adaptive sports and recreational suggestions for children and adults with either physical, cognitive or a combination of both disabilities. Adaptive sports are any sport where the rules and/or equipment is modified to accommodate people with either physical or cognitive impairments or diversity. There are organized adaptive sports on the national and local levels such as Special Olympics and Paralympics. In our community of Jacksonville area, we are fortunate to have 2 adaptive sports organizations that provide the opportunity for great fun, learn lots and to make friends.
Special needs baseball of Jacksonville
Last update I received was the organization was waiting for the city to allow the use of the playing fields again.
JASA TOPS – Jacksonville Area Soccer Association, The Outreach Program
https://www.facebook.com/TOPSoccerJAX/
I communicated with one of the organizers of this program. They are on a hiatus right now but will be resuming in the future.
Access of Wilmington – is a little further away but they have re opened as of March 15th and have a wide variety of organized activities including baseball ages 2-8 for T ball and softball for 8+, and ACCESS Fit is a year-round fitness and wellness program designed for young adults, adults, and older adults living with disabilities; ages 10+. There are other programs go look.
On the local and state level is Special Olympics of North Carolina – Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics with a vision that individuals with intellectual disabilities were far more capable in sports and physical activity than many experts believed possible. North Carolina held their first games in 1970 with 400 participants. Now Special Olympics of North Carolina has over 40,000 registered athletes who train and compete in over 20 different sports. Can you name some? One of the great programs that Special Olympics of North Carolina offer is Unified Sports. As described on the Special Olympics of North Carolina’s website, Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an inclusive sports program that combines an approximately equal number of Special Olympics athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and Unified partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) on teams for training and competition. Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools bring youth with and without intellectual disabilities together through sports and education to create school communities of acceptance and respect. OCS has 5 Unified Champion Schools. They are Jacksonville Commons Middle School, Richlands High, Southwest High, Swansboro High, and White Oak High. Maybe a few staff members or parents of students at other schools can reach out to get their schools to be part of this amazing program of inclusion. One of my adaptive classes participated virtually in Special Olympics programs on a daily basis. Find some great programs to participate virtually and find out when in person activities are being planned on their website
You don’t have to participate in an organized sport or activity to foster inclusion or adapt an activity to increase the success of a special needs person. Here are a few ideas I use during therapy sessions that my students love to play and getting siblings or even friends from the neighborhood can make a lot of fun out of the activity. Shhhhhh don’t tell them it’s “therapy” because they think it’s play.
Jumping into a hula hoop – we pretend it’s a mud puddle and gasp – they splash me....
Bowling – use empty plastic soda or milk containers. Use a large ball or beach ball to try to knock them over.
Golf – use large plastic golf clubs or even pool noodles to hit a whiffle ball, balloon or beach ball to a target.
Horeshoes – use plastic shoes or even real people shoes and throw them into a small box or even a clothes basket.
Animal walks – bear, crab, elephant, anything you can think of.
Northeast Creek Park in Jacksonville has an inclusive playground and splash pad and most of the city and county parks in the area have accessible walkways.
To see more of our region and the state here are a few other links to find some adventures.
https://www.traillink.com/stateactivity/nc-wheelchair-accessible-trails/
https://www.alltrails.com/us/north-carolina/ada
https://www.ncparks.gov/trail-use/handicap-accessible
And if you don’t want to be limited to the state check out one of my favorites
https://www.accessiblenature.info/
If myself or any other of the physical therapists through Onslow County Schools can assist you in finding some great sports or recreational activities this summer please contact us.
Pati Wetherbee, PT
May 21st is National Bike to Work Day
Bikes Come in Many Shapes and Sizes to Meet Many Different Needs
Many people have limitations that prevent them from riding a standard 2 wheeler. Some of reasons include difficulties with balance, weakness, loss of limb, coordination, and many others.
Fortunately there are many options to help people enjoy bike riding.
Since the early 1900's people have used 3 wheeled bikes (adult tricycles) for personal transportation, business use, and helping or assisting people with special needs. Some trykes come with arm pedals or even electric drive systems to help people share in the pleasures of biking.
PT Pati has shared some link below to help people explore other options to the standard 2 wheeled bike.
IMPORTANT: National Sunscreen Day May 28th
Over the years and in many settings, our PT team has seen the effects of skin cancers and the physical impairments that people face after they have gone through cancer treatment. Be sure to protect your skin daily in the summer months and be sure to use a quality sunscreen if you plan to be in the sun for any prolonged amount of time.
Some things to consider include: whether or not you need one that is water or sweat proof, any potential sensitivities to some sunscreen chemicals, and do you need one especially for young kids or infants. Recommendations include using broad spectrum sunscreens (UVA and UVB) and most sources recommend a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher.
Make sure to apply your sunscreen in advance before going out into the sun. Most sources recommend 30 minutes prior to setting out.
Along with sunscreens summer is a great time to try out some great hats. There is nothing like having your own portable shade to limit any damaging effects from too much sun.
Bring on the picnics and celebrate Memorial Day!
American Flag Fruit Pizza is a Hit for PTA Julie's family
She also notes that it can also be done with kiwi, peaches, blueberries and strawberries for a great summertime treat.
PT Roger's Family Memorial Day Must Have Side
PT Pati's Family Likes to Have Choices, Especially for BBQ Sauce
PT Kristi's Family is Bringing Some Healthy Nutrition to the Table
Recipe from www.lemontreedwelling.com
Physical Therapists...
- Pursue best practices to ensure students receive highly effective care specific to their needs,
- Endeavor to see students become as independent as possible by maximizing their abilities and strengths,
- Empower students in seeking ways to participate in lifelong education, vocation, and community activities to the best of the student's abilities.
OCS Phyical Therapy
Email: roger.hammel@onslow.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.onslow.k12.nc.us/Page/40842
Phone: 910-787-1544