Hey everyone!
My name is Kaylee Truesdell and I am majoring in Occupational Therapy with a minor in special education hoping to also add a minor in children and family studies.
I am a sophomore with Junior credits. This is my second year a EKU I had previously went to MCTC a near by community college while I was a senior in high school.
I became interested in becoming an OT once my boyfriend was in a car wreck 2 years ago causing him to become quadriplegic. I wanted to be there for him all the way through his journey to recovery. So that meant once he got to rehab (Frazier Rehab in Louisville; my dream job) I would go to therapy and everything with him as support. I fell in love with the OT's faith and energy to want help and the way it helped to improve his ability to do the small things on his own again! It was soo inspiring to me that I looked into all colleges with an OT program found EKU and applied:) Here I am!
I am minoring in special education for many reasons, I want to be able to feel comfortable if I have a special needs person that I am working with, how to communicate with them and find the best activities to help them with their fine motor skills!
I first started working with the special needs my freshman year of high school in a class called Peer Tutoring. I continued to work with one lucky girl (I'm the lucky one!) even after I graduated as her caregiver and love it. She's like a sister to me as well as a best friend! We talk about boys (she's the other woman to my boyfriend; haha loves to flirt), just like any teenager doesn't want mom in her business all the time, likes going out, and has an attitude sometimes:). Being a caregiver has really opened my eyes to a lot.
Just hearing someone call her or my boyfriend disabled or anyone because their in wheelchairs or because someone doesn't talk or learn like others grinds my gears because what even is disabled? As far as I can see they both are very able and are just like everyone else from a different angle.
I am taking this class because 1 it is required (but does seem interesting) and 2 because I do want to be able to better communicate with the deaf or hard of hearing population. I'm always meeting new people, also would be helpful in my career. I would like to be able to communicate with whom ever I need to in some way.
Thank you,
Kaylee Truesdell
SED337
Kaylee! Thanks for sharing your story. It is amazing how events throughout our lives shape and change the direction of our paths. They allow us to meet a variety of people we would perhaps would have never had the opportunity to meet. I love how the OT you encountered inspired you to want to enter the field.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that many people have abilities in different ways than others is often times a challenge for some folks to see. Having the opportunity to have the experiences you have and to have a different perspective allows you to develop a very unique insight. This can be such an asset for so many others.
I know during the time I was a full time caregiver for my late husband I learned many things I would have never learned or understood any other way. I am grateful for that experience.
Thanks again for sharing!
What an inspiring story! Thank you so much for sharing. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you both for reading! I am glad you found it inspiring Caitlin!
ReplyDeleteI am extremely grateful for for all the experience I have gotten through out this journey called life, because it has brought me to a lot of people I may not had ever gotten close too and has allowed me to really see things in a new light and perspective.