Homework

Yesterday, I received an email from my 14 yr old niece asking for help with her homework. Here's the letter:

• Hi Aunt Marissa and Uncle Chuck! How are you guys doing? I'm sure you were
  both busy with work today. I have a few questions for you to help me out
  with my Freshman Focus homework. We are doing a project in the class, where
  we go around asking different people questions about their jobs. I was
  wondering if you guys would take some time, and each separately answer these
  questions. This would help me out a lot!
  
  I hope to hear from you soon!
  
  Love,
  Hale
• QUESTIONS:
• #1: Please tell me a bit about your job.
  #2: What do you like best about your job?
  #3: What do you find most challenging about this job?
  #4: What education/training do you need for this job?
  #5: What skills do you use everyday?
  
  Also, if you know what pathway you are in (Arts & Communication, Human
  Services, etc.), it would be greatly appreciated if you included that in
  your response.
  

So, heres my answer to her questions:

#1: Please tell me a bit about your job.

I am a Physical Therapist, it is a health care profession which provides services to individuals to restore loss of function due to injury, aging, disease or other environmental factors.

Physical Therapist are responsible for examing the patient or client; evaluating the results; determining goals; and planning, implementing and evaluating a physical therapy program. This typically includes educating and instructing patients and their families. Example, we help Stroke patients regain their function and strength back so that they will be able to walk again. We help them to be independent with most of their activities of daily living so that they dont have to depend on others.

Physical therapists practice in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes.

#2: What do you like best about your job?

It is a very rewarding career. I am happy to see my patient able to walk again, especially when I see the smile in their face and thanking me for a job well done, it's a very nice feeling.

#3: What do you find most challenging about this job?

When I work at the Nursing Home, our job requires physical strength because most of our patients came from the hospital. The transition is very difficult because we're dealing with acute injuries and most of them are elderly. I find it challenging when they dont want to participate with the program because they are in pain and depressed. At the end of our treatment, I feel their pain in my back because i did most of the work even if they can do more but refused to get better.

#4: What education/training do you need for this job?

I graduated from the Philippines. Our school system is somewhat different from the United States. BS Physical therapy is a full time 5yrs program. The 5th year is our Clinical Internship Program. After graduation, we also have ongoing continuing education program for updates with new treatment strategies, etc.

#5: What skills do you use everyday?

Aside from knowledge and experience, its the holistic approach and great smile when I attend to my patients.

What about you? Please share us your answers to these questions. Thank you.

Autumn

I love the Fall colors. It is one of my favorite season.

When I wake up this morning I was excited to see our Maple Tree starting to turn into bright orange, Its funny though because only the NorthEast part of the tree changed its color. I looked at the other neighboring trees, some are still green and the other one has changed its color in the opposite side. I wonder about the science behind this. Im too lazy to google it. :)

But anyways, Im too excited that I changed my Multiply Theme into Autumn. I hope you guys like it.

My Political Views

I have watched the debates and campaign rallies, I believed that Obama-Biden ticket will make a good team to govern the United States.

I was disappointed of McCain's tactic, he' sneaky. McCain chose Palin as a way to trick women into siding with him. He saw that once Obama picked Biden instead of Hillary Clinton for his VP, he thought that this would work for him! Boy, was he wrong! But, to say that women voters are simply going to vote for Sarah Palin because she is also a woman seems a little degrading. Are those with these thoughts insinuating that women are not smart enough to choose a candidate based on his or her performance and would just support any woman regardless of their motives? Is this what John McCain and Sarah Palin are thinking, too? To put it bluntly, Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton. Nor does she have the vision and brilliance of Barack Obama. This is an incredible insult to most American women. Just how stupid does he think we are?

I agree with Joy on The View, Sarah Palin is dumb! yeah! I have watched all her interviews especially with Katie Courick. This woman cannot answer a question with a straight answer -- she's all over the place and dodges every question because she doesn't have a freaking answer.

I am going to have pages and pages about how ignorant is Sarah Palin if I dont stop here.

Why Home Care?

I have been a Physical Therapist for over 8 years now. I have been in various settings but Geriatrics population has been my forte. I will never go back to Pediatrics, they are very delicate to handle. Kids are cute but they annoy me. I dont have children of my own but I hope it will change.

My first job as a therapist was in an outpatient geriatric clinic in the Philippines. I love it so much. I partnered with another therapist and did homecare also. I didnt have my own transportation and gas money as a starter to travel but my parents allowed me to use their own pick up truck. I really love going to my patients home but collecting fees has been a problem so I stopped. I couldnt pay my parents for the transportation.

When I fist came to Michigan, i landed a job in the nursing home. I did part time and full time jobs in various nursing homes for about 5 years. I enjoyed every minute of it. I love listening to my patients historic story. Some of them are war veterans and they know more the war history in the Philippines more than I do. haha. I have learned struggles and the great depression of yesterday. I learned a lot from them. While working in the nursing home, I also did a part time homecare job for about 1 year before i become full time.

So, why homecare? The first thing that comes into my mind is that I can manage my own time and I am my own boss. I love to travel and listen to my favorite audio books or rock on some music on the road. Homecare patients are homebound and most of them are the older people.

The challenging role of homecare is what made me choose it. A very difficult job, not a lot of people can handle it. It takes "somebody" to do it, and that somebody should be versatile. When you're patient is "cool", you tend to be cool, too. Try to adjust yourself to fit in to their home environment. It is their home, not yours. Do not let them feel uneasy with you, make them feel you are part of the family. Once you're inside their home, be calm and courteous. Dont let them feel threatened. You're gesture should assure them that they are in good hands with you. The ultimate challenge is your own safety. Follow your instinct all the time. When you drive in to the vicinity and something is not right, leave. Most of all, make sure you have some sort of protection. I always carry myself a Michigan approved pepper spray that is attached to my key chain, purse, nurse bag, and in my car. Be safe always.

Wii Fit

Im a Physical Therapist and I should be training myself....yeah, right!

It's so obvious that I put a lot of weight since I started dating Charles. I dont know why.

It was only 3 months ago that I started my gluten free and red meat free diet that I've lost 30 lbs! I watched what I eat. I rarely use oil in my cooking. I could have have lost more if i exercise, too. But, I am lazy.

Charles was happy to see my progress and he suggested me to buy the Wii Fit, he said he saw a woman doing the hula-hop on YouTube...hmnnn??? I didnt really care at first. During my home visit to one of my patient, her daughter was exercising with the Wii Fit. Im intrigued. She looked like she was having fun. She had a blast! So, I went to Best Buy to inquire about it. In the store, there was this lady asking the salesguy if they have the Wii Fit because according to her It was sold out when she fist inquire about it last week. The guy said, oh yes we do! In fact theres only 2 units left....My heart was pounding...I had this instant feeling to buy, like NOW! So I told the guy, Ill take the other one, too! and of course, I had to buy the Wii system to operate the Wii Fit.

I love my new Wii Fit. It's just like having your own Personal Trainer. It makes exercise fun and interactive. It records your progress. Charles likes it when I do my hula-hop...haha....I am having fun and losing weight at the same time!

I lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks!

It has been 3 weeks with my liver detox and gluten free diet and I lost 15 pounds! I feel great. I dont feel bloated and no more nasty farts...haha...I mainly eat vegetables and fruits, salmon fish (rich in Omega3) and breast chicken (white meat). I only use olive oil in my cooking. No more red meats, soda, fatty foods, white rice, chocolates, and fast foods. It was hard during the first week but I'm used to it now. I find myself craving for salads, I used to say: I dont eat weeds (referring to green leafy salads)...haha. I am changed and I feel healthy!

I want to lose another 40 pounds, I know its a long way to go but Im going to make it. They said, in everything you want to do, it takes 21 consecutive days to make it a habit. Of course, it has been 21 days and im still hooked to my healthy diet!

Health Freak!

I've never been so picky with foods...I don't watch what I eat, you can tell with how much I weigh now...I guess, Im so spoiled coz my husband would just say....you are light as a feather sweety! he's a big liar! haha! let's face it, I am fat....my husband said...it's ok sweety, its just more to love....lol...I dont know what to do with him anymore! haha

My doctor recently requested for my CBC (Complete Blood Count), PBC, Lipids, etc...it turns out I am not healthy at all....with my glucose and cholesterol slightly elevated, very high Triglycerides, and an abnormal ALT enzymes for my liver (slightly high). I am so disappointed with myself and feeling so yucky. I almost want to throw up all the fats in me. My doctor wants me to lose at least 20lbs, exercise regularly, and avoid fast food diet (McDonalds, Burger King, ets) coz it will make your liver go bad. Aside from that, alcoholic beverages and high consumption of acetaminophine (Tylenol) can also damage your liver.

Because I love life, I decided to be a health freak effective today. So far, I was doing pretty good. After work, me and hubby went for a jog then I use the bike for 5 minutes. I will try to exercise at least 30 mins/day. For dinner, I had baked tuna fish with lemon, steamed beans, half cup of rice, and water. Isnt that healthy? I will try not to use any oil or butter in my diet. So, I will mostly grill, bake or steamed my food. I will only eat fish and other seafoods, no more meat for me....there will be a lot of greens and fibers in my diet. I will also cut down on my sugar intake. And no more Dr. Pepper for me...ahhh so sad....But I know it's going to be worth it.

Wish me luck!