Fly Like An OT (The OT Rap)

This is a cool video made by OU's first year OT's it is pretty funny!

It's already November... really!!??

I can not believe it is already November... only 2 more months of 2010. I swear it was just new years eve. So I have been at my clinical now for a month! I really love it there. I could see some potential area I would do differently if I was a therapist but it is an option and I will apply there. I have decided that I am going to start sending out my resume in January. I can then hopefully get some interviews in before I start class again. The best thing about next semester is the last 6 weeks of class is really only 2 classes and I am hoping they are either the same day or back to back so I won't have to 'move' back to Tulsa. Just maybe stay the night at a friends house or something! That would be very nice and decrease my stress load.

I have also been volunteering a lot for my grant but I also do enjoy doing volunteer work. I have been helping with Habitat for Humanity, and the girl scouts. I am the service unit director for a group of troops. I will be coming up with events for all the troops to do together, fundraising, and recruiting. It is nice cause I have a meeting once a month but then I can work on various other things during the week and get in more hours that way. I am also co-leading a troop for girls with special needs! I am so excited about getting involved in this organization. I am even more happy that they needed volunteers and that it worked out for both them and I .

Wedding planning is still going on I have the photographer, ceremony, and florists booked. Now I just need to pick a venue site so I can continue on other large projects such as food, DJ, dresses, videographer, and the list goes on. It is official less than a year away when I will become Mrs. Emily Vernon! Weird! And if the next year goes just as fast as this last one, it'll be here fast! I have not decided on if my name will be Emily Renee Vernon or Emily Bailey Vernon... Thoughts?

I have today and Monday off so a nice long 4 day weekend for me and Howard is going to St. Louis with a friend to meet up with some other for a guys weekend. It works out fine because I have a to-do list forever long so hopefully I can get everything done! That's it for now...

a better idea

So this week is full of papers and presentations yippee! It is very frustrating when the professors don't help by giving you on 4 days to work on a take home test that is due the same day as 4 other things and a group of students decide to have a paper due 2 weeks earlier than originally schedule without asking the last person in the class that has the most on her plate (ME!). Yup I am soo ready for this school thing to be over with for good! I am really excited to start my rotations though. Just 2 more weeks!!
I was starting to think practically about my last request for money to go towards a DSLR camera. I have changed my mind...I would like an iPad. This is a more practical use of the money. I can use it for work, it has tons of apps for therapy use which is really cool. I can just get a better point and shoot for a lot cheaper and still get better quality photos. Well I better get back to my presentation but just wanted to throw that out there.
By the way, I have decided not to do the Miss Ok USA pageant because I can find much better ways to spend my money plus with no sponsor no go. Thanks for the support though. These pictures are from when Sarah came to Tulsa and we went to the John Mayer concert.

update

School is going well or as well as school can go that is. It isn't  to bad though because I don't really have any exams but just papers and presentations. Wedding stuff is going but kind of at a halt until school is done in a few weeks but Howard an I have the venue site narrowed down to two places in Fort Smith. We are meeting with a videographer once I get to Fort Smith so we will see how that goes. I still haven't found a dress but I am going to make a decision before I leave Seattle after christmas... hopefully.

I have decided what I want for my Christmas, birthday and graduation gifts.... I would like money to put towards a DSLR camera... I will put the money in a separate account so I don't spend in on other things but this is what I really would love. I have been wanting one for about a year now and I will actually start having some more time to take classes and pictures.

Since last time

So it's been a while. Obviously, I am engaged now to the best man in the world. The proposal was worth waiting for... Florence plus a horse drawn carriage = dream! I am now in the process of planning the wedding. A few months a go I won a raffle which will save us some money so we chose Epic photography.
I am done with OKC for now, I have to go there at least once a week for my peds grant courses but it'll be worth it. I also have a friend who is doing the grant too so we can share the driving. I have been trying on dresses but have not found "the one".

School is about to start again and I already have a long day ahead of me tomorrow 8-5... yuck. But Tues I am going to try on some dresses with my friends so that should be fun! I hope everyone is doing well and I hope to update a little more often

6/9

So I got my hair lightened some more to get it to the color I really wanted. I knew it was going to take a couple of times but now next tiem I will just have to get my roots done! I am in the middle of my summer course which is on ly 3 weeks so its quick. I have already taken a midterm ( I got a B) and the Final is next Wednesday. I also have been doing some peds stuff. I have gone to the NICU, early intervention, orthotic, and this week we went to an outpatient burn center in OKC. I absolutely loved being in the NICU. I think it would be a great extra part time job after I graduate to help pay off those loans. But I have to see what is the availability in Fort Smith hospitals.

While I was in OKC on Monday for class I also checked out the place I am going to have my internship and the apartment I am going to stay. I loved both! The facility is GIGANTIC and brand new! I can already tell it is going to at least be comfortable to work there. Everyone I have talked to says I will love being there which, is one of the reasons why I wanted to go there. The apartment is about a 30 minute but it isnt too bad and it might be nice to have a little drive to adjust ?!

As far as the pageant goes I am just working out and eating healthier. I ordered clear heels which, should be interesting ;) I have been playing with my makeup to see what looks the best (as you can see in the picture). I have sent out about 20 sponsor letters including my family :) But really just local businesses so hopefully in a week or two I will start recieveing some sponsor monies!

Summer

So I finished the Spring semester strong with a 3.3 GPA and an official congrats on the pediatric grant!! Yay me!  I am know in my 3 week summer course then it is off to Italy. After Italy, I go to OKC for 8 weeks for my clinical rotation at the children's center. I am really excited to get to work with the kiddos and learn from my CI.

 I also have announcement... no I am not engaged :) I am going to be in the Miss Oklahoma USA pageant, which is over thanksgiving weekend. I am currently in the process of acquiring sponsors to pay for the sponsor fee. This fee covers the food, lodging, and clothing for the weekend. It will also help pay for the next Miss OK USA to prepare for the national pageant. I decided to do this because I think it would be a great experience and it is a great motivator to get back to the gym, plus it would be really awesome if I won! I am practicing the walk, current events, and speech. I am going to send out a mailing soon so keep a look out and if you know of anyone who owns a business or individual who would like to help sponsor have them email me at emilyrbailey@gmail.com

Howard and I also took  a trip 2 weeks ago to Oxford, Mississppi for his cousins wedding. It was lots of fun and I got to meet the rest of his family on his fathers side. We walked around the Ole Miss campus, went in his uncles pool, played with his 2nd cousins, Will and Wes and got to know his cousins better. Abbie stayed in a family owned, farm setting ranch for doggies. She seemed to have enjoyed herself and the owner thought she was very sweet. I am biased but I would have to agree with them.

I will keep you all updated on my road to the Miss OK USA pageant. So far I have been working out 5 days a week, eating better and practicing in the heels and talking to others without mumbling :)

I got my hair trimmed and colored blonde today! What do you think?? I love it, she cut off a little bit too much than I wanted but I had a lot of split ends that needing trimming. I am finishing up the semester with about 6 papers and then studying for finals. I can't believe I am turing 25 on wednesday. I won't be celebrating until the weekend after finals but until then I have gotta be in study mode. One good thing about this week was that I won 3rd place in a drawing from the tulsa bridal association I went to just for fun!! I won 25% off of the DJ, free bridal session, 50% off photograher package and videography!! How awesome is that, I am already saving money before I am even engaged, hahaha. And the places I got the discounts are really good and some are voted the best my local brides! Anyway, wish me luck with finals!

Random

So this is a recent collage I made. I enjoy making them and seeing all the pictures come together, this one is about my family. I really love the goofy ones because it shows how truely crazy we are when we get together :) There is not much to update on but I am having a terrible time with allergies and my asthma. I am having to use my inhaler up to 6 times per day. Tonight I watched a little girl, we walked down the street to the park and I couldn't catch my breath.When we got back I had to take my inhaler, ridiculous... I am going to try some samples that a pulmonary doc suggested so I will see if that helps some. There are a lot of group projects going on at school right now that I am trying to finish up not to mention individual papers as well and we have to drive to OKC Thursday for another neuro seminar. This one is covering spinal cord injuries. I do enjoy learning from the individuals with the injuries we have been talking about in class. It helps put them into perspective but it also adds more work but I think it will help in the long run. I guess that is it for now :)

Easter

Happy Easter & Happy 2nd Birthday Jackson!!

So lets do a little bit of catch up since I haven't posted in a while. I had midterms the week before spring break and I have to say I was quite pleased with the outcomes. B in Adult Neuro, A in Assistive technology, and an A in Teaching. I also had another adult neuro test this Friday and recieved a high C. Not as good as I would have liked but I still have a B in the class. I am enjoying most of my classes and am excited to get on to the clinical aspect of this summer and next year.
During spring break I was in Fort Smith. I painted a bathroom, lounged, read and went to Eureka Springs where it decided to snow on us :) Pictures to come later. Abbie had to get a chipped tooth removed a few weeks ago but is all better now. I am so happy that it is finally starting to warm up here, I have been so sick of the below 30 degree weather!!
I have a second idea about the non-profit. Ideally, I would do the whole grand idea for Zambia but unfortunantly I am still a ways off unless God does a miracle or inspires some persons to make a large donation to a company that does not exist yet :) So, my newest thought is a day camp for children with disabilities out at the Vernon's farm. It would include fishing, horseback riding (hippotherapy), fourwheeling (with supervision), games, volleyball etc... One day it would be awesome to have an overnight camp but you have to start small and work up. I have talked to my friends and said they would love to help plus the people I meet when I start working would probably be willing too!! Thoughts?
Another thing I can't get out of my head is the DSLR camera that I really want!! I have already $400 saved from doing some odd jobs and babysitting. My thought was that I could get it after the semester is over and while in OKC this summer, take a class and learn more about photography. Thoughts?

Anyway, I hope everyones easter is great and Jackson I hope you had the best brithday you will never remember :)

Howard and I at John and Ashleys wedding this last weekend. The ones with the boa were from a photo booth they had at the reception. The bottom one with Howard yelling is only kind of funny because we were suppose to take a nice photo but I poked his flower pin into his chest and the camera just happen to catch the action :) I also was very proud of my hair, I did the updo my self and I thought it looked very nice! Had a good time and now just waiting for spring break that starts on Friday! By the way... I got an 80 on my first neuro adult test. I had one today and one tomorrow so hopefully I can keep the B's coming!!

A thought to ponder

   I recently bought a daily devotional book to get my "God fix" for the day. I needed something that didn't take to much time but started my day of right and in the mind frame of why I am doing what I am doing. My friend Rachel has one that she recommended, My utmost for His highest. I bought it and love it. Everyday the message is somehow related to something I have been thinking or struggling with. I wanted to share today's with you because I think it has to do with my pull towards Zambia and the therapy clinics.
       " None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself..." (Acts 20:24)
    It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world's perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense
     What do I count in my life as "dear to myself"? If I have not been seized by Jesus Christ and have not surrendered myself to Him, I will consider the time I decide to give to God and my own ideas of service as dear. I will also consider my own life as "dear to myself." But Paul said he considered, and he refused to use his energy on anything else. This verse shows an almost noble annoyance by Paul at being asked to consider himself. He was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had receive. Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him. Our reasonable work is based on the following argument which we say to ourselves. " Remember how useful you are her, and think how much value you would be in that particular type of work." That attitude chooses our own judgement, instead of Jesus Christ, to be our guide as to where we should go and where we could be used the most. Never consider whether or not you are of use - bu always consider that "you are  not you own"  (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are His.
  
  Thoughts? 
     Howard and I are going to a wedding this weekend and he is a groomsman so we also have the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, it should be fun minus the fact that in between fun I have to study for exams for next week :( First exam tomorrow, wish me luck. 
  Abbie had to go to the vet again for a chipped tooth I found yesterday when I was brushing her teeth. They have to extract it and while she is out I also am having them clean her teeth. Hopefully she won't have any health problems for a while!  


This picture is from Lisa and my hiking trip we went on recently!

February

It has been a couple of weeks since my last update. Honestly, it is because not to much is going on right now. School is the primary focus now but so far it is going pretty well. I am trying to keep up and when I can get ahead. I have met some great people at my community group I go to through church. Some of them have done mission trips and one knew someone who may be able to give me some advice on starting a non-profit for the clinics! I had another woman contact me through th OT connections site who has had a clinic in Haiti for the last 10 years and needs people to go for 6 months at a time. She said she would take considerations for shorter trips but that would be on a case by case basis. I really need to pray about this because I could possible go in the fall for my next 8 week rotation but I don't know how I would do without Howard and Abbie??!! 
I picked my summer rotations and I got my first pick, The Childrens Center http://www.tccokc.org/, It is in OKC. But I found a place to stay over the 8 weeks for cheap. One of the OKC OT's is going down to Tx for her rotation and so she wont be there except for a couple of weekends. She has a 1 bedroom, which is nice cause I won't be bothering anyone that I don't know. Plus she said it is safe, gated and has a pool. The only true downside is that she doesn't have cable! But I will bring my computer and I would love to get the camera I have been gawking over and maybe take a photography class so i can spend time taking pictures etc... Plus reviewing for the national exam is always a good idea (Howards idea really :) Other than that I have my first neuro rehab for adults exam next Friday and then two more the next week. This week I have dedicated my after class time to these tests and one assignment and I have been successful so by the end of the week I hope to feel more confident about the exam. Love you all

update

Update on the pediatric grant... I had a meeting with the professors who run the grant program today. The meeting was mainly held to discuss my GPA and professional behavior. The GPA one is obvious because of my low (2.4) GPA from my first semester. There apparently was a GPArequirement of at least a 3.0. They have let other students in the grant who had under a 3.0 who showed progress and changes. They did notice my increase in GPA for the last two semesters (4.0 and 3.4) and placed a contingency of my acceptance into the grant with me getting at least a 3.0 this semester. I do forsee myself getting this or higher. The second thing on the agenda is my professional behavior. This still is somewhat unclear to me. But what I do know is that I have rubbed some professors the wrong way and have stepped on some toes. This of course was never my intentio but I guess when you are outspoken sometimes I speak when I shouldn't have. I told the professors that I am trying to improve on how I handle situations and opinons. It was also a plus factor that I am in a leadership position this year (VP-Tulsa College of Allied Health) and that at least for now, I have not stepped on any toes this semester. They did mention that they sent a list of all the applicants to the professors and the professors replied about each student. Apparently, some things about my grades and professionalism came up. For example, I take up too much class time with questions, don't know how I would do in a collaborative group setting. This took me aback a little, I did actually get a little teary and had to take a moment before I answered. But all I could tell them is that I am still learning and I am trying to better myself in this area. They did agree to forward the comments to my advisor (without the prof. names) to see where I could improve. I think this will help a lot because right now all I know is I need to keep my mouth shut a little bit more and if I have a problem start with the lowest person on the hierarchy... So with that said as long as I maintain a 3.0 GPA this semester and don't tick anyone off then I have a spot in the grant, that's the good news. I will let you know what I learn about what I should improve on.
One a different note, Abbie ate a whole bar of chocolate while I was a school today. I called the vet and I had to give her 1 tbs of hydrogen peroxide to make her vomit. Well I will just say she did, eww! She has now eaten, drank water and is now sleeping. The vet said she should be fine other than some diarreaha. What a relief! That is it for now...

Kelseys game

recent pic

Weekend trip

ere are some more recent photos. So Lisa and I have decided to do something spontaneous this weekend and go hiking at Greenleaf state park which is about an hour from Tulsa. It is an 18 mile hike around the lake with different terrain and hills. We are very excited! We are leaving early Saturday morning and rented a cabin with fireplace and all. We are going to bring games, wood and smore stuff, what else do you need?! Oh and yes, Abbie is hiking with us. I got her a little foldable bowl for water and food plus a little rain jacket so see doesn't completly freeze if it drizzles. I got some new hiking boots which are waterproof and have great traction. They will also be handy out at the farm! Lisa said that one her friends from work and her husband were wanting to do something this weekend so they may also come plus they have four wheelers!! So hopefully it will be a fun filled weekend while Howard is skiing in Breckenridge,Co (so jealous).

I have a meeting sometime tomorrow or Monday with the proffessors of the pediatric grant to discuss my grades (primarily from my first semester when I didn't do so hot). But I spoke with my advisor and she thinks as long as I am open and reflective then I should be fine. Cross your fingers for me and pray that my one bad semester wont haunt me and that Howard doesn't break a leg and that we won't have a thunderstorm in the middle of our hike!!

Monday

So I was in a funny mood and decided to take pictures of myself and they actually turned out pretty good after a little tweaking on picasa (picture editor). So this is one of the latest. School is going I am keeping up and ahead in some of my classes.The only part I need to catch up a little is the readings but it is my goal this week to read all the summaries!! I am going to do it ;) Abbie is feeling better and thankfully no more bladder infections! I am trying some new dog food that supposedly is allergen free so I am praying this will help with her shedding, licking of the paws and maybe bladder infections. I went to my Church's community group tonight and really enjoyed it. We are doing a series on Abiding God and what this means. This week we focused on how we a branch which is part of a vine and to bear the fruit we must nourish and keep our sights in line with Gods to share the fruit with others. We discussed how we do this and what things are need to keep a healthy vine... The main thoughts were to grow in a relationship with Christ and to do this one should be in the word of God, to talk and pray to him and overall be open to what you are to do for Him. This is hard for me to do at times because my life gets turned upside down when school starts to get hectic but if I make it a priority then things will be easier to handle. For instance, instead of watching tv for an hour, I read and pray for my break before getting to my homework or readings. If I get in the routine then I hope I will be successful.
I have emailed a few more individuals this week about the therapy clinics but as of now I am going to focus more on school and just keep contacts through the semester so this summer I can keep up the momentum I have started.

New semester

      Nothing further on my quest to open a clinic has happened recently but I will just keep praying about it and God will guide the way. The Spring semester has officially began, bluh... Actually it isn't to bad. I have 5 classes: Neuro rehab for adult, Assistive technology, Developmental disabilities, Teaching in practice and group intervention (doesn't start until March). I don't think they will be overly time consuming or super difficult material but all have huge reading assignments per week,combined, average 15 chapters. So my collegues collaborated and created a system where each student signs up to summarize 2 chapters and uses google documents to send to all collaborating students. This makes it less overwhelming and if I don't get to a chapter or 10 then atleast I have an outline which is better than not reading it at all. I am pretty sure you would hav to be Clark Kent to read that many chapters in a week :) Their aren't as many group projects as last semester but there are still atleast one in each class if not two.But last semester I had a lot more. As long as I keep ahead on the assignments like I did last semester I think I will do well. We get to pick our summer rotations in just a few weeks!! I have a couple different ones I am thinking about. Sooner start which is working with 0-3 years old, The reahab center which works with 0-18 in Texas and the Childrens Center in OKC which is an inpatient peds hospital. I don't know any of the logistics but these are some that I need to think about.
Oh another thing I have been pondering and researching is a new DSLR camera and I have come to the conclusion that all I want for my birthday is money to go towards buying my very own with a couple of lenses. I still need to figure out which one I would like and would fit me best but I have time for that. So just if you were wondering since it is my 25th and all :) Pass it along.

Lifesong for Orphans

This is an organization that has orphanages all over the world and also in Zambia. This organization also helps families adpot through scholorships and grants. I am going to contact them and ask them what their need is for help with children with disabilities. I didn't go the meeting at my church but I will be able to get more information this week.
The lifesong organization had an update on their Zambian orphanges and wanted to post it: Lifesong-Zambia Update



Lifesong – Zambia is the only school in the Kitwe community working to provide Christian education and 2 meals per day to 175 children. The primary objective of the Lifesong Zambia School is to teach the children to be followers of Christ. Though sometimes it is hard to hear the message of salvation when your belly aches for hunger, you are mistreated at home, you are sick with malaria or TB, or you don’t expect to live to adulthood. So, Lifesong provides food, health care, counseling and education to give the children abundance in their daily lives.

We have recently added extra classes to teach the children skills that will someday help them generate income. Arts and crafts projects have been well received. The children are learning to make rag rugs, hot pads from bottle caps, greeting cards, jewelry, and crocheted items.


The children recently completed their end of year testing, with closing day on December 4th. It was a great day including a Christmas party, a special lunch, songs, stories, and gift packets for the children. In order to continue to provide 2 meals per day, the children will continue coming to the Lifesong School for ½ days until the new school year resumes on January 11th.

In the meantime, the Lifesong staff is busy conducting interviews for staff and reviewing applications for the children attending during the 2010 school year. While we were accepting applications, we had over 200 parents lined up at 4am anxiously waiting to enroll their children, but had only 40 spots open.

Please pray for the Lifesong Zambia staff as they are making decisions, for the children who are anxiously awaiting their end of year results, and for Zambia and Africa at large. In Zambia the thief called poverty and AIDS has stolen and destroyed many of the simple pleasures that those of us who live in affluence enjoy. The causes are complex and hard to understand, but we believe we have all been called to do what we can to empower these people to provide for their families and teach them to be continually deepening their relationship with Christ.

Earthquake in Haiti

I have been interested goint to Haiti to a mission, which I have mentioned, and now I have even a greater desire. But with school and no money this will not happen. I have been praying for the children especially for those with special needs and those children who may need special help after the earthquake. I recently have been recieveing emails about some of my friends going to help. I got an email from an organization about a rescue flight for those children in need of 'foster' homes. I wish I was in the position now to help but I hope to do as much as I can from afar so please join me. Here is the news: Haitian Orphans Land in US



Many More to Come


January 02,2010 / Martha Osborne

Fifty-three Haitian orphans from the Bresma Orphanage arrived in Pittsburgh today as part of a rescue mission coordinated by PA Gov. Ed Rendell, who accompanied the plane to Haiti . The plane unloaded much needed medical supplies in the capital city of Port-au-Prince , then reloaded with the orphans from Bresma and their caretaker, Ali McMutrie.

The orphan airlift was initiated by Pennsylvania sisters Jamie and Ali McMutrie, who moved to Haiti to care for children at a Port-au-Prince orphanage four years ago. Unable to reach family and supporters by phone after the earthquake, Jamie and Ali texted the dire circumstances of the orphans in their care, reaching the world through social-networking sites, Facebook and Twitter.

"When the earthquake hit, my sister and I felt absolutely hopeless," Ali McMurie told a news conference in Pittsburgh . She added, "We knew we had to take action."

The orphaned children, most of whom are under the age of 4-years, were immediately transferred to the local Children's Hospital, where they will be evaluated, and then processed through immigration. ALL of the children were already legally adopted, or in process, at the time of the earthquake . This humanitarian airlift has assisted them in reuniting with their adoptive families, all of whom have traveled at least once to visit with their children and process adoption papers in Haiti . The effort to unite these children with their families is the first in a humanitarian visa program that will attempt to bring all children who were currently in the process to be adopted at the time of the earthquake to the US to be united with their adoptive families.

Meanwhile, Catholic Charities in Florida is attempting to begin it's program Pierre Pan , and bring hundreds of Haitian homeless children to the US. So far, 23 patients from the earthquake have been treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital, with countless more likely to be airlifted from the island for treatment. Florida Sen. Bill Nelson has contacted all the children's hospitals in Florida and requested that they receive critically injured Haitian children in the aftermath of the earthquake. Nelson on Friday said he also plans to introduce a "major Haitian relief bill," though details of this bill have not yet been announced.

"Operation Pierre Pan," as its being called, is an effort to relocate the thousands of children likely orphaned by the natural disaster in Port-au-Prince. Many of the children could already have relatives in Miami and around the U.S. The movement would need the approval of the U.S. government to at the very least grant the orphans temporary status in the country.

A similar effort occurred decades ago when "Operation Pedro Pan" was launched to help the children of Cuba during the political upheaval in that island neighbor. Some 14,000 children were relocated to the United States, many of them settling in South Florida .

Still, agencies in Miami-Dade and Broward are gearing up for the possible influx of children in need of a home, according to the Sun-Sentinel .

"We've already begun to make preparations and are willing to do our part," said Mark Riordan, Broward County spokesman for the state's Department of Children and Families.

Editor's Note: We caution readers, again, to understand that while the US is full of compassionate, loving families that long to ease the suffering of these children, it is imperative to understand that many of these children have families and will need to be re-united with them at some point. Currently there is no legal or moral way to bring children from Haiti who have an undetermined-orphan-status, and place them permanently into US families. We thank you for your loving compassion towards these children and will keep our readers updated as to any policy changes regarding these precious children.

more contacts

I love the new AOTA Connections forum. I have met so many other students and therapists that have the same goal and asperations as I. I have recently been speaking with a couple of students who have been on missions trips to current facilities. One that continually keeps coming up is the Miriam Center in Haiti. The newest contact from the forum has been numerous times and this is what she said: I am a graduate student finishing my last semester and have similar goals as you with working OT in 3rd world and developing countries. I agree there is not much literature out there but it is becoming more widespread. I have been working with a disabilities orphanage in Haiti for 3 years now. I am planning on going in this summer again prior to taking my boards. Since I have started working there, we have set up many programs. We have grown to 24 kids in the orphanage and the daily program for parents to bring their disabled children in and get 2 meals a day, therapy, and educational play has grown from 7 in June to 25 today. Very exciting! We are finishing up a new therapy room with an enclosed trampoline, foam playground, schedules, treatment plans for each child, etc. We are in the process of partnering in with four organization (orphans promise, kimmy's house, shephards crook, and global orphan project) to build a state of the art 150 disabilities orphanage. The land has been bought and plans are being drawn up. It is super exciting. You can check out the work we are doing at my blog www.autumnsreflections.blogspot.com or the missions website www.nwhcm.org or Courntey the director of miriam center at http://haitihappydance.blogspot.com/2009/11/god.html I have been in contact with an OT from Oklahoma who has started her own mission and goes to 4-5 different countries as well her name is Lori Basey and her website is http://nbint.org/founders.html. I did a project in school and read one of her articles, called her up and talked and this past summer she visited our orphanage :) If you would like more information feel free to contact me, my email is marshall010@gannon.edu
Is God not awesome?! I will have to pray about when to go and how but God works in wonderful ways to lead you thorugh your journey. Leaving for Tulsa now :)

The end of winter break

My time in Seattle is almost up. It is bitter sweet to go back I miss those in Tulsa but then I will miss everyone in Seattle. I have to go back to school and to the real world... I recently sent in an application in for a pediatric grant which will help me with tuition and after I graduate I will get a bonus which is always a plus. I will be taking about 4 special classes specific for pediatrics which will help me with my job search and confidence to start my career. I will know if I get it in just a couple of week!
I have contacted another organization that has developed a therapy clinic called Casa Bethesda. This is the ideal place i would want to develop in the future. I emailed the supervisor who emailed me back and told me to email the pastor who started it directly! I am looking forward to hear back from him soon. I am still planning on attenting the meeting at my church.
Wishing you all well

The New Year!!

Here's to the year of 2010! I have made a couple of new year's resolutions that I would like to put in writing so everyone can hold me accountable. The first one is commonly made and broken but I am going to strive to go to the gym at least 3x a week, I need to get my rowing like body back, it has been lost in OT school somewhere :) Second, I am going to keep up my blog and not just about school but new and exciting adventures and my prusuit as a professional. I am also wanting to blog about my search of how to open a therapy clinic in a needed area. I have had this dream for a while now but I figured if I can keep record of what I find it may keep me motivated and allow me to vent about the frustrations along the way. My third resolution is to not let the small things in life get to me, I want to enjoy the rest of my 20's and make a difference in this world not just live in it! These are some pretty large dreams, asperations, or resolutions but if you don't dream big then whats the point?

So to introduce to you my huge endeavor of opening up a therapy clinic in developing nations. I have always felt God has put missions into my heart eventhough I have yet to go on one yet. Everytime anyone speaks about a mission they are going on or my church pray for someone who is going my heart aches. I feel God has a calling for me but it has taken a long time for me to be in the right place for God to use me and my skills. But ever since I started OT school I knew what He wants me to do. He wants me to help children with disabilities in orphanges who are unable to get the neccessary care they need.

The biggest question is how? That I am not sure of... I have prayed and researched a lot. Very little comes up in the sense of a company or organization doing this as of now. I have recieved numerous ideas and advice from missionaries and collegues. I am slightly overwhelmed and not even sure where to start. I have been trying to network by using the wonder of Facebook and Twitter. I have found a couple of reputable companies that I have contacted. One current organization based out of britain is the closest I have found to my personal desires but as it looks they are only taking on british OT's and volunteers http://www.lcint.org/?lid=3044 The organization I have most recently contacted and spoke to was M.I. Africa who builds schools in Africa. They are a new org and are just starting their schools but seemed very excited about my idea. They told me they would keep me on their contact list and update me on their progress. The most recent news was an email from my church http://www.tcabc.com/ (who is huge with adoption and misson work), notifying us of a meeting with a person from lifesong for orphans about work in Ethiopia and Zambia. Zambia has a special place in my heart because Howard's brother is from Zambia. He is a doctor and would like to go back and open a health clinic. I would love to go with him to start a therapy clinci along side his medical equipment, they could work hand in hand. This meeting is on Jan. 14th the day after I get back to Tulsa. Coincidence, I don't think so. I will let you know what new information I get.

Sorry for the long post but needed to update and

start over for the new year!