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In what ways do occupational therapists educate family members after a spinal cord injury? - Mary Jane Mulcahey, PhD, OTR/L

In what ways do occupational therapists educate family members after a spinal cord injury?

Mary Jane Mulcahey, PhD, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist/Professor of Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia

Read Bio More Videos by Mary Jane Mulcahey
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I like to educate families and the person with the spinal cord injury about how they’re going to do what they want to do. So for example, traditionally in rehab we may expect somebody with a spinal cord injury to take an hour in the morning and dre... Show More

I like to educate families and the person with the spinal cord injury about how they’re going to do what they want to do. So for example, traditionally in rehab we may expect somebody with a spinal cord injury to take an hour in the morning and dress themselves. But the real education and the real art of occupational therapy is saying, “Okay, if you take an hour in the morning and dress yourself, if you can, how much energy are you going to expend , and can you get to work or school in the time that everybody is getting to work or school?” It’s not about being independent, is what I educate: it’s about making those choices and being interdependent, because all of us, whether you’re able-bodied or not, we’re all interdependent on each other. And so I educate families about how to be interdependent, dependent on each other in a very healthy way that promotes everyday living. Not necessarily being independent in a task, such as dressing.

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In what ways do occupational therapists educate family members after a spinal cord injury?

Mary Jane Mulcahey, PhD, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist/Professor of Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia

More Videos by Mary Jane Mulcahey
Transcriptadd

I like to educate families and the person with the spinal cord injury about how they’re going to do what they want to do. So for example, traditionally in rehab we may expect somebody with a spinal cord injury to take an hour in the morning and dress themselves. But the real education and the real art of occupational therapy is saying, “Okay, if you take an hour in the morning and dress yourself, if you can, how much energy are you going to expend , and can you get to work or school in the time that everybody is getting to work or school?” It’s not about being independent, is what I educate: it’s about making those choices and being interdependent, because all of us, whether you’re able-bodied or not, we’re all interdependent on each other. And so I educate families about how to be interdependent, dependent on each other in a very healthy way that promotes everyday living. Not necessarily being independent in a task, such as dressing.

In what ways do occupational therapists educate family members after a spinal cord injury?
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