As a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist my program for Empowering, Protecting and Informing would be complilation of these three aspects expressed on the website. My program would empower everyone with epilepsy as well as the people they encounter so that no one is left out. A person with epilepsy would be empowered to have the confidence to do whatever they are capable of doing and anyone willing to help them would be empowered to give assistance and help. My program would also provide protection for everyone as well. A person with epilepsy would be protected from harm to themself and others will be protected from harm from someone with epilepsy as well. Also the person's rights would be protected. Everyone would be informed through the program by learning literature and personal experience. All questions will be addressed and concerns would be put to rest.

Normalization

In today's society we need to become more educated about the needs of people with SCI in order for normalization to take place. There will have to be adaptive measures made in order to make availaable the patterns and condition of everyday life so that we are as close as possible to the norms and the patterns of the mainstream of society. Community integration has to occur in order for normalization to take place. Normalization is a principle that can be followed and adhered to in order to make things work. Normalization is a process that developes over time and needs to be taken more seriously in our modern day society.

Client Interview

One thing that I'd like to share with everyone that I experienced with my client while I was interviewing him. He seemed complacent and sometimes not there. His demeanor was very deliberate and slow. His diagnosis of PTSD is what I attribute his condition to. I would imagine that it would be very difficult to work with someone in this capacity. He does need and get a lot of help from the Outpatient Clinic at the VA Hospital in Phoenix. Sometimes I wish that there was something that I could do to help him live a more happy life. But I know that his happiness has to begin with himself.

Excerpt from professional interview.

I also admired her answer to the question “Why did they choose to enter the field of therapeutic recreation.” Lynn’s response was surprising to me too because she came about the profession by a stroke of luck. She stated that during the time she was about to enter into a physical education profession the only openings left were the ones for therapeutic recreation. So you see she stumbled upon the profession by chance and not due to having considered the choice. She took the only option that she had left and it led her to the wonderful place where she is now. She enjoys her work “immensely” as she says and she finds it very “honorable” to be able to help so many veterans.

Resources Awareness

A great resource for veterans that in order for them to take full advantage of their veterans benefits is to visit the website http://www.va.gov

Tenet No. 4

The tenet that I have chosen to elaborate on is the fourth tenet that states that actualization tendancy motivates clients toward health promotion. Therapeutic recreation specialists engage in mutual participation with clients motivated by the actualization tendency but move toward giving more and more control to clients as they become healthier. The reason I have chosen this tenet is because I have worked for the past 15 years as a Personal Trainer. As a Personal Trainer I was to assess clients abilities for exercise, plan a course of exercises to help them meet their goals, implement those exercises correctly and effectively and evaluate the results. This APIE technique is also what I will be using as a Recreation Therapist however the setting will be a little different. I will be able to help clients to work toward developing a healthier lifestyle and having fun at the same time. Initially, the client will be playing a more passive role but as time would go by they would eventually be able to do things with more confidence on their own. This was also the same goal that I had as a Personal Trainer.

NTRS/ATRA

Here is a link to the credentials organization that I have chosen. http://www.nctrc.org/