Doesn't my post title sounds incredibly American? It may be, but I definitely have a new appreciation for the freedom I have as a Canadian and as a person currently living in the U.S..
Let me explain...
I recently registered to participate in a study that looks at heart rate when meditation is combined with exercise. The first part of the study involved being trained to meditate. I met with the researcher three times a week, for two weeks, to meditate for 20 minutes.
The researcher is from Israel and is currently living in the U.S. with his wife and toddler. Before and after the meditation sessions we would have conversations, sharing our experiences and perspectives on living in the U.S.. The most recent conversation had an enormous impact on me; the topic was gun control.
The researcher shared how unsafe he feels in the U.S. because there is not an obvious police or security presence. He shared how nervous he feels dropping his 2 year old off at daycare, noting that the window is close to the street and anyone can just drive by and shoot at the house.
He shared how uneasy he was traveling in London, England because there was no security in the subway stations. He said there (and here), you don't know who the 'bad guys' are, they could be anyone so you're constantly looking over your shoulder.
The researcher went onto explain that in his country there are police and security with guns everywhere. They are on buses, in front of restaurants, in markets, at schools...everywhere...and this makes you feel safe.
I shared my life experience of living in a country where you feel safe without security and police everywhere. There is the knowledge that I can take the bus and no harm will come to me, I can walk through a mall with no thoughts of watching my back. He thought I was naive.
I am so thankful that God has allowed me to live in countries where the feeling of safety is not created by the presence of guns. I'm thankful that I an freely walk where I want with little worries, I am thankful for my freedom.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Say it ain't so!!
Not only am I starting to hear my Canadian dialect (not accent - as I was corrected by a professor today) but Bob caught me speaking American last week!
Oh no!!
Oh no!!
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Explanations and Updates
Thank you Suzanne, who reminded me that I'm not the only reading this and I can't just throw around dorky speech terms without explanation!
What is Aphasia?
(This is good practice because I have my first test on Thursday)
Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that affects selective language modalities and functions (i.e. language comprehension and/or speech production). The cause is a focal brain lesion in the language dominant hemisphere (typically the left) and can have lasting affects on the person's communicative & social functioning and the quality of life of his or her relatives and caregivers.
What is Dysphagia?
(This is good review because because I had my first exam last Thursday - still waiting for the results)
Generally speaking, dysphagia is a swallowing disorder.
Here is the definition we were told to memorize, "An impairment in any of the behavioral, sensory, or preliminary motor acts in the preparation for the swallow, including cognitive awareness of the upcoming eating situation. This can involve visual recognition of food, and all the physiological responses to smell and the presence of food."
What is Fluency?
Fluency is the current term for 'stuttering'. We use 'fluency' instead of 'stuttering' because it's positive and focuses the clinician and the client on the goal-which is not to decrease stuttering, but to increase fluency.
Since I'm writing I thought I would give a brief update on my clinical experiences, too:
The client I see Monday mornings does not have aphasia. This client is mid-90's and seems only to have age related, short-term memory loss. We're working on recalling details of a short story. It's a very nice way to start the week!
The audiology hours have been very interesting so far. Last week we saw a woman who had an unexplained, overnight severe hearing loss in the left ear. I learned quite a bit during that visit.
My fluency client is my favorite! A young adult with an intellectual challenge who has a wonderful personality. I've had four sessions and I'm still carrying out the assessment, trying to piece together what's going on. Because of the challenges this client has, traditional fluency techniques are not appropriate. It's been fun and fascinating discovering the strengths and skills this client has.
Note:
"Intellectually Challenged" is the new term in the U.S. for "Mentally Retarded". However, I have one Prof who says he can never remember the new term so don't be offended-nice.
I've picked up another assignment which is to co-run an Aphasia group on Friday mornings. This group has been fantastic so far, it's a conversation group and the student clinician role is to facilitate conversation amongst the participants. We help them with their word finding issues, support them when they struggle with difficult words, and offer choices when they're stuck. We've had two sessions so far and I think my hardest challenge will be to let my fellow student lead once in awhile. LOL! I can't help it! I have this aweful habit of taking over sessions when I'm paired with another student. Next week will be her first session of running the group and my role will be to provide visual support through writing key words on a wipe board. Wish me luck!
What is Aphasia?
(This is good practice because I have my first test on Thursday)
Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that affects selective language modalities and functions (i.e. language comprehension and/or speech production). The cause is a focal brain lesion in the language dominant hemisphere (typically the left) and can have lasting affects on the person's communicative & social functioning and the quality of life of his or her relatives and caregivers.
What is Dysphagia?
(This is good review because because I had my first exam last Thursday - still waiting for the results)
Generally speaking, dysphagia is a swallowing disorder.
Here is the definition we were told to memorize, "An impairment in any of the behavioral, sensory, or preliminary motor acts in the preparation for the swallow, including cognitive awareness of the upcoming eating situation. This can involve visual recognition of food, and all the physiological responses to smell and the presence of food."
What is Fluency?
Fluency is the current term for 'stuttering'. We use 'fluency' instead of 'stuttering' because it's positive and focuses the clinician and the client on the goal-which is not to decrease stuttering, but to increase fluency.
Since I'm writing I thought I would give a brief update on my clinical experiences, too:
The client I see Monday mornings does not have aphasia. This client is mid-90's and seems only to have age related, short-term memory loss. We're working on recalling details of a short story. It's a very nice way to start the week!
The audiology hours have been very interesting so far. Last week we saw a woman who had an unexplained, overnight severe hearing loss in the left ear. I learned quite a bit during that visit.
My fluency client is my favorite! A young adult with an intellectual challenge who has a wonderful personality. I've had four sessions and I'm still carrying out the assessment, trying to piece together what's going on. Because of the challenges this client has, traditional fluency techniques are not appropriate. It's been fun and fascinating discovering the strengths and skills this client has.
Note:
"Intellectually Challenged" is the new term in the U.S. for "Mentally Retarded". However, I have one Prof who says he can never remember the new term so don't be offended-nice.
I've picked up another assignment which is to co-run an Aphasia group on Friday mornings. This group has been fantastic so far, it's a conversation group and the student clinician role is to facilitate conversation amongst the participants. We help them with their word finding issues, support them when they struggle with difficult words, and offer choices when they're stuck. We've had two sessions so far and I think my hardest challenge will be to let my fellow student lead once in awhile. LOL! I can't help it! I have this aweful habit of taking over sessions when I'm paired with another student. Next week will be her first session of running the group and my role will be to provide visual support through writing key words on a wipe board. Wish me luck!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Spring Semester
This semester is shaping up to be very busy in the clinic and pretty intense with the courses. I'm taking Aphasia, Dysphagia, and Voice this semester and in all three courses we're currently 'reviewing' all of the anatomy and neurology involved in the areas. The profs keep saying, "I'm going fast because this is a review for you". I wonder if they realize I took anatomy 15 years ago! Strangely, it's all bubbling to the surface - you must have done a good job Dr. Rick Welland!
Although they've loaded me with clients, I'm quite excited about the clinical opportunities I have this semester. Last semester, I worked with all children and requested only adults this semester. I got what I asked for, I hope I don't regret it! Monday mornings I'll be working with a woman who has Aphasia for an hour and then SLP students and OT (Occupational Therapy) students will come together to carry out a group activity - that should be interesting.
In the the afternoons, I'll be gathering data for an Audiology study by carrying out hearing evaluations - meh. Tuesdays and Thursdays I have a 25 year old Fluency client and I'm surprisingly psyched and not too terrified about this. And, on Fridays I'll be co-running an Aphasia group. Oh, and, I'll be going to the voice and swallowing clinic for one afternoon sometime in April. I can't wait to get into the sessions and do some hands on learning!! (such a nerd)
Last semester, I kinda felt like clinic got in the way of classes, now I'm feeling like classes are getting in the way of clinic. It's only been two weeks of classes and clinic hasn't even started...it's probably the neuro and anatomy that are turning me off classes...I better get back to studying for my Aphasia quiz...blah to neurotransmission and the cerebrovascular system!
Although they've loaded me with clients, I'm quite excited about the clinical opportunities I have this semester. Last semester, I worked with all children and requested only adults this semester. I got what I asked for, I hope I don't regret it! Monday mornings I'll be working with a woman who has Aphasia for an hour and then SLP students and OT (Occupational Therapy) students will come together to carry out a group activity - that should be interesting.
In the the afternoons, I'll be gathering data for an Audiology study by carrying out hearing evaluations - meh. Tuesdays and Thursdays I have a 25 year old Fluency client and I'm surprisingly psyched and not too terrified about this. And, on Fridays I'll be co-running an Aphasia group. Oh, and, I'll be going to the voice and swallowing clinic for one afternoon sometime in April. I can't wait to get into the sessions and do some hands on learning!! (such a nerd)
Last semester, I kinda felt like clinic got in the way of classes, now I'm feeling like classes are getting in the way of clinic. It's only been two weeks of classes and clinic hasn't even started...it's probably the neuro and anatomy that are turning me off classes...I better get back to studying for my Aphasia quiz...blah to neurotransmission and the cerebrovascular system!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Life in Buffalo
Here is a bit of a glimpse into our life in Buffalo:
Grocery Store - security guard
Walgreens - security guard
Library - security guard
Movie Theater - security guard
Then, Bob points out to me that no, those aren't security guards, those are armed Police men!! We are just two, naive Canadians wandering the streets of Buffalo...
Grocery Store - security guard
Walgreens - security guard
Library - security guard
Movie Theater - security guard
Then, Bob points out to me that no, those aren't security guards, those are armed Police men!! We are just two, naive Canadians wandering the streets of Buffalo...
Thursday, December 20, 2012
My Attempt at Studying
I am one day away from finishing my first semester of Graduate School - wow! I can't believe how quickly the past 4 months have gone. Initially, I was looking forward to quickly finishing school and getting back to my career, now...I'm kinda loving the student lifestyle! Minus the studying, of course.
This is how studying went today...
"Ugh...I need a change of scenery! I've spent WAY too much time in my apartment, WAY too much time in the library, and WAY too much time at Ithaca Bakery! I need somewhere new to study.
"It's so nice out, I wish I could just go for a hike or run by the lake. NO! You have to study, one more day and then you're done - focus! Okay, okay...Oh! I know, I can park by the lake and study in the car. It will be SO nice, new scenery, calm, quite, inspiring - perfect!"
In the car.
"What's that sound? No way! There's an enormous (like 100 birds) flock of geese flying towards that field. Hey, there's another...and another...there's, like 5 giant flocks about to land in this field! I've got to stop and see this!"
Driving to the lake.
"I bet the waterfalls are looking amazing right now from all this rain. I've always wanted to stop and check out that one that's on the way to the lake. It won't take long..."
At the lake.
"Oh cute! There are baby ducks! Those duckling are so cute, I better go say 'hi'. Wow, look over there! I've never seen a duck like that before. It's so far away, I can't really see it very well. Oh well, I've got to get to studying."
5 minutes later.
"That duck is closer to this side of the lake now, I can get a closer look."
Two other ducks come on the scene.
"Those ducks are so little and cute! I've never seen ducks like that before! Oh, wow, they just disappeared - they're fishing! I wonder if they'll come up with a fish....The other duck just went under, too. I wonder where he'll come up. Here come two more ducks flying in - I've never seen ducks like that before! I wonder what kind they are. I could check with my phone....NO! You're suppose to be studying, go and study!"
5 minutes later.
"I have to go to the bathroom, I guess I'll go home."
This is how studying went today...
"Ugh...I need a change of scenery! I've spent WAY too much time in my apartment, WAY too much time in the library, and WAY too much time at Ithaca Bakery! I need somewhere new to study.
"It's so nice out, I wish I could just go for a hike or run by the lake. NO! You have to study, one more day and then you're done - focus! Okay, okay...Oh! I know, I can park by the lake and study in the car. It will be SO nice, new scenery, calm, quite, inspiring - perfect!"
In the car.
"What's that sound? No way! There's an enormous (like 100 birds) flock of geese flying towards that field. Hey, there's another...and another...there's, like 5 giant flocks about to land in this field! I've got to stop and see this!"
Driving to the lake.
"I bet the waterfalls are looking amazing right now from all this rain. I've always wanted to stop and check out that one that's on the way to the lake. It won't take long..."
At the lake.
"Oh cute! There are baby ducks! Those duckling are so cute, I better go say 'hi'. Wow, look over there! I've never seen a duck like that before. It's so far away, I can't really see it very well. Oh well, I've got to get to studying."
5 minutes later.
"That duck is closer to this side of the lake now, I can get a closer look."
Two other ducks come on the scene.
"Those ducks are so little and cute! I've never seen ducks like that before! Oh, wow, they just disappeared - they're fishing! I wonder if they'll come up with a fish....The other duck just went under, too. I wonder where he'll come up. Here come two more ducks flying in - I've never seen ducks like that before! I wonder what kind they are. I could check with my phone....NO! You're suppose to be studying, go and study!"
5 minutes later.
"I have to go to the bathroom, I guess I'll go home."
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