Reflective Diary

Meaningful Moments

Some moments that were significant, impactful, and consequential.

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The Journey

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." ~Lao Tzu~

This Journey started in 2019, in Trujillo, Peru, when a medical mission turned on a spark within me. In 2021 the adventure started to take shape when I took a leap of faith. I applied to Capilano Univerity and I met Tracy. In 2022 the RA adventure initiated.

It is not an ending, it is just a new chapter

" The journey is never-ending. There's always gonna be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what's right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment."

Antonio Brown

" Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome." ~Arthur Ashe~

The adventure turned into unforgettable moments that fill this chapter of my life.

“A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles.” ~Tim Cahill~

It is the people we meet along the way, who turn into friends and connections, that make us appreciate the journey. I am grateful
for all those great friends, mentors, and guides I got to meet during this adventure. I am extremely grateful to meet those inspirational figures that have marked my career.

What I have Improve

Communication Skills

Throughout the program, I saw my communication skills enhanced with each challenge. I have taken what I have learned in each course, especially Sandy’s Communication 101 and Laura’s SLP courses and applied them during my fieldwork placements. In the beginning, it was a challenge to use those communication skills, such as active listening or assertive behaviour, effectively and professionally. I was intimidated by patients and their impairments. To progress my skills, I asked to work with clients and patients, whom I had not worked with before, especially challenging patients At Burnaby Hospital, for instance, I was assigned to patients with dementia and non-verbal aphasia. I enjoyed the challenge and managed to build rapport with those clients. Throughout those challenges, I learned that there are many ways to communicate with people, body language being the most effective one.

I have also learned to use my language skills to enrich therapy sessions. I learned that older adults appreciate when there is someone who speaks their native language and can understand them without them struggling to express their ideas.

Diffusing Situations

The one skill that I was not expecting to acquire in this journey was this skill. In my last practicum, I had a lot of opportunities to acquire and polish the skill of diffusing complex situations. I used many concepts, knowledge, and tips from the classroom to mitigate the situation. The case of Mrs. J.C is an example. Ask Azusa about this case.

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills:

In the classroom and lab, our instructors provide us, future RAs, with tools to make quick and safe decisions for our clients and therapists. During this program, I learned to make rapid decisions and provide problem-solving solutions regarding aspects of our clients’ therapy and rehabilitation sessions. As the program progressed, I became comfortable with both making decisions and providing solutions. For instance, in Burnaby Hospital, I visited a patient whose AOT stated “1pA min assist for sit-to-stand practice:” however, after several attempts to assist the nursing staff to stand such patient for ADLs, I cancelled the session and informed the therapist what the client was not appropriate. Then, I asked the therapist to re-assess the patient and asked to asses sit-to-stand from lower surfaces since that seemed to be challenging for the client. In the classroom and lab, our instructors provide us, future RAs, with tools to make quick and safe decisions for our clients and therapists. During this program, I learned to make rapid decisions and provide problem-solving solutions regarding aspects of our clients’ therapy and rehabilitation sessions. As the program progressed, I became comfortable with both making decisions and providing solutions. For instance, in Burnaby Hospital, I visited a patient whose AOT stated “1pA min assist for sit-to-stand practice:” however, after several attempts to assist the nursing staff to stand such patient for ADLs, I cancelled the session and informed the therapist what the client was not appropriate. Then, I asked the therapist to re-assess the patient and asked to asses sit-to-stand from lower surfaces since that seemed to be challenging for the client.

My Lesssons

"Instinct is a marvellous thing. It can neither be explained nor ignored.” ~ Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles ~

Believe in your instincts, skills, and abilities. In many instances trusting my inner voices has kept my patients and self safe. We have been properly trained by our instructors, preceptors, and mentors, we can detect when something is not properly set up. We take our time, analyze, prepare and anticipate situations. We make our session safe for everyone around us. It also means that we have to trust our instincts because we might be able to see something we cannot properly articulate or explain.

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” — Joshua J. Marine

Do not be affraid of the difficult and enjoy each and every challenges you encounter in your practice. Sometimes difficult clients and complex diagnosis can be intimidating and the first impresssion is to shy away from them. However, those challenging cases are the most memorable and interesting ones. I learned to enjoy having challenging cases/patients. I seek for those complex patients. I enjoy providing and be part of the team that find solutions to their problems

Thanks

The Community

Thank you to the healthcare community for offering placements and allowing students to learn in a safe environment.

Mentors & Instructors

Thank you for your patience and tolerance, Thank you for imparting and passing down your wisdom and knowedge.

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