Nick Roselli Occupational Therapy - April 2021

Nick Roselli Occupational Therapy - April 2021

THE OT OBSERVER

. • Nick Roselli - Therapy N R-QT S peciali z in g in H and and U pper Ext re m i ty R eha b ili t a t ion

Manhasset 585 Plandome Rd., Ste. 102 Manhasset, NY 11030 (516) 869-5576

Bronx 931-A Morris Park Ave.

Queens 61-18 190 St. Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 (718) 454-0842

APRIL 2021

Bronx, NY 10462 (718) 822-4054

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PAVING MY OWN PATH THE EARLY STRUGGLES OF AN UNCERTIFIED THERAPIST

able to find a few that gave me a shot. That was enough to keep me moving forward. At a certain point, my practice was thriving even without certification — but I was still getting flak from people in my field about not having it. Then, I felt stuck. Not only was I frustrated at the system, but I was also a busy therapist. How could I find the time to study? I began to think I’d never get my certification. I spent 11 years as a therapist — between 1994 and 2001 — before I decided to take the test. By that time, I’d been out of school for so long that I’d forgotten how to study. So, despite all of my experience and expertise as a therapist, I failed my first certification test — by 1 point. One more correct answer would’ve been all it took for me to pass. I was totally discouraged and a little humiliated. It made me realize how much I didn’t know. This is my profession, I thought. How did I fail? I never felt like a know- it-all in my profession though. If I reached a new or difficult diagnosis, I would call my colleagues or read medical books to learn more about how to handle it. So, I did the same thing that made me successful in the first place: Try again, and try harder. I remember I spent three hours a day studying from Memorial Day all the way to the test day in November. As a working therapist and business owner, that’s a lot! By the time the test came around, I was 100% confident that I’d pass. And I did. I don’t really recommend my path to anyone. It’s not easy to start your own practice as a brand-new therapist. But my experiences are also why I’ll offer new therapists opportunities at my practice. I don’t regret my journey one bit. No matter what obstacles may be in your path, I hope you keep finding new ways to move forward. Thanks for reading, friends.

Life is full of unexpected obstacles, isn’t it? It wasn’t that long ago when it would’ve been difficult to imagine a global event that’d postpone the Boston Marathon or the Olympics — twice! But life always has a way of challenging our plans. Thinking about unexpected challenges reminded me of a challenge I never thought I’d overcome. A couple of months ago, I wrote about difficulties in my own life that happened during the beginning of my career; but one of the biggest challenges I faced was getting my certification in hand therapy. To earn the certification in hand therapy, you need about five years of experience as a therapist and/or approximately 2,000 hours of hand and upper extremity therapy experience. Unfortunately, hand therapy certification does become necessary in practice. Not many doctors are willing to refer to you in the first place if you aren’t certified. As it turned out, my hand therapy certification — a career goal for an experienced therapist — turned out to be my biggest hurdle as a new therapist. Despite getting my education and having the proper credentials to begin practicing, nobody would hire me to get started.

I’ve talked before about how my lack of experience itself was an obstacle, but the certification was a whole new layer on top of that. Luckily, I stuck to it. Although doctors and therapists, at times, aggressively dismissed me and my practice, I was

OTR/L, CHT, Owner

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As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. The Benefits of Pet Ownership A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. FELINE FRIENDS OR CANINE COMRADES HOW PETS IMPROVE OUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well-being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health. Find the Right Pet Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/healthypets .

DON’T SLEEP ON THESE TRACKING DEVICES WANT A BETTER NIGHT’S REST?

table. Many track your heartbeat and movement. It’s important to keep in mind that while sleep trackers can provide valuable insights, the >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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