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So history repeats itself - when life gets busy, I neglect the blog... let me fill you in...





I completed my second 12 week fieldwork, the one in mental health. I cried (go figure). I will treasure the card the clients signed - their short goodbye sentiments reflected their personalities perfectly. Even though the 12 weeks stretched me beyond my breaking point, the challenges made for a rich experience. I miss the sweet and feisty clients alike. I actually miss the feisty clients the most - can you relate? The ones I was losing sleep over and weathering storms with were the ones I built strong bonds with... ironic.. I often wonder how they're doing. They left their mark on me for sure.. 
I studied for my boards exam. I poured my heart into learning, memorizing, connecting knowledge to experiences.. I took 2.5 hour practice tests, read rationales for each answer.. I watched YouTube videos with anatomy animations. Videos on the lived experience with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy (did you know there's like 7 different kinds?), burns, etc. I reviewed theory, diagnoses, functional limitations, wheelchair measurements, splinting protocols, common fractures, 34 muscles of the hand and their actions... tears, strained eyes, cramped hands, late nights, many "No"s... "Sorry, I can't, I have to study."

I started babysitting M-F mornings. Structure! This gave me structure and helped my studying efforts dramatically. Get up early. Pray. Read the Bible. Babysit. Break. Pray. Study. Dinner. Pray. Study. Phone calls. Pray. Bed. Repeat. And these kids bring me so much joy! 3 under the age of 6. What a privilege to see life through the eyes of a child. 
(Photo copyright free from Pixabay.com)
I did not pass the exam. I took it on a Friday, results came out the following Wednesday. Tuesday night I can't sleep. Check the website at 2:45am. Nothing. Go back to sleep. Wake up to a text from a friend: THE SCORES ARE UP! I'm laying in bed checking from my phone when I read: Status: Failed. 
I'm sorry, what? Me? Then I find the score.. 3 points short of passing. Uggg... Held it together for babysitting. Then bawled like a child. Disappointment. Frustration. Failure. Fear. Doubt. Is this the right profession for me if I'm stumbling out of the gate? 
So what do you do? The only thing you can. Get your head back in the game and take it again in a month. 


I am fundraising for a volunteer trip. I announced to the Facebook world in June that I have plans to go to Nicaragua. There's a special needs school I had the privilege of visiting 4 years ago. I will be returning in January 2019, for a 6 month experience. I'll be volunteering 8AM - 4PM Monday through Friday as an occupational therapist at this school in Managua, Nicaragua called Tesoros de Dios (God's Treasures). They currently have physical therapists and special ed teachers but no occupational therapists. I'm excited to add to their services!  





 As you can see from the photos, there's a variety of needs and ages of children. I'll speak more on this in coming posts. To learn more about the program, visit https://tesorosdedios.org/. To donate to my trip, visit https://www.gofundme.com/help-amy-get-to-nicaragua. 



(Photo copyright free from Pixabay.com)

I am moving home in 3 weeks. Back with my parents for a bit before the big leap to Nicaragua. Sorting. Packing. Moving.. It's bittersweet. One chapter is ending and another is beginning. So many great friends to come back and visit. Much growth, laughter, tears, and deep bonds formed here. I'm going to miss the Pioneer Valley Church of Christ - they became my family, my home. But I will NOT miss grad school, haha. So grateful to close the door on that one and never look back!



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