19 Jul Frasier Spinal Rehab Institute Week 3

This week at my internship was a powerful reminder of why I wanted to get into this field. Between taking on a major new project and experiencing a massive breakthrough with a patient, it was a week filled with growth, responsibility, and a lot of heart.

Clinical Focus: Inclusivity Through Innovation
This week, I was tasked with an exciting new project: adapting a gaming console for children who are unable to open their hands. Video games are such a huge part of being a kid, so finding ways to modify the controllers and setup to make gaming accessible is incredibly rewarding. It’s forcing me to think outside the box and look at therapy through a lens of pure creativity and inclusivity.

The Challenge: Flying Solo on the Simulator
My biggest challenge this week was stepping up to run the simulator entirely on my own. When you are in control of the equipment, there is a lot of pressure to make sure everything runs smoothly while simultaneously ensuring that every piece of data is documented perfectly without any mistakes. It was nerve-wracking to manage it without a safety net, but successfully navigating those sessions gave my confidence a massive boost.

The Big Win: Connection and Joy
Easily the best part of my entire week happened during my active sessions. A child I have been working closely with finally found an activity he truly loved and had the absolute best time during his therapy. Seeing his face light up and watching him genuinely enjoy his session made all the hard work completely worth it. Moments like that remind me how impactful this work really is.

Weekly Takeaway
If this week taught me anything, it’s that patience is a virtue that is absolutely vital in this profession. Progress doesn’t always happen overnight—whether you are waiting for a patient to connect with an activity, working through a complex adaptation project, or mastering new equipment. But if you stay patient and keep showing up, the breakthroughs will come.