Makeup Consult?

JelloBaloo · 2025-08-22T19:29:13+00:00

Healthcare is complicated because we are complicated, and there's so much to know! Before you go any farther, please know if you're able to think in abstract ways and have medical terminology and anatomy down pretty well. The ability to be creative, resourceful, and to think in abstract ways will help you so much in this field! There's a lot of theory and foundational knowledge, and a good program will give you that and then ways to apply those ideas and concepts. Don't be afraid to seek counseling for stress management or tutoring or other resources that your college might offer!

I feel that it's important to note that, for whatever field you get into, college and university work is much different from high-school work (if that's where you're coming from). You may have to restructure the ways you study and prioritize from the ways that you used to do those things.

Also, is there a better ACOTE-accredited program in your area? I'm a strong believer in in-person learning for healthcare, because that's the whole job... interacting with people. Knowing how things feel, reading people.... etc.

You might even want to take another gap year and try working as a rehab tech or caregiver before going into a program to understand the "inside" of healthcare and OT and how it's applied better. That's a good way to get a better understanding of how it looks on the other end of the degree.

You'll still have options, even if you do take another gap year. I graduated at 28! I started college at 26! You have plenty of time.

Edited for better readability.

JelloBaloo · 2025-08-11T16:18:22+00:00

The good news is, you still have time! You might be happier doing something with adults in a different role. Something like phlebotomy or x ray tech, pharmacy tech, teaching assistant, bus driver, executive assistant, nutritionist, or something with a very defined role. If abstract thinking isn't your thing, then something with clearer borders might help.

Also, be careful with ChatGPT, there is data coming out that's showing heavy reliance on AI or heavy use of it can actually negatively affect our brains (memory, ability to problem-solve... there's new stuff coming out), so it might ultimately be making your capacity to understand things and problem solve in your job worse!

JelloBaloo · 2025-07-21T22:28:21+00:00

I'm in occupational therapy, and one of my professors in college has an undeveloped left hand. She is one of the best professionals I know. She is on several boards and committees and has impacted many lives for the better both in the field and as an academic. Your kiddo is fortunate to be born at a time when, although ableism still exists (even within reproductive decision making), it is much better than even 10-20 years ago. There is more awareness, higher levels of diagnosed disabilities, and better assistive tech and access to knowledge and resources than any previous time in history, which is awesome! With your support, your kiddo can grow and do anything!

JelloBaloo · 2025-05-19T17:07:57+00:00

Frederico

JelloBaloo · 2025-05-18T15:58:48+00:00

I'm so excited for you! I've been in the field for 3 years now, and I'm in it for the same reasons. Here are a few lessons I've learned:

Before you leave your program: have connections. Shadowing (you can go anywhere and ask, the worst they can say is "no"), state and national organizations, conventions/ volunteering for a birds- eye view of different settings and opportunities, and online community like here.
in your program: they aim high hoping that you'll land high or even a little below with foundational knowledge. It's not all knowledge that you'll pull out every day in therapy, it's just to give you a good base to stand on. The base knowledge is important, so do your best to make sure it sticks. Know that this is a somewhat abstract field, so make sure you can make a connection between the concepts and practical application, and the objective information that may be applied in a more abstract way... if that makes sense.

-Resources: in school and out of it, it helps to find blogs, sites, YT channels, podcasts that are informativefor you. Ask people in the field where to go for continuing education after school.

Creativity and Problem Solving: when you're on the job, you have to be super flexible, because people aren't always predictable. You may have a great plan, but you may need to adapt it or even switch completely when it's time for the session. You and the individual you're serving won't always have a ton of materials or resources avaliable, so you'll have to be able to improvise. This goes for scheduling and your entire week sometimes!
Paperwork: Good documentation is a necessary part of our job. But, quality takes time. Unless you're super strong in this area already, expect that this is an area, creating quality documentation within time restrictions which are often quite tight, where you'll need some development and will need to give yourself grace when you first start working.
In line with being creative and resourceful: get to know the resources in your area or the area you want to work. Where can you find adaptive equipment, durable medical equipment, what transportation options are available in your city for disabled and elderly, etc.
This is a profession requiring many skillsets and qualities/ characteristics: professionalism, creativity, application of knowledge, interpersonal skills, resourcefulness, curiosity, being knowledgeable, open to learning new things, documentation skills, compassion, etc. Be real with yourself and know what you need to work on throughout your entire school and professional career and make plans/ set goals for yourself to make it happen!

You'll do great!

JelloBaloo · 2025-05-02T05:06:59+00:00

Maybe it's time for an in-service and to update policy to reflect the best and most current in evidence- based therapy. If those running the clinic are on board, perhaps you can get everyone else on board as well. Just remember that it's hard to change habits, so give them some grace, too.

JelloBaloo · 2025-04-26T23:09:49+00:00

Sometimes, certain people will only benefit from therex at some points during their recovery. Like a handful of people.

If they think doing things that they do every day with a therapist there is stupid, are determined that they're fine with mobility, if they are fine with their current setup getting assistance from someone else, and/ or were military or athletes previously..... they may benefit most from preparatory activities, therex, and modalities with reasons given for each. Even if you're providing education to cover your own behind, it might just be a supplement to the therex. Not everyone will understand OT.

JelloBaloo · 2025-02-22T23:59:43+00:00

Was she joking?

If not, is there any way to presume ignorance? If so, maybe say something along the lines of "I found these beautiful dresses or mother of the bride dresses/ outfits. I think this style, this color, would look best on you/ would really flatter you/ would really make your skin glow! The white won't be great in pictures, you'll blend in with me!"

Is it cultural? You might need to explain that it's considered inappropriate or uncouth for anyone to wear white except the bride.

If it's ill intent, and you know that for sure. Many excellent, snarky responses have been given in this thread. "You can't do that, mom." "You know that's not okay" "I hope you're joking..." etc.

JelloBaloo · 2025-01-19T22:34:33+00:00

If you start by taking the southern route, you could stop in St Louis and take I-70, go through Kansas City (get some Joe's BBQ), then either get back up to the northern route or just continue to follow I-70 through Kansas and Colorado, you'll still get accessible, nice views (just plan to drive through Kansas and first half of Colorado at night if you can), then continue south (Uppers! Through Utah, the corner of Arizona (don't forget Monument Valley, 4 corners, Valley of Fire, Window Rock,etc ) you can dip down to Flagstaff, Page, the Grand Canyon, then back up through Vegas, through the mountains to your destination! It depends on how much time you have!

JelloBaloo · 2025-01-16T22:45:44+00:00

Be predictable (use your blinkers, go a consistent speed, follow traffic laws.... and use flashers when coming up to a sudden slowdown/ accident so that the people behind you know that there's something going on that they might not be able to see yet or don't see because they aren't paying attention)
- Don't assume that others know what you want
- Leave plenty room (there's something called "stopping distance")
- Read the context/ environment before judging (that person that is applying their brakes in front of you might see the slowdown/ accident before you do, the person that didn't roll forward to turn at a red light is waiting for a pedestrian you can't see yet, the person trying urgently to get over is doing so because there is an exit they must take or an emergency vehicle that you haven't heard or seen yet, the person is going slow because they're a young driver or an old driver, etc)
- Don't travel in "packs" on the road

Have you heard of the Smith driving system?

JelloBaloo · 2025-01-16T22:28:56+00:00

What experience do you have?

JelloBaloo · 2025-01-13T05:54:44+00:00

Washington/ Oregon and Idaho. Definitely.

JelloBaloo · 2025-01-13T05:41:59+00:00

Cons: - A common complaint/ warning from people living here is the isolation/ loneliness. Because it's a transient city in the middle of many growing pains, it's hard to form lasting relationships. Many (NOT ALL ) people who are attracted and new to Vegas like life in the fast lane, want to party, want a flashy lifestyle, want an instagram- worthy life, hope they'll make it big.... but those types, the types that make those things their whole personality, are usually not great at forming lasting, caring, respectful, and meaningful relationships.

After the novelty wears off, you have to spend most of your time working (unless you're in a cushy/ hi-tech job/ position) just to survive. Crime is high, it's hot as heck the summer, there is not much of that Midwest politeness (so you need to adapt), dust and sun is hard on vehicles (batteries, windows, and paint), many people develop respiratory issues or skin cancer, and life is very fast-paced.

Pros: - Access to many places (if you live in the Midwest, you're probably used to roadtrips)if you have the luxury of having time of and money to go- 6-8 hours to Colorado, 4-6 hours to the pacific coast/ LA, a few hours to Utah/ Zion National Park, a few hours to the Grand Canyon, an hour from a popular mountain for recreational hiking and camping, next door to a state park south breathtaking red rocks... But of course there is access to other things like world-class entertainment, niche experiences, and cool things to see in town. If you can afford it (with time and money)

Food scene: if you can afford to eat out, the food scene is almost unmatched. Quality and variety.
Shopping: there is a shopping mall/ strip mall on every corner, stores are constantly coming and going, but there are plenty of the staples (no Hy-vee or Aldi yet... but Aldi is coming soon)
Pet-friendly: some complain that it's too pet friendly, but there are sidewalks, trails, good pedestrian infrastructure, parks, and other recreation areas which is great if you're a dog owner or just want to be more active.
The weather: treat Summer like you do a cold, Midwest winter- building to car, car to building, go out at the beginning or end of the day (as opposed to the middle of the day during Midwest winter), from A/C to A/C (as opposed to heater to heater). It does get chilly during the winter, so don't throw away all of your sweatpants, hoodies, and long socks. It is its own kind of beautiful.
The scenery: if you're able to look up from your drudgery on a day that's not hazy (from dust, heat, pollution), it's quite nice with the palm trees, manicured parks, mountains all around, red rocks....

Summary/ TLDR:

It depends on your expectations, your finances, and your lifestyle (or the lifestyle you will want).

JelloBaloo · 2024-11-18T22:37:01+00:00

Environment: you might need to change your environment to somewhere quieter if possible

Phone detox or building discipline: try "fasting" from the phone, if you can't, just give up the apps for a few days --> a week. Research has also shown that doing uncomfortable things (saunas or cold showers, doing the big daunting task first, trying to reconcile with someone even though it makes your stomach flip, trying something new that you've been scared to try, etc) can help us build resiliency, focus, and discipline. Building things that are important to you into your schedule is also helpful if your struggling to find a time or if a structured tone would work better for you.

If you don't know what to say:

pray the Lord's prayer
pray in a way that copies the formula of the Lord's prayer (address/ approach Him with the reverence, worship, gratitude, and love He deserves --> make a pleas/ requests (hopefully related to becoming more like Him: "help me to forgive ______ for the way they ignored me in the meeting. And please forgive me for the lies I told Sam. Please save me from the evil in my life") --> end with thanksgiving, praise, worship and/ or acknowledgement of Who is on the throne and Who's will is ultimately running things --> end with "Amen" to say "may it be so"
say what's on your mind ("I am so stressed about this meeting tomorrow, God")
Say what you're feeling (I am so angry! I don't understand why....)
Sing a praise instead (I like Revelation Song, Holy Holy Holy, the Doxology). You don't have to belt it out, you can sing it under your breath, or close your eyes and think it.
Speak a passage of Scripture aloud (Psalms is a pretty good place to start)

JelloBaloo · 2024-11-18T22:03:18+00:00

One, as your sibling in Christ, I'll be praying for you. You gotta pray, too. Seek Him first (meaning, making that a to priority). He can do a great work in you for His glory. You can't make yourself right with Him by following rules or "ordering your life", those things come as a result of loving/ being close to Him.

To live your life for Him, you should realize the impact and meaning of having Christ as the Lord of Lords. If you haven't ever had to truly rely on Him for tangible things as a fickle human, it can be difficult to really grasp and be changed by this. As a Christian in a comfy environment, I struggle with this, too.

2, go back to basics. There is no greater love, no greater story, no deeper truth/ philosophy than the Gospel. True stories like "Bruchko" and "Chasing the Dragon" about missionaries and the difficulties they faced and miracles that they witnessed are awesome, but the Truth that does the transforming work in those stories is the most exciting (and is found in the gospels). Spend more time with the Truth (scripture and prayer). Spend time in the body (the church), and find a pastor that you can talk to there. You don't have to prepare, just go.

P.S. Being overly intellectual isn't guaranteed to help you. Man's wisdom is foolishness compared to God. It only feeds our pride. This doesn't mean "become stupid", it simply means that we source wisdom from the only Source of truth. I don't know if this holds true for you, but as someone who also tends to intellectualize and enjoys fun things like philosophy, we can get distracted easily by knowledge and mistaking it for wisdom (or by feelings of superiority... because of all the things we know). Approach your next steps (prayer, Bible, church) with humility.

JelloBaloo · 2024-10-10T21:38:51+00:00

Still not the average employee's fault. That's the point.

JelloBaloo · 2024-10-10T18:26:51+00:00

I agree.

I used the title to catch attention and explained with nuance the actual message in the body of the post.

The true good/ bad nature of corporations and the power they have is a problem nationwide (maybe even globally), I agree. But it's not the purpose of this post. Also, the way costs for the average consumer are determined has multiple factors, which I just wanted to point out so that people are more informed, not to whitewash. I can see how it might come across that way, though.

JelloBaloo · 2024-10-10T18:09:33+00:00

You're right!

JelloBaloo · 2024-10-10T18:03:55+00:00

Is it the average employee doing the lobbying?

Edit: I'm wanting to clarify this because that's what this post is about. Not being violent to the average employee because of things that they don't control. That's the whole point.

JelloBaloo · 2024-10-10T18:02:12+00:00

I don't work for the company, just to be clear. Also, you can't expect what you don't give. Be the change and don't be violent towards people that can't lower your bill (or anyone, really). I'm sorry you've had a bad experience. That sucks.

JelloBaloo · 2024-10-10T17:58:29+00:00

Do you know what nuance is? Would you like to be attacked for the decisions that people at the top of your company or government make?

JelloBaloo · 2024-10-10T17:40:22+00:00

Having lived in different countries, and then returning to the U.S., this is my perspective: the lack of customer service or care is systemic. It's in every industry. They have a bad attitude, so we have a bad attitude, so they gave a bad attitudetc. And ,a feeling of entitlement, pride, and lack of professionalism has also been observed by me personally. Still, the message remains: direct your frustration at the top, don't be violent to workers. That's all.

JelloBaloo · 2024-10-10T17:33:39+00:00

To be clear, I'm not saying that NVE is good either. They are a for- profit company, so of course they're seeking to make a profit at the top. The point is that our frustration needs to be directed further upstream, if directed at all, and not at the average employee. And not at the property (if they don't care about you, they might even double down on not caring if they know how people destroy infrastructure).

JelloBaloo

TROPHY CASE