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Heike Hasenauer
Occupational therapist Hector Romero works with Staff Sgt. Jonathan Kearns following Kearns’ skin-graft surgery at WRAMC. |
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After three years at Walter Reedís Department of Occupational Therapy and the last few months spent as the department chief, Maj. Matthew St. Laurent recently headed to the Department of Veteranís Affairs to help improve the quality of care for Soldiers who transition from the Department of Defense to the VA. Before taking over as the director of rehabilitation, St. Laurent worked with the new Occupation Therapy chief, Lt. Col. Sandra Harrison-Weaver, to ensure the continuity of care was not jeopardized during the transition.
ěThe level of care here just keeps getting better,î St. Laurent said. ěWith everything from Bluetooth technology to virtual reality and gaming therapy, we continually improve the way we approach our rehabilitation of Soldiers.î
ěOT plays a huge part in getting Soldiers to regain productive living,î Harrison-Weaver added. ěOT covers everything you do from the time you get up to the time you go to bed; itís what you do. OT helps people to live. A doctor can give life back by starting a heart or giving medication, while OT gives you back your independence and livelihood.î
The Army sees the need for specializing and is leveraging new technologies to help entertain, rehabilitate and train wounded warriors. Taking advantage of Myoelectronic arms with computer technology inside and tools like a handless mouse placed on the tongue to help immobile patients ětypeî are just some of the innovative ways OT is teaching patients to adapt to their ailments.
ěThe bulk of the Army is made up of 19- to 25-year-olds. They grew up with computers and laptops. They are the gaming age,î St. Laurent said. ěSo when we use something like the Nintendo Wii in their therapy, it makes sense because it is a tool they are already familiar with. They get to work on their range of motion and balance. Using games helps them interact and work through stress.î
But, Harrison-Weaver pointed out, ěOT covers basic tasks too, like opening a milk carton or learning to cut meat with one hand, things you wouldnít think of having to relearnÖWhether simple or extremely sophisticated, thatís where weíre going.î
Making Walter Reedís OT department even more unique is the number of volunteers giving time and resources to start therapy programs like fly fishing and golf for wounded warriors. ěMuch time was spent managing and coordinating all the non-profits and volunteers. There are so many people that want to help and we have to find the right fit for each,î St. Laurent said. ěOur Soldiers are celebrities. Theyíre all over TV and everyone wants to meet them. Itís rewarding to see them get better.î
ěFor the past few weeks Iíve had so many people introducing themselves and asking if they can help in any way. Our retirees have a heart for our Soldiers,î Harrison-Weaver said. ěFor me, itís a blessing weíre enabled to help people. And to put on the green suit while you do it, well it doesnít get any better than that.î
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