This week I began my O&M Internship at the EH Gentry facility in Talladega, Alabama. This is an adult rehab facility for clients who are visually impaired, deaf or deaf-blind. This first week was really a little hectic. Debra, my supervisor was in the midst of preparing for the next week of Camp SAVI (Seniors Adjusting to Visual Impairments). The week consisted on making sure all the ducks were in a row- getting items together for classes, finalizing schedules, etc. Because of the camp Debra did not have any rehab clients at the time. I did get to do observations with her co-worker Jennifer. Jennifer has 3 students currently. 1- Michael- lost his vision due to an accident; 2- Manny- has ALS and is in a wheelchair and 3-James lost his vision due to glaucoma.
Week 2 began Camp SAVI- this was very interesting working with thee older population. Vision loss was due to glaucoma, ARMD, and diabetes. Most came with a support person- family member or friend but a couple did not have a support person that was able to come. Also attending were vocational rehab representatives from OASIS- a state group to support older clients. We picked up the seniors and their support people plus the rehab representatives very early each morning from their hotel and took them to thee EH Gentry facilty. They broke up into groups- the seniors with the VI and the support people. This way they could attend classes specific to their group. The seniors with VI had many assessments included during the week- hearing evals, vision evals, and o&m evals. I participated in writing recommendations for the clients attending the camp. A few clients already had support canes while others were recommended new long canes or ID canes. I was able to give simple cane skills instructions to the clients that received new canes. I also taught sighted guide techniques. We took the clients every night to community based outings including dinner and to a audio described movie. It was a pleasure to work this population of clients with visual impairments.
Week 3 began rapping up the Camp- finishing reports and meeting with the directors to review the week. Many suggestions were made to change or improve the next years camp. Two new clients came in this week that I evaluated for O&M services. I also began working with one of them named Arlene. She is a very pleasant lady and we began by introducing her to thee campus. Next week we will begin proper cane skills and possibly off-campus orientation.
It has been a very productive beginning and I look forward to learning and teaching at Gentry!
