Family 101: Antique

Today, I was able to conduct yet another Family 101 program, this time in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique Province. Aside from that, it was my first time to serve as a consultant occupational therapist for 8 indigent children with special needs through an OT assessment and provision of home programs (3 to 6 months). I felt physically tired but over-all renewed because of the opportunity to become an occupational therapy clinician once again, even just for a day. I was able to see clients with various cases i.e., developmental delays, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism, etc. It was overwhelming but I really felt so fulfilled and refreshed! Ansarap-sarap tumulong sa community! :) Above all, my heartfelt thanks to the Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista especially to Hon/Mayor Elmer Untaran and its PDAO headed by Ms. Amie Dava (focal person for PWDs) for initiating this outcomes-based community project. To the BHWs, teachers, principals, social workers, physical therapists, parents, and disability advocates who attended, duro nga salamat ("thank you" in Kinaray-a language). Aside from being a clinician and educator for San Jose de Buenavista, I was also able to use my program development skills by creating a post-program documentation containing identified issues/problems in the community (related to PWDs) and proposed outcomes and solutions to address them in the next 6 months. I am hoping to tap licensed/certified OT and SLP from the major cities to serve our clients in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, Philippines within the next 3 to 6 months. If you are interested, please feel free to message me so I can connect you to this community with a heart for PWDs.

(Photo posted with permission.)

Inspiring and Inspired

It feels so great to be back at the University of the Philippines to breathe inspiration to this next generation of occupational therapists! Thank you Ms. Pau Aguhob, faculty instructor at UP-Manila Department of Occupational Therapy, for inviting me. It is such a great experience to share this moment with my co-speakers Ms. Doms Diosana (UP/DLSHSI), Mr. Dominic Cheoc, and Ms. Pau Martinez -- my former students, now teachers. God bless you and congratulations UP-Manila BSOT Batch 2017! Wear that virtual sablay with honor, excellence, and service beyond the University of the Philippines. Mabuhay ang mga therapists ng bayan!

Free Seminar and Research on Drug Addiction & Rehabilitation

Dear Friends, Greetings!

I am inviting you to join a free seminar and research activity entitled "The role of Filipino occupational therapists in substance addiction and rehabilitation". This research collaboration between Tokyo Metropolitan University (Japan) (Ethics Acceptance No. 17016) and the Philippine Academy of Occupational Therapists Inc. aims to provide an evidence in identifying the role of occupational therapy in community mental health programs and in health policy making on dangerous drugs.

Specific details are listed below:

*Date: June 18, 2017 (Sunday)

*Time: 0900 - 1200

*Venue: Room 202, College of Allied Medical Professions, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Manila, Philippines (Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/h3LDAqCaYb22)

*Eligible Participants (max of 30 participants; first come, first served):

1) OTRP who has worked in any psychosocial setting for at least 6 months

2) Mental health professional with at least 6 months work experience (i.e., psychiatrist, addiction specialist, psychologist, social worker, counselor, police, BHW, etc.)

3) Individuals who have formerly gone to drug rehabilitation due to substance use or formerly diagnosed with substance use disorder

4) Carers with a family member who have undergone drug rehabilitation

Schedule: Please see poster for more details.

*Fee: Free of Charge

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Please feel free to share this information to the people you know who may contribute to this research endeavor.

To register, please access: https://www.mikesyot.com/signup

To contact principal investigator: https://www.mikesyot.com/contact

#SupportFilipinoResearch #SupportOTResearch #Philippines #ParaSaBayan #MentalHealth