OTA 2330 OT Modalities III Lab

With our clients from Ability Inclusion Services (AIS), we made winter hygiene kits for the Fourth Street Clinic in Salt Lake City. We assembled items such as socks, hand sanitizer, lotion, soap, tissues, wipes, and hand warmers. My part in this service was to assist the AIS clients in the assembly of the bags. Each client had an assigned item to put into the bag.

During my time working with the AIS clients, I gained valuable insights about myself. Before this experience, I had limited exposure to this population, and I was concerned about unintentionally infantilizing them. I strongly believe in respecting everyone’s autonomy and supporting their ability to make their own decisions, so I worried about finding the right balance in my interactions. However, I discovered that connecting with them was more intuitive than I anticipated. My genuine care and respect for them came through naturally, allowing me to build meaningful relationships and interact with them in a supportive and empowering way.

Participating in the clinic was a valuable experience that enhanced my communication skills. I had the opportunity to learn and practice connecting with individuals who communicate in non-verbal ways, which reinforced my belief that everyone has meaningful things to express. Working with these clients allowed me to become more confident and adaptable in my approach. Additionally, I developed stronger interpersonal skills by building rapport with clients and navigating challenging behaviors or emotionally charged situations with greater professionalism. This experience helped me grow both personally and as a future professional.

Participating in this clinic gave me a deeper understanding of the role that community and service play in my life and the lives of others. I witnessed firsthand how a strong sense of community can positively impact mental and emotional well-being. One of the highlights was watching the clients interact with one another each week. The supportive community they’ve built benefits everyone involved and demonstrates the power of connection. Serving these clients and, in turn, having them serve us by allowing us to learn and grow while practicing our OTA skills helped me realize how even small interventions or acts of service can create meaningful changes in someone’s life.