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Occupational Therapy: Making Daily Life Easier for Our Patients

Occupational Therapy: Making Daily Life Easier for Our Patients

by | May 22, 2018 | Spotlight

At Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, our team is dedicated to providing the best possible care to every patient. At each stage of treatment, we have experts to educate the patient and their family to make the healing process a smooth one. The hospital’s Occupational Therapy department is committed to providing various techniques and equipment to make everyday living easier. We received a behind-the-scenes look of the department to learn more about the important work of our trained occupational therapists and the services they provide to our patients. 

What is Occupational Therapy?

  • The hospital’s trained therapists work with the patients to assist them in learning how to do various activities that occupy their time throughout the day.
    • Dressing themselves
    • Feeding themselves
    • Playing
  • The therapists work with patients of all ages, from birth to 18 years, in the inpatient, outpatient and clinic settings.

Inpatient services

  • Two occupational therapists are dedicated to working with the hospital’s inpatients.
  • The main focus is working with the patients and their families to make sure the patient is comfortable and safe once they leave the hospital.
  • The therapists evaluate the appropriate equipment needed to make activities and everyday living easier for the patient at home.
    • Wheelchairs
    • Bathing equipment
    • Toileting equipment

Outpatient services

  • Our therapists work with patients who have all different types of needs – including patients with upper extremity injuries or congenital conditions.
  • Custom splints are made to help the patient heal or with activities they like to do.
  • Each therapy session is unique depending on the patient and their needs. The therapists evaluate the patients to make sure they have the tools needed for daily life.
    • The use of various devices to increase strength in the arms and hands. The strengthening exercises help to gain motion back so the patient can return to the activities they enjoy.
  • Common activities that might need adaptive devices, include:
    • Brushing hair
    • Putting on socks
    • Grasping tools to participate in play – pencils or toys
    • Bathing equipment
    • Special car seats
    • Transferring equipment

Watch the occupational therapy tour to learn more about the services this department provides to our patients. 

Hometown Heroes: SRH Volunteers, Ken & Cheryl Hill

Hometown Heroes: SRH Volunteers, Ken & Cheryl Hill

by | May 14, 2018 | Press Coverage, Spotlight

Volunteer service led to wedding bells for two Texas Scottish Rite Hospital volunteers. Cheryl and Ken Hill were married April 29th in Wylie.

Cheryl’s son, Robert, lost his leg in an accident. The hospital treated him for seven years. Four years ago, he urged his mom to volunteer there.

Ken’s daughter, Gina, was treated at the hospital for autism. In gratitude, he also decided to give back as a 13-year volunteer.

Watch the full video. 

WFAA: Dallas chef making a difference in hospital kitchen

WFAA: Dallas chef making a difference in hospital kitchen

by | Feb 20, 2018 | Press Coverage, Spotlight

For the video and full story, watch here.

Most chefs spend decades trying to get where Venus DeJesus was back in 1996. After years of hard work DeJesus, an immigrant from Mexico, husband and father of two had made it to the top. He landed a job in one of Dallas’ finest restaurants at the time. 

“Fancy customers expect a lot,” DeJesus said. 

But then DeJesus did the unthinkable. He left what others would call a “dream gig” to take a position in a hospital cafeteria. 

“I love it here,” DeJesus said. 

DeJesus didn’t pick any hospital, he accepted a position at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children where he has put his fine dining skills to work for the last two decades. DeJesus arrives every morning at 2:30 to start baking gourmet desserts for some of the littlest customers. 

“If the kids are happy, I am happy,” DeJesus said. 

Children come from all over the country to get treatment at Scottish Rite. Often they are in pain and don’t have appetites. Like magic those appetites reappear the same time Chef Venus’ desserts enter the room. 

“Sometimes I’ll deliver the food but I don’t tell them I made it. I just want them to enjoy,” DeJesus said. 

The desserts look and taste like something you’d find at a five start restaurant. Parents of patients say these little treats and attention to detail make kids feel like kids again. 

“I just want them to forget about their pain for a second,” DeJesus said. 

Chef Venus has been at the hospital for more than twenty years and he says he has no plans of making another career change. If anything he’s looking for ways to keep feeding the children even after his work is done. 

“If I ever retire I will come back here as a volunteer the next day because I just love this place so much,” DeJesus said. 

Amputee Ski Trip Spotlight: Vanessa, age 15 of Midland

Amputee Ski Trip Spotlight: Vanessa, age 15 of Midland

by | Feb 15, 2018 | Spotlight

Vanessa, age 15, of Midland has been treated for multiple prosthetic needs at Scottish Rite Hospital since she was only 6 weeks old. Vanessa’s looking forward to learning to ski, but she’s also looking forward to going on a vacation in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Learning to ski will allow Vanessa to add another sport to her list of favorite activities. She enjoys playing volleyball, managing the basketball at her high school and crafting intricate pieces of origami. When Vanessa grows up, she aspires to become a junior high teacher. She hasn’t decided which subject to teach – she’s keeping her options open!

About the Annual Amputee Ski Trip

February 2018 will mark the 37th anniversary of the annual Amputee Ski Trip, held each year at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado. Fourteen teenage patients with limb differences receive practical recreational therapy, while also having the opportunity to grow, build confidence and bond with others similar to them.

Amputee Ski Trip Spotlight: Cydney, age 16 of Valley View

Amputee Ski Trip Spotlight: Cydney, age 16 of Valley View

by | Feb 7, 2018 | Spotlight

Cydney, age 16 of Valley View, has been treated for prosthetic needs at Scottish Rite Hospital since she was a baby. Her doctor, J.A. “Tony” Herring, M.D., chief of staff emeritus, has inspired Cydney to pursue a medical degree in pediatric care once she graduates from college. In Cydney’s spare time, she enjoys reading My Sister’s Keeper, working and playing in her high school’s band. Her favorite musical instrument to play is the marimba. This will be Cydney’s first time on the ski trip and she’s excitedly anticipating the opportunity to ski for the first time!

About the Annual Amputee Ski Trip

February 2018 will mark the 37th anniversary of the annual Amputee Ski Trip, held each year at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado. Fourteen teenage patients with limb differences receive practical recreational therapy, while also having the opportunity to grow, build confidence and bond with others similar to them.

Amputee Ski Trip Spotlight: Maya, age 17 of Buda

Amputee Ski Trip Spotlight: Maya, age 17 of Buda

by | Feb 2, 2018 | Spotlight

Maya, age 17 of Buda, has been treated for prosthetic needs for the past three years at Scottish Rite Hospital. In Maya’s spare time, she enjoys running track, reading The Hunger Games series and drawing. Inspired by her time spent at the hospital, she hopes to become a nurse when she grows up. This will be Maya’s first time to go on the ski trip and she is most excited about seeing snow – since she has never seen it before!

About the Annual Amputee Ski Trip

February 2018 will mark the 37th anniversary of the annual Amputee Ski Trip, held each year at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado. Fourteen teenage patients with limb differences receive practical recreational therapy, while also having the opportunity to grow, build confidence and bond with others similar to them.