Stop Using, “Schizophrenics”

Schizophrenia

This morning, I read an interesting article about the brain.  It was published in a non-peer reviewed resource.  The author of the article used the term schizophrenics, a word that has made me cringe as an occupational therapist (OT) since …

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OT Private Practice and Thin Mints

Thin Mints

In the spring semester of 1995 my classmate at San Jose State University, Sarah, and I, did our best to succeed in the psychosocial clinic.  It was part of our fulfillment of a degree in occupational therapy (OT) along with …

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Fill Your Life With Verbs

Verbs

verb:  The part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence in most languages. Recently, I came to the realization that any life worth living must be filled with action.  Without it, we risk living a boring, unfulfilling, passive, and …

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How Not To Use Social Media

No Entry

Late last night, a person posted something private about me on my Facebook Timeline.  I thought I’d take this opportunity to let people know where I stand regarding the use of social media in case they didn’t know. Dear Gentle …

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The Heart of the Matter

Love in the NICU

I read an article a while ago that a person will make major changes with his/her life after a defining moment.  In 2009, I was granted four weeks Annual Leave (British term for Vacation) from my employer in the UK.  …

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Weighted Situations

Weighted Spoon

Yesterday, my 94-year-old neighbor stopped by my apartment to return a dish I lent to her. “I know you work from home.  Are you a shrink?” she asked me. She remembered from our previous discussions that I worked in mental …

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The Need for Gun Control

A street in Berkeley, CA

Twenty years ago, a friend called me in San Francisco. “Talbert has been killed,” she said. “What?!” “Talbert has been killed.” I exclaimed, “What?!” not because I didn’t hear my friend, but because I was shocked by her words.  After …

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“I’ll Be There In A Minute” by Pomplamoose

Jack Conte of Pomplamoose

“I was in your music video.”  Now there’s a sentence I have never uttered until today.  After an OT session with a client, I saw Jack Conte standing outside a café.  He is half of the duo that is Pomplamoose; …

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Appreciation

Lunch is Served

“The fact is that people are good.  Give people affection and security, and they will give affection and be secure in their feelings and their behavior.” ~ Abraham Maslow This afternoon, one of my clients said he wanted to cook …

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Fall Seven Times, Stand-up Eight

Gym Rat image courtesy of foursquare

Early this morning it poured.  I was tempted to not go to the gym, but I didn’t want to use the weather as an excuse not to exercise.  I drove to the gym, parked my car, and checked into foursquare.  …

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