Ordinary Miracles: True Stories About Overcoming Obstacles & Surviving Catastrophes / Edition 1

by Deborah R. Labovitz

Overview

Catastrophes can occur with unexpected swiftness and in an instant change our lives forever. Illnesses and other misfortunes may develop slowly over time and they too may change our lives forever. But the story does not have to end there. With the help of some very special people - occupational therapists - there is hope, and miracles do happen.

If you do not know what occupational therapy is or what an occupational therapist does, don't worry! Read on and find out how people have learned to cope with their troubles and have become stronger by the very act of overcoming obstacles and surviving catastrophes. These are their stories - written by the people who lived them, their families, or those who helped them save the day.

Ordinary Miracles: True Stories About Overcoming Obstacles & Surviving Catastrophes is an inspirational book containing over 95 true stories about everyday miracles that ordinary people worked hard to create for themselves -people like you or me, a spouse, child, parent, or friend. Some of the people were born with disabling conditions, others suffered illness, some were injured, and some experienced the ordinary conditions of old age. All of them required help to learn or relearn the skills they needed for the job of living, and with the aid of an occupational therapist, they all found the strength and courage to do so.

Each of these stories illustrates the way someone was helped to overcome and defy the odds and shows how people have redesigned their lives to be meaningful and fulfilling following what could have been a life-shattering event. Their stories are tributes to the ability of people to triumph over adversity and to succeed when life is at its hardest. You will be amazed at their courage, energized by their achievements, and awed at the miracles they managed to accomplish. Some of these stories will bring a tear, some a smile, but all will inspire you with the knowledge and confidence that Ordinary Miracles do happen.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781556425714
Publisher:	SLACK, Incorporated
Publication date:	10/01/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Deborah R. Labovitz, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, an occupational therapist for 40 years and chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at New York University, New York, New York from 1980 to 2000, is currently a professor at NYU and an avid collector of stories about people who have had the kind of miraculous experiences found in this book. She earned her undergraduate degree in occupational therapy and her master’s degree and doctorate in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and is a fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association.    

As a wife, mother of three, mother-in-law of three, and grandmother of six, she has seen ordinary miracles of coping and courage in both her professional and personal life. She continues to be amazed, energized, and awed by the achievements of the ordinary people in this book who have accomplished so much and by the occupational therapists who have helped them to do so. At this time in our society, when hope and optimism are so necessary, she hopes that this book of triumphs over adversity will provide you with both.

Table of Contents

Contents 

Part One: The Journey Through Life
Section I: Infants and Toddlers: Getting Off to a Good Start
Chapter 1: Fayda Sits in the Corner
Patricia Petersen, MA, OTR
Chapter 2: Sam Gets a Halo
Cindy Wright, MA, OTR
Chapter 3: Jack’s Hands
Beth Cooper, OTR
Chapter 4: Cecilia Gets Unglued
Lisa E. Cyzner, PhD, OTR/L
Chapter 5: I Can Do It
Toby Black, MA, OTR/L
Chapter 6: When He Smiles, the Room Lights Up
Judi Hoggatt, MA, OTR
Chapter 7: Just Say No
Jane C. Chamberlain Olsasky, OTR/L
Chapter 8: Jeff Wipes His "Ticky" Hands
Jean M. Kassnel
Submitted by Leslie Larsen Kountz, COTA
Chapter 9: Close to My Heart
Denise E. Williams, OTR/L, CHTP
Chapter 10: A Healing Transformation
Elizabeth A. Haluska Ankney, OTR/L, PC
Chapter 11:Therapeutic Paws: A Tail of Success
Rhona Feldt-Stein, BSc OT, OT Reg (Ont)
Chapter 12: A Doll for Wendy
Fred Sammons, PhD, OTR

Section II: Children: Keeping on the Right Track
Chapter 13: Meet Gabriella: An OT Success Story
Barbara E. Joe
Chapter 14: Jacob’s Declaration of Independence
Donna Langmead, COTA
Chapter 15: Four Steps to Freedom
Leslie Rubman, MPH, OTR
Chapter 16: John Goes on a Diet
Margaret D. Rerek, MS, OTR/L (Retired)
Chapter 17: Snazzy Gets Her Driver’s License
Janet Christhilf O’Flynn, OTR/L, BCP
Chapter 18: Silence Is Not Always Golden
Elizabeth J. Healey, OTR
Chapter 19: Working with What We Have
Kathy Swoboda, COTA/L
Chapter 20: Louie Talks with His Nose
Amy B. Westerman, OTR/L
Chapter 21: Let Your Switch Do the Walking
Jan Johnson, OTR
Chapter 22: A Penny Saves the Day
Rhona Feldt-Stein, BSc OT, OT Reg (Ont)

Section III Teens: Avoiding Hazards on the Path
Chapter 23:Steven’s Box
Ronda Christopher, OTR/L, MEd, LNHA and Rebecca Rogers, MEd, OTR/L
Chapter 24: Struggling to Get By
Joshua M. Eisenstein, MA, BS
Chapter 25: Can You Stick Out Your Tongue?
Anitta Boyko Fox, BS, MA, OTR
Chapter 26: A Debt Repaid
Laura Faye Clubok, OTR/L
Chapter 27: Soon to Be a Butterfly
Beth Larson, PhD, OTR
Chapter 28: Jessica’s Dream
Peggy Lee Gurock, OTR
Chapter 29: Think Right Hand
Irene Phillips, MPA, MA, OTR/L
Chapter 30: Ten Finger Exercise
Nina Paris, OT/L
Chapter 31: A Letter to Remember
Bethany S. Walls, MA and Rhona Gorsky Reiss, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Section IV: Adults: Navigating the Perils of Illness and Injury
Chapter 32: An Apple a Day
Ann Burkhardt, MA, OTR/L, BCN, FAOTA
Chapter 33: What Are You Going to Do Next? Go to Disney World
Michelle Anne Blackburn, OTR/L and Bobbie Andrews
Chapter 34: Clumsy Bob
Mary V. Donohue, PhD, OT, FAOTA
Chapter 35: Find It at the Mall
Paula D. Carey, MS, OTR/L
Chapter 36: Let’s Do Lunch
Susan Bachner, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA, CEAC
Chapter 37: Life, Liberty, and Power Mobility
Linda Lorentzen, OTR/L
Chapter 38: A Well-Dressed Woman
Valnere McLean, OTR
Chapter 39: The Magical Mr. T
Richard J. Russ, MA, OTR/L
Chapter 40: Yes, There Are Angels
Wayne Pusatero
Submitted by Deborah Morawski, OTR/L
Chapter 41: Traveling Light
Richard J. Russ, MA, OTR/L
Chapter 42: Do It My Way
Anne Gaier, OTR/L, CHT
Chapter 43: Reflections on Rehabilitation
Peggy Prince Wittman, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Chapter 44: The Closet: A "Clothes" Encounter
Gwen Weinstock, MA, OTR/L
Chapter 45: Close to the Edge
Edith Newhall 

Section V: Senior Citizens: Enjoying the Rewards of a Race Well Run
Chapter 46 Potato Pancakes
Vera Cohen, BS, OTR/L and Ellen L. Kolodner, MSS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Chapter 47 More Scared Than Mean
Constance Martinez-de la Vega, OTR/L
Chapter 48 You Could End Up Anywhere, Even Meeting a Woman
Deborah Mandel, MA, OTR
Chapter 49 For St. Patrick’s Day, Grow a Potato
Mimi Wolak, MA, OTR
Chapter 50 A Real New Yorker
Donna Conley, OTR/L
Chapter 51 Going AWOL—You Can Go Home Again
Mimi Wolak, MA, OTR
Chapter 52 Chicken and Black-Eyed Peas
Vera Cohen,BS, OTR/L and Ellen L. Kolodner, MSS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Chapter 53 Operation Vaudeville
Laurie E. Nelson, MA, OTR
Chapter 54 A Man and His Dog: The Story of Barney and Bob
Patricia H. Findlay, OT

Part Two: Life’s Unpredictable Events
Section VI Not Always a Safe Haven: Accidents at Home, Work, and Play
Chapter 55 Doctor, Will I Be Able to Play the Piano?
Denise McCormick
Chapter 56 The Return of My Ring Finger
Jill E. Van Dyke, OTR
Chapter 57 Socks or No Socks? That Is the Question
Margret I. Kingrey, MA, OTR
Chapter 58 Believe in Me
Jan Keith, COTA/L, AP
Chapter 59 Grandmother Ora Goes Home
Donna Holt, BS
Chapter 60 Stand Up and Be Counted
Vera Cohen, BS, OTR/L and Ellen L. Kolodner, MSS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Chapter 61 The Power of Encouragement
Barbara Schroeder, COTA
Chapter 62 A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed
Mary-Kay Webster, BS
Chapter 63 Someday Soup
Kimberly Eberhardt, MS, OTR/L
Chapter 64 Commuter Nightmare
Bhavisha H. Patel

Section VII On the Road: Automobile Accidents
Chapter 65 Twin Therapy
Deborah Goldberg, MA, OTR/L
Chapter 66 Hi Ho Beanie
Elizabeth J. Healey, OTR
Chapter 67 Best Seat in the House
Cindy Martin, COTA/L
Submitted by Valerie B. Whiting, OTR/L, LMT
Chapter 68 My Ugly Duckling
Michelle Ponsolle-Mays, MS, OTR/L
Chapter 69 A Beautiful Flower Blossoms Slowly
Julia Waggoner Santini, OTR/L
Chapter 70 A Message from T.J.
Stephanie M. Milazzo, MA, OTR, CHT Chapter 71
Allison’s Road to Recovery
Allison Brown Mann, OTR/L Chapter 72
Still Climbing High
Karen Crane Macdonald, PhD, OTR/L 

Section VIII Brain Attack: Stroke and Other Head Injuries
Chapter 73 The Father of the Bride
Josephine Cohen, MA, OTR/L
Chapter 74 Never Give Up
Linda Carver Morse, OTR
Chapter 75 Baby Talk
Jacqueline Davis Templin, OTR/L
Chapter 76 You Are My Sunshine
Julie Chelte, OTR/L 
Chapter 77 Mr. Zip-Zap
Anne Gaier, OTR/L, CHT
Chapter 78 A Spiritual Nature
Peggy Dawson, OTR/L
Chapter 79 Discovering the Good in Bad Times
(In Memory of Emily Marie)
Laura Rutherford Renner, OTR/L
Chapter 80 Julia Speaks with Her Eyes
Joyce Sabari, PhD, OTR, BCN, FAOTA

Section IX Good People, Bad Things: Violent Crimes, Wars, and Catastrophes
Chapter 81 Their Bullet, My Life
Zoe McGrath, COTA
Chapter 82 Teens Hear It from One of Their Own
Ron Carson, MHS, OTR/L
Chapter 83 Rambo
Lt. Col. Len Cancio, MPH, OTR/L
Chapter 84 Getting Back to Life
Wendy Elliman
Chapter 85 After the Explosion
Michal Magnes Raveh, MA, OTR
Chapter 86 Fire Fall and Therapy Ball
Christine Gaspar, OTR
Chapter 87 My 12-Story Plunge
Brett T. Duffey, OTR/L
Chapter 88 September 11, 2001: Ambiguous Loss
Judy Grossman, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA
Chapter 89 September 11, 2001: Getting Through Trying Times
Elisabeth Refn, MA, OTR

Part Three: Retrospectives
Section X Reflections of the Journey: Review of Lives Well Lived
Chapter 90 Therapy Begins at Home
Anitta Boyko Fox, BS, MA, OTR
Chapter 91 Chris Leaves a Legacy
Mary LeChene Bennett, OTR/L Retired
Chapter 92 The Music Lady
Anitta Boyko Fox, BS, MA, OTR
Chapter 93 Hello, Can I Help You?
Jacqueline Goldberg
Chapter 94 The First Two Clowns in Iceland
Diane J. Jones, RN
Chapter 95 The Power of Joy
Judith E. Bowen, MPA, OTR
Chapter 96 Back to Life, Work, and Happiness
Anitta Boyko Fox, BS, MA, OTR

Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Editor
About the Contributors

Editorial Reviews

"It is a useful book, too, for students and for those merely curious regarding our role to gain an understanding of what we do and why. All in all, this book is well worth the price, either for oneself or as a gift.” — Michael Morgan, OT, Occupational Therapy Lecturer/Practitioner, British Journal of Occupational Therapy

 "…this compilation provides a refreshingly new prospective on everyday occupational therapy practice. It is a useful book for students and for those merely curious regarding our role to gain an understanding of what we do and why."   

— Michael Morgan, British Journal of Occupational Therapy

From the Publisher