final weekly reflection

Looking back on these three weeks it was probably the most fun and best learning experience I have had in forever.  I usually find it difficult to connect things that I learn in class to life, but when things are hands on it is so much easier for me to understand and apply everything.  Working in the trainers room was incredibly rewarding in several different ways because of the contact of helping people through things and making connections with them because of the aiding and recooperative help you lend.  I'm very glad I chose to work in the trainers as my senior project because it really helped me learn a lot in a short amount of time, and also because it gave me time to do something that I really enjoy, and that is helping fix people.  I know that the things I have done here at proctor will all aid in my becoming successful in my future path, but probably the most useful experiences were those I spent outside of the classrooms, and I thank everyone at proctor for that.  Being allowed to almost do a full internship experience in a training room is something that is not usually heard of as just being a senior in high school, but I was so glad it was granted to me because I will never take that time for granted.  I reached all of the goals I set before myself because of the help and education I received from both Kelly and Chris while I was with them. 

day 13

In thew past two days I have been doing much the usual stuff in the training room, and as such have been able to get the real feeling of being a trainer.  Chris was not here for the past day or so so I got to act as a sudo stand in with Kelley as my commander.  I have gained more experience stretching athletes out and know the different ways to stretch a person to alleviate pains.  My review should be coming up soon, so I am working on putting together all of my things to make a good final presentation.  

day 11

The start of my very last week of senior project.  I have started setting up some plans with Chris and Kelley as to what will be happening for the last week.  So far I have met all of my goals, but just in case I will be reviewing them to see if theirs any little stuff to be finished, and as for the big picture; I will be doing a spine boarding on an injured volunteer from the training room so that I can review that technique and responsive skill.  I will also be reviewing some emergency response techniques that can apply to both Athletic Training as well as those skills of a basic responder.  I'm sad to be finishing soon, but I have learned a lot, and with come away from it having had a great time and experienced some new things.  

Weekly reflection

This week I learned tons of different things that as a whole was part of my goals that were set at the very beginning of my senior project.  At the beginning of the week I became much more curious as to how the body reacts to injuries, and how it then heals itself through several different processes.  A book that Chris gave to me explains everything as well as the scientific  reactions of our bodies.  One of the other things I learned that was a big part of my goals for senior project was the use of any healthcare providers code of conduct.  I originally was introduced to it, because I accidently divulged information that I was against one part of the code, which is something along the lines of patient/care giver confidentiality.  I went on the NATA web site and read through some of the possible lawsuits and bilaws, which helped me understand the more behind the scenes requirements of anyone who is in the life saving profession.

throughout the week I continued my observations of rehabilitation of patients with torn ACL or MCL.  I must say it is really rewarding just to be able to witness a persons regaining of range of motion even before surgery, because you know it will be that much easier for them to recover afterwards.  Also regarding those with trouble with mobility I learned how to set crutches properly for people.

All of the in between knowledge and skills I am gaining from doing this senior project has been really helpful to my growth as a general healthcare provider, and has given me so much more insight as to how athletic training works from the inside out. 

day 10

Today I got to learn something right out of one of my resources.  HIPPA.  When training to be an Athletic trainer you must know the trainers code of ethics which is called HIPPA, and is a code written to promote trainer-patient confidentiality.  The idea of it all is to demonstrate what a trainers demeanor should always be while working.  I accidently let someone's information slip in the training room, and thats how the educating came about.  I was also given a book by Chris today that will help me understand from beginning to end, the bodies reaction to damage and its process of healing.  I think it will be really useful.  As of now I am also starting to come up with ideas of what my presentation should be for the end of my senior project.  I think I will start documenting a bit with my camera of the kinds of things that go on in the training room day-to-day.  

day 9

Today I learned how to sink a tennis ball into a head rest.  Just kidding!! what I actually did today was to observe exercises that are meant to improve an athletes muscle before going into a surgery for torn MCL or ACL.  Doing the exercises and stretches to increase mobility helps in making it easier for the athlete after surgery with regaining muscle memory.  If their muscles are well worked before then it makes it that much easier and faster for them to recover it when they return to everything.  Applying it to an experience and watching the progression has really helped.

day 8

Normal day in the training room today.  Got to observe pre-surgical treatment for injuries such as torn MCL or ACL, and learned that before a surgery is performed it is preferred that the patient have full range of motion in that body part.  Several of the goals I set to begin my senior project are very close to being met, because of the constantly new injury situations I get to observe, and because Kelley and Chris have done an amazing job at keeping me on top of my set goals, and asking questions always helps.  I'm very grateful to be working with such well trained and informed people, and also to know that they really want my experience to be a good one.  Its been amazing so far.  Working towards my last goals, and also learning a lot of things in between.