Maklakov Services, Inc.

Occupational Therapy: it's a great career!

From the President's Desk I feel compelled to comment on the MeToo movement. As a healthcare professional, we are required by law to hear and report abuse, be it sexual, violent corporal punishment, domestic abuse and anything else that breaks the law in the United States. We are mandated reporters of abuse of both adults and children.... I know many healthcare professionals that were also victims of abuse. Many of them reported, but many more never reported. Many of them didn't even realize that what happened to them as children even WAS abuse, until they were taught what they themselves are required to report to the authorities. As a professor in a community college for 22 years, I encountered many folks who had gone through some kind of abuse. I also counseled many people, both male and female, who needed to escape abuse and/or report it. This is not an easy subject, nor is there a "one-size-fits-all" response from educators and healthcare professionals. We are required to use our best judgement in each case and consider the circumstances in order to proceed with the best and safest course of action for the victim. In politics, we, the American people, hear many accusations back and forth about all kinds of behaviors from many individuals with many political stances. I am a registered "independent," that is I have no political affiliation. So, I have no comment on what is happening regarding the Supreme Court nomination process. But I know a few things: 1) victims must be heard 2) unjust accusation is also a form of victimization 3) accusations that are investigated and found to have support by the facts must have consequences 4) unjust accusations must also have consequences, i.e. the accused's name needs to be cleared Having said all that, let's worry about ourselves, our children, our families and our neighbors FIRST. Then we can vote and/or call or write our representatives to express our opinions. Blowing a lot of hot air on Facebook is really a waste of time. Sincerely, Susanna Maklakov

Notes from the President's Desk September is moving along for parents and us grandparents. The new school is finally sinking in for the kids. Next week will be the third week. At the end of that week, the kids, the parents, the grandparents, the teachers, everybody will have an idea how the school is going to go. Now is the time when all OTs go into high gear. All the evals should be done by then. All the kids seen at least once. All the kids' parents called to get OT o...rders from their docs. All the IEP's from last spring should be in place and starting to be implemented. We're all settling down to go through autumn and winter, culminating in the Christmas break, and New Years. I deal with my own life one semester at a time. I re-evaluate my own self by semester. Set my goals, cross off ones that were achieved over the summer semester. Look back on the spring semester to see and big long term goals that I need to mark off as achieved or to dump as impractical, or simply that I don't care anymore about them. Life changes and evolves. Life is always changing and evolving. This is why we are so interesting to God. He created Life. He delights in Life. Our lives and the lives of those we work with and love. If we are religious, we should pray for those folks that we work with and love. If we are not religious, we should recognize that other people are, and let them be who they are. Even in AA, it is recognized that we all need some kind of Higher Power. Life is way too hard without one. We need something to kiss the big problems of the world up to. And our kids need this too. When a child is frightened by thunder, he or she needs a prayer, or a lullaby or something to tell him- or herself, that, "I am afraid but everything will be ok when I wake up tomorrow." Children need that. As a grandparent, I frequently tell my grandson, all will be ok. I'm here, Mommy and Daddy are here. Auntie is here, Uncle is here. He needs to know that he is safe, loved and cared for. And when it thunders in Alaska, or when a bear shows up on our doorstep, or a moose, or a car that flew off an icy road, my grandson knows what to tell himself. I am ok because I am loved. Right now I live in Texas. I have a home in Colorado. I don't know when I'm going back to Alaska. But when I get there, I know what I am going to say to that kid. "Yiaya loves you!" Yiayia is the Greek word for grandmother. Sinerely, Susanna Maklakov, MSOT/L (NY, AK) President, Maklakov Services, Inc. (NY) Semi-retired occupational therapist and healthcare consultant

From the President's Desk..... Greetings for the second or third week of school. Let us help our kids get through this stressful period. This is the time when kids decide that they love or hate their teachers. As parents and grandparents, we need to remember that the teachers are also stressed out. ... The biggest help that we can give is to be supportive to both teachers and our kids who are students. Little notes in the lunch bag are important. "You go get 'em, Johnny!!!!" "I believe in you, Mary!!" Little treats, small chocolates, little toys, etc. can be helpful, not as bribes or rewards, but as support while they find their "sea legs." They will do so. Children are far more strong than we as the adults in their lives realize. We don't watch them at school. They do figure out a way to get along. Our job is to make that way functional, pleasant and even happy. If they are unhappy, it is our job to figure out why. THEN, we should offer our help as adults, go meet with the teacher or the principal. Then we should defend our children. But not before they figure out on their own what to do. When we helicopter over our children and do not give them the chance to adjust to being in the "ship" of school, we take away their ability to adjust to life on their own. Best wishes to all our readers and friends who have children or grandchildren and/or work with children and schools. If you are a school-based OT and you need advice or support, do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]. You will get an answer in a few days to a week. Sincerelly, Susanna Maklakov, MSOT./L (NY, AK)

If your teen has a phone, teach him or her to PUT IT IN THE GLOVE BOX when they put their seatbelts on. If it syncs with the car it is safe there and the cord can usually be safe in the glovebox. That is also how you get them to pass the driver's test. The official will be impressed. Texting and driving is right up with with drinking and driving and drugging and driving. Also in there is 1) fooling with the radio 2) reading a map 3) applying makeup 4) smoking 5) fooling a...round, yes, that and 6) just TALKING. Teach your kids to sing while driving. It is in a different part of the brain and is automatic. Teach them to pick a station or a mix or whatever music in the driveway and SING TO IT and not talk a lot in the car. This is good for us oldsters, too, because most of us lose lung capacity as we age. Sing out! Sing loud! Drive SAFE!!!!!

Here in Texas, as in many states, school will start for all parochial, public and higher education schools. It is a new school year!!!!!! Yipee!!!! All parents get to reset the family as the kids go back to a new and older grade. As individuals, and now as a retired college professor, I find this time of the year THRILLING! I get to go back to my retirement home in Colorado, because the heat of the summer has passed. Also the wild fires that blew over the Rockies from C...A have died down so the weather is better. I need a concentrator to live at 10K altitude, after having lived literally on an ocean shore most of my adult life. Life is renewed and exciting. Christmas is coming. So is the new year! The circle of Life keeps turning as it is supposed to. Sincerely, Susanna Maklakov, President Maklakov Services, Inc. Corpus Christi, TX and Buena Vista, CO

Remember that those around you may find the holidays difficult. Holidays are often sad for those who remember them best with loved ones who have passed away. Holidays can also be sad for those who live alone or perceive themselves as lonely (especially if they don't have a partner or children). It is important for all health care professionsals, especially occupational therapists to respect this and not "cram down someone's throat" the "joy of the holidays." On the other... hand, it is important to allow those who feel holiday joy to feel it, and not put a damper on it. Many times, health professionals feel that it is their obligation to act the same all the time and that professional behavior does not involve a smile or well-wishes for the holidays. If someone expresses happiness around the holidays or wishes you a holiday greeting, reciprocate. Best wishes for the holidays from everyone at Maklakov Services, Inc. May those days be joyful, in spite of any disease, illness or disability.

As we approach the holidays, it is worth noting that occupational therapy recognizes the need for spiritual health. MARY EGAN M. DENISE DELAAT Considering spirituality in occupational therapy practice... https://www.researchgate.net//links/5564b29e08aec4b0f48590

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From all OT's to all Veterans......thank you for your service and we love working with you.