Tuesday....the LAST on-site day :(

So today was my last day on-site with Diane at Ragged Mountain Physical Therapy. It was bittersweet since I have spent over a year as a patient with Diane and this semi-internship marks the end of my time with her. She has truly been influential in shaping me as an individual during my time here at Proctor. When times were tough whether it be with my leg or school life she was always there to give me the positive push to keep on chuggin' along. I spent a majority of my day putting together the final pieces of my presentation and organizing all of my information. This afternoon I was on-site and was just a helping hand since Toni wasn't in for therapy today. I look back on this experience and am extremely glad that I took the time to fill out the paperwork and participate in a senior project. It was definitely two and a half weeks well spent. All that I have left is to finish putting everything together and presenting what I have done and accomplished over the past few weeks. Graduation is looming and campus is bustling as everyone prepares for the end of the school year. Once again, things are bittersweet but... that's how it always seem to be when good things come to an end.

Monday....2nd to last day

As senior project truly winds down, preparations for the thursday presentations begin to take place. Morgan came by to see what I was doing at Ragged with Diane and brought a camera so that I could document some of the work I have been doing with Toni. I spent a solid 6 hours at PT adding to my hours for the entire project. Tuesday is the last on-site day should be a good one.

Weekly Reflection 2

Another week of senior project complete! After getting into a bit of a routine this week went by much more smoothly. I was tested on the anatomy of the shoulder at the beginning of the week and passed with flying colors. After that I moved onto the anatomy of the knee. I knew most of the ligaments and muscles that allow the knee joint to function properly, however, the mechanics of the knee were a bit foreign to me. After this week I understand what each piece of the joint accomplishes and why knee injuries are some common. Nutrition wise I've continued to keep my daily log and have noticed that my energy levels throughout the day have stayed much more consistent. Starting off my days have been much easier and the late afternoons don't seem to be nearly as painful. I've learned that this is due to blood sugar levels staying much more consistent instead of spiking throughout the day.

Once again I've really enjoyed my time spent on senior project this week especially while working with Toni. I've been able to watch him progress with the strength in his calf and flexion in his ankle as he completes his therapy sessions. I will say juggling wood shop and physical therapy has been rather aggravating as the final push to finish my chair took place. Other than that there really isn't a single complaint that I have.

All of the activities that I been asked to accomplish this week have been to help Diane run everything a bit more smoothly, teach me something or help one of the patients out. There's been nothing too surprising. I've helped stretch, watch, clean, answer the phone and set up for patients. I've really been able to see how many variables go into running a small business through my experiences thus far. I truly believe that I will greatly benefit from this week's activities, especially as I prepare to start working this summer. I will easily be able to manage my time and enjoy myself, as well as be able to manage my diet to keep me going all summer long.

A few more days left! Finishing up strong and looking forward to this next week.

The Musical

I figured I would throw another post in this weekend with some of my free time. I've started to study the ankle, which I will be tested on on Tuesday. I'll be getting tested on the Knee anatomy on Monday as Senior Project winds down. The biggest reason for this post though is to congratulate the cast and crew of Bye Bye Birdie. The musical was awesome, funny and extremely entertaining. The shows that Proctor puts on are always a blast. Posting my weekly reflection sometime tomorrow and then two days of on-site work, and presentation prep for the exhibit on Wednesday.

Friday

Getting into the groove of things on Senior Project. Spent the first part of the day putting the final touches on my adirondack chair. With that out of the way I can devote even more time at Ragged with Diane. I spent the majority of the afternoon with her, Toni was my patient yet again. After a solid chunk of time at Ragged there was a Gannett house barbecue to attend. Thus far I've been learning alot, but I also have really been able to see how much progress I have made with my own injury. I had a bit of a flashback as I watched Toni struggle to jump on his bad leg. It is rather humbling to be on the other side of the recovery process. Only a few days of project left, graduation here we come!

Thursday

Sorry about the late post, I left my backpack at Ragged overnight. Thursday was another good day. I spent another entire morning with Greg in the wood shop finishing up my chair. Then the afternoon was spent with Diane. I reviewed some more knee stuff and helped out a few patients, Toni wasn't in but he's coming today. Team dinner for the cycling team was last night as well, aspen burgers and whiffle ball made it a great time. Then I was back to the wood shop to start on chair assembly.

Graduation

With Graduation looming in the not to distant future many seniors are pushing hard making sure they have everything in their lives at Proctor squared away so that they can walk with the rest of their classmates. For some that may simply be passing their classes, others that may mean completing senior project. I myself have two tasks at hand, passing senior project... and finishing a folding adirondack chair for my woodworking major class. Somehow over the course of my three years at Proctor I have managed to escape the "skills major" credit that every student is required to have completed prior to receiving their diploma. Greg Allen was kind enough to allow me to take woodworking as a major, graded, class since I had some previous experience from my previous school. With the last few days of classes coming to and end I am pushing hard to finish my chair and with that receive my final credit. Without that credit, no graduation, no diploma, no college. Now, in no circumstance will I not finish the chair and risk the future of my very existence. However, the final few steps in completing this chair have been absolutely painful. I spent 4 full hours in the wood shop today from 8:30am-12:30pm sanding and painting 26 separate pieces of poplar. Oh what a joy that was. My back might need a bit of physical therapy from the hunched over position I was in most of the day. Warranted, I did get a break after lunch and spent some time going over the anatomy of the knee joint. I look forward to finishing this chair and joining Diane again at ragged tomorrow, should be a nice day! 80's with a few clouds.