Welcome to the Pennsylvania OT Association Conference!
500 Pennsylvania OTs and OTAs are meeting today and tomorrow (Oct. 3 & 4) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia, PA.
The conference kicked off with the opening greetings and keynote speech. Outgoing POTA president Sharon Kurfuerst welcomed a packed room to the 31st annual POTA conference. Not only was this one of the best turnouts the association has seen in a few years in terms of attendees, but also in terms of exhibitors, with 47 companies in the exhibit hall. Kurfuerst also thanked the conference's several gold-level sponsors, including Austill's Rehabilitation Services, Chatham University, the Centers for Rehab Services, Genesis Rehab Services, Jefferson College of Health Professions, Moss Rehab, Pediatric Therapeutic Services and Somerset Medical Center. Thanks to these sponsors, Kurfuerst told the crowd, POTA has not had to raise its conference prices in six years. She also reminded attendees to consider contributing to the association's political action committee (PAC). Thanks to the PAC's work, the association is fairly confident that a bill currently in the legislature, which would make OT a reimbursable provider under Blue Shield, will likely get passed this coming Monday.
Becky Austill, founder of Austill's Rehabilitation Services in southeastern Pennsylvania, introduced the keynote speakers. This was one of the most unique keynote presentations I've seen at any OT conference I've attended. Catherine Riley is a 32-year-old woman with Down syndrome. She, along with her sister Molly Riley-Cygan and their mother, Nola Riley, told the audience about their family's experience of "Growing UP with Down Syndrome." The talk was a realistic yet inspirational look at the challenges as well as the successes the Rileys have faced over the years.
"Probably my biggest challenge was realizing and accepting that I have Down syndrome," Catherine told the OTs assembled. That challenge takes on a poignant meaning when you also learn that Catherine graduated from high school at 18 - the only person with Down syndrome at her school -- and entered the workforce immediately after.
Today, Catherine is a teacher's aide at Hazleton Area School District. She works with first and second grade students, both regular education and special education, many of whom speak English as a second language. She began preparing for the working world while still in high school. Her IEP team, through her mother's insistence, put together a special program called Kopy Klatch - Catherine learned to make and collate copies, deliver them to teachers in the school, and perform many other office-related tasks.
Molly told the group that she firmly believes her sister Catherine's success is due at least in part to the family not treating Catherine like she was any different. "Treating anyone with a disability with kid gloves is doing him or her a great disservice in my opinion." She also stressed that professionals working with people with disabilities should remember that the disability affects the entire family unit.
Nola Riley, Catherine's mother, recounted the challenges she and her husband faced over the years, many of which revolved around fighting for Catherine to have the best opportunities in school. For example, when Catherine was ready to start high school, the principal of the school did not want Catherine to attend because, in his experience with students with disabilities, he didn't think she would succeed there. Within a few months, the principal called Nola back to apologize, telling her that Catherine had taught him not to prejudge any students with disabilities before giving them a chance.
Nola also shared several strategies and lessons she feels have helped Catherine become successful over the years:
- Treat every person with disabilities normally, if you do he or she will surprise you.
- Have high expectations for the people with disabilities you treat.
- Don't make excuses for them.
- Do everything possible to make sure they do not stick out for dress or behavior.
- Know and teach age-appropriate behavior.
- Blend: people who stick out for the wrong reason will be targeted.
- Make sure everyone you work with has self confidence and is not afraid to take on challenges.
- All people are individuals.
- Unacceptable behavior must be corrected if possible.
Catherine also shared some of her philosophies, which reflect the success her mother and sister feel she has achieved:
- Can't is a non-existent word.
- Believe in yourself.
- Find the goodness in people.
- What is, is! Face it and get on with life.
"Being an adult with Down syndrome is no different from being an adult without Down syndrome," she told the OTs present. "No one has a perfect life." Catherine feels her life is pretty great - she made honors almost every semester in high school, she loves her job, she travels with her family, she has friends and a social life, she is active in her church, she writes poetry and has had it published, she is an inspirational speaker, she is an aunt and godmother, she was in both her brother's and her sister's weddings, she went to her senior prom.
Catherine has achieved many of her goals, and has accomplished more than her family ever expected. She's a great inspiration for OTs to always look for the potential that all of your clients are capable of.
With such a great start, the POTA conference is sure to bring many more great experiences. Stay tuned for more live updates from the conference!