PTA: A Year in Review
My "official" one-year anniversary of being a working PTA came and went very quietly a few weeks ago. I was under the impression I would feel suddenly "experienced" and maybe given an "‘Atta girl!" from the rehab director. No on both counts. Yet, I forgot the anniversary myself due to general craziness that is my life.
On the home front, out small chicken flock has grown to more than 30, which doesn't include the 17 turkeys. Why so many turkeys, you ask? That's the same question I posed to my husband, the official poultry farmer. Apparently, we are harvesting and incubating fertilized turkey eggs in the effort to start a fledgling (literally) turkey pullet business. I've been assured, many people are interested in raising their own turkeys for culinary or simply increased farm flock purposes. I hope so; otherwise the turkey population in my back yard will reach a ridiculous bird/grass ratio. Did I also mention we have about a dozen meat birds? Well we do. But, I digress.
As you can see, distractions and responsibilities abound at home (I haven't even begun to talk about my kids yet), so it's not surprising this past year has flown by. In reflection, I am astounded by how much I have learned as a new grad. Although I still struggle with confidence issues like transferring a 6-foot-4, 250-pound patient - max assist - for the first time. (Just to clarify, I don't. Too dangerous for the patient and myself - I always ask for assistance). I'm also amazed by the abilities I've gained along the way.
My thank-you list is long and begins foremost with the truly "experienced" therapists in my facility, both PTs and PTAs, who've taken the time to share their knowledge. With many more years ahead in this career and so much more to learn and master (it literally makes my head spin), I have the feeling the years are only beginning to cruise by. Turkey farm or not.