Raising Resilient Kids Workshop 

Shine On! has not been able to host workshops since the beginning of COVID-19. However, that all changed April 27 and May 4, when Shine On! hosted two workshops for parents at Olive Ridley’s.

Shine On! is a student organization that works with children and parents to ensure children growing up today are resilient and ready to face any challenge that life throws their way.

Shine On! was founded by Colleen Lemza, the current chair of the public relations department. She started it when she noticed her own daughters began struggling with self-confidence at a young age. Shine On! is geared toward mostly young girls who are exposed to the internet at a young age, which can cause unrealistic expectations of body image and can create problems with self-confidence. Both workshops, held over two weeks, sought to provide tips to parents on how to raise resilient and successful children from a young age.
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There were eight total speakers who were invited to participate in the event, covering topics from nutrition to monitoring screen time. Sarah Yandow, SUNY Plattsburgh’s dedicated campus dietician, opened with a presentation on how to introduce new foods to young children. Yandow explained understanding the division of responsibility between parents and their children is the best way to get children to try new foods.

Krystal Brewington,
OTR/L, OTD, CPAM, CHT

Examples of Bad Posture

Dr. Krystal Brewington, OTR/L, OTD, CPAM, CHT is an Occupational therapist, Certified Hand therapist and full-time faculty member in Occupational therapy department of the School of Health Professionals at SUNY Downstate Health-sciences University. She recently presented on the importance of ergonomics and prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) to the Downstate Pathology department and lead an interactive discussion on preventative stretches/sleeping positions to avoid injury.

Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among human and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Research has shown that effective office ergonomics interventions on average reduce the number of musculoskeletal problems by 61%, they reduce lost workdays by 88% and reduce staff turnover by 87%. 33% of work-related injuries are ergonomic injuries.

For almost two years, Richard Sabel has been a volunteer faculty member at Faculte des Sciences de Rehabilitation de Leogane – Haiti’s only bachelor’s degree program for both Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. Until a few years ago, international therapists were the primary providers of services. Today, therapists are being trained in Léogâne, Haiti. Currently, the program relies on educators from other countries to teach these health professions. This will also change as more Haitian trained therapists assume faculty and leadership positions at the university.
 
Richard Sabel is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn. The institution is situated in the Flatbush area recently renamed “Little Haiti”. In the US, New York is home to the second largest Haitian population outside of Haiti. Technology has allowed us to bridge the distance between countries and facilitated this virtual learning experience. There are plans to help grow and expand this collaboration and Sabel is exploring ways to bring more local resources to this program in Haiti.  

Occupational therapists are skilled to serve people with a wide range of challenges. Their understanding of medical conditions, neurology, psychology, assistive technology, and the influence of physical and social environments on function, provides a unique skill set to enhance occupational performance. ​​