91AV

The occupational therapy practice of Kate Loukas, OTD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, clinical professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, was highlighted in the spring 2013 edition of The Challenge Magazine of the Brain Injury Association of America.  The theme of this issue centered on narratives of pediatric brain injury and recovery.

Matthew Pascarella writes his compelling story of tragedy and triumph as he recovered from a motor vehicle accident resulting in childhood brain injury.  In his story titled, "Picking up the pieces:  Life after brain injury" (p. 7, 8, & 29), Pascarella recounts the tragic accident that took the life of his mother, left his brother with serious injuries, and altered his own life following brain injury.  He highlights his occupational therapist for providing the life structure and support to facilitate his recovery. In the article Pascarella states, “I was doing occupational therapy with Kate three times a week. We worked to get me to use and include my left side in play, work, and self-care. We talked about strategies to help with two-handed tasks, friendships, and my new life” (p. 8).

Pascarella and Loukas were highlighted in a 1996 OT Week story called “The Recovery of Matthew,” which appeared on the American Occupational Therapy Association web-site as an “OT success story” for many years.

Pascarella has also been collaboratively involved in two student/faculty research studies in the 91AV OT department:  a narrative study with Ben Erskine and Kate Hanrahan (2012) and a more recent study on the use of drumming to improve neuroplasticity and upper extremity function with Erin Lyons and Patricia Shields (2013).  

Pascarella’s story of recovery and resilience through occupational performance, along with the student/faculty research, was recently presented at the 2013 Maine Occupational Therapy Association conference.

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