Spring 2022
Welcome to our posts for the Spring 2022 season. These entries are divided into three categories: Therapy, Day Program, and Community. Please click the on words for each section to jump to the corresponding section of posts.
Therapy
Physical Therapy Gardening Style!
May, 2022
During the past few years – headed by our Community Enrichment Coordinator Lauren Dick – Universal has made it a goal to create an on-premise garden fully run by the clients and therapists. As the garden project has continued to expand, many departments at Universal have found creative ways to incorporate therapy and enrichment activities utilizing our garden. This featured session focused on Physical Therapy (PT) goals with multiple clients who have varying levels of abilities and skills. Most importantly, the clients had so much fun being outside! Sometimes, the two best therapists are fresh dirt and sunshine.
Day Program
Banana Split Pudding Cup Group
Day Program in Long Branch today was super sweet! Clients participated in a collaborative occupational therapy and day program activity that created banana pudding sundae treats from scratch. Clients were involved in each step of the process, including being able to taste-test at the end.
March 11th – Universal celebrates Traumatic Brain Injury & Developmental Disability Awareness Month
We had an amazing day sharing laughs, cries, and stories as we all gathered in unison to talk about our clients’ experiences living with traumatic brain injuries and developmental disabilities. Our clients shared stories of their resilience and recovery in an open-mic setting. Clients utilized therapy sessions during the weeks leading up to the event to write their stories with therapists if they wished to participate in the event. During the day of the event, therapy departments assisted by providing their skilled services to ensure that our clients were able to share their stories in a way that captured their courage and resilience. It was an amazing day filled with empowerment.
Community
Annual Kite Festival at Pier Village
April 2022
One of the many perks of having a Day Program right on the beach – literally – is the endless calendar of “beachy” events that take place during New Jersey’s warmer months. Our clients kicked off the start of beach season this year by attending the annual kite festival in their own neighborhood. Mike, pictured on the far right, commented on how therapeutic the day felt. Long Branch’s O.T., Bethany (pictured below), responded to his excitement by telling him that she would find a kite for him to design, build, and fly himself because “he really did not want to leave.”
Long Branch Enjoys Equestrian Therapy
What a perfect way to enjoy the spring weather! Our clients loved their day with horses, games, & sunshine at a local farm.
NJ Devils vs. NJ Rangers Game @Prudential Center
Tuesday, March 22nd- Our clients took on The Prudential Center for a night of ice hockey, great food, & dancing (how can you not dance with the very loud and fun music that they play at live sporting events!?). We got to see the New Jersey Devils face off against the New York Rangers. As a very exciting surprise, the Devils won causing even more enthusiasm throughout the stadium. We stayed at the stadium to enjoy a night out late into the night. When we asked Edwin, one of our client attendees, what his favorite part was, he told us that he enjoyed “being out with lots of people and partying to a good ice hockey. game”
Wednesday, March 2nd: Long Branch Cheers on our local Monmouth University Hawks!
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