Jaisa Sulit, Laura Burnett & Laya Polowin: OTs in Adaptive Climbing
In this post, we will be learning from 3 occupational therapists who work in therapeutic climbing. Jaisa Sulit, MsOT, Laura Burnett, MsOT & Laya Polowin, MsOT. With CACS, Canadian Adaptive Climbing Society, they run therapeutic programs that aim to use climbing to address physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of the participant’s rehabilitation journey.
Q & A with Jaisa, Laura and Laya:
Please tell us a little about yourself and a few favorite occupations.
Laura & Laya: Occupational Therapists - We completed our Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto together and began as volunteers for the first therapeutic program 3 years ago. We both have experience working with individuals following motor vehicle injury and clinical experience with assessment and treatment of individuals with physical, neurological, psychological, and cognitive impairments.
Laya - Laya first started climbing while pursuing her undergrad in Kingston, ON, and has been enthusiastic about climbing ever since. She has always had a strong interest in volunteering and working with non-profits in the recreation and healthcare fields. She has a diploma in non-profit business management from Seneca. This was the perfect intersection of all of her skills and interests.
Laura was first introduced to climbing while living in Vancouver, BC, and has enjoyed it ever since. She is excited to help others experience the benefits of climbing through the Therapeutic Climbing Program in Ontario.
Jaisa Sulit is a best-selling author, speaker, self-care coach, and occupational therapist who worked for 6 years in neuro-rehab until she sustained a spinal cord injury herself in 2010. After experiencing the benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for her own recovery Jaisa went on to complete training in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindful Self-Compassion courses and has been teaching these tools to patients and professionals across Canada.
Curious to explore the benefits of direct engagement in nature, Jaisa moved to Vancouver in 2015 and while there, she discovered CACS and the therapeutic potential climbing has for those on the journey of rehabilitation. Seeing how climbing can be an engaging way for people to learn mindfulness, Jaisa became an ambassador for CACS and in 2017 she helped to develop CACS’ first therapeutic climbing program in Ontario. Jaisa now lives and climbs in Toronto with her husband and current belay-partner TJ and son and future belay-partner Jasper.
What motivated you to contribute to this podcast series?
To share benefits of climbing and the potential role of OT in therapeutic climbing.
Please describe the UncommonOT work that you do and the setting in which you work, the population you serve, and the needs that you address.
We run a weekly, six-week Therapeutic Program that aims to use climbing therapeutically to address physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of the participants' rehabilitation journey. We work with a variety of populations from brain injury, stroke, amputation, and spinal cord injury. The program is facilitated by a team of occupational therapists trained in adaptive climbing and mindfulness techniques, as well as a group of passionate volunteers. A group setting aims to provide connection and peer support for all participants.
What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?
For Jaisa, it was the personal experience of the benefits of climbing for her rehab post spinal cord injury. In addition, as a mindfulness teacher, she loved seeing how climbing was a fun and engaging way to teach mindfulness.
After volunteering with the first program, we got to see the impact climbing can have for a wide range of individuals and loved how our OT skills could be applied in a unique and meaningful way.
How did you get there? Can you describe your path?
For Jaisa, she got here because of her experience as a member with Spinal Cord Injury Ontario and BC. These organizations introduced her to a variety of adapted sports including rock climbing with CACS in BC. After climbing both indoors and outdoors with CACS in BC, she collaborated with CACS to bring the benefits of climbing to patients on the road of rehab and healing.
Laura and Laya reached out to volunteer with CACS after finishing our MScOT while we were waiting to write the OT exam. We got to be a part of the first program and take the OT role while Jaisa was on MAT leave.
Please describe a typical day or OT session in your uncommon setting. What OT skills do you utilize?
We utilize a modified Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to identify participant goals and evaluate changes in range of motion (ROM), strength, and self-esteem, depending on personal goals. The program runs once weekly for 2.5 hours. Each session begins with a mindfulness practice and group check-in. The program covers technical climbing skills including belaying and knot tying in order to build client autonomy and confidence in technical climbing skills. Technical skills are scalable based on participants’ abilities and interests.
Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?
Highs:
· Largest group this past session (8 participants)
· Partnership with local brain injury association
· Bringing on two new OTs
Lows/Challenges
· Navigating COVID-19 restrictions, staying in touch with our community during that time
How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?
Taking on students (SWOT analysis, literature review), keeping up with current research, program debriefs
Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting? How do OT or the services you provide get funded?
Funded by motor vehicle insurance or paid out of pocket, the potential to work with worker’s injury compensation
Salary is still being worked out but we make sure to pay as competitive hourly rates as possible
Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?
Reaching out to local organizations/gyms that offer programs that you are interested in, applying OT lens and expertise to settings that may not be traditional OT
What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?
Maybe not a myth, but people are sometimes surprised that OTs are running this program and not PTs
How do we find you , follow you, be in touch with you, and promote your unique work?
Rehabteam@canadianadaptiveclimbing.com
https://canadianadaptiveclimbing.com/
CACS instagram: @canadian.adaptive.climbing
As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot
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