GRACE- January 12/22, 2015

      The residents haven't been on as edge as they usually are. Last week, when in G.B., a few of my peers and I hit a balloon back and forth to keep the residents busy. I stood between one lady who seemed almost afraid of the little red balloon and a man who was more than excited that he got to hit something. There wasn't a lot of talking or social skills, it was more helping the residents if anything; which I like. To be honest I prefer being able to help without word than I do sitting down and holding conversation about stuff I really have no interest in. Residents seem to really enjoy Disney songs, though. One of my close co-workers and I started singing "Make A Man Out Of You," from Mulan (aka the best Disney movie to possibly exist). I think that's one of the happiest times I've seen the residents. We continued on with more songs, which they loved. I think it makes them feel young or go back to happier times, which is sweet. I kind of want to encourage the others to sing. It makes the residents feel like they're sort of relevant to our generation, along with allowing them to relive some parts of their childhood or teenage years.
      Moving on, Therapy honestly isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I enjoy it, especially because the residents have more of a reason to talk to you. Calms my anxiety of being ignored or regretted a little bit. Also, the workers in therapy (if asked) are super willing to help you. Don't get me wrong, a few of them are little standoffish and question your every move, but the two I normally talk to are always really nice and ready to help teach me. Exciting news! I got to feel what a shoulder after a reverse shoulder replacement felt like. Reverse shoulder replacement, for the resident, occurred because her rotatory cuff made up of 4 muscles was almost towards the middle of her humerus. Compared to her other shoulder that was soft and loose (and mobile), her left shoulder seemed tight and very limited. I would describe it as a really big knot or a piece of ply wood under the skin but both relations seem a little under exaggerated or over exaggerated.