Wesley J Page: The Perspective of an Occupational Therapist with Cerebral Palsy.
Wesley Page, OTR/L has the unique perspective of being an Occupational Therapist with Cerebral Palsy. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has been a therapist for 17 years now. He is presently a full-time pediatric therapist at the Shrine School in Memphis, TN which is specifically designed for moderate to severely involved dual diagnosis children. Wesley enjoys traveling, volunteering in the community, and exercising.
Episode 21 of Raising Kellan Podcast: Straight Talk with Wesley Page.
What was your motivation to be an OT?
What were you like as a child?
Wesley's Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) experience.
School Options in Memphis.
The Challenge of Bullying.
Transitioning to University.
Working at Shrine School as an OT.
Wesley's advice on energy conversation.
Wesley's advice to parents raising a child with a disability is presented in this handcrafted letter.
Graphic of Wesley Page OTR/L
Wesley's Letter to Parents.
I know that you all love your children very much. However, I understand that being a parent of a child with a disability can be complicated at times. These are some key points for parents to take into consideration, that could potentially benefit your child’s quality of life.
Establish a good communication with doctors, therapist, and other medical professionals. You will need to have an open and relaxed dialog about things that are impacting your child’s life. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Also, give honest feedback in regards to any interventions that may have been tried.
Talk to your child about his or her disability. Help him / her have the best understanding possible of his / her medical condition.
Encourage your child. Give them praise and help them feel good about themselves.
Help your child find a hobby. (Remember, interest and a desired hobby may change)
Allow your child to participate in activities in the community.
Make sure your child feels loved and worthy.
Wesley J.Page, OTR/L, MBA
Transcript
Kellan Julal (00:06):
Welcome to this episode of the Raising Kellan Podcast. A podcast to motivate, inspire and educate parents raising kids with special needs.
Marsh Naidoo (00:18):
Hi guys! I'm talking with Wesley Page who has been an occupational therapist now for 17 years. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga occupational therapy program 13 years ago. Wes is an occupational therapist that works at Shrine School in Memphis, which is a school specifically designed for moderate to severe physically challenged children. Wes welcome to the show.
Wesley Page (00:52):
Thank you! I'm glad to be here.
Marsh Naidoo (00:55):
Wes, I think you have such a unique perspective of actually being a therapist yourself and being an adult with cerebral palsy. Tell me more about that and whether that has been a motivation, sir, for you to become an occupational therapist.
Wesley Page (01:17):
Yes, absolutely. Like you said, I asked cerebral palsy and I actually have a spastic diplegia, which means my lower extremities are affected and then there are properties of cerebral palsy in my upper extremities as well, but it's very, very mild. So really the only affected extremity is gonna be my lower extremity. But yes as far as determining my kind of career path in life, yeah, having cerebral palsy definitely affected my career choice. Of course, just as being a patient with cerebral palsy, I was always kind of just interested in knowing more about my diagnosis and just trying to determine more learn more of what I could do to help my situation and to make myself more stronger and more capable. I actually end up using occupational therapy because, well of course when I was a child I needed speech therapy and physical therapy, but I never actually horrified were occupational therapy and I would get assessed but never qualified for the services. So I kinda figured that I would take that route. Cause then I would still be within the realms of the rehab process but then I could actually work in an area where if I had to just imitate movements then that would be something that I would be able to do successfully.
(03:34):
And of course it was. And of course, in my build occupational therapists, I can still deal with the patients that have a similar diagnosis to me and I can still make a difference and give back to the community of that disability.
Marsh Naidoo (03:59):
With what were you as a little boy? I'm very curious about that.
Wesley Page (04:06):
Okay. Well, as a young child I was pretty active or relatively speaking, I was active. I didn't actually get diagnosed with cerebral palsy until I was about four years old. When, of course when I was infant and going into toddler years, I did meet all my developmental milestones. But what happened is when I would ambulate, I would walk on my toes a lot and I would fall a lot. And then that never was a circumstance that never fixed itself. So my parents started seeking, taking me the doctors and seeking just an answer for what was going on. And then eventually, as I said, around four years old, I got the diagnosis of cerebral palsy and from that point on I continued to walk with which referred to as kind of scissoring pattern or extensor pattern. I, of course walked on my toes but I didn't walk with any, I didn't need any assistance or aids to walk, I was to walk independently.
(05:40):
And of course I would fall from time to, but I was able to do things like participate in activities with my friends and I could run and play with them. And of course I wasn't a fast runner at all, but was able to participate in some of the activities. And basically, it wasn't until when I was 13 years old, I went for a procedure and after the procedure I was never really able to get that original competence back by walking. So from that point on, I actually walked with a cane from and just kind of lived the rest of my life, walk with cane for support.
Marsh Naidoo (06:44):
Ms. May I kinda ask, so what procedure was it that you had when you were 13 years old? Do you remember?
Wesley Page (06:52):
Yeah, it's called selective dorsal rhizotomy And that's a procedure in which they kinda neurologist go through and kind of identify the muscles that are the most and or the high or have the highest tone and then cut the nerves that be to those muscles. So I have more fluid and freedom of more fluid freedom of movement with my extremities. Yes. And of course that was actually at that time it was considered a very, very major, very complicated surgery. And I guess even today it would still be considered to be that. But yeah, unfortunately I just didn't quite get the strength back that was anticipated for after that procedure.
Marsh Naidoo (08:07):
I understand Wes was that done as a multi-level surgery that involved multiple spinal access points or was it like a single level laminectomy?
Wesley Page (08:27):
Yeah. Well I actually had this surgery in the nineties and it was actually over my entire lumbar spine, which is the lower part of your spinal column. Yeah. So I think today they don't make an incision that's quite that long, but at that time, that was the standard procedure for that. So yes. Yeah, even today of course I still had the scar from that yes, surgery and I would say about six inches long.
Marsh Naidoo (09:18):
Wow. Well, I'm gonna go ahead and talk now about your early years. I'm curious about your family and your hometown. Did you grow up in Memphis?
Wesley Page (09:34):
Yes. So I grew up in Memphis and actually the school I went to was actually a private school and I went to this school private school from the age 4 grades of kindergarten until I graduated. So it actually had all 12 grades at this school. But private school was not the original choice that parents had made unfortunately at that time. And I grew up in, my elementary years was in the eighties. So at that time when I was taken to enroll into the public school system, the schools decided that they were gonna put me in a program with other people with disabilities. But the rest of them, but the other kids were not a cognitive level, unfortunately. They were a little bit more involved, especially with the mental cognitive side.
(11:04):
And so my parents, they fought to get me into a regular program because they felt that, well, while I had issues with walking, I could still use my mind and hopefully really it escalate and escalate in life and really become somebody that's able to use this intellect to the highest ability. But unfortunately at that time and in the eighties, not all the, we did not have all the ADA laws were the IDEA laws that we have today. So the person that was over determining what school program I would be in decided that they were gonna stick with their plan. If so, unfortunately the only other option that my parents had was to put me into private school, which they did choose to do. And once I got into private school, it just ended up being that I just stayed there throughout the course of my grade school.
(12:34):
But it worked out great. I really liked my private school that I went to. And it's actually funny, the way that the private school that I went to was chosen is because it actually had a elevator in it and it actually had a lot of other access points that were easy, like the curb cuts and the side at the end of sidewalks. So that became my school. Of course back then things were people, some of the building codes and everything were not what they are today. So at that time that was something that my parents, we had to take into consideration. And then I ended up in a school that I love and it was actually funny, the irony is even though I went to that school because of the elevator, I actually never used it.
Marsh Naidoo (13:51):
Used it <laugh>,
Wesley Page (13:53):
Never used it, was able to the stairs pretty well and didn't have a problem going up and down, going up and down them at all. It would just take me a little bit longer but longer than the other students. But it wasn't a problem
Marsh Naidoo (14:16):
Wes were you in a mainstream class? How did that work in the private school?
Wesley Page (14:22):
Yeah. So I was in the mainstream regular classes in the private school and that was something that they were able to work out. And that was a situation that they were able to work with my parents on and me to be a part of a regular with children of normal cognitive abilities, and anyway, that was now being really beneficial for me. All my peers were very helpful and it ended up just being a very good circumstance. The school was not very big. Well, and by big, I guess it's all relative to how big whomever is listening thinks a school should be. But here in the Memphis area that private school was. I up graduating with 130 kids. And I think, of course there were several classes in every grade, but there was probably about a hundred kids in my grade throughout the entire time that I was there. And I think that's actually compared to some of the public schools in Memphis actually. That was actually considered a very small school. But yes.
Marsh Naidoo (16:17):
So that was from your recount, that was a very positive experience being at that school where you got a lot of support from the school itself as well as the teachers. And as far as the students as far as things like bullying or any unpleasantness in that social
Wesley Page (16:41):
Structure throughout my life there's definitely been some bullying and situations that just are unpleasant, I suppose I would say it wasn't that bad at the school that I went to, but of course kids will be kids and that's not to justify any bullying at all. But it definitely did happen. But it wasn't to a level that was beyond my regulation. Those were things that were able to get rectified in the staff. They did a good job to when they knew about a bullying situation, they would take care of that problem and they would let the other students know that school was not a school that would about bullying and that it was a school that was aiming to be inclusive and to show kindness to other people. Yes. So it definitely ended up, So things worked out well for me in that regards.
Marsh Naidoo (18:14):
Hi guys. We're gonna take just a short break when we come back. Where's this going to talk about his high school years transitioning to the University of Chattanooga to the OT program, as well as his present day job at Shrine School in Memphis, Tennessee. As a personal appeal guys, go ahead and give us a and share this podcast with other friends. I sincerely appreciate you tuning in and listening to our podcast. And without further due here is with Wes Page
Marsh Naidoo (18:54):
Did you receive your therapy services at the school or how did it work Back in the nineties, did you go for outpatient therapy? How was that handled?
Wesley Page (19:06):
Okay. Well, at that time that school that I went to, it did not have physical therapy services. So I had to get an outpatient physical therapy service, my parent's insurance plan. And for that I would just go to a therapist after school. But they did have speech therapy services. And at that time, my life, but my speech was not good at all but I worked with a speech therapist, a speech therapist for several years, and it made a world of difference. Difference in my life. I think I took speech therapy up until I was about maybe the third or fourth grade. And then at that point I was discharged. And just sometimes I try to, even today, try to just really focus on my speech and try to be, I guess, speak in the manners that everybody can understand me to the best of my ability.
(20:40):
But with physical therapy, of course like I said, it wasn't available, neither was occupational therapy at that school. And that the school was helpful in regards to, I was able to get my outpatient therapist to come to the school for a couple visits, mostly because that therapist was wanting to see how the environment that I was in and see what kind of modifications they could make and to make things more accessible for me. And the school was very open and compliant with that therapist. They gave me the opportunity to have two sets of books. Cause sometimes the books, they would get kinda heavy to carry in my backpack so I could have a set at home and then I could have a set of a book in each class that I went to. And that was helpful. So yeah, the school was very, very kind in that regard and very, very accommodating in that regard
Marsh Naidoo (22:16):
With as far as your fine motion and navigating writing how did that happen? So now, and especially transferring over now to Chattanooga, being in the occupational therapy program where especially in your first two years, your prerequisites, there's so much of note taking and handwriting. How did that work?
Wesley Page (22:40):
For the most part, I didn't have too much of a problem with keeping up with the lectures. I did write a little bit slower than some of the other children to college. It wasn't really too much of a problem either. Most colleges, they have an office for disabled services at Chattanooga as well then. So I did just go there to see what they offer and they did have a note-taking service. I tried it out and it just wasn't for me at all. So it was, I guess some of the classes in mind. It was a little bit of a struggle to try to keep up as far as to write as fast as maybe the teacher's talking. But it wasn't so significant that I chose to use any of the services.
(23:57):
The other option I did, of course, did was in occupational therapy school when of course things got a little bit information was coming at me a little bit quicker in that program. So of course I would just tape the lectures with the voice recorder. And then of course I would actually just go back home and re-listen to the lecture and then fill in all the notes. If I miss notes, I could fill it in based on what I had on the voice recording. So for some of the tougher classes, I ended up just listening to each lecture twice. But it was kinda worth it because it ended up reinforcing what the professor was teaching.
Marsh Naidoo (25:01):
What are your techniques like for energy conservation right now? How do you manage your energy expenditure so that you have enough to last through the day?
Wesley Page (25:19):
<laugh> actually an interesting question. Mostly I just kind of go for it. If I feel like it's gonna be a situation that I might get tired, tired, then I may take a snack something like that just to reenergize me when I need it. But otherwise, I guess I just kind of go into the situation and just put all my energy and effort into everything I do. Of course, if it's a lot of walking, basically I'll just have to be strategic on when I can take a break. If I see that there's an opportunity to sit down and rest, then I'll take that opportunity to catch my breath. Even if I don't really need a need to take a moment I will kind of take a moment, just go ahead and take that advantage of the situation. But I guess other than that, it's just mostly been just mostly trying to be strategic with where I'm going.
(27:05):
I guess if I can offer a better example, it would be that maybe if I'm walking through a mall and then I know I kind of notice sides of it and I know I might not be able to make it through the entire mall. Well if I see maybe a little park bench or if there's a water fountain and a little space to sit around it, I'll go in, sit down, take a second, and then maybe rest there for about five minutes and then continue my way through the mall. And then of course after, as I go through the mall or every time I see a bench or I, I'll take a rest. So I'm basically just very aware my environment and know when and where opportunities will come around for me to take a break
Marsh Naidoo (28:16):
With. I've gotta give a shoutout to the therapist and teachers and the students of Shrine School. I got to visit you guys earlier in this year and I tell you what that was. It was amazing to see how all those services came together in order to help the students succeed and to learn. How did you get to your job at Shrine School? How did that happen?
Wesley Page (28:46):
I kinda wanted to make a transition into a different job and I knew that the Shrine School existed and actually I had previously done some PRN work with that same school system. And for those that don't know, PRN work is just as needed. Work is basically what it means. And in years before I had done some therapy work with the school system, so I decided to see it and then I noticed that a position was available. And when I got the job, I specifically asked that know I be placed at the Shrine school cause they dealt a little bit more with the students and the children that I felt like I could identify with a little bit more and have more of an impact on. And of course when I got the job my boss was able to set up things so that I could go to the Shrine school, which actually helped me out a lot. Cause a lot of the school-based therapists, they have to go to multiple schools throughout the day and to be at one school with my physical limitations, it's very helpful just to have that one location. And that is a situation for Shrine school because since it is a school that's only for disabled children, then there's no reason for me to go to other locations
Marsh Naidoo (30:44):
Wes right now at the moment. And I know as a mom, what worries me about the future would be in terms of medical needs that would arise, do you just keep up with a general practitioner or do you see a neurologist on an ongoing basis? What would be your advice for parents setting up medical care for their children once they reach the young adult here? Who should they engage with?
Wesley Page (31:24):
Yes I believe you should definitely have established a way you should get with a doctor that you really like. And as well as a therapist too with cerebral palsy, you kind of a perpetual patient for those practitioners and so you really need them in your life. I think that it's very important for parents and if they're child is cognitively able for, that's good as well to create a dive with their doctor and their therapist. You always wanna be able to ask a lot of questions and your doctrine and when you have questions, your doctor and your therapist, they should and will answer your questions. You need to just being enlightened on as much of what's going on as possible. And I think that's one of the most important things that a parent should remember
Marsh Naidoo (32:58):
With. I believe we covered most of the topics that I was wanting to cover. I'm just gonna quickly look back here. I think the only one that we really didn't touch on was from the adult perspective. With your advice to me as a parent, what would that be in order for me to help my child reach their maximum potential of function, what would your advice be to me now at this moment in time?
Wesley Page (33:35):
Well, I really believe that efforts to establish competence in your child is very important. It can help so much. Of course once your child gets out into the world and you may not be there all the time they're gonna have to be able to handle situations and hopefully not let it get 'em down too much. So with that comments you have to let them know that they are, they're somebody special and that they're loved. And that sometimes people may not always react to 'em in a way that they would like or would hope that people would react to, but that they can, regardless that they need to always keep their head up let them know that they always, there is a chance for improvements. So especially in regards to therapy, to be able to participate in activities or participate in exercises just to continue with it. And that always put forth a good effort. Sometimes it's easy to get this, it's easy for some people to get discouraged that have disabilities so you really wanna foster that confidence and that drive.
(35:42):
It's actually easier to do when they're younger. The younger, when you have young children, of course a lot of times they get the reaction of adoration and that people say that, Oh, this child is cute <affirmative>, and give them the affection that they need that way. But as you grow older, yes you may not always, you'll see that sometimes the response starts to change in that child's life. And so you really wanna just have them like I said it, it's all about competence. You have to make sure that they are as strong mentally as they can possibly be and that'll take them the furtherest
Marsh Naidoo (36:58):
Wow. Wes, I think you've ended off that on an awesome note and self-esteem. What it boils down to is having that mindset, isn't it?
Wesley Page (37:09):
Yes, Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely.
Marsh Naidoo (37:16):
Well, we thank you, sir. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience and perspective with us. You have been an invaluable resource. And guys, as always you can listen to the podcast. And for more information, please look at the raisingkellan.org blog, which will have a write-up on Wesley Page as well. And we usually end off west with as always, remember guys, get to the top of your mountain. This is Marsh Naidoo signing off.