A Journey of Adventure
Pete, a young adult with Cerebral Palsy, was referred to The OT Practice by his case manager, who was supporting him and his family in achieving his occupational goals.
At the time of referral, Pete faced a range of challenges, including sensory and fine motor difficulties, memory and executive functioning impairments, fatigue, limited social connections, and low confidence. His case manager was seeking a holistic Occupational Therapy assessment that could deliver practical, comprehensive solutions tailored to Pete’s individual needs.
During the initial assessment, Sam, one of our experienced occupational therapists, worked closely with Pete to understand his aspirations and priorities. Pete shared his strong desire to move from his parents’ home into a supported living environment, enabling him to take greater control of his daily life. He wanted to “get fit”, “make friends”, “ride a bike” and he also spoke passionately about a personal dream: to climb Mount Snowdon, a goal that symbolised freedom, achievement, and independence.
Challenges in Supporting Pete’s Path to Independence and Adventure
- Physical Limitations: Motor and sensory deficits, plus fatigue and limited physical pursuits.
- Cognitive Barriers: Memory and safety-awareness issues required structured support for daily tasks and community engagement.
- Dependence on Basic Living Skills: Pete relied on others for personal care
- Risk Aversion: Pete’s fear of failure hindered his ability to try new activities and build resilience.
- Need for Routine: Cognitive challenges made establishing a consistent, purposeful routine difficult.
Sam and Pete collaborated to set meaningful, achievable goals, breaking down the larger vision into smaller, manageable steps. Alongside skill development, Sam also supported Pete in re-establishing community connections, encouraging him to join local activity groups where he could build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. These experiences played a vital role in Pete’s emotional wellbeing and motivation.
A Dynamic, Personalised OT Plan Focussed on Empowering Pete at Every Step:
- Collaborative Effort: Regular teamwork with Pete’s case manager and OT allowed for real-time adjustments, aligning with his evolving needs.
- Detailed Risk and Functional Assessments: Comprehensive assessments ensured Pete’s safety and gauged his capabilities in varied settings from home to mountain trails.
- Person-Centred Activities: Tailoring tasks to Pete’s interests, like hiking and socialising, boosted his motivation and confidence.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Innovative, “outside-the-box” strategies helped build Pete’s resilience and independence, bringing him closer to his dreams.
Pete’s journey highlights the transformative impact of Occupational Therapy in helping individuals achieve not only daily living skills but also lifelong dreams and personal ambitions. Sam’s support enabled Pete to transition to a more independent, fulfilling life, developing his social skills as well as increasing his physical fitness to pursue his goal of climbing Mount Snowdon.
Watching Pete’s journey unfold has been inspiring. Initially, he was reliant on others for basic personal tasks. Today, he’s living independently, forming friendships, and he even completed his climb of Mount Snowdon! I accompanied him and his support worker on the mountain, and we came back down on the train together—a true adventure. Moments like this remind me of why I became an OT.
