Students, residents of Shelton facility work to benefit veterans

A Housatonic Community College student works with a resident of Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shelton. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Residents from Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center partnered with students from Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport to benefit Home for the Brave, a transitional home and shelter for female veterans in Bridgeport.

The students, part of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at the college, have been working with Bishop Wicke residents throughout the fall as part of their clinical field work requirement.
As a way to celebrate the upcoming end of the semester, residents hosted a bingo game and worked with the students to create a handmade fleece blanket that would be delivered to a female veteran at the shelter.
Residents also proudly signed a card with well wishes for the recipient of the blanket and sent their love to the veterans, along with both the card and blanket, which the students will be delivering to Home of the Brave.


Relationship-centered approach
Bishop Wicke is proud to model a relationship-centered approach to care and partners with area colleges and universities to provide educational experiences for students in the healthcare field.

In addition to Housatonic Community College, Bishop Wicke currently works with Certified Nursing Assistant students from Griffin Hospital in Derby and will be partnering with nursing students from Fairfield University in the future.


For more information about Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center at Wesley Village, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Surviving cancer is in the spotlight at workshops in Derby

DERBY - I attended an interesting workshop Thursday on coping with chemo brain, or brain fog caused by chemotherapy treatments, at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.

Even though my chemotherapy treatments were in 2011, I found the information provided by rehabilitation department director Myra Odenwaelder and occupational therapist Fran Harmeyer to be quite helpful.

Odenwaelder talked about the importance of keeping a daily journal "to pinpoint areas that are more energy consuming."
She said it's good to record how one feels during certain activities.
Tips offered include reducing frequency/duration of activities, utilizing adaptive equipment, scheduling rest periods, organizing time, organizing space, asking for help, and pacing oneself to maintain energy.

In addition, it's important to maintain good posture and avoid bending and lifting.


Survivorship workshops are held at 6 p.m. in the conference room at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.
They are all led by STAR-certified cancer rehabilitation technicians.

On April 18, registered dietitian Samantha Heller will discuss "Nurturing Your Body Through Nutrition." She will offer tips for healthy eating to boost the immune system and lower the risk of cancer recurrence.

And on May 16 clinical psychologist Mindy Hersh will talk about "Intimacy and Sexuality."
Cancer treatment can cause changes in sexual function and desire. Participants will learn strategies to address physical and emotional changes.


Registration for these workshops is required.To register, call 203-732-1260 or e-mail Tracy Pittman at tpittman@griffinhealth.org.

All patients, survivors, caregivers are welcome to attend.

Ansonia woman named 'everyday hero'

Honored by Bridgeport Hospital rehab center after recovering from stroke

Dorothy "Dee" Marinelli of Ansonia, second from right, receives honor

Dorothy “Dee” Marinelli of Ansonia is the recipient of this year’s Everyday Hero Award from Bridgeport Hospital’s Ahlbin Rehabilitation Centers for her determined efforts to recover from a stroke in February 2011.
The award is presented at the Ahlbin Centers Auxiliary annual luncheon to a patient who has made significant progress and demonstrated outstanding spirit and courage in the face of disability.

“Dee’s stroke left her with a limited range of motion, decreased strength and decreased coordination in her right arm and hand,” says occupational therapist Kristin Edgerton. “Dee is right-handed so this made most of the activities of daily living very difficult for her.”
Dee arrived at her outpatient therapy evaluation in a wheelchair and could only stand for about five minutes at a time. Her ability to speak was also affected by the stroke.

The Ahlbin Centers therapy team focused first on increasing the range of motion in Dee’s arm. She started working with a device called a SaeboFlex, which helps the hand grasp and release and strengthen the upper arm.
Therapists then worked with Dee on activities of daily living such as sitting, standing, climbing stairs and balance. They also helped Dee to improve her ability to speak, at first by producing yes/no responses to basic questions and then by formulating meaningful phrases and sentences.
“Dee displayed unbelievable motivation and effort at every single treatment session,” said occupational therapist Sue Rhode. “She was always positive, determined and encouraged challenges, no matter how difficult.”
Dee received outpatient occupational, physical and speech therapy from March to November 2011. She quickly became independent in carrying out daily activities, such as cooking, cleaning and caring for her four-year-old son.
Now 46, Dee has progressed from being in a wheelchair to walking with a cane and being to climb and descend stairs.
Since ending her therapy sessions, Dee has installed hardwood floors in her home, mowed the lawn and chopped wood. Her physician has even allowed her to resume driving.
“Dee demonstrated tenacity in an incredibly difficult situation,” said speech therapist Renee Dagostine. “She jumped headfirst into resuming her life and making the most of it. She taught us all about perseverance, strength and bravery. She has greatly touched us all.”

Ahlbin Centers provides inpatient rehabilitation services at Bridgeport Hospital and outpatient services in Bridgeport, Shelton, Southport, Stratford and Trumbull.
Services include physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as early childhood and geriatric programs.   

The above release was contributed by Bridgeport Hospital.