Six UAB Occupational Therapy Students Volunteer at ASCCA

For those attending professional medical programs, a visit to Camp ASCCA serves as an excellent opportunity to interact with people with disabilities in a most unique way. It is not clinical, it is real life and allows students to see people living with their disabilities in a social environment.

This past weekend, six students studying to be occupational therapists at The University of Alabama-Birmingham came to ASCCA seeking that exposure to a diverse disability population during our Fall Physically and Mentally Disabled Weekend. They made up a large portion of the 14 students visiting from state university educational programs.

Their weekend experience goes way beyond just observing. This is an intensive hands-on experience that helps future professionals work on their own interpersonal skills. Think of it as a unique “bedside manner” training opportunity. The students develop their skills at interacting with their future clients, patients and/or students. Further, these future professionals see a wide range of disabilities represented in our service population. Multiple disabilities, functionality levels from total independence to one-to-one care, and parents/caregivers are all represented in our various camps year-round.

The following video will help you understand how these students feel a volunteer experience will help them. From the educational aspect to the interpersonal communication development, each student gains valuable insights. Certainly, the weekend is fun, but it is also a taxing experience, too. We are talking about 24/7 hands-on care living in the cabins with the campers. It is fun and it can be life changing.

The following video is a 12.5 mb download and lasts 7:08. We hope you enjoy it. The students were a lot of fun to have at ASCCA and we appreciate their volunteer spirit.