Rutgers student Matthew Santoro familiarizes himself with a power wheelchair.

As physical therapy students from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School rotated through stations, experiencing everything from wheelchair maneuverability to adapted physical education, they absorbed a sense of appreciation for the challenges facing people with developmental disabilities. The occasion was the students’ annual visit to Matheny to learn about the therapies and equipment that help enhance the lives of those with physical disabilities.

Matthew Santoro of Hazlet Township, marveled at the technology that gives people with disabilities “some level of independence.” And Danielle Shellhammer of Ringwood felt the visit was “a good experience, to see all that’s available.”

Matheny understands that it can’t provide healthcare for everyone with a disability, but it can help ensure that future healthcare professionals understand how to care for and treat people with developmental disabilities.

Christianna Rocco, left, and Danielle Shellhammer learn how to use their heads while playing adapted basketball.

Rutgers OTA student, Angela Verdi, left, with Matheny COTA Debbie Goodhart.

Matheny works with several colleges and universities to provide occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant internships. Rutgers University began an OTA program in 2012, and its students have been coming to Matheny for seven- or eight-week sessions, shadowing our certified occupational assistants (COTAs) in a real working environment. The OTA interns receive practical experience interacting with patients and students and practicing techniques and theories related to occupational therapy in both a hospital and school setting.

The Rutgers Associate of Science – Occupational Therapy Assistant program was begun in the School of Health Related Professions (SHRP) in response to a national, state and local demand for OTA practitioners and is supported by a grant from Genesis Rehab. Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation therapy that helps people develop and build skills that are important for independent functioning health and well-being. At Matheny, OTs are part of a collaborative team that helps develop adaptive skills and assists in improving performance capacity in individuals whose ability to perform life skills is impaired.

McCormack’s mother, Gwen, is a teacher at the Matheny School, and together they came up with a plan to get this done. Gwen McCormack knitted an afghan, which was raffled off to Matheny staff members. Adult patients at Matheny helped sell the raffle tickets, which raised $129. A Matheny student pulled out the winning ticket, and several students went on a special class outing to pick out the toys – a lesson in how to shop in the community.

Women Aware was founded 30 years ago on the belief that every human being has the right to live free from violence and the fear of violence. It currently serves up to 10 families in a nine-bedroom, 24-bed facility.

Above, from left, Rebecca Constantinople, Matheny student Bozena Geraghty and Kelly McCormack with the toys.