Essay about Philosophy and Therapeutic Recreation

As I make my way on this journey that is my life, I realize that I have always believed in the fundamental worth of all humanity and my responsibility as a fellow human being to respect this premise and also to support individuals, as much as I am able, to help unearth it should this basic truth become hidden to them. This is a guiding principle for me and I believe that many of the constructs of the field of Therapeutic Recreation (TR) are congruent with this philosophy. Making the decision to obtain a Therapeutic Recreation Specialization (TRS) degree offered a theoretical rationale in which to further explore the concept of leisure, define my professional philosophy and an opportunity to reflect critically on the field which I have†¦show more content†¦When choosing to work with adults living with severe dementia, many people often ask me how or why I do it. It’s simple. Not only do I believe that all people have value, I likewise believe that all people can contribute to society. The client who can no longer articulate their thoughts or needs or desires is teaching me to listen and find alternative means of communication. In essence, they are teaching me to be a better communicator. I think this is congruent with Sayers concept of meaningful contribution. There are still so many things about the brain that we do not understand that I would find it arrogant of me to assume that the person with dementia does not feel they are still contributing to society in some way. This improved communication skill, from my perspective, is an essential and necessary benchmark for the establishment of an effective client/practitioner relationship. O’Keefe (2008) urges us to listen to the narrative, there’s a story to be heard, if only we adjust our philosophical positioning. Eudaimonia, Leisure Ability Model, A Strength Paradigm Aristotle posits Eudaimonia, human flourishing and happiness, as the ‘chief good’ of humanity achieved through ‘reflective activity’ over a lifetime (Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics, 2002). From my perspective, the reflective activity to which he alludes is the pursuit of leisure.Show MoreRelatedPhilosophy of Therapeutic Recreation3064 Words   |  13 Pagesp. 4). With this gradual rise in age, the idea of therapeutic recreation for the aging population has taken on a significant role. Therapeutic recreation uses recreation and leisure activities to meet the needs of people in order to improve their quality of life. These needs include social, physical, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual. The experience of engaging in recreation is perceived to have therapeutic benefits. Engaging in recreation can be characterized by feelings of mastery, achievementRead MoreRecreation Evaluation1387 Words   |  6 PagesThe therapeutic recreation process is a syst ematic method of planning and providing services for individuals with disabilities. The process is based on a systems theory approach. The system is designed for a guide for a well-defined, goal-oriented purpose to the activity or program being provided. It involves four phases: assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Use of the therapeutic recreation process is not dependent on location, but on systematic and consistent use of assessing, planningRead MoreWhy Are Personal Experiences Influence On A Person s Thoughts And How Does It Impact His Future? Essay1742 Words   |  7 Pagesout what the reasons behind to steer towards a person s thoughts. As a therapeutic recreation practitioner, it is important to develop a professional philosophy statement which would reflect my roles and especially the relationship with clients. Under those circumstances, having a positive mind would be one of the emphases that inseparable in order to corporate the values into daily activitie s. To develop a personal philosophy statement, it would base on my personal background and values, and professionalRead MoreThe Academic Journey Of The Field Of Recreation And Leisure876 Words   |  4 Pagesthis author. It was for my own personal and professional growth that I chose to pursue the degree as a TRS. The program exposed me to many of the leaders in the field of Recreation and Leisure, especially as it applied to TR, and, furthermore, helped me to construe, animadvert and reevaluate my own professional philosophy. The requirements of the specialization, itself however, could, I believe, benefit from an overhaul insofar as it relates to the field as it stands as a component of Quebec’sRead MoreDog Therapy Essay1305 Words   |  6 PagesFlorence Nightingale, a founder of nursing philosophy, noted in her 1859 nursing notes that a small pet was an excellent companion for the sick, especially patients with chronic cases. Pet therapy is a therapeutic aid that supports medical cures and enhances the relational and emotional status of the sufferer. A Hypothesis propounded on by doctors S.R. Kellert and E.O. Wilson was â€Å"No one who looks at the evidence can doubt that animals in hand improve the quality of modern human life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (sic). AnRead MoreGrand Theory Written Assignment1263 Words   |  6 Pagesmaintain desirable postures, sleep and rest, select suitable clothes, maintain homeostasis, personal hygiene, protect the integument, avoid environmental dangers and injury to othe rs, communicate with others, worship according to faith, participate in recreation, learn and discover, and work in such a way there is a sense of accomplishment (www.currentnursing.com). Henderson defined nursing as assisting with these activities to help the individual achieve independence. A person’s ability to successfullyRead MoreSummary : Eastern Washington University3541 Words   |  15 PagesEastern Washington University [EWU] offers Bachelor’s degrees in Recreation Management, Therapeutic Recreation, and Outdoor Recreation. Graduates from these programs are required to complete an internship with a company in their field; typically Fairchild Air Force Base’s Outdoor Adventure Programming [OAP] takes on one [or more] interns from EWU. Ryan Murphy, the Fairchild OAP’s former Assistant of Operations, stated â€Å"Interns do not come to us with the skills needed to lead others; we take themRead MoreTheoretical Foundations of Nursing4269 Words   |  18 PagesINTERPERSONAL RELATIONS THEORY â€Å"The kind of person that the nurse becomes makes a substantial difference in what each patient will learn as he or she receives nursing care.† Hildegard Peplau (1952) She defined Nursing as â€Å"an interpersonal process of therapeutic interactions between an individual who is sick or in need of health services and a nurse especially educated to recognize, respond to the need for help.† Dr. Peplau emphasized the nurse-client relationship as the foundation of nursing practiceRead MoreThe Effectiveness of Community-Based Corrections Program2965 Words   |  12 Pagespeople are so naturally evil that they must be cut off from the rest of society and closely monitored. In theory, however, they should be based on some type of philosophy or basis for punishment - such as deterrence, retribution, reintegration, incapacitation, or rehabilitation. Throughout most of the twentieth century, the dominant philosophies have been incapacitation, deterrence, and retribution (this combination being called the custodial model) except for a brief period from 1954 to 1974 when rehabilitationRead MoreRelationship Between Meterparadigm Theory of Nursing and Anas Definition of Nursing5001 Words   |  21 PagesNursing * Developed the  Clinical Nursing – A Helping Art Model. * She advocated that the nurse’s individual philosophy or central purpose lends credence to nursing care. * She believed that nurses meet the individual’s need for help through the identification of the needs, administration of help, and validation that actions were helpful. Components of clinical practice: Philosophy, purpose, practice and an art. Metaparadigm Person * Any individual who is receiving help from a member of