Week 1:

Once I heard that I was assigned to VAST for my level 1 field work, I was extremely
excited. From what I have heard, VAST has always been a popular and enjoyable placement for
OT students and I could not wait to start. Having spent the past 8 summers working at Pine Tree
Camp facilitating outdoor recreational activities for people with disabilities, I knew this would be
a very fun and familiar experience for me. With my background forming connections with the
campers at Pine Tree Camp, I perceived that it would take some time for the veterans at VAST to
open up to me. The most important technique I learned throughout my time at Pine Tree Camp
was to never take myself too seriously. The campers that attended were constantly trying
activities that were out of their comfort zone and I did my best to make them feel comfortable
enough to make mistakes.
Hearing that I would be trying cross country skiing for the first time this week, I knew
that I could spark up some conversation and/or laughs surrounding that. Because this was
technically my first week at VAST, my main goal was to introduce myself and learn the names of
as many veterans as possible. Being in an unfamiliar environment surrounded by new people as a
shy and soft spoken person, I knew that I had to put myself out there. I got the opportunity to
meet most of the veterans and form conversations with two of them while cross country skiing.
My goal for the next few weeks at VAST will be to personally connect with one of the veterans,
learn more about their current/past experiences, and start building an occupational profile.
Knowing the benefits of outdoor recreation for people with disabilities, I had a gut
feeling that the VAST program was something that was very important for the veterans that
attend. Just from reflecting on what I experienced and observed this week, it was clear to me that
group-based sport/nature recreation can have significant positive impacts for each veteran in
various ways. VAST provides adaptable equipment to specifically fit every individual's needs
helping create a safe and comfortable environment for everyone. Veterans struggling with their
mental health get the chance at VAST to indulge in a different and non-traditional type of
therapy. Experiencing the outdoors, trying new activities, and socializing with others like
themselves, can help each veteran challenge themselves in ways that are familiar to them. VAST
is a wonderful program that reaches out to veterans and provides them with positive and
impactful experiences and that is why they continue to return each week!

Week 2:

At VAST this week I was paired with “T” and got the opportunity to ski for the second
time. I met T during my previous week at VAST and in one week I noticed various areas where
she has made huge progress in. It was clear to me that in just one week, T gained immense
confidence in her skiing abilities and looked like a pro out there. She not only made
improvements while skiing, she also opened up and talked a lot more about her life this week.
Throughout the time we spent skiing it was very difficult to catch up to T as she was moving
very quickly. After going around the ski trail twice, T sat down on a picnic table outside to take a
breather and that is when we really got the chance to converse with one another. We talked about
how bright the sun was shining on us that day and the benefits of increased serotonin levels on
our mental-wellbeing.
After we stopped skiing and sat down for a while we started to get a little cold and
decided to go inside. At this time, T sat down at a table with myself and two other OT students.
This was where we had the opportunity to learn more about her life. We asked questions and
listened to T as she told us a few interesting and funny stories. I used my therapeutic use of self
and tried to ask questions that would help T take control of the conversation. In the beginning, I
made it a point to ask T for some advice regarding my problem with not being able to slow down
while skiing down the hills in the trail. T has witnessed me fall twice now and as we laughed
about those times, I applauded her skiing abilities and told her that she looked very stable as she
went down the hills. When I asked her what I was doing wrong she stood up and showed me how
to correctly make the “pizza” formation with my skis in order to safely make it down the hills. At
this time, I realized how happy that made her.
I learned that T has lived in several other states such as Texas and South Carolina, she
previously worked as an army police officer while serving, and when she was discharged she
began working as a corrections officer. T told us a story from when she was in Texas and how
she learned that they use the term “barbeque” in a very different way than we do here in Maine.
T mentioned that almost every restaurant had a sign that said “barbeque” and because of that, she
thought each restaurant only sold barbeque foods. She later found out that there was a specific
dish named barbeque that each restaurant had on their menu. T also talked about how her friends
in Texas had accents so thick that she could barely understand them. She smiled as she told us
how she used to laugh and nod her head whenever she was with her friends because it would take
her a few minutes to put together what they were saying.
Throughout the conversation T talked about her love for cats and how she has rescued a
bunch of them from surrounding shelters throughout her lifetime. She stated that one of the cats
she had previously rescued ended up having a brother and she was unable to leave the brother
behind so she took him home with her as well. T also talked very fondly of her niece and we got
to hear a story about her as well. Toward the end of our conversation we talked about where we
lived and that is when I found out that she is currently living in the town of Auburn. She
mentioned that getting outside and becoming active again was very important to her and VAST
was the perfect place to do so. I really enjoyed my time spent with T this week and I feel like I
have enough information to start building an occupational profile on her.
My goal for the upcoming weeks at VAST will be to continue my relationship with T as
well as forming some new relationships with the other veterans that attend. After two weeks, I
feel like I have enough of a foundation to start expanding and talking with the other veterans that
I have not gotten the chance to yet.
Week 3:
At VAST this week I got the opportunity to ski alongside “G” and Erica. This was G’s
second time attending VAST and he was determined to ski for a longer period of time than the
last time he was at VAST. I was very excited to be working with a veteran that was using an
assistive device because understanding and learning how adaptable equipment is used in
occupational therapy practice is something that piques my interest. G used a snow slider while
skiing to help maintain his overall balance.
Erica, G, and I skied around in a big loop for around two hours. Throughout that time, I
had the chance to assist G during every turn by holding onto the snow slider and directing it in
the correct direction. In the beginning I observed and listened to Erica and G’s conversation.
After a little while, I eased my way into the conversation by asking G questions surrounding his
interests and other topics I had previously heard him talk about. Throughout those two hours
while we were skiing there wasn't a moment of silence between us all. We talked about G’s
daughter and wife, pets that we have or have had, sports, the benefits of outdoor recreation on
mental health, his back injury, what he does for physical activity right now, his goals, and his
time spent in the army and marine corps. I learned that G loves to laugh, joke around, and tell
funny stories of his former experiences.
I used my therapeutic use of self by cracking a few jokes and telling him to “slow down”
so that I could keep up with him and “hey, stay in your own tracks” when he went a little off
course while telling a story. I also tried my best to take a few breaks in hopes that G would as
well but it didn't always work as he was very determined to keep going. Erica and I both set up
our apple watches to track our activity while skiing and I could tell that motivated G. By the end
of the two hour time frame, we all took a much needed break and I thought that G might be done
skiing for the day. To my surprise as I was trying to take off my skis, G said with a huge smile on
his face “what are you doing? We need to do one last victory lap”. That showed me how much G
enjoyed his time at VAST and how motivated he was to reach his goals.
This was one of my favorite days that I have spent at VAST so far. Not only did I get to
meet another awesome veteran, I got to work alongside an occupational therapist and learn from
her as well. I gained an insightful look on what it would be like to work as an occupational
therapist in this kind of setting and I am very grateful for the experience. I believe that I now
have enough knowledge of G’s past and current life to begin building an occupational profile on
him. I hope to see G next week and continue our conversations.

Week 4:

This week at VAST, I had the opportunity to ski alongside Jess and “T”. Once we were all
geared up and ready to go, we skied around the usual loop. Having spent time with T a few times
already throughout my time at VAST, I knew to let her take the lead and try my best to keep up
with her. I have used my therapeutic use of self in the past with T, asking her questions on how I
could improve my skiing abilities and from there she has taken more of a leadership role. T was
very excited to get back to skiing as she mentioned that she had missed the previous two weeks
of VAST. She also mentioned how beautiful the snow looked on all of the trees surrounding us
during our skiing route and I agreed. It was a warm and beautiful day, resulting in the snow
melting and sticking to the bottom of our skis. By the time we started our second loop, T took a
bit of a tumble because of the snow underneath her skis. T took a little time to get back up on her
feet but Jess and I knew to let her do it independently.
Once T was standing up right, we started to ski again. Not too long after, T had stopped
and tried to clear the snow off of her skis. Because this was happening often and I was right
behind T, I began offering to help her remove the snow off of her skis. By the time we reached
the end of the loop, T went from talking to not talking at all and showing all signs of being
frustrated. From there, I had a feeling she would want to be done with skiing for the day because
it was becoming too difficult to keep going with the extra weight of the snow on her skis. As I
predicted, T verbalized that she was done skiing and was going to go inside. After talking with
Jess, we decided that we would both join T inside to spend more time with her.
T has made significant progress with myself and the other OT students since she had first
started at VAST. In the beginning, T was very quiet and now it is clear how much more open she
is in speaking to all of us. T talked a lot about things that she was manifesting, political issues,
personal values, and goals that she hopes to accomplish in the near future. Throughout our
conversation, I could see just how excited T was about certain topics and it was then that I
realized how therapeutic it was for her to discuss the things that were important to her. As I was
listening to T speak about her beliefs regarding the government, politics, and education, I
thought to myself “she is so interesting to listen to, this is almost like a TedTalk”. Whether I
agreed with what she was saying or not, I made sure to keep an open mind and truly listen to
everything that she was saying. Both Jess and I were able to ask a few questions here and there
but T controlled most of the conversation as she was speaking about things she was passionate
about.
By the end of our conversation T began to talk more about herself. She had mentioned
the two month plant based eating program that she was going to start, her plans to move in the
summer, and the love she had for chickens. T mentioned that her dream would be to have a “tiny
house that is on a trailer filled with a flock of chickens”. She described this as an agricultural
small business where people could rent out the chickens to take care of ticks, plant destroying
insects, or for the use of providing organic eggs. I thought that this was extremely interesting and
a very cool idea because I have never heard of anything like that before. When saying goodbye
to each other, I told her that if she is at VAST in the upcoming weeks, I would love to get the
chance to ski and converse with her again and she agreed.
Right in my hometown of Fairfield, I know of an organization called Veterans of Foreign
Wars (VFW) which is a nonprofit charitable organization that fosters camaraderie among United
States veterans and military service members of overseas conflicts. They ensure that each veteran
is respected for their service and recognized for their sacrifices that they and their loved ones
have made. Another resource I know of is the American Legion Department of Maine
organization located in the town of Winslow. This is a nonprofit and charitable organization that
provides resources to services for veterans that will help enhance their quality of life. I know of
this organization because every summer my dad coaches a baseball team in the American Legion
league that is sponsored by them. I also know of the The Maine Troop Greeters organization
located in Bangor Maine. I know of this resource because of a project that we did last semester
on the movie The Way We Get By that featured members of this group. They are a nonprofit
organization that helps veterans support current armed forces serving overseas.
I believe that it is imperative to have groups, resources, and organizations that are for
veterans only so that they have the opportunity to connect with one another. Feeling connected to
others and having a sense of purpose are fundamental to a veteran's emotional and mental
well-being. It is beneficial for veterans to form relationships with other veterans versus
individuals who are not veterans because of the trust and bonding that is established by a shared
military service. Someone who is not familiar with combat situations and other common
experiences that veterans go through may not be as beneficial in providing assistance because of
a lack of trust. Veterans also have the chance to help other veterans because they have a better
understanding of what a veteran might be going through, whether it is PTSD, financial
difficulties due to service related injuries, or problems obtaining the benefits that veterans may
be entitled to. Someone who has been there and done that has a level of personal experience and
empathy that cannot be taught or faked.

Week 5:

SOAP Note

Client Name: T Date: 02/02/23

S: Today T stated “I enjoy VAST because it gives me a chance to exercise and get out of my
house”. T also reported “It's beautiful out today but the snow is melting from the sun and won't
stop sticking to my skis”.

O: T was able to independently terminate the activity of skiing when she felt herself becoming
frustrated. Through time and conversation, T was able to regulate her emotions and quickly
change her attitude. She became very talkative for the remaining time at VAST. T was fully
engaged with me and when I asked her questions, she appeared excited to answer them.

A: T demonstrated great engagement during VAST today, despite feeling frustrated when the
snow was sticking to the bottom of her skis. T will benefit physically, mentally, and emotionally
by continuing to attend VAST each week. T also will also benefit greatly from the social aspect
that VAST provides. The act of conversation is therapeutic to her, as she loves to share stories
and talk about the things that she is passionate about.

P: T will continue to participate in VAST each week in order to stay socially active and improve
upon her physical fitness. By continuously attending VAST, T will carry on with enjoying the
outdoors and all of its positive effects it has on her mental well-being.
Hunter Mercier, OTS