JEFFERSON COUNTY INITIATIVE
St Louis Society for the Blind assigns Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant to assist residents in Jefferson County, MO
Dr. Jennifer Lauer talks more about this new initiative during an interview with KJFF. You can find that audio with the button below:
Funding from a grant through the Jefferson Foundation allows the Society to serve Jefferson County residents with low vision.
St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired today announced that, through a grant from the Jefferson Foundation, they have hired Jefferson County resident and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Michelle Harrell to increase direct service to residents living with vision loss. The grant was awarded to the Society to pilot a mobile low vision program in Jefferson County through a combination of telehealth and in-home care.
According to Laura Park Leach, President & CEO of St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired, “Michelle was chosen to fill this position because of her past nine years’ background and experience in home health, acute rehab, skilled nursing/rehab facilities, and outpatient and aqua therapy. She will work with low vision optometrists who recognize that people with low vision need specialized training to remain independent. We are thrilled to continue to serve Jefferson County residents in our St. Louis office and those who may not be able to travel to our facility in Brentwood for treatment.”
Michelle will make in-home visits to establish care for those who have never had the opportunity to be evaluated. Through telehealth, she will work collaboratively with a Society Occupational Therapist (OT) to set up the Plan of Care. Michelle will then provide the recommended services in the comfort of the clients’ own homes.
“The most rewarding thing I have experienced is to watch clients blossom as they receive services,” Michelle stated. “When they begin to receive training and learn about the resources Society offers, they are so hopeful and relieved. They realize they can continue to do the things they love to do, but in a different way.”
About Michelle Harrell COTA/L
Michelle received her degree in Business Management in Human Resources and worked in customer service/sales for approximately 10 years. After researching several career opportunities in healthcare, she chose to become a Certified Occupational Therapist (COTA). A resident of Jefferson County, she was excited to be hired as the newest Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired COTA.
Michelle said, “Helping restore people’s ability to do the things they love is the reason I decided to enter this field.”
About Jefferson Foundation
Jefferson Foundation was created on January 31, 2013, funded by more than $153 million in proceeds from the sale of Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Crystal City. As such, Jefferson Foundation is a health conversion foundation. The mission of the Jefferson Foundation is to provide support for charitable and educational activities that promote individual and community health and well-being in Jefferson County.
About St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The Society enhances independence, empowers individuals, and enriches the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired. Caring, qualified staff provide low vision medical exams and therapy, daily living adaptations, assistive technology, travel training, social work, and support services.
For further information on St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired, please contact them at 314-968-9000 or visit their website at https://www.slsbvi.org.
You can follow the Society on social media: @STLsocietyfortheblindandvisuallyimpaired
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You can see the article at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website at the following link: