Chelsea Finds Her Voice

Chelsea’s Best of All moment is one that speaks volumes—literally and figuratively. At 35 years old, Chelsea is navigating life following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and over the past month, she has made incredible strides in her ability to communicate using an eye-gazing device. Each intentional glance is more than communication—it’s connection, choice, and self-advocacy in action.

Chelsea’s occupational therapy goals are thoughtfully designed to support both her communication and physical needs. One key goal focuses on her ability to interact with others by responding to open-ended questions using her eye-gaze device, with extended time provided. As Chelsea continues to practice, she is showing increased participation and responsiveness, demonstrating how communication flourishes when individuals are given the time and tools they need to succeed.

Her time in our OT program also emphasizes physical support to promote comfort, stability, and long-term mobility. Chelsea works on tolerating gentle neck, head, and upper and lower extremity stretching to support head control, positioning, and reduce the risk of contractures. These foundational skills allow her to better engage in activities and maintain posture during communication and tabletop tasks.

During a recent occupational therapy session, Chelsea arrived alert, engaged, and ready to participate. She actively used her eye-gaze communication device throughout the session and clearly expressed excitement during a craft activity, smiling and raising her eyebrows to show her joy. Over the course of the 60-minute session, Chelsea tolerated passive range of motion stretching for both her upper and lower extremities with no signs of discomfort, highlighting how beneficial these interventions are for her comfort and positioning.

Chelsea then transitioned to a fine motor tabletop activity with hand-over-hand assistance, where she glued pom-poms onto a letter. Throughout the activity, she remained visually attentive and engaged, demonstrating meaningful participation. Her eye-gaze device was placed on the table nearby, encouraging communication during the task, and Chelsea used it at least three times to express herself while working. These moments of communication, paired with active participation, are powerful indicators of progress.

Chelsea’s journey is a beautiful reminder that Best of All doesn’t always come in giant leaps, but sometimes it comes through increased engagement, intentional eye contact, and the confidence to make a choice and be heard. With her new tool, Chelsea is making decisions, sharing her preferences, and expressing herself in ways that truly reflect who she is. Watching her use her voice to advocate for herself has been inspiring for everyone around her. Chelsea’s journey is a beautiful reminder that when individuals are given the right supports, their potential speaks for itself.

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