Up, Up, and Away: Experience, Envision, Grow…

Karen B. Frank Barney, Ph.D. OTR/L, FAOTALast Lecture Series

Kawa ModelIwama, M. (2005)

Birth -18 yrs: St. Louis, MO

College - 42 yrs: Madison, WI

42- 45 yrs: Lexington, KY

45 yrs - present: St. Louis, MO

My Life Themes • Experience the time with reflection

• Envision and reinvent, when appropriate

• Grow physically, psychosocially, spiritually

Marine Corps Dad

• Northern Missouri “roots”• Christian mother• Jewish father• 1 older brother• U. of Missouri Journalism School graduate

World War II Mother• Southern Illinois Christian “roots”• 4 sisters, 3 brothers• Stephens College graduate• Small arms plant secretarial pool• Cared for daughter; “christening”

Childhood Family

– Birth during WW II– Birth of first sister after WW II– Marine Reserves—Korean Conflict– Birth of 2 more sisters after Korea– Dad—Advertising Executive– Mother--Homemaker

Childhood Family

Spiritual Formation• Mother: Active participant• Dad: Initially abstained, then focused

participant• Methodist Church and Sunday School• Conservative values• Negative Roman Catholic influence

Bronze Star Marine Dad

Diversity Formation

• First integrated experience• Postcard collection• International doll collection• Envisioned family• Pen pal—United Kingdom• First integrated school—7th grade

Other Formation Influences• Dance• Girl Scouts• Church Choir• Reading– Science– History– Nancy Drew

Adolescence

Adolescence• Experience– “Do unto others…”– “Make new friends but keep the old…”– “...a sister to every other Girl Scout”

• Envision– Nipher Jr HS– Kirkwood HS

• Grow

Early Adult Years

• Experience– UW-Madison BSOT program

• Envision– Future husband, family, career

• Grow– Reinvention – living my dream

Early Family LifeExperience, Envision, Grow– Reinvention continues

• Two careers– OT– the “ONLY TOPIC”– Journalism Health Care Administration

• Diversity via Adoption—children, Grandma Marge

Family Revelation

• Stunning discovery (circa 1980):

Grandfather Albert Frank and Otto Frank (Anne’s father) were half brothers

Mid Life Family Uprooting• Experience—age of “coalescence”• Envision—different horizons• Growth—

– Another Reinvention• Four Teens• Four Cats• Health Maintenance Organization

– HealthWise of Kentucky • Home Health Care• Faculty Role

Middle Age– Children in crisis—2 of 4– Relocation 2 times in 2 years– Health issues—parents• Dementia• Caregiving

Coming Home to St. Louis• Experience

– SSM Health Care – Academic Setting #3– Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Envision– Empty Nest– Parental Frailty– Doctoral Program

• Grow

Occupational Balance

Time to Rebalance“It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which gives happiness.”

Thomas Jefferson

Rebalancing--Reinventing• CFS Personal OT Strategies

– Energy Conservation– Mental Health Literature

• Positive Influences– Doctoral Program at SLU– Consulting with the OT Department– New Geriatric Education Center

Full Circle Life—Coming Home to SLU Consultant, Adjunct, Assistant Prof, Vice

Chair, Chair, Tenured Associate Professor

Retirement Reinvention Forecast

Retirement = Retreading

Retreading Socially--Family

Retreading Socially--Family

Retreading Socially--Family

• Sisters: Tina, Drucie, Stella and their families• Aunt, Uncle, Cousins• God children, grand god children

Retreading Spiritually

• Explore my religious roots and related reflections

Retreading Physically• Fitness and Fundamental Health– Occupation-based Exercise• Walking• Dancing

Retreading--Avocations• Entertaining• Travel• Needlework– Sewing– Knitting– Crocheting– Embroidery

Retreading Socially…..• Friends—old and new• Interdependence—being fully human

Retreading Professionally“God, give me work ‘til my life shall end

And life‘til my work is done.”

Winifred Holtby

Retreading ProfessionallyContinued Engagement:– SLU Prison Program– SLU Geriatric Clinic– Textbook

Occupational Therapy with Aging Adults: Promoting Quality of Life through Collaborative Practice

Lessons from My Life

What I’ve Learned…• Experience the time with reflection

– Faith Foundation– Listen and keep an open mind– Diversity is the face of humanity– Life contains cycles of light and darkness– Perseverance with patience

• Envision and reinvent, when appropriate– Harmony—Religious, racial, familial – Expect the unexpected, without fear

• Grow physically, psychosocially, spiritually– Use my inner compass, be true to myself and others– Follow my heart and have no regrets– Make a difference in my own unique way

Life’s Learnings…

• Look for signs - they may show the way• Surround yourself with positive

influences• Strive for optimism and hope in all

situations• Embrace diversity and interdependence;

promote dignity and respect

Life’s Learnings…• For those to whom much has been

given, much is expected• To serve is a privilege• To serve in a beloved profession is

hardly work!• To serve as a leader is an invaluable gift

Life’s Learnings…• Prepare the way for and inspire others• Maintain youthful, lifelong passions• Build and mend family relationships and

friendships, when needed• Strive for inner peace• Always count one’s blessings…!• A soul mate is a priceless gift of God

My Appreciation……To all who have and will continue to inspire me…• My husband, children, family• Friends and neighbors• Clients, students and colleagues