Inglis House
Title: Beyond Accessibility: Promoting Independence Through Therapeutic Recreation
Student Interns:
Kadambari Pottasseril
Drexel University College of Medicine
Christina Rawa
Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health
Academic Preceptor:
Elissa Goldberg, MSS, LSW
Drexel University College of Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Patricia Veltri
Inglis House
Community Site:
Inglis House is a nonprofit long-term skilled nursing facility and wheelchair community that provides person-centered care for adults with physical disabilities and complex medical needs. Residents, who range in age from 18 to 90, have a variety of diagnoses, including multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries. Through an interdisciplinary approach, Inglis House supports the whole person by addressing each resident’s medical, physical, emotional, social, and recreational needs. This commitment is reflected in its wide range of therapeutic and life enrichment services, including art classes, history lectures, technology services, music therapy, community outings, and other opportunities that promote independence, engagement, and quality of life.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps interns worked alongside the Therapeutic Life Enrichment Team at Inglis House, supporting daily recreational and therapeutic programming designed to promote independence, social engagement, and quality of life for residents with physical disabilities and complex medical needs. Throughout the summer, the interns assisted with a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, music programs, gardening, martial arts, sensory activities, open mic events, and practices for the Keen Games, Inglis House’s annual adaptive Olympics. Responsibilities included transporting residents, providing individualized assistance during activities, and adapting tasks to help each resident participate as independently as possible.
Reflections
I decided to pick Inglis after reading the experiences of people from past years who said they were able to make friends and deep connections with the residents. I was not disappointed; over the course of these 7 weeks, I was able to get to know many of the residents and was extremely grateful when they opened up to me and my co-intern about what brought them to Inglis and their daily struggles navigating a world not designed for them. I feel a deeper appreciation for being able to walk up the stairs, enjoy tastes and textures of foods, and maintain a level of independence I wouldn’t have given much more thought about prior to this internship. Occasionally residents have a bad day, but I’m inspired by their resilience and ability to bounce back and smile (with some support from a tight-knit community). Both I and my co-intern were lucky enough to bring new programs to the residents, so we felt we were able to leave a lasting positive change for the residents. One of my favorite aspects of my time at Inglis had to do with the small efforts we don’t normally think about—pressing the elevator button, fixing a straw, opening a door —all of which are met with a high level of appreciation from the residents. Any kindness I can offer to help make a future patient more comfortable on their toughest day will, I hope, allow for a stronger patient/physician relationship and better patient outcomes.
Kadambari Pottasseril
This internship taught me that accessibility is not limited to ramps and elevators. It is found in the small decisions that determine whether someone can fully participate in everyday life. Whether it was measuring a doorway before a community outing, helping a resident create artwork they were proud of, or simply taking the time to communicate patiently, I learned that seemingly small actions can have a meaningful impact on a person’s independence and dignity. As a future dentist, I want to carry that perspective into my practice by designing care around the individual rather than expecting the individual to adapt to the care. Every patient deserves to feel that their needs have been anticipated, their voice has been heard, and their abilities have been recognized.
Christina Rawa
