Danny Pettry

Autumn 2008

Brenda Torres, a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with over 18 years of experience is the creative director of TechnoHealer.Com She has earned the recognition in the health and educational field as an expert in providing creative and innovative program development, utilizing skills and knowledge in adaptive modification to promote creative quality programs services including senior fitness, Technology, and serves as a speaker for National Conferences and Workshops.

Brenda says she “I value what I do, and who I serve in providing programs that promote; cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual stimulation. But more importantly in exploring new creative ways in maintaining or maximizing patient's optimum level of functioning”.

As a Techno Healer she has been keeping people connected when they feel disconnected to the world due to physical, mental, social or environmental barriers using technology. There are educational opportunities for caregivers, family members, and health facilitators, who need assistance in keeping their patients, loved ones or family members connected to the world while maintaining their independence to maximize their home stay within their community before considering institutional placement while providing an opportunity for better health.

Visit here site here:TechnoHealter.Com

Summer 2008

Jocelyn is our July hero-of-the-month. She is from the bay area, California.

Jocelyn graduated from Cal State Hayward University with double majors in Health Science, minor in biology and Recreation and community services (Therapeutic Recreation option). She has both state and national certification since 1997. She is also active members in both the American Therapeutic Recreation Association and the Bay Area Therapeutic Recreation Association.

Jocelyn decided to become a recreational therapist because it was in the health field and she wanted to help people. It is personally rewarding and she likes to think outside the box and surprise people with “Outcomes.”

Jocelyn currently works at the V.A. Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, which is one of four in the country. She is specializing in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) vets coming home from the war.

She is part of an exceptional Recreational Therapy service where the collection of skills and experiences in one hospital is unbelievable. Jocelyn’s focus is: adapted recreation skills, leisure skills training and education, community reintegration, stress management of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms combined with TBI, social interaction skills.

Jocelyn is our hero of the month because as a Filipino American she grew into the profession with a lack of support from her family. Twelve years ago there was this assumption that Filipino women would go into nursing or business. Jocelyn says she was someone who strayed to be unique. She started out as a Recreational Therapy Assistant and had worked her way up from being a one person department. Today, her family are in awe of what she does.

Jocelyn is the mother of two small boys, a wife, an active member of my church. She enjoys special event planning for friends and family. Her leisure consists of "quiet time" at home with the kids, surfing the internet, and "therapeutic cleaning".

Spring 2008

Meet our June 2008 hero-of-the-month: Jessica. She is a graduate from Southern University A & M of Baton Rouge, Louisiana in Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Studies. Jessica has worked for the Veteran Affairs Administration for 5 years. Here she works in the mental health setting providing therapeutic activities to the veterans from all conflicts. Jessica has a vast experience having also worked with Geriatrics and Hospice care residents.

She decided to major in therapeutic recreation because the field is broad and there were many settings to work. Jessica is very motivated to learn more about the field of therapeutic recreation and the many opportunities.

She was chosen to be our hero-of-the-month because she is a kind-hearted person who loves her job. In her words, she says that she provides “Blue Ribbon service to the vets and many others.” She loves learning and enjoys finding new opportunities in recreational therapy that she can provide.

Jessica claims: “my job is very rewarding. I love it and hope to be one of the next big whigs someday.” I think she will be.

Jessica has three children who she loves. She is married to a wonderful man and she enjoys a variety of recreation activities including: traveling with her family, doing family activities, exercising, dancing, and listening to music.