www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com | 43 Andrea Babinski, an occupational therapist with Excel Rehab & Sports in Seneca, is a relatively new clinician. She was introduced to the field of health care at an early age, learning the importance of advocating for patients in her care. “My mom worked as a nurse, exposing my sister and I to the health care field as early as age 5,” shared Babinski, who grew up in Easley. “We were home-schooled all the way through high school. Mom always encouraged us to advocate for those that could not advocate for themselves.” As a senior at Anderson University, Andrea worked as a shadow to an occupational therapist in an acute-care setting. The two would review patient charts each morning and one patient, a college-aged female, would charter her future course in occupational therapy. The patient, who had been in a horrific car accident, stood out because of a serious spinal cord injury. “The patient was unable to move from the neck down, and she had an extremely difficult time becoming motivated to participate in therapy due to the severity of the deficits she now faced,” explained Babinski. “The occupational therapist I was shadowing was extremely empathetic, listened to her every concern, let her lash out and cry and pushed her to the ‘just right’ level of fatigue. I will never forget the first day we got her seated at the edge of the bed.” When she sat upright, it was the first time she saw a picture of her young son taped to the dresser. “The young lady began to cry, and, when she looked up, something had changed. It was as if her whole life had purpose again. That moment was when I knew that I wanted to be an occupational therapist. Seeing this person go from zero motivation to pure determination was incredible and inspiring,” said Babinski. “I want to be able to help people realize their full potential no matter the injury or circumstance they face, just as that OT did for that patient.” Today, Andrea has a few years of experience as an occupational therapist, is married and is a proud parent of a fur baby – Bo. In an outpatient setting, she specializes in orthopedics, evaluating and treating a variety of diagnoses. “I also fabricate custom splints to improve the patient’s functional outcomes with various hand and wrist diagnoses,” she explained. She encourages others who are interested in the health care field to be open-minded because not all patients respond to the same treatment methods. “There is a huge psychosocial aspect that goes into working in health care, and the therapeutic use of self is key. Also, be observant; you are your patient’s advocate,” she concluded. Babinski advises her patients to “be patient – therapy takes time. There will always be good days and bad days throughout the process. However, do not get discouraged. Your hard work will pay off.” By Stacy Domingo Andrea Babinski, MSOT, OTR/L EXCEL REHAB & SPORTS Seneca 864-654-2001 excelrehabsports.com I want to be able to help people realize their full potential no matter the injury or circumstance they face. " " MEN WI N HEALTH Photo by Carin Scates Photography.
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