Sportable has created opportunities and transformed the lives of individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments through sport since 2005. Take a listen to how Natalie Slemp, a 3rd year student in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program, embarked on her capstone journey and plans to leave an impact along the way.
Featured guest
Natalie Slemp - VCU Occupational Therapy Student
Sportable has created opportunities and transformed the lives of individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments through sport since 2005. Take a listen to how Natalie Slemp, a 3rd year student in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program, embarked on her capstone journey and plans to leave an impact along the way.
Featured guest
Natalie Slemp - VCU Occupational Therapy Student
Welcome to CHP Conversations. A podcast series produced by the VCU College of Health Professions. This series includes conversations with faculty, students, and alumni who exemplify our mission to create influential leaders in healthcare. Just like there's no one way to be a student, there's no one way to be an athlete. The relationship between the VCU Occupational Therapy Program and local organization Sportable shows just that. Sportable has created opportunities and transformed the lives of individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments through sports, since 2005. The only adaptive sports club here in central Virginia and one of the top Paralympic sports clubs in the country, Sportable provides sporting opportunities to more than 400 athletes each year by offering a variety of competitive and recreational adaptive sports programs. Today, we are joined by Natalie Slemp, a third year in the OT program here at the College of Health Professions here at VCU, that has partnered with Sportable to make sports accessible in a very creative way. Good morning, Natalie. How are you today? Good. How are you doing well, doing well (Good). Could you share with our listeners just a little bit about yourself? Yeah, I'd love to. So my name is Natalie Slip. I am a third year student here at the VCU OTD program. I am from Abington, Virginia and have recently moved to Richmond and have been living here the past three years and it's been great so far. Very, very cool. Yeah. So the capstone process within occupational therapy is somewhat unique to some of our other programs here in the College of Health Professions. Could you tell us a little bit about, you know, kind of what, what is a Capstone Project? What does that look like? Really like the journey of your Capstone? Yeah, so the capstone process, it kind of begins early on. So we start deciding what capstone we want to pick and round the spring semester of our first-year and then the summer is kind of when we submit a list of projects that we're interested in. So the projects are, there's three different tracks. There's a research track, an education track, and a community track. And so for those tracks, it's- the purpose of the capstone project is to, kind of, immerse yourself in a kind of specialized area or something unique that maybe occupational therapy hasn't broken into yet, or maybe that can advance the profession. And so it kinda gives you an insight to different techniques or interventions that you could possibly take back and use later on in the OT profession. So it's kind of a way for us to learn a lot before we become OT professionals. And also to give back to the OT profession. And how- you mentioned the three different tracks- how did you choose or decide which track you would, you know, your capstone would fall within? So for myself, I kind of- I was interested in research and I did research in undergrad (Okay), but I saw that there was a 3D printing in community so I was like, hey that sounds- (Uh yeah!) yeah, unique and interesting and very fun. And so that was kinda the one I went with. But the process of it was you kind of- you looked at the different tracks and then you picked your top two or top three within those specific tracks. So each track had maybe ten different projects that you could do within that track. (Okay, okay.) And so you chose like your top five kind of deal. And then you would hope that you got picked to do it with the program or with a professor that you wanted to do it with. So you do work with faculty here within the college in addition to kinda like community partners within, within the area, within Richmond? Yes. Very, very cool. Yeah. And so I guess the process as far as is there like a proposal that you have to submit in order to be chosen by the community partners or like a presentation? There is, it's a paper that we write. So we write it in the summer of our first year. (Oh wow.) And so it's a long proposal. It's like, I can't remember, I want to say it was like 10 to 15 pages. Okay, (yeah) jumping in there. Exactly. Yeah. So you picked what you want it and then you explained why you wanted to do it and what the benefits of you doing that project would be, and what you would learn from it and what you would plan to give back if you did that project. And so you kinda just explore the topics a little bit more than you're like, These are what I'm interested in and this is why I want to do it. And here's why I'm qualified to do it and kinda go into that. So you do all of that? Yeah. In the summer of your first year within the program? It's a little overwhelming. Yeah. So you knew automatically that this was, this was something that you wanted to do in a way that you want it to impact the community? Yes, Very, very cool. Yeah, I will say that our professors and everyone have a lot of experience. And so they were great about leading us down the right path and helping us pick what was right for us. And if we feel a little uncomfortable, they were great guides. So what did that look like as far as the relationship with your faculty? Um, I don't know if it was kind of like an advisor that worked with you throughout this process? Yeah. So my advisor was Dr. Virginia Chu (Okay), she was great. Her background is actually in engineering (Oh wow). So she was an engineering major and then she's also an occupational therapist on top of it. So she's got both (She's got it all) coming in. Yes. So she was very knowledgeable about 3D printing and 3D printers, which was so helpful (I'm sure) because I had to go to her so many times to figure out what I was doing. But she was great and she helped me through the process. And also, I didn't really know much about Sportable when I came here. And so Forrest Lodge is with the Sportable company and he was the one I had direct contact with as my community partner. And he was so helpful and kinda introduced me to the right people to help me with the project. And he was very great to work with. So as far as choosing Sportable as your community partner, were there certain values that you were looking for, certain audiences that you'd be able to impact that you were looking for when choosing which community partner you want it to partner with? Yeah, so going into the community track, what really appealed to me was that it's more of a hands-on experience in that you really get to work with people. So that was a big aspect of it. So I got to work hands-on with some of the athletes. But the values is giving back to the community. Sportable is a non-profit, and so they already give back to their community so much. And so being able to give them something that helps all of these athletes was very rewarding and impactful. So that was a big part of it. And then it was just something unique and different. And I thought it'd be kind of challenging and fun to do so. That was another part that I looked into. So could you tell us your title of your capstone project? Yeah so- And kind of the the problem that you were trying to solve or the outcome that you're looking for. Yeah, so it was kinda looking into 3D printing is still a new technology and it's up and coming. And there's not much research on it at all in the realm of occupational therapy and physical rehabilitation, it's still new and it's still being introduced. So I really wanted to apply it more and see kind of how customizable on how applicable it was to occupational therapy. So my project is called 3D printing in physical rehabilitation, but more specifically looking into occupational therapy. And so that occupation for this project was like social engagement, social participation and daily activities such as playing sports (okay, yeah) and getting out there and being healthy. So could you share with us a little bit about the timeframe as far as, kind of, when you started the project and when you were able to actually connect with the audience and kind of the outcomes and that sort of whole deal. Yeah, So we found out which project we got around the fall of our second year is when my project took place. So in the spring of 2022, towards the end, I got in contact with Forrest Lodge at Sportable and we talked and he kinda just gave me the layout of how or what the program needed and what they were looking for. And this project had actually started a year prior. And so [inaudible] had worked on this project prior (Okay) to me. So she was a year above me, and she worked with Sportable and they had just started kinda doing the wheelchair racing gloves for the wheelchair racing program. And she was also working on other things on top of that. So I just took over where she left off and then I started that this past summer. And it actually worked out perfectly because once I finish the project this summer, and my main focus was the wheelchair racing gloves. So I got to work on that and work with one of Sportable's athletes who has actually been a wheelchair racing athlete for a very long time, for quite a few years. So he was able to give me some great feedback on the gloves so that way I can make adjustments prior to their season, which started in the fall, so early this fall is when the racing started. And so I actually got to finish the gloves and deliver them, let them test it out and get the feedback from them. Oh, wow. Yeah. Okay, so you- let me get this right. So you printed, like 3D printed (Mhm.) gloves (Yes.) for them to be able to use. Yes. They are-. That is so cool. It was very nice. It was really fun to do. Let me tell you it was a process because it was a lot of trial and error for sure in the beginning because 3D printing was new to me. We did it in one class prior to that and we just did like little things, right? Right, so creating a whole glove that's very intricate. Very intricate. And luckily, so the wheelchair racing gloves are a little bit different than what normal gloves are. So it's more so that your thumb goes into it and your fingers wrap around. So it's- your fingers are free instead of being in like an actual glove. And then it's like a hard plastic or the material that the 3D printer uses is on the bottom. And that is what strikes. The wheels of the wheelchair to propel. Okay. Yeah. Now, would you create a different glove for each racer or was it kind of like for a team? It was- so for Sportable, they have a lot of new athletes. So some of them have been doing it for quite a long time. And for those athletes, like the one I worked with directly, he already had like custom made gloves for himself. And ones that he had actually made for himself because they're hard to find and they can be- well, they're not hard to find. There can be very expensive. I can imagine. Yeah. Especially because there are 3D printed gloves already out there. They can range from they can get upwards to the a hundreds of dollars, like 3- or $400 just depending on the (Sure.) customizations and stuff of them. So for the racers at Sportable, a lot of them are newer to the sport. And so Sportable will just wanted more like universal size gloves. So that way the athletes who are trying it out (They have something) don't have to make this- right. And they don't have to make this big money commitment and spend all this money before they even know they liked the sport. Right. Okay. Yeah. that makes that makes complete sense. Yeah. So what was it like sort of building on a project from, I guess it wouldn't have been a classmate, but from a peer or someone that was in the program prior to you. Yeah, so Katt(?) did a fantastic job starting it off and we just kinda went- I kinda build off of what she did, which she had covered the fingers. And they were just working on like the striking aspect of it. And so we built off of that. And I had found a website called Instructables, and it's from Wichita State University. They had also created 3D printed gloves already. And so we took both of those and kind of combined and we print it out the gloves from Wichita State University. And then when I took them for a trial run with the athlete who's been doing this for a long time and had great information, he was saying that for him when they had to turn the chair because you're like- Where we try them out at was on a track. Okay. So imagine making left turns, but where they actually race is on trails and stuff. So there's a bunch of different turns. And he was saying when he turns he needs to have his fingers free. And so some of these gloves, if there wasn't a strap on them or if all the fingers recovered, it was hard to get those fingers for you to turn. And so what we did is we went back in. There's an application software called Tinkercad. And that's where you can customize and fix these gloves for the 3D printer. So we went back into that and we cut out a hole for at least two of the fingers to stick out. And so that way you would have that freedom to be able to turn the gloves. That's so cool. Yeah, so it was a process and it was kinda cool to see where it Katt(?) had started from to where it's ended up now. And yeah, and Sportable has them now and they've been using them, which has been really cool to see. So you've kind of been able to see the outcome, you've been able to see the product and, kind of, how that impacts the athletes. Yeah. Were you- so you were there, I'm assuming like one of the races or one of the big first races? I went to one of the practices beforehand. So I didn't get to make it to the marathon, unfortunately. But I did get to see them in practice. And so for some of the newer racers, they were uncomfortable because they're not, it's a different feeling and you get, get used to it and there's a different technique to it. But for some of them who were trying it out and they tried it multiple times, they were like, Yeah, this is great. It's protected my fingers. You know. I don't worry about them getting caught because they move pretty fast. Yeah. And so having those fingers protected is a huge part of the race. Oh, yeah. Yeah. So what was that like to see something that you'd created kind of like out there and being able to help someone? It was great, to put it lightly. It was a fun experience. It was definitely a little challenging and there were certain parts that we had to get over, but getting to hear their feedback and seeing them actually use it, just, it's a very rewarding feeling. And hopefully I- it's something that they can keep using and that it benefits that program. And it was just really fun to be a part of. And I just am so grateful that I got to be a part of it and hopefully make an impact there. That's awesome. I'm sure. I'm sure they are likewise grateful. So what's next? So with the project and capstone, is that something that you then have to present or is that something that then goes to another level within the program? What does that look like? So hopefully this is kinda the opening gate of 3D printing for Sportable, especially because they have other sports that they have said that they have interest in having more 3D printed materials for. So hopefully it leads to them getting some more stuff from other OT students or other students in the College of Health Professions who are interested in 3D printing. But for me, I have actually submitted a proposal to AOTA, which is the American Occupational Therapy Association. There is a national conference in the spring, so next April. And so I submitted a proposal to hopefully talk about this project and where OT lies with 3D printing and how it can be really applicable to our field and how it can benefit a lot of patients or a lot of individuals that we see with different needs. Very cool. Yeah, thank you. I know you had said before like there's not a lot of research out there. So now you're likr pioneering the whole new wave, the new wave. So hopefully after the conference we can kind of get you back for like a second-parter, maybe, (maybe yeah) to talk about what that looked like. Um, so I certainly appreciate you sharing with us your experience with Sportable in your capstone project. Before we close, I do have just a few kind of fun questions. We like to call them Chip and Choose, it's like a lightning round. Alright. So I'm gonna give you just like five different questions and the first thing that comes to mind. Oh okay. Okay. All right, your favorite place on campus? I don't go to the undergrad campus very much, but on MCV campus, I love the fifth floor, the College of Health Professions Building on the terrace. Yes. It's beautiful. It's so nice. It's so nice and it's the OT floor, so shoutout to OT. Shoutout to OT. Yeah, it's really nice up there and it's very relaxing and peaceful and you can see the city. So it's really- probably my favorite spot. Agreed, agreed. Yeah. I'm not biased at all to OT, but it's a really, really nice spot. Okay, so the title of your favorite OT class or section. Oh, okay. A couple. Oh even better. One of my favorites was it was called occupational synthesis and adaptations. And that was actually the class that introduced me to 3D printing. So that class was very intense. It was it was like two weeks in the summer (Oh wow). And so we did woodworking, we did 3D printing. We did sewing. Oh my gosh, there was so much so. But it was like, it was a very fun way to see how occupational therapy can adapt and modify different things. And so it was a really fun and challenging course. It's probably one of my favorites. And then I really liked assistive technology because it was kinda cool to just see like all the gadgets that we get to work with and things that can help people. And then I actually really enjoyed the clinical reasoning class. So it was kinda putting our knowledge to the test. And so it was like in our last year or second year or last year is just fieldwork. So our second year, towards the end, it was taking a kind of all information we've learned and applying it to clinical settings. So giving us like a, here's your case. What would you do? And then you get to do like hands-on stuff, which was really neat. Very cool. Yeah. So kind of get the both-and approach within the program. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. The last local foods spot you've done it? One of my favorites. Wood and iron. Wood and- Oh that's a new one. Where's that? In Scott's Addition. Okay, okay, okay. It's fantastic. And their wings are delicious. I love a good wing. But their chicken tenders. Oh my gosh, they're amazing. Their chicken tenders. I know (Really?) that sounds like a child, but they aren't fantastic. They're breaded perfectly. You get them with some buffalo sauce and ranch. Okay, So you heard it here first. Wood and iron, their chicken tenders. That's what you go for, that's what you go for. Okay. If your Capstone weren't on this and you had to choose something else, what do you think it would have been? There were so many great options. I guess if I could have submitted my own. So (Yeah) with the capstone process, you could have submitted your own (Okay). And like I said, they gave you a ton of topics and a definite ton of different stuff that you could choose from. But if you really were passionate about something, you can propose it. I was super interested in doing work with Parkinson's patients or patients who have Parkinson's disease. My grandmother had Parkinson's and so that's a population that I'm really passionate about and really would've loved to work more with. I guess in the moment I didn't really know how to go into that and it was anything but looking back, and I loved the 3D printing project and I'm so glad I did it. But that probably would've been another area that would've been super interested in. Well, you never know where research might take. Yeah, sure. Okay. Now this one, this is like my favorite question of all, and it's very, very intense and serious. Okay, so prepare yourself. I'm ready. Nutsy the Squirrel, Rodney the Ram or Kickaroo the Kangaroo? Natasha is not on that list? You know, every episode someone adds something to the list. We'll add Nutsy- Was it Natasha? Nutsy? Natasha, it's Nutsy and Natasha are both had the squirrels, but definitely Nutsy. Nutsy? Yeah, big squirells fan. Alright, alright. I can, I can get with Nutsy. He's, he's pretty cool. Yeah he's pretty cool. Gotta love the cape. Oh yeah, oh yeah. Well, now that you say that I do like Natasha is pink cape. Yeah of course. That's a good point. But thank you so much, Natalie, (thank you for having me) for walk me through the capstone process and your personal journey through the capstone process with Sportable. For more information on Sportable and the VCU occupational therapy program, check out the show notes for the link. There are many ways to get connected and our OT faculty, staff and students are super excited to speak with you. We hope to hear from you soon. Have a good one. Thank you.