Karen G. Larino

Good day, CRS! As the month of September comes to an end, we would like to feature one diligent and dedicated individual—Karen G. Larino—a third year Occupational Therapy student at Liceo de Cagayan University. Let’s get to know her more!

To start, Karen G. Larino revealed that she did not know about Occupational Therapy, not until her nephew was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury or Erb-Duchenne Palsy and underwent physical therapy. Her sister told her that the therapy clinic needed an occupational therapist, and that was the time she became curious about the profession. She then personally chose BS Occupational therapy at LDCU and her family motivated her to give all the other options that will be good for her future a thorough thinking. Eventually, her family supported her decision in choosing the course since Karen is the youngest child and she will be the one who is studying.

Her goals for this school year are to focus more on the topics that will be given to them and her role as the current Vice President for the College of Rehabilitation Sciences Department. She is enjoying and savoring her last two years at Liceo de Cagayan University before they take the internship in Cebu City next school year, as part of an OT student's 4th year. These past 3 years, she realized that the OT course is not at all that easy. For her, it crucially needs a lot of patience, understanding, time, effort, and passion for you to do all the interventions and assessments to a client. She mentions that "It takes a village to teach a child”. The role of an occupational therapist highlights the patient's physical, mental, developmental, and emotional barriers and help them with their ability to perform daily tasks and activities. She also added that doctors, therapists and even parents/caregivers are really indeed important to make better interventions have an effective result. This course needs an open communication and a great teamwork from different professions in the medical field to have a successful treatment.

Although she does not have concrete plans about her future, she said that after her graduation, she will focus and invest her time and effort for the board exam for licensure. She would save up financially and let herself work for a few years for experience and after that, she would apply abroad to enhance her skills more and to be in her better career. Karen is definitely a hard-working student, who puts in the effort for her future, while also being an active leader in CRS department.

Karen’s advice to current and upcoming OT students is to “Study smart not study hard and don't pressure yourself too much. Just learn things one step at a time. Understand all the topics by heart and think that those lessons are useful for your future career. Don't forget to have fun while in your college years and bond with your classmates and friends. Don't forget to seek guidance from our teachers, parents and even to the one who created us—Lord Jesus Christ”.

Written by: Juan Miguel Palarca, CRS Newsletter