Recreation Therapy Specialist: ‘It’s a Fun Job!’

By Barbara Pierce

Samantha Hallenbeck is a recreation therapy specialist at Upstate Cerebral Palsy.

In Central New York, Upstate Cerebral Palsy is the leading provider of direct-care services and programs for children and adults who are physically, developmentally or mentally challenged and their families.

The nonprofit provides innovative programs and services to support people and help them reach their highest potential.

Hallenbeck, 26, lives in Utica and has worked for Upstate Cerebral Palsy for four years as a recreation therapy specialist, working with adults in the program.

Q: What kinds of things do you do as a recreation therapy specialist?

A: Each day I do something different with the adults who come to our program. Anyone who’s a client of Upstate Cerebral Palsy, 21 years old or older, can come to the program.

Our program covers Upstate New York. We spread from Bloombelle to Morristown and everywhere in between. I travel from place to place quite a bit of the time.

I create projects, using art, projects that the participants create. I often base the projects on the season of the year that we’re in. Some of the art projects we do are painting projects, using acrylics, sometimes watercolors. We do pottery projects, and even have a wheelchair accessible pottery wheel. Photography projects are another popular thing, as are silk scarf designs where each person creates a totally unique scarf by hand painting their scarves with silk dyes and paints.

Q: How did you get involved in this career?

A: I received a BA degree in graphic design. That degree prepared me for a career in graphic design, doing things like creating ads and working for corporations. But after I got this degree, I found that I’m not really into graphic design, I’m not into promoting brands.So I took a job as a substitute teacher in special education for pre-K. Then one day, I saw an ad for this position as a recreation therapist. I applied. I got hired — that was four years ago.

Q: What’s the best thing about this position?

A: The best thing about it? That’s hard to say! I really like every aspect of this job. Each day is different. Each day I come in and decide who I’m going to work with today and how we’re going to work.

I like that I’m given the opportunity to lean from the participants. I’ve learned so much about communication. I’ve especially learned how to be an effective listener. I’m constantly learning and I like that.

As the people I work with have a wide range of abilities, it’s challenging for me to figure out ways to adapt each of the projects to the abilities of each person. Some of the people I work with have physical limitations, others are mentally challenged. I’m constantly learning.

The most interesting piece of what I do is using adaptive equipment, adaptive technology. I figure out how to adapt our projects to each person’s abilities. He might not have fine motor coordination, so it’s up to me to figure out how he can participate, how can I make this project so it will work for him?

It’s a fun job. I get to hang out with cool people and art supplies.

And it definitely keeps my creativity going.

Q: What personal qualities does it take to be successful in this position?

A: My goal is that persons of all abilities will have control of their own art-making process. This is because the creation of art creation is a tool; it’s a personal expression. For example, for those who have limited use of their hands, I need to figure out a way for that person to create his or her own paintings. Though I might put the paint on the canvas for him, the creator of the painting makes every decision from start to finish. The person doing the creation selects the size of the canvas to be cut, the mixing and blending of colors and where what color is to go on the canvas.

This concept is hard for some people to understand. As the person doing the creating has limitations, people often want to make the decisions for that person. The challenge for some people is that you have to back off from having control. You can’t dictate to the person how he or she should do this art project. You can’t say something to a participant like: “You shouldn’t use black; why don’t you use yellow instead?” That’s not OK. When I hear this happening, I politely tell the person to back off. Advocating for that is my mission.

Q: Anything else you’d like us to know?

A: We’re open to volunteers. We’ve got a great variety of opportunities for volunteers. Just see our website (www.upstatecp.org/waysto-give/volunteer-program) or call 315-724-6907.