TJ Lee, ATACP, COTA/L, FMT
I grew up around East LA and SGV area, from a young age, I wanted to help people. As a kid I would calm kids at preschool when their parents left to helping feed the homeless with the church and key club in high school, finishing high school I wanted to know that I was going to help others then my life flipped upside down and I was the one needing the help, I got into a car accident leaving me paralyzed from the neck down with a spinal cord injury at the C4-C5 level incomplete with a 4% chance of getting back on my feet. The story of the accident told by my friend, Ryan Conferido, who was also in the car accident. (http://www.onedayatatime365.org/blog/title/9/13/year) Having never been in the hospital for a serious injury before I had the full treatment, from lungs collapsing, MRSA, and a pressure sore to name a few. After about 5 months of no movement I finally had little return, this, in turn, got the ball rolling working my way from a power chair then worked my way up from power wheelchair, wheelchair, walker, crutches and now with weakness on my right side but getting around on my own power most of the time.
During that time I slowly started my course to help people again, went to community college then came to Cal State University of Fullerton. While I was at CSUF decided on a Health Science major to find out more about myself while working toward my goal of a bachelors degree. During my time at CSUF, I had rechartered a community service co-ed fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, Omega Sigma Chapter along with being active with clubs on campus. In my later years of finishing my major I had to do volunteering hours, I kept in close contact with my old Physical Therapist and decided to volunteer at my old rehab facility. While in the therapy gym I saw the Occupational Therapist working on a bunch of things like dressing yourself, games, feeding yourself and that is where I remembered what I did in the Occupational Therapy sessions, I remember the struggles and frustration because I couldn't get my shirt on, feed myself and play a simple game, now I got why they were doing it. That's when I knew I wanted to be the OT profession.
I researched what I needed to do and what school I needed to attend, good thing my major did the prerequisites for any OT program but I found out the cost of the Masters program and the time it will take to get my there so I found an alternative, OT assistant, my prerequisites still applied and by the time I got my bachelor's I could start the program at Santa Ana. The 2 years went by quick due to my first-hand knowledge of therapy. Now as a therapist I know how it feels to be in my clients shoes. With the limits of treatment I was not able to share everything I wanted to so I created this blog to inform and empower others in the community through my own experiences. I live one day a time and I try to instill the same principles to my clients to do the same during their hardest moments.
CSUF Daily Titan News Article : Alumnus Competes in Races and Thrives in His Health Science Career Despite Spinal injury
Services for: Wellness, Pain Management, Assistive Technology and Living In Place (Accessibility and Home Modifications)
TeeJay utilizes a practical and multi-disciplinary approach to screening and treatments with the knowledge of pain, soft tissue, and neurology. Each client will be treated with a combination of manual therapy, corrective taping, and exercises. Working with each client to go beyond treating just the pain is and go after the cause.
With a personal belief in taking care of his own health, he currently pushes himself physically and mentally as an adaptive athlete. TeeJay has completed stair races, Spartan Races, 5ks, bike marathons and the Redbull 500.
License/Certification:
Assistive Technology Applications Certification: Cal State University, Northridge
California Board of Occupational Therapy
Functional Movement Techniques Basic / Blades (IASTM ) / Blades Advanced / Performance: RockTape
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
Heath Education: Cal State University, Fullerton
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CREDENTIALS RECEIVED BY DFD OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST - STATE OF CA - LIC # OTA2872 NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFICATION IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY - CERT # 324730 NASM STRETCHING & FLEXIBILITY COACH - CERT # 1210708428 BASIC LIFE SUPPORT CPR & AED KINESIOLOGY TAPING REDEFINED: FASCIAL MOVEMENT TAPING LEVEL 1 FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT TRAINING PERFORMANCE FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT TRAINING BLADES FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT TRAINING BLADES ADVANCED COVID-19 COMPLIANCE OFFICER LIABILITY INSURANCE All documents are on file.