June 11, 2024
Congratulations to our 2024 Jennifer Baker Scholar!
Dominique Bassallo is pursuing her Master’s in Occupational Therapy (OT) at American International College in Springfield, MA.
“All people have a right to participate in meaningful occupations,” she asserted in her application for our scholarship opportunity. (“Occupations” is OT-speak for activities.)
“That is what motivates me.”
Dominique will use the $1,000 scholarship award for tuition fees and to update her equipment for her assistive technology sports Level II fieldwork.
Specifically, Dominique will be hitting the slopes!
Working with New England Disabled Sports, she plans to train as a snowboard/ski coaching instructor with clients using adaptive ski/riding equipment. “I had the opportunity to shadow a lesson this winter, and it was amazing to see the athletes outfitted in their equipment and excited to hit the mountain.”
Dominique was first drawn to the field of occupational therapy because of the link between mental health and meaningful activities. She writes that she has always enjoyed sports and “the functional use of my body in these occupations” and is determined to assist others to experience the same satisfaction.
REquipment, Inc. is delighted to support this passion, especially since it grew out of Dominique’s experience working as a caregiver to individuals with disabilities who rely on assistive technology and durable medical equipment. Her application sketched an impressive journey to deciding on occupational therapy. She writes of seeing first-hand the power assistive technology has to empower individuals with significant disabilities.
We were also impressed by her thoughtful response on the role of reuse: “[My client] taught me about reuse and sustainability opportunities with AT/DME through donating her previous power chairs.” Going forward, she knows it will be her responsibility to educate DME users on the use and care of their equipment, she explains, and also how to pay it forward by donating what they are no longer using.
This is exactly the mindset REquipment is working to create, and we are thrilled to be the program Dominique will turn to for years to come as she supports her clients to maximize their independence and “participate in meaningful occupations.”
Congratulations Dominique!
The Jennifer Baker Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 award that honors the memory of our beloved program director, who passed away at the beginning of 2022. Jen Baker was a lifelong learner who helped build the REquipment program.