Neuro Note 1

Queer Eye: Season 4 Episode 2: Disabled but Not Really

Queer Eye is a television show featuring 5 men who pick people across the United States and revamp their lives in the areas of lifestyle, food, grooming, style, and housing. I have watched this show for a long time now, but have never seen an episode that related to occupational therapy (specifically neurobiology) like the episode “Disabled but Not Really”. I chose this episode, because I feel as though it articulates exactly how a spinal cord injury affects an individual’s life (both mentally and physically) and how specific adaptations can be made to help a person successfully live their life to the fullest. 

This episode begins by describing a man named Wesley who is 30 years old and is a community acitivist. Wesley has started a foundation called “Disabled but not really”. After having a rough childhood, he began engaging in a lot of dangerous behavior. Wesley was shot in his abdomen and was paralyzed from the waist down. Paralyzed from the waist down, Wesley became bedridden for 2 years following his accident. He struggled with accepting his circumstances and became depressed. 

Working out quickly became one of Wesley’s passions and he lost 100 pounds. During the episode Wesley demonstrated using a reacher to access things that he may otherwise not be able to reach in his closet, which perfectly aligns with a goal that an occupational therapist might put into place. 

Throughout the episode, they worked with Wesley to make lots of adaptations to his home so that he could better access the environment and do things that he loves. They taught him different recipes so that he can cook food that is healthy and easy for him to cook. They made adaptations to his home so that he could have complete independence. They installed things such as grab bars. It was awesome to see things that we hear about in the therapy realm being talked about so casually on a popular tv show. They upgraded his ramp so that it was safe and accessible for him to use. They lowered the countertops in his kitchen and took down the upper cabinets. 

At one point, Wesley said “Now I don’t feel challenged!”. I imagine as a future occupational therapist this is something I hope to give to my future clients. Wesley said that the adaptations made to his house gave him a whole new sense of independence. With spinal cord injuries, it is important that they have that sense of independence and freedom to access their surroundings and do not feel hindered. It was evident that Wesley felt so much more able after the team had upgraded his home, and look. It was truly touching to watch. It made me anxious and excited to be able to have the same impact on my future client’s lives. 

Queer Eye can be viewed on Netflix.