The Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre has installed an obstacle course to complement its diverse treatment programme.
The project was initiated and completed by the centre’s occupational therapy department headed by Kendra Neethling who said while the building of the course was completed with the help of Rand Aid grounds manager George Vermeulen, the patients were involved every step of the way.
The course was officially unveiled on 13 October, where Neethling gave a brief background on the project. She said, “I noticed a need for greater leisure exploration, more productive time use and healthy activities which offer an alternative to drug and alcohol use.”
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She added that the journey towards the opening of the course had many challenges and successes. “I think the highlight of the experience, apart from the skills learnt and the completion of the course itself, was the whole ‘doing process’ engaged in by both the patients and me.
“We worked as a team towards the achievement of a goal. With addicts, this is a huge accomplishment as any attachment or relationship formation is dangerous and vulnerable territory for them.”
After residents had tried out the course Neethling noted, “A lot of excitement, anticipation, energy and enthusiasm was carried through the morning. The obstacle course encouraged teamwork, cooperation, effective communication, problem-solving and internal motivation, not to mention humour and the ability to let go and have some fun.”
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Neethling concluded that she found it fulfilling that the course would be there for years to come, and would be enjoyed not only by the current patients but by people who sought help at Wedge Gardens in the future.
“One of the greatest ways to develop a sense of meaning and satisfaction is to do something for the greater good of others. I do my job for my patients, for the people I work with, and that’s the thing I love the most about being an occupational therapist – through occupation and activity I work with my patients to achieve treatment outcomes.
“There is no greater feeling of success than walking a mile with someone else on their journey and being able to smile at the end.”
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