Confidence developed behind the wheel, in the community

Confidence developed behind the wheel, in the community

When East Carolina University graduate student Hannah VanStaalduinen talks to her peers who also are studying occupational therapy, she often hears some version of this phrase: 'Oh, you go to ECU. You guys have that driving boot camp.'

And its influence has spread widely.

Terri Cassidy, a colleague and friend of Dickerson's, took parts of ECU's program and incorporated it into the Fitness to Drive program that has four locations in Colorado. A past ECU presentation at a conference in Chicago about the law enforcement role scenarios sparked people attending that session to add the activity in their city.

"They've heard of us," said VanStaalduinen, who earned her bachelor's degree from ECU in recreational therapy before entering the Master of Science in occupational therapy program. "People from all over know what we are doing here."

Recreational therapy and occupational therapy are both part of the College of Health and Human Sciences, which launched July 1 as a large health-focused college with more than 4,000 students.

Success stories

Dickerson's impact as camp founder and an occupational therapist was highlighted by winning the 2020 Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service. There also are plenty of success stories.

She recalls a person in their early 20s who had been told he would never drive.

"He came to the evaluation in a tie and jacket, with a notebook like it was a job interview," Dickerson said. "He was so earnest. He attended and did awesome. He got his license a week or so later after the boot camp."

There also was an ECU student who had a limited desire to drive. He used camp to learn the university's bus system better, which immediately took pressure off the student's father to be his frequent driver.

Jamie Smith can relate.

Smith's son, Alex, 20, has a rare genetic disorder that hinders his processing skills. He earned his license at age 17 prior to his senior year of high school.

"As a parent, this program helped give me more confidence in him pursuing getting his license," Smith said. "One of the things we learned is practice helps prepare for situations, so a few days before school started, he practiced driving the route and parking in his spot in school and how to leave by taking the safest route. He was able to transport himself and his sister back and forth to school and has been able to get a job and take classes at Pitt Community College. Having his own form of transportation has been much easier on our whole family."

Like many other campers since 2015, gaining more confidence at camp was a turning point for Alex.

"It helped me be more confident about driving the first time as a teenager and then helped me progress more when I became an adult," he said. "When I had my permit, my mom taught me how to drive more safely and I'm very proud of that. When I was little, she was a role model for me. Camp also was very important, because if I didn't get my license, then I wouldn't be where I am today."

Jamie Smith, ECU's director of media relations and reputation management, credited camp for emphasizing specific skills related to decision-making.

"I really liked that they focused on how quickly the students could respond in certain situations and how quickly they can make decisions using their executive functioning skills," she said. "Alex likes to drive and I think he's a good driver."

Anxiety into confidence

The driving simulator is a microcosm for camp.

"Turn after turn, you can see the improvements," Dickerson said.

But improvement isn't universal. Progression during the week is documented and plans are adjusted and individualized, giving campers the opportunity to increase difficulty in driving simulations at their own pace.

If evaluations lead to the determination that a person should not drive, Dickerson and the students shift to focus on other means of community mobility.

Yester is five years removed from high school, and he was unsure what to expect on the first day of camp. He was calmed as he immersed himself into the daily schedule.

"Going back to a class (setting) definitely made me nervous," he said. "But once I got into these classrooms for the first time, I realized it wasn't high school and they are just helping me get comfortable. I'm learning, but it's in a non-stressful way."

Occupational therapy student Rachel McClain was drawn to campers like Yester, who have graduated from high school and are seeking more independence, whether that is driving or advancing in other community mobility options.

"They need those skills," McClain said. "This place is absolutely wonderful. It's the best fieldwork I could have chosen. I'm really lucky to be here."

This year's camp was led by Dickerson and six ECU students, who were joined by 12 campers.

"We're here and we are helping, but she is the mastermind behind it all," student Kaitlyn Votava said of Dickerson. "We're just implementing her plan. We trust her so much and are so grateful for everything she has done and all the work she has put in for this program. It's what makes an occupational therapist. You have to experience it and get the feel for it."

ECU's students also are aware they are part of a program that truly is unique at the national level.

"I think being able to offer this at no cost is a big deal for the community, because you can't find something else like this," VanStaalduinen said.

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