by Brie Weisman, Occupational Therapist. Also published by Commercial Fisheries News June 2022 Hollywood often gets things wrong, but when the Academy gave CODA the Oscar for best film, best adapted screenplay, and CODA’s Troy Kostur best-supporting actor, it got it right. Kostur played a deaf Gloucester fisherman, working on his boat alongside his deaf […]
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by Brie Weisman, Occupational Therapist Also published by Commercial Fisheries News May 2022 “Industrial Athlete”, a relatively recent term, refers to workers in physically demanding jobs outside of sports. Being on your feet all day, doing physically demanding work while being exposed to weather, and keeping your balance on a boat requires prowess, strength, and […]
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by Corey Young, OTS, UNE and Maine FishAbility Also published by Commercial Fisheries News April 2022 According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 17,700 spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur each year in the United States, with men accounting for about 78% of cases. The highest risk of obtaining a SCI is while […]
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by Brie Weisman, Occupational Therapist Also published by Commercial Fisheries News March 2022 Strokes are the fifth most common cause of death in the U.S., affecting up to 30% of Americans. The vast majority of strokes are the result of a blood clot to the brain, which can cause brain damage, disability, and death. In […]
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Harvesting seafood for a living can exact a stiff toll on the lower back. A new program — a collaboration between yoga instructor and Port Clyde oyster farmer Antonia Small, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, and Maine AgrAbility — aims to introduce fishermen to yoga to keep them on their feet and out on the water. […]
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By Brie Weisman, OT/L Maine FishAbility Also published by Commercial Fisheries News February 2022 For many today, yoga conjures images of rubber-boned, slender women imitating pretzels, but this ancient, ever-evolving practice was devised as a practical method for everyone to improve mind and body awareness. More athletes turn to yoga every year; LeBron James does […]
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by Brie Weisman, OT, Maine FishAbility Also published by Commercial Fisheries News January 2022 FishAbility: Secrets of Lobstering as a Centenarian Maine’s newest celebrity is the world’s oldest commercial lobster harvester. At 101, Virginia Oliver has hit national and international news and was the November cover girl for DownEast magazine. I had the opportunity to […]
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Written by Brie Weisman, OT- FishAbility Aging is inevitable. How you age is up to you. With the average age of commercial fishermen being 40 years old, it’s incredible to know there are few still fishing at 100 years old. You may suspect centenarian fishermen of having good genes, but they also do a […]
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By Michaela Marden, Masters Occupational Therapist Student, USM Also published by Commercial Fisheries News November 2021 FishAbility: Fishermen and Rotator Cuff Injuries Shoulder and back injuries are commonly reported by fishermen. The movement of a boat on rough seas and inclement weather conditions can increase risk of a traumatic injury, and more specifically to the […]
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By Brie Weisman, Occupational Therapist Also published by Commercial Fisheries News September 2021 FishAbility: Fishermen and Occupational Therapists FishAbility works with fishermen who have chronic health issues or had an accident or injury, and want to continue working safely and productively. To do this, Occupational Therapists (OTs) on FishAbility staff help identify and address fishermen’s […]
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