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Rebeca Hawthorne
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Mother
Wife
Occupational Therapist
Realtor
Investor
Creator
​
About Me
When I was 8 years old my father became paralyzed from the neck down. Our home had to undertake some changes to support his needs during this time of transition in our lives. During my childhood I would assist my Dad with his construction projects and we would brainstorm ways to make the property accessible through universal design. I thrived in this setting and he inspired my love for homes and using my creativity for the good.
I went on to study occupational therapy. An OT uses a wholistic perspective to improve a person's ability to fulfill their activities of daily living. We asses and find solutions for individuals to be able to participate in their meaningful occupations. How a person functions in their home environment directly impacts their life physically, mentally and emotionally. Typically an OT provides services to individuals with illness, injury or disability. With that said, much of our approach is beneficial to most individuals and groups. While I enjoyed practicing OT in a clinical setting, I missed my passion for home design. Little did I know, my creative passions could collide in my future.
When I became a mother, life became chaotic and overwhelming. I was physically and mentally exhausted. I needed my daily routines to become easier within my home. With mindful research, application, and my husband’s encouragement, we executed a home design. It was minimal and sustainable, to give us time to enjoy all the precious memories; functional and purposeful, to support our everyday roles and routines; tranquil and peaceful, to nurture our wellbeing and; safe and secure, to be our place of refuge. Our home slowly started to serve us and our daily roles and routines. In addition to a functional home, aesthetics were never sacrificed.
​I dedicate Serene Home to my dad and my daughters. I am grateful for this journey and would be honored to facilitate happiness and well-being in your home.
Please call or email me with any questions or inquiries!
Experience
Mother
Taking on the role of Mother, was the most sacrificial role I had ever undertaken. I wanted to enjoy every precious moment but my mental state and physical challenges of recovering from a c-section had me limited. My occupation of caring for others was placed before me. I realized taking care of myself resulted in a greater outcome of my families well-being. Modifying our homes design and lifestyle gave us the opportunity for all of us to be happy and well. I want to use therapeutic use of self to empower all caregivers to discover solutions to have a home that serves them, while keeping their family safe, happy and beautiful.
St. Louis Children's Hospital
Working in a variety of setting with multidisciplinary medical teams, my main role was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. I would evaluate and treat a child, whom has had undergone a new injury or illness that could potentially be life threatening. Many children admitted in this unit had been in an accident that was life altering. This position holds a very important space in my heart as I became a mother during this time. Parents were in a very vulnerable state and felt comforted that I could sympathize with them. I would lie in bed thinking about them at night and wonder how they had transitioned home after the discharge. Or I would rock my babies to sleep and be wondering about the mama who didn't get to take her baby home was coping. With Serene Home, I want to prevent the accident before a family ever has to experience the PICU. I also wish to support a family in their environment after an altering experience. I want them to have all the resources easily accessible. These families have so much on their plate, juggling their health, jobs, finances, family and happiness.
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
The children in this setting were at one time in an acute care setting. As an Occupational Therapist, I provide rehabilitation to prepare them at the hospital to return home safely.We work on skills to grow and develop no matter the situation. I enjoyed being employed at Children's and Ranken simultaneously. This gave me the opportunity to see the kiddos progressing from the ICU setting to be a kid again "beyond the bedside".
Missouri First Steps, Early Intervention
Provide therapeutic home or community visits to children ages 0-3 with or at risk of developmental delay. I educate and train caregivers on child development and how to support their child's needs. I facilitate the childs participate in daily occupations, including but not limited to feeding, sleep hygiene, communication, potty training, and play. I love assisting families in setting up a child for success with the appropriate toys and opportunities to learn around them.
Family member of individual with differing abilities due to injury
With my personal experience growing up with a father whom was paralyzed from the neck down, I am constantly evaluating spaces, thinking about who can and can't access it. My father was the man that did not let his disability define him. If there was something he wanted to do, we would find the solution. Environmental hurdles should not keep an individual from pursuing desires and daily activities that are meaningful to them.
St. Louis Public Schools
I facilitated a child's learning within the classroom setting by providing occupational therapy to child and training to teacher. At the schools, it was difficult to provide carry-over of skills into the home. Much of a child's learning stems from the home. There are lifestyle strategies, environmental supports and resources that can help bridge this gap.
Realtor
As a real estate investor with several properties including a midterm rental for healthcare providers. I have obtained my real estate license to grow our real estate business. My husband and I have purchased, renovated and sold many homes with great return on investment. I have my staging design certificate as well. I hope to use my real estate knowledge and networking within these groups as a way to promote universal design.
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