Classes of 2007 and 2008, Occupational Therapy Major

Three days after a February 2000 car accident that left one hand useless, Jessica Wallen met Terri Pyles, a licensed occupational therapist who was to become Jessica’s inspiration to pursue a career in occupational therapy.

It was her senior year of high school, and Jessica’s right hand went through the windshield of a car, which rolled on top of her hand. The hand was 90 percent severed, but doctors were able to re-attach it. After more than 30 surgeries – 20 of them during the year following the accident – Jessica still has only 10 percent use of her hand. But most people don’t even notice.

In June 2005, she graduated from Wright State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In April 2007, she and her husband celebrated the birth of their new baby girl. In May 2007, she graduated from UF with her bachelor’s degree in applied health sciences. Now, she continues her studies toward a master’s degree in occupational therapy. After graduating, Jessica plans to continue her education and work on her doctorate, focusing on occupational therapy research that will help others who are dealing with the same struggles she has dealt with since the accident.

“When I’m helping a patient, I can understand what they are going through,” said Jessica. “I also know that no two people are the same, so I can relate on a personal, therapeutic level. I’m there to help them physically and also to help them mentally because that is a challenge. You need to understand what they’re going through.”

OT Terri Pyles (left) continues to be an inspiration to Jessica and works with her to continually improve the use of her right hand.

Pyles, who was Jessica’s occupational therapist following all of her surgeries, continued to inspire Jessica and give her the courage to go on. “She fixed me physically, and she fixed my spirit,” said Jessica, who battled several challenges following the accident.

In 2002, Jessica was enrolled in an occupational therapy program at Eastern Kentucky University, but just two days after classes started, she was forced to move back home to Urbana, Ohio, for surgery number 25. An infection in her injured arm was so severe that it took five additional surgeries to save it. She was treated in a hyperbaric chamber, which is used to purify blood cells, and was undergoing constant therapy with Pyles, who never stopped encouraging Jessica to keep her goals in sight.

Laura Schmelzer (left) shows Jessica (center) how to teach a “patient,” fellow student Braden Kriegel, to use a computer mouse.

Jessica finds inspiration at UF, as well. “My adviser, Laura Schmelzer, has been fabulous. When I felt defeated and wanted to back out, she really helped me on a personal level – helped me understand things, my mindset – letting me know that I’m going to be O.K. and there are a lot of things out there that I can do. Laura challenges me on a good level. She doesn’t look at me differently from anyone else.” Schmelzer is an assistant professor of occupational therapy.

With her classes, clinicals, a husband and a new baby to care for, Jessica will continue to succeed, and she’s happy to be where she is today. “My car accident made me who I am, and it brought me to the University where I’ve met friends. It’s brought me to a school that I love.”