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Independence, Dignity, and Hope: How ɫ����’s OT Students Are Changing One Woman’s Everyday Life

FARGO, N.D. — With quiet concentration, Juanita Garcia steadied herself before the plate of food. A small robotic arm hovered nearby, ready to assist. Then, for the first time in her life, she brought a bite to her mouth — on her own.

That moment, captured in a short  posted by the ɫ���� Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, has now been viewed more than 16,000 times on Facebook. But for Garcia and the occupational therapy students working with her, it wasn’t about the attention. It was about independence, dignity, and hope.

Garcia, 29, of Dilworth, Minnesota, had long relied on family and caregivers for everyday tasks. Thanks to the hands-on work of second-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OT) students at the ɫ����’s Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences pro-bono clinic in Fargo, she is gaining newfound independence—and a glimpse at what the future of therapy can offer.

“It was one of the happiest moments of my life. I was so excited—I couldn’t stop smiling,” Garcia said. “Being able to feed myself was something I had always dreamed of, and finally doing it on my own felt amazing.”

Overcoming Challenges with AMC

Garcia has Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), a rare congenital condition that leaves her unable to walk or use her hands efficiently. For years, she struggled to perform everyday tasks and had limited options for increasing her independence. With guidance from OT students Payton Lane of Fargo, North Dakota, and Cassidy Wendt of Moorhead, Minnesota, Garcia has been learning to use the JACO robotic arm, a state-of-the-art device attached to her wheelchair that allows her to grasp and manipulate objects through joystick control.

“Before using the robotic arm, I relied a lot on my parents for help,” Garcia said. “Since getting the robotic arm, I’ve become much more independent and confident in what I can do on my own. At home, I can pick up my phone, towels, or clothes, and even dust in hard-to-reach areas. At work, I can hang up clothes more easily and rely less on my staff. It’s given me so much more freedom in my day-to-day life.”

Hands-On Learning at the Pro-Bono Clinic

The pro-bono clinic offers free OT services to clients who have finished therapy elsewhere, exhausted insurance benefits, or simply need additional support to achieve healthcare goals. Dr. Kevin Anderson, supervising OT therapist and program coordinator, explained the importance of real-world experience for students.

“It is so important for students to have these ‘hands-on’ experiences so they can apply their learning directly from the classroom to the clinic,” Anderson said. “Matching students with clients who show a need for OT services is an outstanding way to maximize learning outcomes.”

The ɫ���� offers both a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)degree, preparing students for a range of professional paths in the growing healthcare field. Both programs emphasize real-world service, evidence-based practice, and the university’s mission of servant leadership through care.

First Impressions and Building Trust

Lane recalled her first meeting with Garcia last fall. “The first impression I had with her was her ability to connect with us as new and developing therapists. She was always willing to chat with all of us and allowed us to learn from her in many ways,” Lane said.

Lane described the joy of seeing Garcia reach milestones in her therapy. “I couldn’t help but think of how much joy can be found in things I take for granted. It is so easy to take mealtimes and feeding as a simple and daily task. Juanita has not experienced the pleasure in mealtime conversations, as it was always spent having someone feeding her. The joy and excitement she experienced when using the feeder for the first time was such a joy to see,” she said.

Learning Beyond the Classrooms

Wendt said working with Garcia has brought lessons that no classroom could provide. “Working with Juanita has taught me that real occupational therapy goes far beyond what we read in textbooks,” Wendt said. “You can study adaptive equipment and intervention plans all day, but actually seeing how technology transforms a person’s daily life brings everything to life. I’ve learned to think creatively and problem-solve when things don’t go as planned, like when the robotic arm or feeding device isn’t working that day.”

Wendt’s future plans reflect her passion for occupational therapy. “My goal is to become an occupational therapist working in pediatrics or hand therapy, and to possibly open my own private practice one day,” she said.

Technology Enhancing Independence

The JACO arm and OBI feeder give Garcia the ability to perform tasks she could never do independently. “The JACO arm enables clients to reach and grab items that were previously beyond their reach,” Anderson said. 

“For Juanita, it may result in increased wages due to higher productivity. The OBI feeder helps her eat independently, which is a major step toward self-sufficiency.”

Garcia comes to the Fargo clinic every Thursday for about an hour, practicing daily life skills with her robotic arm, including combing her hair, baking, and even opening the fridge. She has also learned to use the devices for one of her favorite hobbies—going to the casino.

Lane emphasized the goals they’ve set together. “The main goals that we try to work towards each session is more independence. Independence in feeding, grooming, movement, and work tasks are always a main priority in sessions,” she said.

Real-World Advocacy and Equipment Trials

The students also gain valuable insight into real-world advocacy, participating in the process of equipment evaluation, trial periods, and funding justification. “Dr. Anderson brought up the OBI feeder after class one day and mentioned it would be a great thing for Juanita to try. That same afternoon we hopped on a call with the OBI feeder representative and learned the history and ins and outs of the feeder. The second that call was complete we knew we had to submit the request for the trial,” Lane said.

Dr. Anderson explained the broader impact of these clinic experiences. “The pro-bono clinic has an extremely positive impact on student learning. I am hopeful that our small contribution to the quality of life for individuals in the Fargo-Moorhead area will be felt and shared by everyone involved,” he said.

Transformative Impact on Garcia

Garcia echoed the transformative nature of her therapy. “It means the world to me. Having people in my life who continue to help me grow, become more independent, and learn new ways of doing things is so special. It’s given me a new sense of hope and purpose,” she said. “They make me so happy. I have so much fun with them, and I’m always excited to see them each week. They’re patient, kind, and make therapy something I really look forward to.”

The Facebook video captured not just a milestone in Garcia’s life, but also the power of compassionate care combined with technology. “Administration encourages us to post highlights from the classroom and clinic experiences. With Juanita’s permission, I just wanted to show how our students were engaging with clients and incorporating technology. People resonate with the empowerment shown in the video post,” Anderson said.

Lessons for Future Therapists

Wendt reflected on how this experience has shaped her as a future therapist. “It’s taught me patience, creativity, and advocacy, not just for my clients, but for the profession itself. I know that no matter where I end up practicing, I’ll carry these lessons with me and always strive to approach every client the way we approach Juanita, with dignity, faith, and hope,” she said.

Lane agreed, describing the pro-bono clinic as a deeply formative experience. “It has deepened my meaning in my profession. It has pushed me to serve those around me and meet them right where they are at. I believe that every client should be served and attended to with a sense of passion and individuality. The pro-bono clinic has allowed me opportunities for that and to see clients with diverse needs and backgrounds,” she said.

For Garcia, the therapy has translated into tangible independence and confidence. “This therapy has completely boosted my confidence—I’ve never felt this sure of myself before. My independence has grown so much, and I’m doing things I never thought I’d be able to do. It’s such an empowering feeling,” she said.

As the ɫ���� OT students continue their work with Garcia, the pro-bono clinic exemplifies the university’s mission of servant leadership and compassionate care—one life-changing session at a time.