BY JAKOB LENKER, Freshman
BLYTHEWOOD – It’s a nice, calm Friday afternoon, and most parents are looking forward to enjoying the weekend awaiting them. Maybe they’ll get to sleep in, go see a movie, go out to dinner.
However, Charlene Lenker spends her Friday nights working on obtaining her Doctorate Degree. Getting her degree has always been her dream, so she could help those in need through Occupational Therapy.
About Occupational Therapy
“It’s in the top 10 of the most sought out jobs,” said Lenker. “It’s highly demanding for degrees, but there are very few who have the degrees you need, so you are able to negotiate a salary which is one reason why I like it. I work with kids, ages 3 to 11 that are disabled.”
“I work with them out of class, in therapy that will help them participate better in class. I also work with them in class, and I also work with their teachers in their classes.”
“I am also a member of the Education Department Team, so I attend their Individual Education Planning meetings (IEP). I administer and score the standardized tests that evaluate whether or not the the child needs therapy.”
Charlene works with children with different kinds of disorders, such as Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Down Syndrome, rare genetic disorders, sensory dysfunctions, Apraxia and Autism.
Therapy includes administering standardized testing for sensory profiles, fine and gross motor skills, visual perception, motor coordination, visual motor integration, professional observation and evaluation.
Early Life
Born in Lexington, SC, Lenker was first interested in Occupational Therapy in high school, when she became an OT Aid. She would help older people who had suffered strokes at her local hospital.
She first got her Bachelor’s Degree from The Medical University of South Carolina as a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. Three years later, she earned her Master’s Degree in Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University.
Eventually Lenker began working for Palmetto Health Home Care.
She would help both young and old who had suffered from Cerebral Vascular Accidents, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Down Syndrome, rare genetic disorders, Muscular Dystrophy, Sensory Dysfunction, Apraxia and Autism.
She would often go into their homes to help them since they lacked the ability to live life normally without the therapy.
Charlene reaches her goal
In March, Lenker started working at Fort Jackson, helping handicapped children in the school. She decided to change so she would get to help more children and impact their lives in an effective way.
In May, Lenker finally reached her goal. From the help of her parents, her husband and many of her professional colleagues and mentors, she received her diploma and became a Doctor. She earned this degree in Doctorate of Health Administration from MUSC.
“She’s a planner. Once she decides to do something and decides that something is worth doing, then she doesn’t let anything stop her. It really makes me want to become more of a planner like that,” said Jason Lenker, Charlene’s husband, “ I consider her to be absolutely qualified for every position she holds and for all of the achievements she has gotten.”
But she considers her greatest achievement to be her family.
“Being the mother of my six children is my greatest accomplishment,” Charlene said.
How does she do it?
She has six children, Lauren, Jakob, Anneliese, Benjamin, Mark, and Johnathan.
In addition, she has a great job, and she has gotten her Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral Degrees. “I’ve had to plan ahead and sacrifice lots of social time and I can’t be with my friends. I’ve had to stay up late and wake up early,” Lenker said expressing some emotion about the memories of all the trying times she went through.
But the results made it all worth it.
“My job is hard but rewarding,” Lenker said. “But it’s also sad, since the kids I work with are handicapped both physically and intellectually. But I know that I’m helping children reach their goals through therapy and that makes all the difference. I want to make a difference in someone’s life and this gives me the knowledge to be able to do that.”
Lenker even owns her own pediatric rehabilitation service. Specialists in Pediatric Therapy, LLC provides care from infants to 3-year-olds and is also located in the Midlands of South Carolina. Charlene founded the service in 2014.
Continuing the Legacy
Her oldest daughter Lauren wants to be an occupational therapist when she is older. Her mother has helped guide her along this path.
“Now I know what classes I need to take to become an occupational therapist,” said Lauren.
Charlene also has some advice for those who are aspiring to become occupational therapists themselves.
“Go for it. It’s a competitive field and a very hard program but it is definitely worth it.”
In the next few years, Charlene sees herself continuing to treat handicapped children and improving her clinical skills, and she would also like to teach in an occupational therapy program to pass on her knowledge to the next generation.
