Inspiring Conversations with Laura Holmes of Recreate Yourself, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Holmes

Hi Laura, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
To get where I am today has been a roller coaster to say the least. There have been ups and downs, times of darkness, and times of pure joy. I graduated in 2011 from UNC Wilmington with my Bachelors in Recreational Therapy and minor in psychology. My first “big girl” job was at a state psychiatric hospital in Northern Virginia. That was eye opening as I experienced people at their potential lowest point in their lives but was able to bring joy to them by seeing them as their true self, not just their mental health diagnosis.

From there I transitioned to working on a brain injury acute rehabilitation unit while simultaneously manage a nationally-ranked wheelchair basketball team (Go NRH Punishers!). While working on the unit I was able to play a key role in my patient’s rehabilitation back into the community after a significant injury and expose them to adaptive sports of all kinds. I was able to travel with the wheelchair basketball team and support them while they climbed the ranks to 3rd in the country two years in a row!

In 2016, I got married to my now husband and we moved back to NC to be closer to my family and to be able to afford a house (if you think housing is expensive here, try buying a studio condo 20 miles from DC). Although NC is one of 5 states that requires licensure, not just a certification, the job market for recreational therapy specific roles is scarce. I found myself in a case management role for veterans around the nation with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological conditions. This is where I learned of community and home-based recreational therapy organizations around the country. I started to search for similar organizations in NC without luck which is where the seed was planted for Recreate Yourself, LLC.

Over the next couple years after the seed was planted, I had my two daughters and spent 1.5 years as a stay-at-home mom and joined the board of a local non-profit for moms. I then went back to case management, though realized that my heart was with recreational therapy. I noticed the gap in services on the traumatic brain injury (TBI) waiver for community-based recreational therapy and decided to branch out on my own to start Recreate Yourself. I was lucky to have met Susan White, Occupational Therapist with Innovative OT Solutions, when I was a case manager. She openly gave me a chance and contracted my company to provide specialized consultative services recreational therapy through the TBI waiver, which was not previously being provided.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s all about perspective! If you zoom in close, there have been many struggles and roadblocks to get this far. My Recreational Therapy degree did not include any business classes so the business side of things has been a huge learning curve. Shout out to SCORE NC, John Boone, for the assistance and free mentorship the first few months.

I have spent a significant amount of time providing education to businesses, case managers, the community, and even other therapists about the benefits of recreational therapy and how it works in the community.

Also, I have been dealing with major imposter syndrome throughout this year but between my own therapy sessions and keeping a folder of positive feedback from my clients, colleagues, and family I am staying on top of it!

Of course, finding funding is also a struggle. I do accept private pay and FSA/HSA funds, but we are not yet able to contract with insurances. We work with Innovative OT Solutions to provide Specialized Consultative Services through the TBI and Innovations Medicaid waivers.

However, zoom out big picture…I have served over 30 clients, started an adaptive cooking group, a therapeutic expressions group, had 3 different business contracts, and brought in more money than I have spent. I would say it’s been a great year

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Recreate Yourself, LLC?
At Recreate Yourself, LLC. we provide home and community-based care to individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Our therapists meet our clients where they are literally and figuratively. We listen to our clients and their support system to learn where they are and help them reach where they want to be. Our holistic approach prioritizes quality of life and promotes independence through various evidence-based and person-centered interventions.

What is recreational therapy you may ask:
“Recreational therapy includes, but is not limited to, providing treatment services and recreation activities to individuals using a variety of techniques including arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings. Recreational therapists treat and help maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their clients by seeking to reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and socialize effectively.” -NCTRC.org

We specialize in working with individuals and veterans with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological conditions. We also work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as folks with mental health challenges. We pride our self with also offering recreational therapy to support the caregivers of these individuals.

We serve the Greater Triangle area in person as well as most states with virtual services and would love to chat about how we can assist your loved one, yourself, or your organization.

What’s next?
Our vision at Recreate Yourself is to be the leading provider of recreational therapy services, empowering individuals of all ages and abilities to live their fullest and most meaningful lives. We strive to be innovative in our approach, continuously learning and adapting to the evolving needs of our clients, and promoting a holistic and inclusive approach to healthcare

I am looking forward to developing our group programming as well as additional partnerships currently in the works to spread the availability of adapted recreation our client’s communities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.recreateyourselfllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recreateyourselfllc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recreateyourselfllc