For the longest time I was unsure, and apprehensive about what profession I wanted to pursue. The medical field particularly intrigued me, from physical therapy to therapeutic recreation. However, occupational therapy is what caught my attention originating from my grandfather. Before I was born, my grandfather was involved in numerous surgeries on his left knee to fix torn ligaments as a result of his line of work. As time went on, the physical effort took a toll on his good knee, prompting additional surgeries. At the time, doctors suggested a bone or joint fusion surgery to help with the type of injury he sustained. It was a permanent procedure ultimately resulting in the inability to bend at the joint and making his left leg two inches shorter than his right. Everyday tasks that I had taken for granted, such as driving a car, using the restroom, and even standing for long periods of time became impediments to daily living. Having heard about this traumatic and chronic experience, it remained in the back of my mind for some time. It was not until I was 13 years old when I had my first encounter with an occupational therapist during an appointment that I …show more content…
As I have found often in my work of volunteering, the influence, the response seen, the positive emotion not in just the individuals I had the opportunity to work with, but within myself is one of the many reasons what has lead me to occupational therapy. From that first encounter, I found my inspiration and the passion I want to indulge in for years to come. I want to be that person who helps individuals to regain wellness and continuity of a healthy, long-lasting life in the same way that occupational therapist enabled my grandfather. Being admitted into this program at Salem State University would allow me the opportunity to reach my goals and be a part of a rewarding profession, providing individuals with the tools they need to excel and achieve their highest
Becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant has been an ambition of mine for several years now. After researching, job shadowing, and talking to professionals, I have decided to make Occupation Therapy my career. My passion is to help patients by participating and assisting them in their recovery from injuries and disabilities. My compassionate and caring attitude will be vital assets in pursuing this career. After training in Occupational Therapy, it is motivating for me to know that I will be a part of assisting patients to gain back their independence. Helping others is something that I am passionate about in my career and in my spare time. I have been on several mission trips to Haiti and other places which I have provided care for others in a medical setting.
Occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistances work with a wide variety of populations throughout their career. Some of these different populations can include different types of backgrounds, genders, ages, economic statuses, ethnicities, and more. While working with these populations, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistances have to be aware of different types of influences that can not only affect the client, but the client’s occupations as well. In this article, “Psychosocial Aspects of Occupational Therapy,” it discusses the different types of psychosocial aspects that are in the field of occupational therapy.
While growing up I had many ideas of what professional career I wanted to obtain, although until recent years, occupational therapy was not even a thought. It was not until my grandmother had a stroke that I even knew what occupational therapy was or entailed. I watched my grandmother participate in therapy leading her to learn how to tie her shoes again, and the things I thought were so simple as to dress herself again. It was during that time as high school graduation was approaching that I realized I wanted to be apart of that. I wanted to have a role helping others learn and exceed as she did because I seen how much joy it brought her. This experience opened my eye to the things we so often take for granted, that some people lose the ability of doing or lack the ability of doing. Throughout her journey of facing and overcoming these problems, it led me to a yearning to pursue this
My initial exposure to the field of Occupational Therapy was not until my Junior year of college. While sitting in an auditorium for an Intro to Health Professions course, listening to a licensed occupational therapist describe her daily work tasks, I began visualizing myself in her position to see if this career would be fitting for me. Because of my life long interest in science coupled with my natural empathy towards people, I had known for a long time that I wanted to be in the health field but struggled to settle with the career choices I had initially been presented. As I imagined myself being an occupational therapist, my mind began to flood with ideas and aspirations of what I could accomplish in this field using the strengths I had been developing over the past 22 years of my life
My work experience helped me confirm my interest when I got to see the roles of Occupational Therapists first hand. I was able to spend time shadowing an individual from a special needs school, which moved onto being able to run sessions with minimal help in gross and fine motor skills with the children who have a wide range of disabilities. It was a great experience to observe how everyday objects could be used to help build up these skills and how much the children enjoyed the activities. I was also able to shadow an OT within the Early Intervention in Psychosis team, this
I find occupational therapy to pique my drive to teach people valuable life skills as well as learn from those people and their experiences. Being an occupational therapist would allow me to have one-on-one interactions with patients and establish meaningful relationships over the course of time. It would also give me the dutiful privilege and responsibility of instilling confidence in others and helping them realize their full potential in self-suffiency. All of my personal experiences, challenges, educational backgrounds, and professional interactions have guided me toward pursuing my goals of gaining experience working in all populations, enabling patients to thrive in their daily lifestyle, and spread public awareness of what OT has
Entering my first year of college I didn’t have any idea of what I wanted to do. I still didn’t choose a major let alone a career. I was stuck in between wanting to make enough money that my family would be taken care of financially and choosing a career that I wouldn’t mind going in to work every day. The one thing that I was certain of was that I wanted to be able to help people in whatever I chose to do. After careful consideration and exploring the options available to me, I have come to the conclusion that I want to have a career in physical therapy. Physical therapy is the treatment of disease, injury or deformity through physical methods rather than through drugs or surgery.
People across the world participate in recovery programs every day. Dedicated people in professions, such as occupational therapy, work to help each person regain his or her ability to engage in everyday activities. One wishing to pursue a career in occupational therapy would first need to evaluate the career and the significant effects on themselves and the clients.
The first question many people will ask you when it comes to choosing a career is “why did you choose that career?” Debbie explained that she knew she wanted to pursue this career when she was younger she grew up in the same household of her grandmother after she had a stroke. Being an Occupational Therapist is about wanting to help someone gain back their independence and you have to want it as much as they do!
I wanted to be in a healthcare profession where I know I could spend quality time with my patients, and be able to help them to improve their quality of life in all aspects. Occupational therapy was the perfect fit. I have found that occupational therapy, amongst others, is one of the most holistic health care professions and I am very proud to have chosen this as the career path to take. It is a profession that requires understanding, compassion, and sensitivity; all of the characteristics that I tremendously value . Occupational therapy is a career where there will certainly be much contribution to society and also bring enormous self-fulfillment.
Occupational therapy was a career choice I fell into. When I first arrived to Keiser University back in 2009 I was going to apply for the physical therapy assistant program. Physical and speech therapy where the only therapeutic disciplines I had any knowledge of at that time. When I met with the admissions counselor she informed me the waiting list for the PTA program was about two years, I was floored I wasn’t going to wait that long I needed to start school ASAP. The counselor then asked me “ what is your goal?” and my response was “to work with children in the medical field without being too medically involved”. She then handed me an occupational therapy pamphlet and I just signed the paper work to start that month. I honestly
The career I have chose is Physical Therapy(PT). Physical Therapist do many different things, but their main function is to help impaired or physically disabled people enhance their movement and handle their pain. Physical Therapist are a main source in the rehabilitation, medical care and prevention of people with long lasting illnesses or damage. The reason I chose this career is because I love helping people and enjoy seeing people be motivated and succeed at their task. To help someone gain full strength in their limbs or maybe even learn how to walk again is my lifelong dream. It is important to understand the education or training requirements, skills or talents needed, salary and benefits offered, and the duties for a particular career
Many people ask why an Occupational Therapist? A simple explanation is that I've always enjoyed helping others and it is something I genuinely love to do. This simple statement is exceedingly cliché as others that aspire to become an OT certainly have the same response. My legitimate feeling is that I want to be a part of something more significant and meaningful to me. An Occupational Therapist is not just another health profession that treats patients suffering from disorders and ailments.
From a young age I was interested in the medical field. As I became more exposed to the various options, I decided physical therapy was the right career for me. My experience has proved the field to be interesting and fun. I enjoy working with people and the versatility of therapy. There are many areas to specialize in and I look forward to learning which one is right for me. At the moment I am interested in pediatric acute care but I am also interested in sports and orthopedics. As I continue my studies, I look forward to learning about the different fields in which physical therapy will take me. My future views may change which physical therapy field I wish to pursue, but right now I look forward to learning as much as I can about physical therapy and helping others.
Occupational Therapy practitioners should demonstrate professional responsibilities and develop commitments to life-long learning. The professional organizations that are related to occupational therapy is a good way to take responsibility in by getting involved and boosting up their learning background. Multiple organizations can help benefit an OT because it is a way to be involved in not only their community but with other OT’s in the organizations. As an Occupational Therapist, it is a professional responsibility to take action and be involved in order to benefit your profession. Occupational Therapists should be committed to life-long learning due to the constant changes in the medical field. It is their job to stay up to date on new ways to improve themselves and their work in the