What exactly is Occupational Therapy? I’d be a very rich woman if I had a nickel for every time someone asked me that question. Well throughout the month of April, OTs get to celebrate and boast with pride over our profession.
OT actually has its roots in the field of psychology back in to 1700s when it was used to engage individuals with mental illness in activities that provided meaning to their day-to-day functioning. Since those days, OT has spread its branches to a variety of areas, helping people of all ages and disabilities learn to live their lives. Whether we are teaching you how to dress or cook, helping you participate in the community, developing tools to assist your senses in processing information, or helping you in the work force, our goal is always to improve the quality of life of the people that work with us. It is difficult to sum up with one sentence all the OT can offer, because our scope of practice is so expansive.
OT celebrates individuals becoming more independent with their lives and engaging in the things that are meaningful to them, no matter what obstacles come their way. So when anyone asks me what I do for a living, I like to say I get to be a part of someone’s journey of life. What an amazing privilege I have been given. Happy OT Month!
To learn more about Occupational Therapy at Magee, click here.
Photo: Katie with former patient Sean McGonagle
