Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy is a profession where a therapist’s primary aim is to assist individuals to achieve everyday life skills. Often times, many individuals who need therapy have had circumstantial situations in their lives. This prevents them from participating in daily activities. An Occupational Therapist should be able to help an individual adapt to their specific environment and help create a foundation to improve their quality of life. A task can range from self-care skills such as showing them how to brush their teeth to even more advanced skills such as managing their budget properly. In order to ensure an individual is working up to their potential, an Occupational therapist must recognize their capabilities and limitations. Once a therapist assesses their needs, they can create a plan that will cater to their specific necessities. Therapists learn to understand the physical, mental, and social components of an individual and then help them adjust into their life style. An Occupational therapist is not just someone who helps develop an individual’s skills but also should be a moral and empathic support system.
During my adolescent years, I became interested in the medical field. Many of my family members are also in the medical profession as well. I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field because it is the social norm in my family. However, I started to develop an interest in Occupational therapy when I entered college. My grandfather suffered a severe stroke and was admitted to Parker Jewish Medical Center, a local rehabilitation center. Several times when I visited, he was receiving services by an Occupation therapist. I was able to see my grandfather’s progress because of his Occupational therapist. His Occupational therapist was able to ultimately regain my grandfather’s independence. Occupational therapy impacted my grandfather’s life and also inspired me to pursue Occupational therapy as a profession. Throughout my undergraduate education, I