Inspiration for the OT Student

     What do we do in OT school? Well, today was a little different. There were 40 students walking around campus dressed as if they were from different decades. We had Rosie the Riveter, poodle skirts, characters from Hairspray and The Breakfast Club, High School Musical Fans, 101 year old women, and more. Each group talked about what was going on in the World and in occupational therapy for the era which they were assigned. The 2010s stuck out to me the most for two reasons: Annemarie Orr and Sady Paulson.

     Annemarie Orr was the mover and shaker of the presentation for the decade. She is the occupational therapist of Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, a couple who both lost their left legs in the Boston Marathon bombing. Orr helped them get back to living the lives they wanted. She helped them move into a new apartment that is accessible and a fit just for them. How awesome is that? For Kensky, something that was meaningful to her and that she wanted to be able to do was go shopping at Old Navy. So what did Orr do? She took Kensky on a surprise shopping spree and taught her how to try on clothes with her prosthetic leg. Later, Kensky made the decision to amputate her right leg as well. Her right leg had a lot of damage to it after the bombing, but unlike her left leg, she had the option to say goodbye to her right leg. Orr helped her, Downes, and their service dog make prints of their right feet before she had the surgery as part of a therapeutic activity, and they were able to have a sort of goodbye party for her leg. 
     The 2010s group also showed a youtube video in their presentation today. It starred Sady Paulson and showed the many advancements in technology that have happened over the last few years. These technological advances have made technology accessible to anyone and everyone. The video shows a man who is blind have the ability to take a picture of his son. It shows a person who uses a wheelchair opening her blinds and turning on the lights with her phone. I can't do justice in describing how beautiful and amazing the video is so I will attach it at the end. Please watch it and to see how far we have come. This technology can impact and change OT in such a positive way if it hasn't done so already. Our goal as occupational therapists (or future OTs) is to help people live life to the fullest. It's helping people live the life they want to live. It's helping people achieve whatever they need or want no matter what the obstacle. This technology can do wonders in that direction. 
     The presentation for the current decade was inspiring. These are the things that matter to people, and I think that current occupational therapists, like Annemarie Orr, are doing a great job in showing what this profession is all about and showing the care and support that is given to the clients of this profession. Occupational therapist like Orr will help fulfill our profession's potential and expand our reach as a profession. I aspire to be someone like Annemarie Orr. Someone who will do whatever is needed to help her clients live the life they desire to live. 











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