Laken's OT Thoughts

     Last week, we watched a video on empathy and perspective in class. The video made its way through a hospital and focused each person it came to, and it stated a short sentence about what was going on in that particular person's life. It told us the reason behind the smile, the frown, the sobbing, the tears of joy, the worried look, and much more.      I have always been told that you never know what was going on to make them act a certain way, but I guess I did not really and truly understand that until I watched this video. It grabs your attention and shows you what everyone in the hospital is going through, and you can't help but feel empathy. I think almost everyone in my class was on the verge of tears. I know I was. I put myself in every situation that came on the screen to really understand what you couldn't see by just looking at that person.      From watching this video, I fully understand now that you really don't know what is going on behind the scenes

     Every time I think I know just what occupational therapy is I learn something new about the profession, and I think that is what's so awesome about this profession. This week I listened to a podcast called "'Au-Some Swimmers': Role of OT in Swim Lessons for Kids with Autism". From listening to this podcast, I've learned more about who occupational therapists are and what they do. I've learned that there is so much more to occupational therapy than I first thought. In the podcast, Kim Persons and Nick Murray were interviewed about helping lifeguards teach kids with autism how to swim. When Nick Murray was a student at the University of Buffalo, he had to go to a site were there was no occupational therapy, but where there could be. His group chose to go to a Jewish community center and get connected with the lifeguards there. Nick Murray and 3 of his classmates discussed with the lifeguards what exactly they needed help with at the center, and what the