Every October 27 is World Occupational Therapy Day!
The decision to work in occupational therapy can be motivated by all kinds of reasons. You may have been in the care of an occupational therapist or seen the impact of an OT on a family member, heard about the exciting variety within occupational therapy from a friend, or had someone recognize a quality in you that seemed ‘very OT’.
However you end up finding occupational therapy (or however it finds you), everyone’s experience, motivations, preferences and specialisms within the discipline are equally diverse.
To celebrate #WorldOTDay this year, we asked the question: What’s your favourite aspect of occupational therapy?
We expected answers to highlight specific areas in occupational therapy such as mental health, paediatrics, gerontology, hand therapy, seating and mobility, adaptive technologies, neurorehabilitation (to name a few!) but the majority of responses celebrate the uniqueness of occupational therapy as a whole, expressing gratitude for a profession that offers not only life-changing care to others, but also freedom and joy to those working in the field.
Happy World OT Day! ❤
What’s your favourite aspect of occupational therapy?
My favorite aspect of occupational therapy is the unique blend of creativity and evidence that the profession allows, which means I can come up with tailored ways to improve the health and wellbeing of our clients.
Dr. Liisa Holsti
My favourite aspect about occupational therapy is that it is individualized. We tailor our work to the specific client, so we can prioritize what is important to each person, and they can receive the care they want and deserve. I also appreciate that occupational therapy is collaborative, so clients can feel autonomous and actively participate in their own wellness journeys.
Josie, MOT student
My favourite aspect of occupational therapy is its adaptability. OTs work with such a diverse range of individuals, from children with developmental differences to seniors managing aging in place. The ability to adapt interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual, while enabling function makes a real difference in a client’s quality of life, which makes OT such a valuable profession.
Sophia, MOT student
My favorite part of occupational therapy is the centering of relationships. We all have a relationship with one another, some are just stronger and deeper than others. The way OT recognizes how valuable and important relationships are to practice is wonderful!
Dr. Elly Park
I love OT because it is, at the heart, so based in common sense and focused on human dignity.
Allison Patterson (@gatorgirrrl) via Instagram
I just returned from a short trip to visit family in Manitoba (by plane, with my elderly mother) and was pleased to see that she brought and used her sock aid and shoe horn and that the assistance I booked at the airport saved her energy and had her walker available when needed.
I’ve been an occupational therapist for 30 years and I use the skills for my clients, family, and friends every single day.
Many injuries, illnesses, disorders, and disabilities take away meaning and essence in various parts of an individual’s life. It is like a bunch of light bulbs fading until complete darkness ensues.
My favourite part of occupational therapy is that it helps people discover (a) which light bulbs are dimmed or burnt out; (b) what light bulbs are most important to them; (c) what strengths, tools, and resources they have or need to have; and (d) strategies to turn the lights back on. Seeing those light bulbs gradually come back to life, sometimes even brighter than before, is so special.
Samantha, MOT student
I love our creative problem solving. Everyday is different!
Dr. Ben Mortenson
Doing!
Jay MacDonald
What I love most about OT is the creativity, as every person we work with has their own unique experiences, abilities, and goals, and this gives us the opportunity to think outside the box to help them achieve what matters most to them.
Ziyanna, MOT student
We love OT because it focuses not just on physical recovery, but also emotional and social well-being. It empowers individuals to participate fully in their daily lives!
CAOT-ACE (@caotace) via Instagram
Image credits: Brightly coloured illustration of people from WFOT as part of World OT Day media pack, other images from UBC OSOT classroom. ‘I love OT’ in honour of #OTMonth