Debunking Misconceptions

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Occupational therapists care about occupations-- it's in the name! Contrary to popular belief, however, occupations aren't merely vocational. In OT, an occupation is anything that takes up one's time. Occupations are things that we need, want, and are expected to do as we fulfill certain life roles. Often, these roles are extremely important to us and give us a sense of identity and purpose. Typing a blog post is a fun activity involved in one of my primary occupations, completing assignments. Completing assignments ties back to my role as an OT student. What are some occupations that are important to you?

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"Man from the South" Reflection

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After reading the chapter from "Man from the South," I was intrigued by the life of the wife of the South American man. All we know of her is divulged in a few short lines at the end of the chapter, yet the story of her life quickly becomes complex. Unfortunately, the woman cannot even take the time to wash her hair without having to fear that her husband is engaged in dangerous and costly schemes. Moreover, she has lost at least three digits having to "un-do" the bets that her husband has lost. If the soldier had lost the bet, the woman's livelihood would have become even more unstable. For example, the couple may have had to move once again to prevent the southern man's incrimination. However, I will focus on her occupation as "care taker" of her scheming husband. If the bet had ended badly, the wife would assume that she could go absolutely no where without her husband -- even to shower, to sleep, to eat, or to shop alone. One strategy that co...
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"Blissful Ordinariness"

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When describing occupational therapy to others, I always include a statement such as, "Occupational therapists help you do things that are often taken for granted-- things you don't realize you cherish until you can no longer do them." I think that the term "blissful ordinariness" relates to that same idea. The small, routine tasks we do every day string together to make us who we are. Being able to fully participate in and enjoy our ordinary, every day activities contributes to our sense of identity and purpose. Even when on a spectacular beach vacation, I almost always still long to get back to my "blissful ordinariness" by the end of the week. One of the unique traits of occupational therapy is this: the OT cares  about the client's "ordinary" life. In fact, it is the client's patterns of performance, routines, and rituals that drive and guide the intervention process. While the therapist must maintain a professional therapeutic ...
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Era Presentations - A Reflection

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One event that stood out as a turning point for the field of occupational therapy was World War II. At this time, numerous men were deployed, opening up jobs in the community for women. This also meant that more men were becoming physically injured and exposed to mental trauma. Women primarily had to step in to meet these new needs at a break-necking pace, training for only 2 weeks before being considered an occupational therapist. Hundreds of occupational therapists entered the field at this time, and they were vital to the war effort and to the stability of the nation. Throughout the era presentations, I noticed one occupation that changed drastically over time-- play. Play, an important occupation for children, took many forms over the years. In early decades, like the 1940s, boys played with war figurines and pretended to be in combat. As time went on and fathers returned from war, boys began playing with toys such as tools, cars, and balls. Beginning in the 1980s, and even today...
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