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Occupational Therapy in the Mainstream Media

I came across an article that explored occupational therapy from the eyes of an occupational therapist.  The unique part of this story is that the occupational therapist, Veronica Brooks, was born without arms.  One reason Brooks was drawn to the field was her relationship with her occupational therapist when she was younger.  Brooks was drawn to helping people accomplish their goals. 

 One very important aspect Brooks emphasized was adaptability.  For her, it made sense to help someone "work with what they have" and adapt and modify.  In occupational therapy, adaptability plays a huge role.  It is very important to help a client adapt to their own unique characteristics.  While everyone may not complete a task in the same way, the important thing is that a person does what they enjoy in their own way.  For Brooks, she chooses to adapt without the aid of a prosthesis. 

 Brooks has a unique position to understand her clients.  She is able to relate to many of her client's situations from her own experiences.  Brooks strives to help her clients find their way back to who they were or adapt to their new normal.  I thought Brooks gave an accurate representation of some important aspects of occupational therapy through her own unique story.  

 http://www.ptonline.net/news/local_news/as-a-therapist-brooks-helps-patients-embrace-new-normal/article_66f81d3a-0160-550a-b8b7-5d99e5f6ee2a.html

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