“I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday” Jose N. Harris.
Image from Google (meme generator)
What once seemed impossible, and not for me, feels more tangible and right in front of my eyes these days. Me becoming an Occupational Therapist. This is a journey for me, and I am feeling every step of the way. Steve Maraboli once said the road to success is always under construction. Fasten your seat belt as I take you through my journey up until this far. I have always wanted to be something in the Health and Sciences profession, but I couldn’t figure out what until I overheard the title of OT.
In every classroom either in primary or high school there will always be a high-flyer. I overheard one from my matric class stating that she will be an OT if not a medical doctor. The title of being an OT fascinated me as I have never heard of such before and never knew that it existed in my town hospital, Ingwavuma Mosvold Hospital. I did not only end up applying for OT via CAO but getting to meet an interesting local OT. She explained to me what occupational therapy is and the areas under occupational therapy (geriatrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, general physical conditions, and medico-legal. Occupational therapy is defined in the OTPF as the therapeutic use of everyday life occupations with persons, and groups for the purpose of enhancing or enabling participation. I never knew what OT is until my first year. I knew the definition but didn’t understand the concept nor was I able to describe it to others and it all started making sense in my second year (https://carrieschmittotd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/AOTA-Occupational-Therapy-Practice-Framwork-OTPF-4th-edition.pdf.).
I did my first year in 2020, and there was the outbreak of covid which resulted in no longer having contact classes on campus but moving back home and adjusting to online learning. This was a hard time for me given the area I am from (connectivity issues, electricity problems. Basically, deep rural areas). With being unable to attend and do my work I ended up not passing all my modules as I was also not submitting on time. I got depressed as had my goals that after 4 years this degree must be put in motion and helping others. I did not even know about sites like SADAG (https://www.sadag.org/. ) that could have helped me cope with depression. Having to swallow the pill that my friends passed did not cause more only heartache but also negatively affected my self-esteem. If I knew what Occupational Therapists are capable of, I would have also seen one for myself for anxiety management and time management sessions. Sometimes I do get very anxious and depressed I use the skills that I was taught during lectures and have been sharing with others not only my patients on practicals but also family.
Time went by and did my second year, 2022 as during 2021 I was redoing the module I failed. Started going on practice putting the theory into practice. With the lecturer, helping friends, supervisors, and sites like OT rex on YouTube (at https://www.youtube.com/@OTRex) helped me understand what our focus as Ots is and how we also use activities as assessment tools and interventions. It made me realize that what is normal in me, my family, my culture, or my community may not be normal for others. This emphasized the importance of being open-minded, respectful, sympathetic with others, non-judgemental, and patient.
This journey has been a roller coaster for me. It does happen that you put in effort on your work and marks don’t reflect that, you are reminded of your failures. Then this calls one to go back to their drawing board and strategies. It is when you keep on pushing. We are no longer driven by the clock but the passion. Looking at the differences we can make in other people’s lives, we must keep on keeping on. Khalid once said, “You can do anything if you put your mind to it” Eastside. This time around I feel like I am closer to being a certified Occupational Therapist with no student at the end compared to 2020. I am standing on the edge. For more information on what occupational therapists do please visit this page: (https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/advocacy/state/resources/practiceact/ot-definition-for-aota-model-practice-act.pdf. )
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