Why am I a pediatric occupational therapist?
When I was in kindergarden, I wanted to be a daycare provider. When I was in high school, I wanted to be a doctor. When I went to college to pursue just that, I realized that being a doctor of medicine did not quite fit what I wanted. I wanted a career where I could work directly with patients often and get to know them. I wanted to work in a way that allowed me to help people become more independent and achieve health holistically. I also wanted a career that reflected my life values of family, wellness, independence, and growth. After doing more research, I stumbled upon occupational therapy. At first, I wasn’t quite sure what it was about. The more I looked into occupational therapy, I knew it was the right career path.
Occupational therapists help people across the lifespan participate in meaningful activities. Occupational therapists can help improve performance and participation in anything that “occupies your time.” As you can imagine, what “occupies your time” varies greatly depending on age, health status, career, demographic, life roles, routines, and the environment. Additionally, it varies greatly depending on what is meaningful to the individual. I believe that participation in meaningful activities is the foundation for health and wellbeing. When we experience barriers to participation, it can negatively affect our self-esteem, physical and mental wellbeing, and life outcomes. I wanted to be part of the puzzle that helps remove barriers and improve supports for meaningful participation in activities. I believe that all people deserve to participate in the things they want or need to do.
When starting my career as an occupational therapist, I found my pulse in pediatrics. I love being part of and helping children reach their firsts. Whether that first is first steps, first solid food, first time printing your name, first meal prepared, or first shirt donned, I find fulfillment in life’s moments. While these firsts may seem simple or small to some, I understand how meaningful and momentous participating in these activities can be. Investing in children’s wellbeing and growth can positively affect their life trajectory. So much development, growth, and identity formation occurs within the first 18 years of life, and I want to ensure that families feel supported during these formative years.
I started Sprout Therapy OT because I want to bring my passion for pediatric occupational therapy to where I grew up. I achieved my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy in 2020 and immediately started practicing upon graduation in a variety of settings, including early intervention, schools, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), residential treatment center, and outpatient clinics. Now that I have gained a wide variety of experiences and clinical expertise, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to give back to the community who shaped and supported who I have become today.