Taken from: http://www.aota.org/nonmembers/area1/links/link247.asp
Ron =========================================================================== A Message From AOTA President Barbara L. Kornblau On this first anniversary of September 11, we should not dwell on the losses of our nation, but rather celebrate the power of occupation to restore the spirit and hopes of our people. One year ago, my family and I prayed that rescuers would find my cousin Michelle alive in the rubble. The only thing they found of her was her credit card, some 6 months later. But what is it that we recall about people who are suddenly taken from us? How do survivors want their loved ones remembered? Part of my mourning and grieving process for Michelle and others who were lost at the World Trade Center has included reading The New York Times "Portraits of Grief." Many of these glimpses into the lives of people lost during the events of September 11 stand as testimony to the importance of occupation. For example, Bernard Favuzza found joy in making a replica of his childhood neighborhood for his occupation � model trains. Firefighter John Santore loved to spoil his family with his occupation � cooking. Anil Bharvaney, attending a conference at the World Trade Center, must have been daydreaming about his occupation � photography � as he enjoyed the view of New York's skyline. And Kirsten Santiago's occupation � sharing her time and her therapy dog "Lady Sailor" with nursing home residents � enriched her life and the life of the community. Throughout the nation, craft shops found their businesses booming after September 11, despite a rocky economy. One craft shop owner reported that she never considered beading an essential industry until September 11 � when people found healing and comfort in making beaded American flag pins. In one New Jersey town with a high population of young widows, friends got together and finished one of the bereaved women's basements. The men said they felt the need to do something and felt better by helping with their hands. What Mary Reilly told us in 1962 during her Eleanor Clarke Slagle lecture was confirmed for me in the aftermath of September 11: "Man through the use of his hands as they are energized by mind and will, can influence the state of his own health." As occupational therapists, we hold the power to help people put their lives back together through occupation. We help to honor the legacy of those who are no longer with us by remembering their occupations ============================================================================= *********��*********** Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist ** List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] *********��***********
