What I strongly agreed with was that we are *suited* to meet the health needs
of individuals and to flourish in the 21st century... not that we actually get the
opportunity to do so or that others feel we are so suited.


Pat

At 04:53 PM 3/26/2005, you wrote:
Commentary on the former survey ---

I  posted  the informal survey question because of Fred Somers' comments
in  the  April  2005  edition  of  AJOT.  Mr. Somers' asserts that OT is
ideally  suited  to meet the health needs of individuals and to flourish
in  the  21st  century.  I strongly disagree with his comments but I was
interested  in what others thought. I must admit that I am surprised and
confused  at  the  results of this *informal* survey. (By the way, I did
NOT  respond  to  the survey. The one (1)'strongly disagree' vote is not
from me)

In  my  opinion  and  experience, OT struggles and lags far behind other
health  professions.  I  believe  that  we are much closer to losing our
profession rather than "flourishing". OT loses ground every year because
of   encroachment,  lack  of  unity,  poor  service  delivery,  lack  of
reimbursement,  etc. I wonder if there isn't a "white elephant" syndrome
going on. You know, the "hey, there's an elephant in the living room but
let's just ignore it and it will go away".

Most interesting and in stark contrast to Mr. Somers' optimism, the same
edition  of  AJOT  has some negative quotes about OT. Gary Kielhoffner's
article,  "Scholarship  and  Practice:  Bridging  the  Divide", includes
several less than favorable quotes about OT. Here's one:

"The  part of convalescence that I found most profoundly humiliating and
depressing  was  [OT]...  I was reduced to playing with brightly colored
plastic letters ... like a three-year-old..." p.231

How  many  times  is  this type of OT treatment done day in and day out
year  after  year.  My  experience  and  opinion  is  that  in  physical
dysfunction settings, this is the norm!!

For  many  years, I have struggled with the profession's stature. Now, I
struggle  with  a  feeling  that  our  National  leaders are leading the
profession  into  believing  that  we are going to "flourish in the 21st
century"  at  a time when we can't even adequately define who we are and
what we do!

Ron






































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