Hello Arley: Thanks for replying.
I don't know that I agree with functional activity originating with our hands, but even if it does, AOTA certainly doesn't "advertise" OT as being UE/hand oriented. Or does it? I just don't understand how we can continue saying OT is one thing when in reality we do something else! Isn't the OT profession shooting itself in the proverbial foot!!! Any why can't we explain OT to MD's, other professionals and patients in a way that is both consistent with practice AND understandable. It's like we can do one or the other, but we can't do both!! Ron -- "In the United States, occupational therapy is ideally suited to meet the health needs of people of all ages." [Fred Somers, AJOT, April, 2005] "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..." [AJOT, April, 2005, p. 231] ----- Original Message ----- From: Johnson, Arley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] OT's and Upper Extremity JA> I think I know why. OT things are functionally based. Most of our functional daily activity JA> originates with the use of our hands. Therefore, basic observation of our profession and the JA> medical model's need to simplify everyone's role for the average Joe dictates a simplistic and JA> narrow explanation of our profession. Is it right? Of course not. But it gives our profession JA> relevance to the outsider who may only get a cursory glance of what we do and it may draw them JA> in for the full experience. JA> Let's be honest, OT covers the spectrum of life and it entails a lot of information. Our JA> charge to be the profession that rehabilitates you back into your life roles is not an easy JA> task. Neither is explaining it in a manner that is understood by the public. JA> Arley Johnson MS, OTR/L -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
