Dude, I'm proud of you!!! Now here comes a big group hug (((( )))) <smile>
On a less lighter note, immediately after your post, some unsubscribed from the list..... LOL Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Brent Cheyne <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 To: Ron Carson <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] Reflections on OT Month-Talk me down off this ledge!(just kidding) BC> To the OTList: BC> It is ironic that during this month of April--OT Month- that I have BC> decided to go against my own sunny disposition and go with a black BC> cloud of negativity in my submitted OTList post. BC> After reflecting on my career as an OT, I'm very discouraged and BC> worried about my profession. While the job has been a nice living BC> and provided me with secure employment and good benefits over the BC> last decade and a half (even in a recession), I cannot bring myself BC> to any level of comfort or satisfaction with the profession. BC> Granted, I am thankful for the many rewarding experiences I have had BC> with a few patients and with great co-workers (OT/PT/SLPs) over the BC> years, the fundamental lack of identity of the profession, lack of BC> public awareness or understanding, and uncertain future direction of BC> the profession leaves me with no sense of confidence about my career BC> development. No respect, No level of prestige. BC> I am as confused about OT as I was when I started 15 years ago, and BC> I have been making it up as I go along ever since. Additionally, I BC> am a male OT which puts me in an even more isolated position of BC> dispair. Is there something about OT I don't get due to my Y BC> chromasome? Frankly, I've been getting-by in my OT professional BC> life based on being as practical, and as creative as possible, and I BC> also rely on a heavy dose of what the Irish call "Blarney" or a BC> humble and crude charm to navigate and survive in this industry. BC> Sometimes I feel like a sham or a fake, sometimes I don't think I'm BC> contributing much value to the big picture. And what really bothers BC> me is that I'm not sure anybody would want to pay me for what I do BC> if MEDICARE wasn't picking up the tab. If a client had to prioritize BC> and pick one service to help them through their rehab, I think PT BC> and speech would have me beat. My profession is too vague and misunderstood to everyone BC> including me. And this has bothered me to greater or lesser degree my whole career. BC> In times such as these I should be very thankful for a good paying BC> job and a chance to use my training for good where I can. At the BC> present moment that is what I am trying to do. But as I look at BC> future opportunities, I don't see OT in my future. The centennial BC> vision targets science and evidence-based practice, aging in place, BC> driving, health and wellness and a few other things. As you can tell BC> I have lost my Rose Colored Glasses, and I don't see great things BC> happening in these areas. . Am I a pessimist if I don't bank on BC> these areas being a wellspring of success? Even with the onslaught BC> of aging baby boomers, I think we are missing the chance to serve them due to our wishy-wahsy ways. BC> Ron, are you smiling? <smile> I am ranting today...can you tell? I BC> need someone to talk me down off this ledge! It feels good to get BC> these negative vibes out of my system. What my next professional move will be...I just don't know. BC> Thanks, BC> And by the way Happy OT Month!:) BC> Brent BC> BC> .. BC> BC> -- BC> Options? BC> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com BC> Archive? BC> www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
