What Characteristics Are Important In OT?

Empathy is a term I had struggled with for a very long time. After my sister passed away I knew what it felt like to have people sincerely care versus just saying that they cared and knew how I felt. As an occupational therapist the main characteristic to include in therapy would be your own empathy. When individuals are at their low they need someone to pick them up and know that they sincerely care. Another important factor is by putting the client first and listening to all their needs. As an occupational therapist the main goal is to be client centered and that is only possible by focusing on them and what they want. Although having empathy and actively listening is important, we also need to advocate for OT and show them that we can help. Therapy is not possible without building a bond showing that you care about that client and their goals. Therapeutic use of self is the best way to connect with someone and try to put yourself in their shoes. Being able to care for others, listen to their concerns and promote a healthy holistic approach to life is why I chose to be an occupational therapist. 

Describe The Person Not The Disability

Disabilities, how do you describe this word? Hopefully you put the person first and not their disability, because you should know a person for who they and not the disability they have. After Dr. Keisling's lecture it proved to me that individuals were treated horribly in the past and even after the years there is still a stigma to treat those individuals unfairly. I have chosen to put the person first because a disability is a word, it doesn't describe the pain, love, communication, and enjoyment they get out of life.
Dr. Keisling's  lecture included that through legislation individuals with disabilities started getting treated more equally. As time went on the world started to see how people with disabilities were treated without care and were not given proper socialization skills. People also had been discriminated in a way that doesn't explain who they are as a person, just because an individual has a disability that doesn't mean that they are likely to cause a crime. After individuals with disabilities started to leave institutions they showed more positive vibes, efficacy, and they can acquire adaptive skills. After Kennedy's passing individuals with disabilities were offered protection and services to not be discriminated and treated equally with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
After this lecture it made it even more obvious that I chose the correct profession. As a practitioner I will strive to treat all individuals the same even if that individual has a disability. An individual with a disability has feelings, they want to accomplish goals, and be included like any other person would. As an occupational therapist I will aim to advocate that words hurt and people should not exclude individuals with disabilities because they are important just like any other individual. I hope to make an individuals experience life changing because we all deserve the very best no matter an individuals situation. As Dr. Keisling's said, disability is part of a natural human experience. We need to love one another and as an occupational therapist I want to break hateful words and treat everyone fairly.