This year’s OT Week theme is ‘What OT means to me’. To explore the importance of Occupational Therapy our OT’s and extended team will be sharing some of their thoughts. Jarred, our OT team leader, kicks off a conversation about driving, accessibility and goals.
Driving is something we take for granted. Think back to when you first got you P plates and the freedom you felt. Now think about those people who cannot drive due to a medical condition.
Think about Ame Barnbrook who was born with no arms, one leg and three toes. Despite this Ame has represented Australia in competitive sailing and learnt to play the trumpet all by using her three toes. Despite these significant achievements driving has always been something that Ame has wanted to do and through technology she has been able to achieve this goal.
Ame uses a joystick similar to how you operate a powered wheelchair to drive a vehicle with her three toes along with other high level vehicle mods including voice-controlled indicators, windscreen wipers, horn, windows the list goes on. I highly recommend you spare 10 minute and watch Ame’s story Total Ability, Helping Ame Barnbrook Drive – YouTube.
As therapists it is because of stories like this that we come into work every day.
Helping participants achieve their goals and increase their independence is what OT means to me. What does OT mean to you?
#OTWEEK2022 #WHATOTMEANSTOME
Click here for more information on Occupational Therapy services at Alliance Rehabilitation.