John Treece residing in Michigan had been feeling down lately. He was afflicted with tenderness, swelling, and pain in his joints which he initially overlooked. As the pain persisted, his wife Catherine insisted he visit their local physician. On examining John, the physician referred him to a specialist who diagnosed his condition as Rheumatoid Arthritis. The specialist started him on a medication protocol and suggested that he use the services of an Occupational therapist. John and Catherine were flummoxed as they had not heard about such a therapist. The physician explained to them about occupational therapy in great detail and the benefits it entails.

Occupational therapy is a branch of allied medical services which deals with physical, cognitive and sensory issues. It aims at helping patients regain independence in all spheres of activity. Occupational therapy comes into play for those facing illness, injury, disability, etc. Occupational therapy is broad-based, encompassing and holistic in its approach as it deals with treating the patients as a whole, and not on micro-levels.

Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, in clinics, hospitals as well as homes. They now form an integral part of teams looking after patients in-home settings. There has been a rise in the demand for occupational therapy as people discover its virtues and advantages.

The therapists comprehensively engage with the patients (and the families) and evaluate their conditions which enable them to prepare customized rehabilitation plans based on the specific needs and requirements of each patient. The personalized plans are aimed at improving the performance of daily activities, be it simple in nature or complex. It could be tasks as simple as holding a pen or using a phone for example.

The role of the occupational therapists is to assist the patients and their families to adapt to the environment, modify tasks and encourage the use of assistive devices (such as walking canes, walkers and stair-lifts) to enable them to become independent over time. They help to identify community resources so that the patients can venture out of their homes and enjoy themselves.

This facilitates social interaction which is a vital part of any therapy and recovery. With their help, patients improve their fading self-esteem; reduce stress caused by the medical condition and regain strength.

Further, the role of the occupational therapists is to aid the patients to resume their abilities or adjust to the change in abilities. The re-learning of abilities leads to enhancement of their mental and emotional health as well.

The ultimate goal is to improve the patient’s quality of life. John and Catherine felt the same about the services rendered by the assigned therapist Lisa who became a member of the extended family over time. Lisa brought back smiles and joy into the life of John with her dedication, patience, and perseverance. They were really glad that they had used the services of Lisa who was able to empower John to take back control of his life.

In conclusion, Therapists like Lisa play a critical role in the lives of thousands of patients every year by giving them wings and teaching them to fly.