My Story: How I Decided to Do OT

MY STORY

How I Decided To Do OT

by: Nina Nunez

I came to this country nine years ago. High School was the time for me to submerge into a new culture, polish my English, adjust to the American school system, and make new friends from different countries. During this time I also I got in touch with myself more deeply.  I realized my interest in arts and music. In high school, I took photography classes and excelled in my Art classes as well. Because of this, I decided to take Advertising Design in college. We were required to take humanities and sciences courses and I found studying biology and chemistry really challenging, yet interesting. I realized that I liked art but it was not a good enough reason to do art as a profession. It was just a passion; a hobby that I can still enjoy doing while doing something else professionally. I was in the stage of what Erikson referred to as moratorium—a period when young adults take time out to find themselves. I was not sure what I wanted to do with my life but I know for a certain that I like helping people. I have always felt sympathy for those who are unfortunate.

I was hospitalized due to Spontaneous Pneumothorax in 2008 and 2009. I had tubes inserted in both sides of my chest to keep the negative pressure in the pleural space. I also had to undergo surgery to remove the blebs. This incident was a turning point for me. I saw how nice the nurses were to me. I found new respect for them and for caregivers alike. They take care for people who are not related to them. I realized I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field as well but I did not quite know what exactly.  I transferred to University at Buffalo as it is a good medical school, yet very affordable compared to other schools. At the time of my admission, I wanted to do Pharmacy. But as time went on, I expanded my options. I researched about the requirement for different majors. Occupational Therapy interested me the most.

I looked for volunteer work in the city. Volunteering really helped me decide whether I really want to pursue a career in this field. Volunteering exposed me to the profession by doing direct patient care. I did exercises and puzzles with the patients. I sat beside them and talked to them about their life. I listened eagerly to their stories while encouraging them to do the exercises. I felt happy when they said “thank you” to me just by assisting them. I can just imagine how appreciation I would receive if I become a therapist myself. Appreciation for me is better than receiving something material in return. When somebody appreciates me, I feel I have worth. There is one patient that I will never forget. Her name is Maria. I learned a lot about her during my short stay at the facility. She is fluent in four languages and she used to teach Spanish to adults whose profession requires them to learn how to speak the language. She fell in her bath tub while taking a shower so she broke the lumbar part of her spine. I really liked working with her as she was so enthusiastic and full of life despite the agony she must have faced. I saw her when she could not stand. I watched how she struggled to stand up. And I witnessed how better she has become by the end of the therapy. I saw her able to walk again. I remember her favorite exercise with me was shooting and passing a ball. The day I left was also the day of the end of her therapy. I will not forget when she said goodbye to me while holding my hands “Goodbye Nina. It was a pleasure working with you. Good luck on your studies.” Moments like this made my time volunteering worthwhile. I hope I will be able to work with people like Maria again.

Occupational Therapists are different from other health care practitioners in a way that they do not only address the physical needs of their clients but their emotional and psychological well-being as well. OTs are compassionate, and good communicators and listeners. They help people with disabilities retain their independence and live their lives to the fullest. They encourage them to engage in meaningful activities—occupations.

 I have been through a long journey finding myself and what I want to do for the rest of my professional life. Some people are lucky to know exactly what they want from the start. Even though this is not the case for me, that long road that I took made me who I am today. I may still have two more years to go until graduation, but I know all the hard work will pay off in the end. I cannot wait until the day when I can finally use all the things I learned in school in practice and help my clients live their life to the fullest.