Moments of Truth

Countless people have given me that quizzical look when I tell them what I do for a living. For the record, I am an Occupational Therapist by profession. And they usually go..."What's that???" What a relief in this day and age, to be able to finally ask them to look it up in the web. Ha ha...Looking back at 15 years of work experience, I must say I have no regrets. Ever experience those moments of truth where you go "AHHHH..." and really, really felt a true sense of satisfaction? Here are a few of mine...

1. I was a fresh graduate and a little doubtful of whether Asian folks valued independent living as much as the Westerners did? But when I strapped a modified spoon to hand of a guy with spinal cord injury, he said it was the happiest day of his life since the accident, because he could feed himself and need not rely on his elderly mum to do this simple task for him.

2. I found it very difficult to motivate an elderly man with severe head injury to do his exercises. One day, I came across a mahjong set and brought it to the standing-table. Immediately his eyes lit up and he began to use his hands and fingers to touch and feel the tiles...just like a pro. Therapy became fun and meaningful for him from then onwards.

3. Currently, I provide therapy for children with special needs e.g. Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome etc. It's pure joy to see them cross significant milestones...the first step without support (Look mum! No hands!), giving eye-contact during play, saying 'Goodbye, Auntie Jaclyn' spontaneously, having a discussion about trains while building with Lego bricks, climbing up and enjoying the swings, no more crying in the ballpool...and many, many more...

I have a great job and it's fun everyday...well...almost...:0)