Occupational Therapy Personal Statement Essay

One of my favourite memories growing up is of harvesting potatoes with my grandmother on our rural farm in Romania. While the rural lifestyle has taught me responsibility and work ethic, I truly grew to understand and appreciate the importance of meaningful occupation to our health and well-being following my grandmother's hip fracture. Although my grandmother's condition was poor, she was eagerly anticipating her return to the vegetable field. Unfortunately, the lack of rehabilitative services that are necessary to treat injury and disability left my grandmother confined to her bed for several months. It was troublesome watching her happiness deteriorate. Romania's limited access to appropriate care has not only deprived people of their ability to live independently, but has also restricted many hard-working individuals from continuing meaningful and productive lives in their most valued occupation – agriculture. My motivation to pursue a career in occupational therapy (OT) developed from
By actively engaging students in a variety of learning opportunities (e.g. sports, art, workshops), I supported students in establishing a personal identity and developing a healthy pattern of skills, occupations, and coping strategies in preparation for a successful future. This experience has helped me realize that occupational barriers are not only a consequence of injury and disability, but may also result from psycho-social, community and environmental influences. In this position, I have also assumed a compassionate role by empowering students to effectively cope with many of the struggles that emerge in the early adolescent years. Working with youth from varied backgrounds has also strengthened my confidence in my ability to meet the diverse needs of a growing and diverse