Occupational Therapy Profession Celebrated
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermuda’s occupational therapists joined together in April to recognise and celebrate the profession as part of Occupational Therapy Month.
Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in enhancing individuals’ quality of life by promoting independence, functional abilities, and overall well-being.
Dr Pashé J Douglas-Sampson, the vice chair of the Bermuda Occupational Therapy Association and World Federation of Occupational Therapists Delegate for Bermuda, said the local community of occupational therapists is actively involved in global initiatives and marked the occasion by gathering at the Botanical Gardens in Devonshire.
“We wanted to do something a little different this year,” Dr Douglas-Sampson told Bernews.
“There are 35 registered OTs in Bermuda, and around 25 of us gathered at the Botanical Gardens for a photograph.
“We also asked as many as possible to send in a short video, saying where they were, where they worked, and what population they worked with and tag another OT on our social media pages.
“Plus, we had people on local radio stations and podcasts to try and get the profession out there.”
Dr Douglas-Sampson said the Bermuda Occupational Therapy Association [BOTA] aims to “promote and protect the profession, educate the public on what we do, and help people stay independent in the community.”
She added: “We want people to understand the importance of occupational therapy, an understated profession.
“For those who don’t know what we do, we’re a therapy profession, a healthcare profession, which ensures people remain independent or get back to independence.”
With Bermuda facing the challenges of an aging population, Dr Douglas-Sampson believes occupational therapists on the island have a vital role in helping the elderly.
“OTs can help people in terms of prepping for the future,” said Dr Douglas-Sampson, who said the BOTA awards a bursary every two years to a local occupational therapy student.
“People are going to want to age at home and we can assist them. We work across the lifespan – from birth onwards, every stage of life. We interact with every population and age group in the community.”
In March, around 60 delegates from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists [WFOT] visited the island for council and executive meetings after being invited by the BOTA.
During the visit, [WFOT] met with the Bermuda Hospitals Boards, the Bermuda College, the Ministry of Health, the Department of Public Health, and the Argus Group.
Facebook: Bermuda Occupational Therapy. Instagram: @bota_bda
