Hey everyone! My name is Lindsay. I am an occupational therapy (OT) student in my final year of study at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. I have to begin my blogs by saying that I am so thankful to have found the career that fits both my passions and personality perfectly! As far as my professional journey goes… I have always known I wanted to go into healthcare, but had no idea of what that looked like… even upon high school graduation. Since I didn’t know the best fit for me, I ended up spending a number of years searching. One pivotal turning point was when my personal optometrist offered me a position as a vision therapy assistant at her clinic. THIS forever changed me, increasing my awareness of how I really wanted to “help people” in my future profession. It was the nature of the therapeutic relationship that really drew me in to pursuing a career in allied health. At this point, however, physical therapy (PT) caught my eye… but I only THOUGHT I had discovered my future career! 
I spent two years pursing Athletic Training undergraduate studies as well as working in an Outpatient PT clinic, which really opened my eyes and heart further. THIS is when I had my OT revelation! Through my own research as well as talking to other healthcare professionals I had met in the community, I learned about OT. The more I learned about it, my heart became more and more enthralled! This only became multiplied when I began shadowing. I was able to contrast the difference between an OT and PT’s role and carried that over to my experiences in the clinic. I loved how OTs come along side PTs to bring another perspective and another level of healing (especially in the area of function, independence, and level of engagement in occupation!). I began to be truly excited about my future as a professional for the first time! From this point on, I KNEW that this was it!!!
Occupational therapy school has been a lot of work, but a season of sowing into what will undoubtedly be a lifetime of fruitful harvest! I am so excited to have the skill sets and training to be able to make a lasting and practical impact on my patients’ and their families. I am probably most excited about the holistic nature of OT. I really will have the knowledge and ability to bring healing and balance in the lives of my future clients. I love the functional and occupational mindset of OT, and that we get to look at the whole person – body, soul, and spirit. This was, without a doubt, the missing component that I had been searching long and hard for! I am SO thankful to have found it! I am excited to apply the virtues taken from my journey so far: patience, steadiness, and persistence, to become the best OT practitioner I can be! These, among many, have helped shape my character and will be with me throughout my life and future practice!
This JUST in!: I have just finished my first 8-week Fieldwork rotation at a wonderful RehabCare skilled nursing facility here in Oklahoma! I am looking forward to sharing some of my amazing experiences with you guys…….. but THAT will have to wait until my next blog! 
Ciao until next time!
- Lindsay