If you’ve been practicing occupational therapy for a few years, it’s totally normal to feel a bit burned out from time to time.
You can feel energized by occupational therapy by going back to the reason you chose to become an OT practitioner.
It’s also fun to read about others’ occupational therapy paths and thoughts about the profession, and what better way to do this than to learn about some great occupational therapy quotes from amazing occupational therapists!
My blog post is based on the following: 11Here are some of my favorite quotes about occupational therapy to make you proud and excited to become an OT practitioner. These will make you feel just as inspired and energized as mine.
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“Man, through the use of his hands, as they are energized by mind and will, can influence the state of his own health.” Mary Reilly, EdD
I’m pretty sure this is the most well-known occupational therapy quote, from Mary Reilly’s 1962 Eleanor Clarke Slagle lecture. This quote sums up occupational therapy perfectly, and it really highlights the value of meaningful occupation for everyone. To learn more about Dr. Reilly, be sure to check out her bio from USC’s Occupational TherapyDepartment.
“OccupationalTherapy practitioners are there to help you live your best life, no matter what. They provide practical solutions for success in everyday living and help people alter how they arrange their daily activities to maximize function, vitality, and productivity.” Florence Clark, PhD OTR/L FAOTA
Florence Clark, another visionary in occupational therapy, gave us this wonderful quote that gives a solid description of what occupational therapists can do for people. This is an excellent one to include in your OT elevator pitch. Read her USC Faculty Page to learn more about Clark and her accomplishments in the OT industry.
“Occupational therapy practitioners ask, “What matters to you?” not, “What’s the matter with you?” Virginia “Ginny” Stoffel, PhD, OT, BCMH, FAOTA
Ginny Stoffel was the former president of AOTA. I love this quote. It really shows how occupational therapy truly is a client-centered profession that emphasizes the person’s wants and needs, without just focusing on their medical diagnosis.
“OccupationalTherapy is more than a job. Therapy is more than a job. It’s a calling. We felt drawn to it.”Amy Lamb, OTD/OT/L FAOTA
I couldn’t agree more with former AOTA president Amy Lamb’s thoughts on how and why many of us became OT practitioners in the first place. This is a great statement for many of us and I am always interested in hearing about what drew OTs into this wonderful profession. Feel free to share your story in the comments.
For me, I discovered OT while working as an inpatient rehab nurse’s assistant in college, and was so inspired by the progress my patients were making with their OTs and wanted to be a part of that!
“OccupationalTherapy. Hoffnung can be transformed into hope. Can’t into can. Impossible into possible.” Valerie Pena, OTR
This quote sums it all. With our patient education and interventions, it is amazing how OT can truly change peoples’ lives for the better even after a devastating illness or injury.
“OccupationalTherapy. It is the most meaningful, creative, holistic, and meaning-enhancing health profession. We are proud to wear the uniform, adhere to client-centered outcomes measures, and prioritize active involvement in self-care as well as productivity and leisure. We are occupational therapists. Adding life to days.” Jamie Grant, OT
Jamie Grant, UK-based OT founder of the Occupational Therapy Association, has provided another excellent synopsis on occupational therapy. Occupational TherapyHub. I believe that OTs are the best holistic healthcare providers and creative professionals. That is what I love about our profession.
“Medicine adds days to life, occupational therapy adds life to days.” Unknown
This is a favorite of mine. I believe that occupational therapy is one medical profession that truly focuses on a person’s quality of life versus strictly on their medical outcomes.
“Occupational therapy is where science, creativity and compassion collide.” Jessica Kensky
This is such a great quote, from Jessica Kenksy’s 2016 AOTA Welcome Ceremony keynote speech, that you can watch in full here. Jessica, while she isn’t an OT, is a registered nurse and a survivor from the Boston Marathon bombing. After having their legs amputated, Patrick and Jessica both received OT services. This was a major factor in their recovery.
Her quote is a lovely way to show that OTs can be more than science and research. Our creativity and holistic nature allow us to have a positive impact on the world.
“Life takes on meaning in the minute-by-minute reality in which we experience ourselves achieving ordinary things.” Gary Kielhofner, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA
Gary Kielhofner is the author of this quote. You may have heard his name in OT school. This quote is very relevant to OT and reminds me of the joy I feel with patients when they make small improvements in their recovery. This could be new hand movements after a stroke or the ability for patients to get up from hospital beds after long hospital stays.
Even after almost five years of practicing, I still get so much joy with these typically “ordinary” life activities.
“Occupational therapy practitioners know that hope still glimmers in the darkest hour.” Unknown
This one is also a great example. After a life-changing event such as an injury or illness, OTs can help people believe that there is still hope for recovery and that they can live a full life.
“Occupational therapy combines science, art and a creative spirit, and I truly feel that occupational therapy changes lives.” Mandy Chamberlain OTR/L
This is a quote I love from Mandy Chamberlain, my friend and amazing adult-based OT. She also founded Seniors Flourish. This quote is taken from her interview for Saebo. Read the entire article here.
“OccupationalTherapy is the only profession that allows people to achieve their goals through therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability.” American Occupational TherapyAssociation (AOTA).
As our final OT quote, let me close with this AOTA classic. It sums up the essence of what occupational therapists do. AOTA has more information about OT here. This is another great quote to add to your OT elevator pitch.
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These inspiring quotes are truly inspirational. There are many more inspiring quotes, so feel free to leave your favourite occupational therapy quotes below.
Please feel free to share the article with others to spread the OT inspiration!
FAQ:
1. What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is a health profession that helps people of all ages to perform daily activities they want and need to do through therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations).
2. What are some benefits of occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy can improve mobility, balance, coordination, and fine motor skills. It can also help manage chronic conditions, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being.
3. What are some famous occupational therapy quotes?
One famous quote is, “Occupational therapy is not just a job. It’s a profession that changes lives.” Another one is that “Occupational therapy enables people to live life to its fullest by helping them to promote health, prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability.”
4. How can occupational therapy help children?
Occupational therapy can help children with developmental delays or disabilities improve their motor skills, cognitive skills, sensory processing, and social skills.
