During April, we celebrate Occupational Therapy Month.  One of our own occupational therapists, Kristina Watkins, describes exactly how she has used her skills to make a difference in the lives of others.  Kristina wrote the following:

“As someone who has been on several medical mission trips to Haiti, I was deeply saddened after the devastating earthquake that shook Haiti on January 12, 2010.  I wanted to hop on a flight and be there immediately.  However, with commercial flights on hold, that was nearly impossible for the first several weeks.  I also wanted to be sure I went when I would be most helpful.  After all, I’m “just” an occupational therapist.  Since I had previously been to Haiti, I knew I could be useful, but I had no idea just how useful I could be.

I received several emails that occupational and physical therapists were desperately needed and knew this was my opportunity.  I quickly pulled the details together and spent March 11-18 at a Christian school in Port-au-Prince.  On previous trips, I helped run clinics in small villages and typically worked in the pharmacy in which I would see hundreds of patients come through in one day.  On this trip, I was sent out every day to work in a local hospital.  Ironically, it was Haitian Community Hospital, and here I work for Community Hospital.  I had the great privilege of working with the same 10-15 patients each day.  Many patients in the hospital had not been out of bed since the earthquake that had occurred two months previously.  Many had fractures that may or may not have been casted.  Many had peripheral nerve damage following crush injuries.

 I saw patients twice a day for range of motion, gait training, and general rehab.  I was also called to consult on a variety of patients seen in the outpatient and wound care clinics.  I fabricated splints out of anything I could find.  I trained patients to use their walkers and crutches with appropriate weight bearing precautions.  I was often the person who helped patients walk outside and see the sunshine or walk down the hall to see a friend for the first time in two months.  I was rewarded with smiles, hugs, prayers, and utterances of “I love you”, “I’ll never forget you”, and “God bless you.”  I felt like the world’s greatest therapist!

 I will never forget the amazing patients I worked with in Haiti, as they reminded me of the value of function and quality of life.  I will continue my dedication to the occupational therapy profession by providing the best quality of care to all of my patients.  As we celebrate April as Occupational Therapy Month, I ask you to remember the value that occupational therapy can bring to the lives of your patients.  We not only offer exercises to improve strength and range of motion, but we enjoy looking at the big picture to be sure all of our patients (young and old) live life to the fullest and have the best quality of life.”