How does it feel...to be real?

So here we are, really doing it--the work we are striving for each and every day. Sitting in the OTA classroom is child's play compared to being out in the real field. And I thought these tests were tough! The tough stuff is thinking on our feet and rolling with the punches when things don't necessarily go according to plan. Because I have a natural aversion to disorder and an affinity for routine, I am learning a lot about being flexible as an OTAS. When working with clients who have survived a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) the practitioner must be able to lead by example and follow along with differences in pace, attitude, and functional skill level. A seasoned OTA would probably not think twice about this but as a beginner, I have found myself challenged in new and exciting ways already.
So far my clients have surprised me with their humor and honesty. At times they speak freely about the accidents that caused their TBI, they discuss their past occupations, they share wishes for the future. It has been priceless to see them complete a difficult task with creativity and enthusiasm, only to get even more excited at joining them in their pride over a job well done.
Being part of this program and working with clients who actually suffer from a mental illness is giving me such a sense of gratitude and motivation--gratitude that I have chosen a field I can be truly passionate about and the motivation to work even harder to be of service to others. To succeed as a student and to become a certified OTA I will need to adopt and manifest the qualities I see in my clients every time I work with them--perseverance and an undying hope and faith in the future. Just as they strive to get better, to function as independently as possible, and to achieve more than they thought they could; so too will I learn valuable lessons from them if I pay attention and show up ready to work hard.