Liz' Story
Occupational Therapist
Liz, an Occupational Therapist (OT) with Easterseals Massachusetts (ESMA), first heard about Easterseals growing up and then again in college as her Clinical Instructor also worked as an OT with ESMA. When Liz graduated, she knew she wanted to work with adults but, at the same time, she was also interested in working with children. Working at ESMA has allowed Liz to get the best of both worlds, by working in both adults and pediatric settings. Because of our variety of community partnerships, ESMA allows Liz to work across the lifespan. This variety means that Liz has the opportunity to treat in skilled nursing facilities and in schools during her regular workweek, and she is able to slip effortlessly between the two age groups.
“I do not like to do the same thing day in and day out so the ability to work in different settings makes my work week enjoyable. I am not at just one place everyday…I am at different places throughout my week and, therefore, I can spread out my time and really focus on certain areas on specific days.”
Like with most new jobs, Liz was nervous at the beginning. As a new graduate, Liz believed she needed to know everything and hit the ground running. “When I started working at ESMA, I quickly realized this was not actually the case. Val, my OT Clinical Supervisor, has supported me in each new contract and is always available to answer any questions I have. There are always new things popping up but you have ways to reach out and figure everything out. I now know if there is something new that I am working on or need to do more research on a topic, I know that if I ask a question with my fellow ESMA team or utilize resource links I will know how to address the new area of concern correctly the first time and will carry out the skill going forward.” The support that the therapists at ESMA receive is not just from their Clinical Supervisors. The collaborative approach to therapy offers therapists the ability to bounce ideas off of each other which, in turn, benefits the clients. After all, two heads are better than one.
The ability to help clients live, learn, work, and play in their natural environment is key to Liz’s success as an OT. “With adults, I tend to work on more ADLs with them. A part of their ADL may be to get dressed, put makeup on, and do their hair. These tasks in turn help them enjoy meeting up with their friends for a chat at their nursing home. For kids, I get to work with them more directly for their leisure play in a school setting, fine motor control, and coordination in school tasks. I am currently working with one medically complex student on grabbing and releasing a ball. For him, it is very meaningful to be able to play with a ball so that in turn becomes a lifelong leisure activity that I am helping him gain skills in.”
Working at a mission-driven organization like Easterseals Massachusetts has been fulfilling for Liz.
“I like it because it gives a lot of meaning to our work. It gives us a sense of purpose behind our work and it means that we are part of something bigger than just the patient we are currently helping. We usually do not see that with contract work as clients and therapists tend to come and go pretty regularly. I know that the sites I have been placed at are always very excited to see ESMA therapists!”
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