OT in the New York Times!
I don't know Jodi Levin, but I admire her. She's featured in a recent article in the
New York Times on January 15 entitled "Coaching the Comeback." The article describes Ms. Levin's role on the brain injury unit at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, NJ. Now matter how her patients come to her - some are accident victims, some reacted badly to drugs, some are drunk drivers - she treats each one with the same care and dedication. I know that's her job, that is her ethical obligation as a medical professional, but its not always easy to give someone your all when you don't agree with the choices they've made.
I'm glad author Jan Hoffman chose Jodi for her article--she really represents the best that occupational therapy has to offer. The article also portrays the challenges that patients with brain injury, and their families, face every day. That even just being able to hold up his head, or say hello, can be a victory for a patient. Onlookers who see patients counting coins or sorting plastic utensils often don't realize that these seemingly simple and mundane tasks would be impossible for patients without the work of OTs. Thanks to Ms. Hoffman for doing such an excellent job of depicting the role of OT in brain injury rehabilitation. I encourage OTs out there to share this article with friends, patients and their families to help promote a better understanding of what occupational therapy has to offer.