Imagining the Possibilities

Possibilities are the theme of this year's AOTA conference, and the message was in no short supply at the Opening Ceremony earlier today in the Long Beach Convention Center. AOTA President Penny Moyers Cleveland told the audience that with a strong profession and a strong association, there were no possibilities that occupational therapy could not make reality.

Keynote speaker Warren MacDonald put a face on the message of possibilities. MacDonald suffered the loss of both his legs to amputation after they were crushed in a freak rock climbing accident. Only 10 months later, he sat atop Australia's Cradle Mountain. "When you change the way you see the world," he told the captive audience of thousands of OTs, "you change the world."

Of course, the ceremonies were full of festivity as well. The opening act, a local band called Ready Freddie, had OTs dancing in the aisles (it wouldn't be an AOTA conference if OTs weren't dancing in the aisles!) to R & B favorites. One of the things that truly makes OT unique, in my opinion, is that at conference you see even the most prestigious leaders of the profession dancing alongside OT students and practitioners. Everyone is equal, and everyone is fully engaged in the occupation of having fun!

After the opening ceremonies, attendees packed the exhibit hall to visit with the 350+ exhibitors who have their products and services on display (including tons of possibilities for job seekers). ADVANCE's booth was packed early on as attendees came to check out all the OT gear available through the ADVANCE Healthcare Shop.

For photos of the evening's events (including plenty of shots of OTs shakin' what their mommas gave them!) head over to our photo galleries and take a look at our AOTA Day 2 photos.