12/31/2024
This post goes out to my fellow recreation therapists and TR professionals.
We work in a field that many haven’t heard of, understand, or fully value. Many of us spend a vast majority of our time just advocating for this profession so that our clients and patients can access recreation therapy services. Rarely do we meet a fellow healthcare worker that truly understands the work we do, and impact we have. Our work is misunderstood and seen as time-fillers, boredom reducers, party planners … the “fun and games people”. Many of us see regularly the impact we can have, and areas in our health systems we can support - but then dismissed or ignored. This can be exhausting. Frustrating. Defeating.
But we know why we continue to show up every day. We know why we continue to advocate for this field. We know why recreation therapy matters for the health of our communities.
We show up for the woman with postpartum depression that doesn’t know who she is anymore outside of being someone’s mom.
We show up for the man that had a stroke, who loved being retired and golfing with this friend, and didn’t think he could swing a golf club ever again.
We show up for the teen that experienced a spinal cord injury and isolated himself from his friends because he thought he was too different now.
We show up for the lady that has dementia, and is said to have “behaviours” after being moved into a care home away from her friends and family and routine.
We show up for 28 year old that has only known how to be social and feel accepted while being intoxicated and partying.
We show up for the person that is newly immigrated, misses their home and family and friends, and can’t quite figure out why they’re not enjoying life like they used to.
We show up, and we give space to individuals and see what they are capable of, not what they’ve lost.
So, remember you made an impact on people’s lives. And even if you don’t think it matters to others, it matters to those we’ve supported and helped.
So, if you’re willing to share, what was something that you accomplished in 2024 as a recreation therapist?