I am...

an educator / advocate / practitioner / leader / servant who envisions a world where all people of all abilities can freely accrue the benefits and opportunities available within our society without the burdens of stigma, discrimination, and inaccessibility ... a world where all citizens have self-satisfying lifestyles sustained by a proper blend of support, interdependence, and opportunity. I believe that the profession of occupational therapy - with its philosophy, creative approaches, evidence-based practice - has much to contribute to make this vision of equality and opportunity a reality.

I believe...

  • There are many pathways to recovery, rehabilitation, growth, and wellness.
  • Recovery is self-directed and empowering.
  • Recovery involves personal recognition of the need for change and transformation.
  • Recovery is holistic.
  • Recovery has cultural dimensions.
  • Recovery exists on a continuum of improved health and wellness.
  • Recovery is supported by peers and allies.
  • Recovery emerges from hope and gratitude.
  • Recovery involves a process of healing and self-redefinition.
  • Recovery involves addressing discrimination and transcending shame and stigma.
  • Recovery involves (re)joining and (re)building a life in the community.
  • Recovery is a reality. It can, will, and does happen!
Based on: CSAT White Paper: Guiding Principles and Elements of Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care.
Picture
Rehabilitation and medical outreach to communities in Haiti.
"Recovery is about forming relationships with people, not just making diagnoses. It’s about helping them rebuild their lives, not just treating symptoms. It’s about working alongside someone, not doing treatment to them. It’s about treating people like they’re capable of self-direction and growth, not like incapacitated patients. It’s about forming real emotional relationships, not artificial treatment relationships. It’s about hope and empowerment, self-responsibility and respect, community integration and fighting stigma." (from What's Really Different About Recovery? by Mark Ragins, M.D.)

I do...

Consortium of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Educators
  • The mission of the Consortium of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Educators (CPRE) is to develop, promote, and support academic initiatives and higher education programs specific to the contemporary practice of psychiatric rehabilitation. I serve as the CPRE website and social media coordinator, as well as associate editor of the Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Workforce Development.
Helping Hands and Beyond, Inc.
  • A nonprofit humanitarian organization established and dedicated to educate and promote wellness, by encouraging and stimulating healing and recovery. The organization's primary project is Clinic Du Nazareen which provides general health care services, rehabilitation, community development, and mobile clinics throughout Miragoane, Haiti and the surrounding villages. I serve as the Director of Academic Relations. We are currently developing an intradisciplinary and interprofessional international service learning program for practitioners, educators, and students of OT, OTA, PT, PTA and other rehabilitation, health, education, social service and arts professions.
Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation
  • Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation (HRF) is a non-profit organization that was founded to educate Haitians who want to become Occupational or Physical Therapists. HRF is the primary support for the first and only school in Haiti with four-year degree programs in both OT and PT. With over 1 million disabled Haitians, the need for therapy services is enormous. The program takes place at one of two Léogâne campuses of the Episcopal University of Haiti. The programs are offered through the Department of Rehabilitation which in French is called FSRL-UNEPH: Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne - Université Épiscopale d'Haiti).
Picture

I admire...