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.
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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...

The Recovery House, Pakistan
  • Located in Karachi Pakistan, The Recovery House offers Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services for people with severe mental illness  who wish to have a successful and satisfying life. I serve on the board of Caravan of Life-USA, which is an organization that supports The Recovery House through techical assitance.    
Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation
  • The Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation (HRF) was founded to address the lack of adequate rehabilitation services in Haiti by creating a sustainable, Haitian-led solution. In response to the critical shortage of trained rehabilitation professionals, HRF established Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne (FSRL)—Haiti’s first academic program for occupational and physical therapy. As a US-based non-profit organization, HRF is dedicated to supporting the success and sustainability of rehabilitation in Haiti. Our purpose is to empower rehabilitation professionals in Haiti with the education, resources, and professional development needed to provide high-quality rehabilitation services.
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I admire...