James Jackson, OT
What is your passion and area of practice in OT?
My passion and what drives me everyday is to help all those in need by providing the best quality of treatment. My passion didn’t happen overnight but came to me later in life. My area in practice is working with the geriatric population. I enjoy working with this population and I must tell you it’s never a dull moment. My heart grows each time I work with this group of amazing people!
What is your cultural or racial background? How does this influence you as a person and/or as an OT?
My culture and background is Jamaican, Panamanian and African descent. I am proud of who I am and my culture. My culture gives me strength to be the best at everything I do in life. As a therapist, my culture influences me to provide the best treatment to all cultural/race backgrounds. When I worked as a CNA, I’ve seen many patients from different backgrounds, not receive the best care! I always told myself that when I graduate, I’ll make sure that each patient I come in contact with will always receive the best treatment! Improving my cultural awareness is imperative to me. Building that client-therapist relationship with your patients and understanding their culture forming a respectful/trusting bond is something I pride in.
What is it like being a minority in this profession? Any advice for minority students pursuing a career in occupational therapy?
Being a minority in this profession, honestly, was scary but was ready for it! I didn’t know what to expect and if others would respect me because of my culture. Working in a female dominant profession is amazing! I’ve learned so much from each female therapist from level 1 fieldwork to now. The passion and drive I see in each female therapist I’ve came in contact/worked with pushes me to bring that fire out. Being an advocate for my patients going above and beyond!
My best advice to upcoming minority students, who wants to pursue a career in occupational therapy, is to have faith in your abilities. I’m still in all that I made it through the program! I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer just months before starting the program. Though it was a rough place in my life at the time, I knew how proud she was when I received that acceptance letter and told myself that I would continue on into the program. You have to be willing to sacrifice so much and make it your main priority to get through the program! I can tell you one thing. It was so worth it!!! I love what I do!!!!
One interesting fact about you:
Here’s a fun fact! I got accepted into the BSN program at Charleston Southern University. On day 1 of the program, I left. The reason why I left is because I knew that occupational therapy was for me.
Where can we connect with you online?
IG: @Getfitbyjackson_
