Nancy, MS, OTR/L.
What is your passion and area of practice in OT?
I live and breathe OT ; being an OT has given me fulfillment and purpose . I want to use my platform to change the world 🌎 by spreading the importance of OT across the world especially in remote regions in Africa . To educate and make rehabilitation and habilitation accessible to all . Therapy can change lives and I don’t want anyone missing out on it . I hope with my youtube channel, I can give to others what I didn’t have, to mentor others in the journey to becoming one of the greatest professions in healthcare; OT 🙂 . I worked as a travel SNF therapist and now a full time SNF therapist.
What is your cultural or racial background? How does this influence you as a person and/or as an OT?
I was born in Ghana , West Africa but raised here in the states . My background doesn’t impact what I do as an OT , I do think that being a black OT does encourage other Black people to pursue careers that they don’t typically see colored people working in. I love that people see me as an inspiration to pursue their goals.
What is it like being a minority in this profession? Any advice for minority students pursuing a career in occupational therapy?
I would advice minority students to focus on their strengths in becoming the best therapist for their patients. The color of their skin should never be a reason to distract them or stop from achieving their dreams . Its time that we don’t accept the boxes society forces us to be in, the mental enslavement by which causes us to be self limitation . You want to do something , get it done; if you want it bad enough it will happen. It takes hard way and perseverance; your color is the last thing to focus on or allow to hinder your success. I also want minorities to use what they presume to be a weakness as a strength , it could be the color of their skin. Use it to your advantage, bring unique ideas to the field; advocate for yourself , stand up for whats right and never change who you are. Be proud of what makes you , you.
One interesting fact about you:
I believe in nature , being around nature soothe and calms me , it pulls me closer to my inner being. Theres power in everything around us : the trees, the sun , the air ; you just have to slow down and take it all in. It would be a shame to have lived and not even experience nature and all its beauty and power.
Where can we connect with you online?
IG: @lovelyy_ot
Youtube: lovelyyot
