Maria Ortiz-Alfaro

Why is being an occupational therapist important to me? My mom used to tell me a story on how when I was in Pre-K I would always make sure everyone was taken care of and went with home safely and in health. If someone got hurt i would always be the first to attend to them. If someone needed my help I would always be there. Overtime when I thought about what carer path I could take, because I couldn’t fulfill my childhood dream of being a dolphin trainer, I knew I wanted to help people especially in the medical field. At first I thought “I’m for sure going to be a nurse”, but when I thought about being a nurse would take a lot of mental strength. All the nurses I knew are the strongest people on earth with everything they deal with. I contemplated and thought maybe nursing is not for me since I would be checking in patient but I didn’t feel like I would help them be completely well to the point they got home in safety. Then I thought about become a physical therapist since I was always interested in the human body. Then as I thought about it I felt like I wasn’t their mentally for my patient. I was always interested in the human mind and helping people not only physically but mentally in their day to day life. Then I thought, “Of course! I should be a therapist!” but as time went on I knew I wouldn’t get the physical part of the patient. I wouldn’t have my interest in the human body flourish in that career. I wanted a career that was like a physical therapist but more of a personal connection with my patient but, I also wanted to be a therapist while still helping my patients physical body. I researched my interest and saw what careers interested me. After looking up online I found something called Occupational Therapy. I didn’t really know what it was at all so I researched about it out of curiosity. The more I researched on it the more it peaked my interest. Occupational therapy is not only helping the patient physically with anything that they are struggling with, but also helping your patient mentally with pushing them out of their comfort zone to help them get back into routine. To be with them every step of the way unit one knew that they were completely healthy to get back into routine. The more I knew about the more excited I felt about this career. I went to different colleges to see this degree and what they offered and met a lot of occupational therapist along the way and the more I knew about their own experience the more I wanted to experience that as well. I always liked to help people and I want to study occupational therapy because not only will I feel like my desire to help people will be fulfilled but also because I can make a impactful difference in someones life. That after something they struggled with one day, they will go home completely recovered and safe.

I want to be an occupational therapist and have a major in that. I have always wanted to help people and be there for them and help them in anyway I can. Getting a job in a field where I can do that would mean a lot to me. I want to be there for people.

I am on the swim team
I sang in choir for 5 years and I still love to sing
I play guitar
I love reading
I love trying new things
I like crafting