Other OT-Related Information Career questionable as an OT

[tennesseebutterfly]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi. I need a clear answer to a question. I have been given the run around by local OT's, college, and everyone else.

A little bit of background: I am studying Pre-Occupational Therapy currently. I am very interested in Occupational Therapy, as I can relate to the patients in more ways than one. I am planning on either going to University of Tennessee - either the Chattanooga or Memphis program.

Problem: I am considered legally blind in both eyes with correction. I am 20/300 in my best eye. I walk with a white cane when out and about in the community. Once familiar with an area (indoors), I do great without one. I do read with a magnifier. I want to become an OT; however, would this hinder me? If it helps, I can do things "tabletop" distance great. I am wanting to specialize in hand therapy.

Please, if anyone in this field would let me know what you think, please do! I want to do this, but I do not want to be paying all this money for something I can not do!

 

[Sunny324]

Schools should provide you with admissions requirements. For my school before enrolling we needed to provide a document signed by a physician that we could perform certain tasks such as lifting 50 lbs. I don't recall the other portions of that document, but there may have been a hearing or vision requirement.

I would suggest that you keep asking around until you can find a few occupational therapists to shadow, especially a hand therapist. That will give you a better idea of what would be expected of you. Hopefully the OTs you shadow will be honest with you about the policies at their place of employment as well.

Good luck to you.

 

[tennesseebutterfly]

Hi Sunny. Thank you for the reply. So far, I do meet admission requirements, as very little is said about vision. One of the instructors have told me to start out OTA, to see if I can do the full OT, as too much discrimination is out there, especially with the 'handicapped' (in her own words). And at my work, Physical therapy tells me that OT would be my best bet, so that is about all I can get. I will definitely keep trying to find out a good answer!

 

[Sunny324]

This is a post about a PT but might be helpful for you:
http://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice..._husband_was_told_he_wasnt_being_hired_for_a/

 

[Confusedandlostone]

Hi Sunny. Thank you for the reply. So far, I do meet admission requirements, as very little is said about vision. One of the instructors have told me to start out OTA, to see if I can do the full OT, as too much discrimination is out there, especially with the 'handicapped' (in her own words). And at my work, Physical therapy tells me that OT would be my best bet, so that is about all I can get. I will definitely keep trying to find out a good answer!

Tennesseebutterfly,

Do not give up on your dream if occupational therapy is truly what you want to do. The therapist who has treated me for my newly found disability is "legally blind". He is the most genuinely empathic therapist that I have ever came across. I don't recall what his back story was, however I do know that he went through his own trials while he was in graduate school. He was able to receive accommodations after fighting his school and talking to the dean. Don't give up! I'm sure there is something the school/program can do to accommodate your needs.

 

[TennesseeOT]

@tennesseebutterfly I go to UT Chattanooga right now. I wish I had a straight answer for you, but I don't because I've never experienced severe vision problems. I would suggest that you call or schedule a visit to talk to Dr. Susan McDonald (our director) or Dr. Jessica Crowe (our fieldwork coordinator and professor). The reason I suggest Dr. Crowe is because she is legally deaf and uses hearing aids in both ears. I think she could give you a really unique perspective. I wish you the best of luck!