I happened upon OT somewhere on my path to becoming a social
worker and due to the soft spot in my heart for kids with developmental
disabilities. OT was a perfect fit with my social justice leanings, my belief
in intrinsic motivation, and my personal value of daily routines and meaningful
activities. How could this awesome profession be hidden from my view until my
last year of college?! I couldn’t wait to immerse myself in everything
occupational therapy! I enrolled in the OTA program at LACC while finishing my
senior year at UCLA. I graduated from UCLA and LACC the same June and
immediately went to work as an OTA while simultaneously taking prerequisites
for the Master’s program in OT at USC. I started my OT career in mental health
and loved it! After several years I switched to acute rehab and loved that too!
I have had the opportunity to work as staff OT, supervisor, academic
instructor, and OT director. I finally found my way to Rancho – a place like no
other. The history, the mission, the patients and staff are truly inspirational!!
What a privilege! As we celebrate our 100th anniversary I thank our
courageous founders for conceiving such a worthy profession, one I continue to
believe in after nearly 40 years of practice! What luck to have found OT, a
career I’ve always considered a calling rather than a job! Here’s to the next
100 years. Long live OT!!
By: Michele Berro, OTR/L
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