– Occupational Therapist shares the passion he has for the task

AS a child, Calvin Lawrie was a fidgety learner and in school, his attention span was sparse, making him different from most of his peers.

According to him, he did not get sufficient support from the teachers, and that’s why he became an occupational therapist, helping children with disabilities become independent and normally re-integrated into society.

He has been an Occupational Therapist at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre for the past six years, and he works with children in the pediatric section.

Lawrie works with children with disabilities who have behavioural issues, school children who have challenges intellectually and those with problems with writing and fine motor skills.

Realising he had issues learning in school and also being a very picky eater, he was able to relate to children who have similar challenges.

Lawrie told the Pepperpot Magazine that he works with children from birth to 16 years old. These children include those with autism behavioural spectrum disorder (ADHA) and cerebral palsy.

Growing up, his father was the headmaster at Harold B. Davis Special School which is located in the compound of Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, so he was exposed to children with disabilities at an early age.

Recognising his challenges as a child, he knew the therapy field was right up his alley.

Lawrie added that he had been in the setting for a long time, and it was easy for him to gravitate towards the profession as his way of contributing to society.

He reported that he became qualified after spending four years at the University of Guyana (UG), where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy with emphasis on medical rehabilitation.

“It is a rewarding profession for me because I enjoy what I do for work, and it brings me satisfaction seeing my patients improve to become independent to be re-integrated back into society to function as a normal person and to blend in the school system,” he said.
Lawrie related that at Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, they work collectively as a team to give the required therapy to children in a holistic form of therapy which involves both mental and physical stimulation.

The 28-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that today, he is has been able to overcome his pet peeves as a child, and he likes to travel, visit new places and socialise when the need arises.
Lawrie resides in Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. He has four siblings and comes from a family of teachers.
He stated that therapy for children is essential and teaches them life skills to adapt. He has always liked children since they are our future, and he enjoys equipping them with equal opportunities.

As an occupational therapist, he deals with children who are differently abled on a very personal level and deals with their respective issues and beyond to break mental barriers.
Lawrie added that Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre is a play base for children where therapy isn’t boring and where they have goals to accomplish for their ultimate re-integration into society.

He reported that each child has different needs, be they mental or physical, and he would assess the child based on therapy since some may have problems with textures, such as feeling grass or sand etc.
Lawrie pointed out that as an occupational therapist, his job isn’t a challenge because he likes what it entails.

He was able to become competent as a result of the experience gained and knowledge imparted to him while in training.
Lawrie stated that occupational therapy is an allied profession that involves the therapeutic use of everyday activities to treat the physical, mental, developmental and emotional ailments that impact a patient’s ability to perform daily tasks.

He added that occupational therapists help children with disabilities live independently via evaluation to treat them according to their specific needs.
Lawrie related that they assist children in meeting goals to develop, recover, improve, and maintain skills needed for daily living.