THE primary role of occupational therapy is to promote the ‘potential independence’ of individuals by looking at activities such as self care, leisure and work of the patient.

A ‘resource material making day’ where rehabilitation assistants made games to use in special schools to promote fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and visual skills. (Photo courtesy Ministry of Health’s Rehabilitation Services Department)

This was the view expressed by occupation therapist, Ms. Michelle Kinsella, who is a Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) representative.

Supported by another VSO volunteer, the two are the only occupational therapists in the country.

With last Tuesday’s observance of International Occupational Therapy Day, more focus has been placed on this integral development mechanism that supports persons with disabilities.

The day’s commemoration was organised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, which promotes occupational therapy as an art and science internationally.

The Federation supports the development, use and practice of occupational therapy worldwide, demonstrating its relevance and contribution to society.

Guyana’s health care sector has several rehabilitation assistants functioning in the capacity of occupational therapists, who have been exposed to additional training facilitated by the VSO volunteers.

Kinsella said, “Occupational therapy bridges the gap between what the patients can do and what they want or need to do, by providing skill development and sometimes adaptive equipment.”

Occupational therapy is for adults and for children who have difficulty with independent living skills and, in Guyana, it is delivered in rehabilitation departments by rehabilitation assistants around the country at nine regional health facilities.

These services are provided at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, The Palms, Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre and the David Rose and Diamond Special Schools.

The therapy enables children with disabilities to learn skills through play, and to become more independent in skills such as dressing, feeding, crossing the road, writing and being part of their community.

Occupational therapy for someone who has a stroke focuses on getting people back to being able to do the activities they need to do at home or in another situation.

However, with all the good that occupational therapy serves to facilitate, the VSO volunteer noted that occupational therapy in Guyana has been faced with some challenges.

Primary of these is the need for increased awareness of the benefits occupational therapy can add to the lives of persons living with a disability.

Most people are affected by disability at some stage in their lives, be it temporary or permanent. An estimated 50,000 Guyanese have some type of disability, which means that a third of the population has a disability or has someone in their family with a disability.

Temporary disabilities can be as minor as a fractured finger or a cut that leaves a tingling or nerve pain.

Additionally, an area of progress that Kinsella cited was the fact that the persons exposed to occupational therapy are able to do, once more, things they thought they would not be able to do.

“After occupational therapy some are able to cook a meal for their family or do a task they thought their disability would have prevented them from doing again,” the VSO volunteer said.

Persons who have had an injury or impairment and are unable to complete their activities of daily living, can seek occupational therapy support at any regional rehabilitation department.

Additionally, assistance can be sought by contacting the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on 225-3294; the Palms on 225-4711; or the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre for children with disabilities on 225-6551. Referral from a doctor is preferred.