A simple explanation of OT services with an example of Stroke

Stroke is the condition which can (usually) lead to half sided paralysis(hemiplegia) of the body because of altered, reduced, of hampered blood supply to the half side of brain.
Now the question arises why I am discussing this condition separately in this post!!!! so for your query here is the answer: stroke is the classical condition where i can explain the maximum areas which occupational therapy covers to make that person independent to the maximum level using their residual capabilities. before going further let me explain what are the residual capabilities for an occupational therapist. when we a see a person having some physical issue we generally see his disability or in modern terms we used to say that they are challenged, but for an occupational therapist they are differently abled. an occupational therapist used to see the abilities within the so called disability of a person and those abilities are the residual capabilities which he used to attain the maximum independence in their life.

Now back to stroke, in stroke all areas including self care, physical, vocational, social and psychological are affected. and occupational therapist help him in each area to attain maximum independence.

In occupational therapy there are various programs directed to re-establish the strength and coordination in the affected part. and once we started gaining strength and coordination side by side we reduces dependency and assistance and start using there strength and coordination in functional activities. here comes the most important agenda of occupational therapy that we don't only focus on re-establishment of abilities, but our main focus is on the functional use of that strength and coordination in the natural environment.

we uses different approaches like recreational, rehabilitative, client centered any many more to attain the physical as well as psychological independence.other than these areas occupational therapist also gives vocational and prevocational assessment training as well as counseling to suggest the person whether he can go back to his previous job or he need to choose some other profession as vocation.

Other than these areas there is a separate field here occupational therapist works for the beneficial of differently abled people like stroke patient, that is environmental modification and ergonomics. if i will say that after stroke if a person takes help of an occupational therapist he will again become the same individual with same capabilities that he was having earlier, it would be wrong. some residual impairment will remain there for life long and he needs some modifications and adaptations in his environment to fully explore it and that is brought by an occupational therapist.

In short occupational therapist uses his sharp reasoning capabilities, optimistic behavior, determination, motivation, creativity and various therapeutic activities to enlighten a millions of life with "A Ray Of Hope"