When I decided to study recreational therapy, I was beyond excited. It felt like I had finally found my purpose. But as soon as classes began at BYU, students started asking each other get-to-know-you questions. A regular question was "what's your major?" I would answer with pride "recreational therapy!" But I often got the feeling that being a recreational therapy major made them believe I was inferior. I left BYU and headed closer to home because of health issues. When it was time to start classes at OSU, I thought things would be different here. I thought I would receive less judgmental responses when I revealed my major. Boy was I wrong! I heard many of the exact same comments I did at BYU. I was almost embarrassed when I told other people what I wanted to do. I decided it was time to stop letting people make me feel this way and remember that I am doing some amazing and worthwhile. Here are some of the comments that have been said to me and some of my fellow colleagues. Each comment is followed by what I wish I had replied.
2. "That sounds easy." No. I have classes that are difficult. Because recreational therapy falls under the realm of healthcare we have to know a lot about anatomy, physical disabilities, human development, etc. My career will not be easy either. Working with physical disabilities, psychiatric patients, and patients with other special needs is not for everyone.
3. "You guys just play during class time." It's true that we do play. But there is a purpose behind the play. We are being taught games and activities that we can implement into a treatment plan to help provide a function change in a patient's life. Just the other day in class, we learned how an individual who has suffered a stroke could possibly have lost recognition of one side of their body. If that case, we were taught that recreational therapists can use a game that incorporates the individual's affected side with the objective of improvement overtime.
4. "That's fun..." Yes. It is fun. But when you say it with a derogatory tone, it is not appreciated. There are lots of fun aspects about the major, but there is also a lot of hard work. And it IS fun to pursue a career in something you are extremely passionate about. I hope you are passionate about your major. I hope you wake up in the morning excited to go to class because you are absolutely in love with what you are learning.
5. "That doesn't make any money." I may not make as much money as I would in another career. But when I started the program, it wasn't the money I was after. I was looking for an outlet to satisfy my addiction of bringing joy to someone else. I crave that feeling of fulfillment I get when I help someone accomplish something they didn't think was possible for them to accomplish. That is worth so much more to me than any monetary value.
Becoming an assistant dance teacher was the way I discovered this passion. I worked every week with the most precious girl living with Down Syndrome. She has the sweetest, purest soul. Her little triumphs were grand victories, followed by an exchange of high-fives. When it came time for the recital, I was beyond excited for her. I'm pretty sure I held my breath the whole time she was on stage. She was beautiful. I was so proud of her for performing so well. I was busy complimenting her, that I totally forgot I was supposed to be on stage to perform a dance as well. I ran onstage in the middle of the song. The director felt bad I had missed my cue. It could have been embarrassing or funny or something bad. But it was actually irrelevant. Me missing my cue didn't matter because I was so proud. That was when it began.
Later down the road, I learned that this was the type of thing people do as a career. This could be something a recreational therapist could do. It seemed too good to be true. But it is true. And it is becoming my reality. I'm can't wait for all the opportunities in my future to make a difference in someone else's life. This desire is something I should be proud of.
