<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I vividly remember the day in 2005 when I got the call that my mom had been in a head on car accident. She had fractured her sternum, suffered a concussion which lead to some memory loss and had extensive soft tissue injuries. At the time I was a senior in high school and had been researching possible careers in health care but I had yet to find something that excited me. During my Mom's recovery I was intrigued by the tangible results that occupational therapy offered her and how she was able to regain her independence and eventually return to work. Looking back, I appreciate that this was the first experience that inspired me to contemplate a career in occupational therapy.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />As I entered my undergraduate program at the University of Victoria I began to lack a clear sense of direction. I was excited about occupational therapy, however, my cousin had recently been diagnosed with a speech disorder which had also influenced me to research a career in speech-language pathology and eventually to major in Linguistics.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During my third year of university in 2012, my mother developed health complications due to a rare form of cancer. During her treatment and recovery she received many forms of therapy including an assessment with an occupational therapist before returning to work. I had an opportunity to observe one of her therapy sessions and I was immediately excited about how the occupational therapist attended to my mom's physical well being as well as her psychological well being. Psychology had become my favorite subject at university and I had come to realize that I wanted a career in health care that had a holistic approach. All of these things seemed to come together that day, and I realized I was certain I had found the career I was looking for. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As the only child in a single-parent family, my mom and I have faced many challenges in the past few years but they have also been wonderful opportunities to learn life lessons t</span><span style="font-size: medium;">hat have taught me the s</span><span style="font-size: medium;">kills necessary to manage many demands, be organized, study effectively, and to deal with stress. I now have a greater understanding of the social and emotional issues related to a change in health and a deeper ability to empathize with clients and their families. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have dedicated over 500 hours of volunteer work to support my community and to learn as much as possible about helping children and adults with mental and/or physical disabilities. I have volunteered in hospitals, long-term care facilities and one-on-one in private homes assisting with hygiene, nourishment, dressing, social, and speech-related needs. Volunteering has helped me grow personally to become more patient,sensitive and creative. I have also learned effective coping skills and the ability to recognize my own limitations.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the past two years I have been employed as a behavior interventionist working with children to implement therapeutic interventions for behavioral and developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder. I have discovered my passion for working with children, and I am excited about becoming an occupational therapist, knowing I can positively impact a child's life.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I look forward to the challenges, knowledge, skills and practical experience the Occupational Program at the University of Toronto will bring. I am confident my skills as an active listener, critical thinker and my natural creative ability will be well suited for this career. I look forward to helping children and adults overcome challenges and flourish in the face of adversity.</span></p>