Knowledge Check

            After watching the presentation on assistive technology, watching the TED talk on “Why We Need Universal Design”, and listening to the “Glass Half Full” podcast on “Leisure Exploration and Creativity with Veterans and Service Members”, I have learned about the importance of creativity in the field of occupational therapy. Assistive technology does not have to be as high-tech as it may sound—rather it is often low-tech, but it allows clients to be able to do something they might typically struggle with. The ability to come up with small changes that can make a difference in the client’s experience of an activity takes creativity. In the TED talk, my favorite quote was “The existence of disability forces you to come up with new solutions—it does not impair you”. As occupational therapists, we will need to help enhance a client’s creativity so that they can participate in activities that they find meaningful.

            During the “Glass Half Full” podcast, Rusty Noesner was interviewed, and he talked about the foundation he has started call War Paints. It is an organization that uses group art therapy as a way for returning veterans and service members to reintegrate into society and build relationships. After the veterans make their art, they can sell it through the website and the veterans get all of the profits. I thought it was interesting when he described what happens during military training—you lose a sense of individuality and creativeness when training to work together as a team under high stress conditions which is why he started WarPaints. Noesner emphasized how we as occupational therapists should interact with clients who are veterans or service members. He said we should not try to tip-toe around them, pity them, or talk to them differently than we would talk to anyone else. Exploring all different types of mediums is also beneficial because everyone is different and can express themselves in different ways.