RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – April celebrates occupational therapists, like Laurel Volesky, with Occupational Therapy Month.
After Kathy Miller suffered a stroke in January, and was left with cognitive impairment and hemiplegia to the left side of her body, she began physical and occupational therapy. It wasn’t until March that Volesky, an OT for Sanford’s Good Samaritan Home Health, began working with Miller in her home.
“Occupational therapy is simply a helping people profession, so we can work with anybody across the entire life span but the main goal is always building independence,” Volesky said.
And building independence is exactly what Volesky is helping Miller do.
“Her and I are working on my arm and my leg with physical therapy, so we want to get this back into motion,” Miller said. “It [her arm] was frozen a week ago, I couldn’t move it at all, so she has some exercises I do with the bands and I have a few home equipment too.”
Currently, there is a growing need for occupational therapists like Volesky. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected growth of 11% over the next decade, and nearly 10,000 job openings for OTs are expected each year.
“I think this has got to be the best job,” Volesky said. “I get to travel around the Black Hills, a beautiful area, seeing people in their own homes. You sit on their couches, talk about their experiences, their difficulties and finding their solutions, so it is unique to every person. You know, when you’re finished up and you’re grabbing your bag and you’re heading to the door to head to the next one, they say ‘Hey, wait wait wait. Let me give you a hug,’ There’s just something about being able to help somebody else that helps your own heart too.”
Miller said having an occupational come work with her has given her hope after her stroke. She added having the opportunity to have someone come to a person’s home opened up more opportunities for people to regain their independence.
“A lot of people go into depression when they feel like they aren’t going to get it back and what’s happened to my life,” Miller said. “It’s not the same as it was, so just the hope I guess is a big one and just to keep you uplifted. They bring a lot of that to you too.”
Miller added she has seen many blessings come into her life by growing through occupational therapy.
“I couldn’t have done it without them,” Miller said.
Volesky said occupational therapy is so diverse anyone with an interest could find a job.
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