About the Editor

About the Editor
About the Contributors

Editor

Deborah R. Labovitz, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Deborah R. Labovitz, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, an occupational therapist for 40 years and chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at New York University, New York, New York from 1980 to 2000, is currently a professor at NYU and an avid collector of stories about people who have had the kind of miraculous experiences found in this book. She earned her undergraduate degree in occupational therapy and her master’s degree and doctorate in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and is a fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

As a wife, mother of three, mother-in-law of three, and grandmother of six, she has seen ordinary miracles of coping and courage in both her professional and personal life. She continues to be amazed, energized, and awed by the achievements of the ordinary people in this book who have accomplished so much and by the occupational therapists who have helped them to do so. At this time in our society, when hope and optimism are so necessary, she hopes that this book of triumphs over adversity will provide you with both.

Contributors

Bobbie Andrews is a resident of an assisted living facility in Massachusetts. She enjoyed writing her story, and she and her husband are pleased that it has been included in this book.

Elizabeth A. Haluska Ankney, OTR/L, PC, is a rehabilitation director and occupational therapist with a concentration in dysphagia and feeding disorders. She is now challenged daily with worsening multiple sclerosis, from complications of which her sister died and with which her eldest son has recently been diagnosed. Liz tackles her busy life with the help of her very supportive husband, Mark. Between them they have four children and three grandchildren. Liz enjoys archery and writing informational articles and true life stories.

Susan Bachner, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA, CEAC, is an occupational therapist with over 38 years of clinical and consultation experiences. She received her master’s degree in sociology/anthropology in 1970 and this area of study has been a major influence on her practice perspective. The American Occupational Therapy Association recognized Susan for "clinical excellence" and honored her with membership on the Roster of Fellows. In 1999, she completed all requirements for certification in environmental access consulting.

Mary LeChene Bennett, OTR/L, Retired, is a 1984 graduate of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo’s occupational therapy program. She is certified in sensory integration therapy and had a private pediatric practice for 9 years in western Pennsylvania before retiring from occupational therapy practice to have a family. Currently, she helps her self-employed husband, is very involved in homeschooling their three sons, and is active in the life of her church. She is very grateful to God for the lessons she learned from Christopher and remains in touch from time to time with his mother.

Toby Black, MA, OTR/L, graduated from Washington University, St. Louis, Mo, in 1971. She moved with her husband to Bowling Green, Ky, in 1976 and established her pediatric occupational therapy practice while raising their two children. She initiated several support groups. She is a cofounder of a transdisciplinary team offering evaluations and consultation services. She is a 10-year miracle survivor of breast cancer. She enjoys writing and traveling.

Michelle Anne Blackburn, OTR/L, has worked as an occupational therapist for 18 years since graduating from Utica College of Syracuse University, Utica, NY, in 1985. Her primary area of practice and interest is the geriatric and neurologically challenged patient. Michelle resides in Granby, Conn, with her 9-year-old son. She works for Genesis Eldercare Rehabilitation Services and stays diversified through contracts with Sub-Acute and intensive rehabilitation programs in Hartford County.

Judith E. Bowen, MPA, OTR, has been nourished and taught by all of those she treated throughout her 25 years of clinical practice and by all of the students in her 10 years in academia. She has given numerous workshops, has been published, and practices healing touch. She and her husband enjoy their children and grandchildren and make their home in deep south Texas.

Ann Burkhardt, MA, OTR/L, BCN, FAOTA, is an occupational therapist who "wears many hats"—board certified in neurorehabilitation, an administrator at a large university-based medical center in New York City, a faculty member at two metropolitan area colleges and universities, a researcher, and a director of the AOTA. Ann also sings, kayaks, paints, dances, travels, writes, and is a doctoral student.

Lt. Col. Len Cancio, MPH, OTR/L, has been both an active and a reserve Army occupational therapist for 23 years. Len is chief of occupational therapy at a large Army medical center in Hawaii. He is married and enjoys being a soccer dad.

Paula D. Carey, MS, OTR/L, is the occupational therapy program director at Utica College, Utica, NY, and has been in occupational therapy in a variety of roles for more than 20 years. She continues to be affirmed by the resiliency and power of the human spirit in her work with occupational therapy clients and students. Paula values being a wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter and receives strength and support from these relationships.

Ron Carson, MHS, OTR/L, graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, in 1997. Since graduating, he has worked in acute care rehabilitation, community-based mental health, and private practice. Currently, he is an assistant professor at the University of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, Fla. He is also the founder of the internet web site and list serve, OTnow, which can be found at www.OTnow.com.

Julie Chelte, OTR/L, completed her BS degree in occupational therapy at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. She practices in the area of physical disabilities with special interest in spinal cord injury and stroke rehabilitation. She has worked as an occupational therapist in Las Vegas, Nev, and San Antonio, Tex. She is currently the occupational therapy department supervisor at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Henderson, Nev. Julie enjoys hiking, reading, music, creative writing, and traveling.

Ronda Christopher, OTR/L, MEd, LNHA, while she loves working with children and still volunteers with local children’s groups, has found a career in long-term care as a regional manager. She continues to advocate for the use of woodworking, pottery, ceramics, and other occupations for her current clients as a way to promote higher quality of life for the elderly. She resides in West Chester, Ohio, with her husband and daughter and often reflects on the profound influence that summer fieldwork experience had on her.

Laura Faye Clubok, OTR/L, has a private occupational therapy practice, "On the Other Hand Therapy", located in Columbus, Ohio. She works with a variety of children’s issues, including Down syndrome, autism, sensory processing, handwriting, and hand anomalies. She also gives workshops and is a certified weight trainer. Laura thanks her amazingly supportive husband and her network of dedicated family and friends for helping her to fulfill her life’s calling.

Josephine Cohen, MA, OTR/L, has had an extensive career as a clinician and educator teaching at Columbia University, New York, NY; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa; and Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa, where she was chair of the department of occupational therapy. Her area of expertise is hand therapy and her master’s degree in human relations enabled her to have a second career in development and alumni affairs. She enjoys traveling, Jewish archival work, and contributing to this book.

Vera Cohen, BS, OTR/L, has been an occupational therapist treating the geriatric population for 19 years. A recipient of the Novacare Corporation Chairman’s Award, she is presently pursuing a master’s of science degree in occupational therapy (with a specialization in gerontology) and is employed at Willow Ridge Subacute Center, Genesis Elder Care Corporation in Hatboro, Pa.

Donna Conley, OTR/L, graduated from the University of Florida, Gainesville, in 1973. She retired in September of 2001 after a 27-year career working for the Veterans Administration, primarily in mental health. Donna is currently enjoying her long-neglected passions of quilting, gardening, and traveling, as well as her own "ordinary miracle," having recently married for the first time at age 52.

Beth Cooper, OTR, graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s occupational therapy program in 1988. She has worked primarily in acute care and rehabilitation with neurologically involved clients and is NDT certified. Beth resides in Virginia with her husband and two sons, ages 6 and 8. Currently, she is enjoying using all of her therapy skills and God-given gifts in her most challenging position yet, homeschooling mom.

Lisa E. Cyzner, PhD, OTR/L, received her doctoral degree in occupational therapy from New York University, New York, NY. She is the owner of Carolina Pediatric Therapeutic Resources, a private practice dedicated to providing services for infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, and their families. Lisa resides in Charlotte, NC, with her husband, Ronnie, and their son, Benjamin.

Peggy Dawson, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist who works in the area of adult mental health. She has four great children and an extraordinary husband. Peggy loves being an occupational therapist, and in her spare time makes handmade paper and does creative design work for local schools.

Mary V. Donohue, PhD, OT, FAOTA, is currently a clinical associate professor at New York University in the department of occupational therapy. She is Coeditor of the journal Occupational Therapy in Mental Health and cochair of the Metropolitan New York District/NYSOTA OT Research Committee. She developed the Group Level of Function Profile, a research instrument that is used to study group interaction in hospitals, preschools, and senior centers.

Brett T. Duffey, OTR/L, is a true Tarheel, born and bred, who loves the outdoors, sports, fitness, and the Marine Corps. He has been able to use his personal experience to work in a variety of settings and is currently doing home healthcare occupational therapy in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, NC, area as well as in all adjacent counties. He has a 3-year-old son and is currently involved in a very loving relationship. He is grateful for the path his misfortune has led him and enjoys using this experience to influence others in their recovery.

Kimberly Eberhardt, MS, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. She is a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Illinois-Chicago, Ill, where her emphasis is on technology and the environment and spinal cord injury. In addition to her teaching and research interests related to home modifications and assistive technology, she is an active board member of the Illinois chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.

Joshua M. Eisenstein, MA, BS, was born in 1975 in Livingston, NJ. He completed his master’s degree in 1998 at New York University and is pursuing a PhD in educational psychology at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa, researching cross-national attitudes toward corporal punishment of children. As well as being a researcher, he is a poet and songwriter. He currently resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia.

Wendy Elliman is a free lance science writer. Born in Britain, she has lived in Israel since 1974 and has contributed a monthly medical article to Hadassah Magazine since 1979. Her greater claim to fame, however, is as mother to identical 11-year-old triplet daughters.

Rhona Feldt-Stein, BSc OT, OT Reg (Ont), is an occupational therapist, owner, and CEO of York Pediatric Therapy Services Inc, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. She has worked with children for over 25 years and holds a faculty status position at the University of Toronto. She has lectured extensively both in Canada and abroad. Rhona is married with two children and has three cats and a dog whom she has incorporated into her therapy practice.

Patricia H. Findlay, OT, is an occupational therapy graduate of the University of Manitoba, Winniped, Manitoba, Canada, with more than 35 years of experience, primarily spent enjoying the many aspects of geriatric rehabilitation and administration. Now semiretired, Pat has returned to her first love, mental health, where she can explore her recently developed interest in the use of multisensory environments as a treatment modality.

Anitta Boyko Fox, BS, MA, OTR, is a Holocaust survivor. She received her professional occupational therapy education at New York University where she met, studied under, and worked with Dr. Howard A. Rusk and others who became her mentors and friends. She worked at the Veteran’s Administration Regional Office in Manhattan and at the Rusk Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, New York, NY. She visited homebound patients privately. She is married to a radiologist (now retired), has three grown children, and is president of her local Hadassah chapter.

Anne Gaier, OTR/L, CHT, has been working to create a legacy of hope and functional independence by treating patients in physical disabilities and hand rehabilitation her whole career. She is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Wash.

Christine Gaspar, OTR, has been a pediatric occupational therapist for 27 years. She has worked in rehabilitation and school settings. Christine dedicates this story to Merion Elementary School, her family, and friends.

Deborah Goldberg, MA, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist in private practice. After completing her BA at Barnard College, New York, NY, and MA in occupational therapy at New York University, Deborah worked in a variety of acute, subacute, rehabilitation, and chronic care settings. She is trained in both neurodevelopmental and sensory integration treatment and is certified in SIPT administration. Deborah currently resides in Teaneck, NJ, with her husband and two children.

Jacqueline Goldberg has been enjoying her retirement in South Florida after operating her answering service for 25 years. She keeps busy with surfing the web, doing crossword puzzles, playing scrabble and canasta, and spending time with family and friends.

Judy Grossman, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA, is a health, education, and research consultant. She also has a private practice in couples and family therapy in New York City and Westport, Conn. During her career, she has held many academic appointments in occupational therapy, and she continues to be an enthusiastic advocate for the profession.

Peggy Lee Gurock, OTR, was a member of the last graduating class of the certified occupational therapy program at New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, and the first graduating class at Quinnipiac College, Hamden, Conn. Peggy has enjoyed working with children for more than 30 years. Peggy presently works as a school-based occupational therapist with Trinitas Children’s Therapy Services in Elizabeth, NJ. She enjoys being a parent and a partner to her husband, Noah, and together they have been writing articles on occupational therapy for a local community newsletter.

Elizabeth (Betsy) J. Healey received her OTR at age 45 from the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, and launched a career with the Powhatan School System, which she has pursued for the past 15 years. Although engaged in a variety of roles and interests, such as batteau captain, therapeutic riding instructor, carriage driving groom, mountain hiking, rock hounding, investment club, and playing the guitar, most significant in her life are four amazing children, Mary Beth, Jerry, Tim, and Meg.

Judi Hoggatt, MA, OTR, is an occupational therapist in a neonatal intensive care unit at Woman’s Hospital in Houston, Tex. After receiving her master’s degree in occupational therapy, Judi knew she had found her calling working with preemies, infants, and young children. Judi also enjoys teaching continuing education classes about NICU and therapy with infants. She is happily married with four grown children, one wonderful granddaughter, and a very supportive mother. She enjoys babies, crafts, fishing, and traveling.

Donna Holt, BS, has worked in the field of dietetics. She is currently attending graduate school. Donna lives in Ohio with her husband and two dogs. She enjoys traveling, painting, and writing.

Barbara E. Joe was a staff writer for the American Occupational Therapy Association and a frequent contributor to OT Week, formerly a weekly professional AOTA news magazine now published biweekly by the AOTA as OT Practice. She lived in the Washington, DC area.

Diane J. Jones, RN, received her BSN from the University of Minnesota and her MSN from Boston University, Boston, Mass. She served in the United States Army Nurse Corps, taught nursing at a university, and served as a consultant on a state board of nursing. Diane met Peggy Helgason through her son, Matthew, who attended a camp for children with chronic illness. The clown with a heart of gold made a sterling impression on the Jones family.

Jan Johnson, OTR, and her husband now enjoy a wondrous retirement in the rural mountains of Southern Arizona—writing, weaving, weeding, and watching grandchildren grow. Jan’s former life in Ohio was filled with nearly 40 years of practice in academic teaching and as a school-based occupational therapist.

Jean M. Kassnel attended the University of Tampa, Tampa, Fla, and Goddard College, Plainfield, VT, and was a human resource manager prior to staying home to raise her two children. She currently does volunteer work at their school while pursuing a writing career. Jean has published numerous essays and is working on a novel, in addition to a collection of short stories.

Jan Keith, COTA/L, AP, is a graduate of the occupational therapy assistant program at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wis. She earned her Advanced Practice credential in geriatrics and currently works with children in an early intervention program. She and her husband live and play in Wyoming.

Margret I. Kingrey, MA, OTR, graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1975 and received her master’s degree in early childhood special education from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 20 years later. Having worked in six states, her career has spanned the continent and most areas of occupational therapy practice. She has one grown son and lives with her husband in Maryland. She is a doctoral student in occupational science at Towson University, Towson, Md, and writes short stories.

Ellen L. Kolodner, MSS, OTR/L, FAOTA, has been an occupational therapy practitioner, educator, and administrator for more than 30 years. At present, she is professor and founding director of the occupational therapy program at Philadelphia University, Pa. Ellen is passionate about her profession, her family, cooking, travel, and flower arranging. In 1997, Ellen received the American Occupational Therapy Association Award of Merit.

Lesley Larsen Kountz, COTA, has achieved advanced practice credentials in pediatrics and worked in early intervention for 9 years. Lesley currently works as a program manager supervising the service coordinators for the Waukesha county birth to three program in Waukesha, Wis. She enjoys gardening, reading, and traveling with her family.

Donna Langmead, COTA, lives in Westminster, Md, with her husband, daughter, and stepson. She also has an older stepson who lives on his own. She works for the Carroll County Public School System where she has been a therapist for the past 9 years. She works with infants, toddler, and students of all ages.

Beth Larson, PhD, OTR, is currently a faculty member of the department of occupational therapy at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, teaching future occupational therapists and doing research on families’ management of daily life activities when parenting children with disabilities. Although she has left the community in which Elizabeth and her family reside, the artwork described at the beginning of her story still hangs in her home and reminds her daily of her life before graduate school.

Linda Lorentzen, OTR/L, has worked as an occupational therapist for 24 years, mostly at Fairview University Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minn, specializing in seating and wheeled mobility, assistive technology, and home accessibility for neurological and neuromuscular outpatients. Linda resides in Robbinsdale, Minn, with her husband and two active teenagers. Her primary interest area is writing, and she receives daily inspiration from the people with physical challenges with whom she works.

Karen Crane Macdonald, PhD, OTR/L, is a lecturer at Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, Conn. She also has several volunteer roles that involve purposeful occupations to continually increase her functional skills. Karen plans to continue involvement in the occupational therapy profession through writing and teaching. She is married and enjoys outdoor, spiritual, and handcraft activities.

Deborah Mandel, MA, OTR, was a researcher and occupational therapy clinical supervisor in The Well Elderly Study, a randomized clinical trial undertaken by the department of occupational science and occupational therapy at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif. The study was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging and several other agencies, foundations, and private corporations, and the study results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in October 1997. Roland was a participant in the study.

Allison Brown Mann, OTR/L, received a BS in occupational therapy in 1993 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has worked in outpatient rehabilitation and rehabilitation oriented nursing homes. Allison was also instrumental in developing and implementing occupational therapy programs in home health and in hospital in- and out patient rehabilitation. She currently lives in Cartersville, Ga, as a stay-at-home-mom with her husband and two small children.

Cindy Martin, COTA/L, works for Appalachian Therapy Pediatric Services in Maryville, Tenn. Cindy is a skilled seamstress and gardener, and she enjoys folk crafts and antiques. She often incorporates her love of crafts into therapeutic patient treatment activities.

Constance Martinez-de la Vega, OTR/L, received her MA in occupational therapy from New York University in 1993. Currently a pediatric therapist (outpatient) at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut, Mrs. de la Vega also works with the elderly at HoneyHill Care Center in Norwalk, Conn. Mrs. de la Vega has been an occupational therapist for 91/2 years. She loves her job as a pediatric therapist and also enjoys the rewards of working with the geriatric population. She was born and raised in New York and now resides in Westchester County, NY, with her husband and two children.

Denise McCormick is a third-grade teacher and has taught for 13 years. She is currently working on her master’s of arts degree in education. Denise has been married for 26 years and her husband farms. They have a daughter in medical school at the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia, and another daughter working on her master’s degree in education at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. Denise enjoys playing the piano, singing, composing music, traveling, reading, swimming, and her family.

Zoe McGrath, COTA, acquired her occupational therapy assistant certification in 1992. In 1999, Zoe took a break from conventional occupational therapy to take over full-time care for her significant other, Cruz, who is quadriplegic following a traumatic brain injury, and to manage Their Bullet, My Life, a presentation program to educate youth about the effects of gun violence. In 2000, Zoe and Cruz adopted their son, Aidan, 2 days after he was born.

Valnere McLean, OTR, is an occupational therapist who started her training in Melbourne, Australia before continuing her education and work in the United States. She is married and had one daughter who died of cancer in 1995. This sadness brought out depths of feeling and knowing. She has learned that coping with loss can be overwhelming, but profound and deeply enriching as well.

Stephanie M. Milazzo, MA, OTR, CHT, is an occupational therapist who earned both her BS and advanced master’s degrees at New York University. She became a certified hand therapist in 1997 and has been specializing in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation for the past 12 years. She has also taught courses at Touro College, New York, NY, on the master’s degree level. Her favorite leisure time activity is scuba diving.

Deborah Morawski, OTR/L, has worked as an occupational therapist for 24 years, is a generalist, but has specialized in NDT with hemiplegia, dysphagia and vestibular rehabilitation. She recently moved from a metropolitan area and now lives in a rural community in California, working part-time for several different companies. She enjoys scuba diving, traveling, mycology, back packing, running, and beekeeping with her spouse.

Linda Carver Morse, OTR, is a 1978 graduate of Utica College. She is certified in neurodevelopmental treatment and complete decongestive therapy. She has two children and is a volunteer for the American Cancer Society and a comfort ministry.

Laurie E. Nelson, MA, OTR, is the director of the occupational therapy program at Mariposa Women’s and Family Counseling Center in Orange, Calif, in partnership with Santa Ana College occupational therapy assistant program. She loves to sing, create dance choreography, and watch God perform miracles in her own life.

Janet Christhilf O’Flynn, OTR/L, BCP, has been a pediatric occupational therapist for close to 20 years. She is a graduate of St. John’s College, Annapolis, Md, and earned a post-baccalaureate certificate from the University of Pennsylvania in occupational therapy. She has worked in Washington, DC, Va, Conn, and is currently employed by the Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools. She is married to Donnel O’Flynn, an Episcopal priest, and has two great young adult offspring.

Jane C. Chamberlain Olsasky, OTR/L, received her BS in occupational therapy in 1986 from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan. She has worked in a variety of settings in Des Moines, Iowa, with pediatric and adult populations. For 6 years she evaluated and treated infants and children perinataly exposed to drugs/alcohol. Jane is married and has a daughter and son who are twins. She enjoys writing poetry, gardening and playing guitar.

Nina Paris, OT/L, formerly associate director of occupational therapy at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, NJ, is now director of occupational therapy at the Miller Health Care Institute for Performing Artists in New York City, NY. She is also the founder and president of the International Foundation for Performing Arts Medicine.

Bhavisha H. Patel is an attorney in New York City. She still continues her daily commute to New York City from Philadelphia. She has been made partner at the firm in which she worked at the time of her injury. She spends most of her spare time painting the landscape of Philadelphia, a hobby that she developed during her recovery.

Patricia Petersen, MA, OTR, returned to school following the birth of her youngest child (Fayda) and received her degree in occupational therapy in 1998. She has worked as an occupational therapist with children, adults with chronic pain, and persons with mental illness. She enjoys writing essays and inspirational pieces.

Irene Phillips, MPA, MA, OTR/L, is assistant professor in the department of occupational therapy at Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC. She has worked as an administrator in the public arena before changing careers to occupational therapy. She has been an occupational therapist for over 10 years and teaches subjects in gerontology, mental health, and spirituality. She is a doctoral candidate in pastoral community counseling at Argosy University, Sarasota, Fla.

Michelle Ponsolle-Mays, MS, OTR/L, has worked in a variety of settings. Michelle is presently a self-employed practitioner and busy mother of two young toddlers. Her professional interests have grown to encompass the evaluation and treatment of preschool- and school-aged children, in addition to her natural inclination for aiding individuals with hand injuries. Her hopes are to one day teach on a college or university level.

Wayne S. Pusatero entered the automotive field after completing his tour of duty with the United States Air Force. He retired after 25 years, 15 of which were spent as a Chevron dealer. He currently enjoys doing "stuff" on the computer, entertaining grandchildren, and watching sports.

Michal Magnes Raveh, MA, OTR, is currently the program director of the Hebrew University and Hadassah School of Occupational Therapy in Jerusalem, Israel, where she has been working since 1976 as a lecturer, program coordinator, and student advisor. She completed her undergraduate studies at that same school and an advanced master’s degree in occupational therapy at New York University. She lives in Jerusalem and is a mother of two.

Elisabeth Refn, MA, OTR, a Danish New Yorker, has worked with chronic mentally ill New Yorkers in various outpatient settings for over 25 years. In addition to a degree in cultural sociology, she has a Danish degree in occupational therapy and an advanced master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University, where she is currently an adjunct instructor. She likes gardening, painting, and cartooning.

Rhona Gorsky Reiss, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, left Philadelphia’s Widener Memorial School in 1972 to teach occupational therapy in Tokyo, Japan. For the next 30 years her career adventures included clinical and academic positions in Chicago, Sydney, Dallas, and Washington, DC. She served for 5 years as the education director of the American Occupational Therapy Association and completed a PhD in higher education in the year 2000. Dr. Reiss now resides in North Potomac, Md, and looks forward to many new personal and professional adventures.

Laura Rutherford Renner, OTR/L, is a school occupational therapist in southern New Jersey. She has worked in adult rehabilitation centers throughout the region. Also, Laura is an artist whose paintings and drawings have appeared in galleries in the Philadelphia area. She enjoys writing children’s stories and spending time with her husband and daughter, Sara.

Margaret D. Rerek, MS, OTR/L (Retired), completed her education as an occupational therapist at New York University in 1954. Although most of her 42 year career was spent as a treatment team administrator in the New York State mental hospital system, she has also worked as an occupational therapist in the clinical areas of physical disabilities, cerebral palsy, adult and child psychiatry, and learning disabled children. Among "Peg’s" retirement activities is acting as cochair of the alumni board of New York University’s programs in occupational therapy.

Rebecca L. Rogers, MEd, OTR/L, is currently working at Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, as a senior occupational therapist. Rebecca attended Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, receiving both a master’s of education and an occupational therapy degree. She also received her bachelor of business administration degree from Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, with a double major in management and marketing. Rebecca enjoys reading, being outdoors, and coordinating an annual week-long camp for traumatic brain injured adults through Good Samaritan Hospital.

Leslie Rubman, MPH, OTR, has been working with young children for over 20 years and currently is involved in early intervention in Hudson County, NJ. In 1976, she received her BS in occupational therapy from Boston University and an MPH in maternal and child health in 1981 from the University of Minnesota.

Richard J. Russ, MA, OTR/L, earned a master’s degree from New York University in 1981. He currently provides occupational therapy to children in public schools and to adults in their homes. He also manages www.HealthCareJobsUSA.com, a web site listing jobs and continuing education workshops for occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists.

Joyce Sabari, PhD, OTR, BCN, FAOTA, is an associate professor and chair of the occupational therapy program at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Joyce lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and three children. Her experience working with Julia Tavalaro has profoundly influenced her clinical practice, teaching, and academic work.

Fred Sammons, PhD, OTR, entered the profession of occupational therapy in 1955 at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. In 1960 he became a research associate in prosthetics at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. In 1965, he formed a mail order business to supply aids of daily living to the profession. The business was successful and was later merged with another such business to form SammonsPreston Inc. He continues to do public relations and to help with new product development. Fred is a director of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation and is professionally active nationally and internationally.

Julia Waggoner Santini, OTR/L, received her degree in occupational therapy from Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pa. Since then, she has worked in several inpatient rehabilitation hospitals along the east coast. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe, and her dog, Maggie, as well as hiking, reading, and traveling.

Barbara Schroeder had a very enjoyable and successful albeit short career as a COTA in the state of Wisconsin. However, life threw her another curve and she once again returned to school for yet another career change and currently does clerical work for the state of Wisconsin. Her training and experience in occupational therapy continue to serve her well in life as she also cares for her elderly parents.

Kathy Swoboda is a COTA/L currently practicing in geriatrics. She and her husband, Barry, live in Poland, Ohio, with their two children. This story is now in memory of their Joey. Dance with the angels little boy!

Jacqueline Davis Templin, OTR/L, has been an occupational therapist in private practice for the past 20 years, with a special interest in hand rehabilitation. She owns Handstand, which can be found at www.justhands.com, a company selling hand-shaped jewelry and other items to therapists and surgeons all over the world. She lives just outside of Philadelphia with her husband and four children, who range in age from first grader to college freshman.

Jill E. (Anderson) Van Dyke, OTR, graduated from occupational therapy school in 1988. She then became a staff occupational therapist at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she specialized in arthritis, spinal cord injury, cerebrovascular accidents, and dysphagia. In 1992, Jill began a career with the rehabilitation division of Smith & Nephew, Inc (located in Germantown, Wis), where she had multiple roles—technical service representative, clinical research manager, and global product manager. She transferred to the wound management division of Smith & Nephew, Inc in 2001, where she became an account manager in the acute care market segment covering the state of Wisconsin. Jill resides in Menomonee Falls, Wis, with her husband and daughter.

Bethany S. Walls, MA, is a professional writer and editor who has worked in the health care industry for over a decade. She has earned national recognition for her work in magazines, newspapers, and on web sites. A native of Maryland, Bethany has also lived in Massachusetts, where she earned a master’s degree in journalism, and Connecticut. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and her German shepherd, Jammer.

Mary-Kay Webster has a BS in Accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. Along with her varied positions in finance, she has served on the Board of Independent Living Centers, State Commissions for Persons with Disabilities, and helped develop the Virginia personal assistance program. Currently, she is an independent financial consultant who also enjoys writing.

Gwen Weinstock, MA, OTR/L, treats individuals with hand injuries at New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. She has completed her advanced master’s degree in occupational therapy with a focus on ergonomics and biomechanics at NYU and is currently working on her doctorate there as well. Gwen lives in Riverdale, NY, with her husband, Ira, and her daughters, Davi and Kayla.

Amy B. Westerman, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist working for the Ashland Public Schools, Ashland, Mass, and is the therapy coordinator for ACCEPT Collaborative in Framingham, Mass. She and her husband, Michael, have three children, Ben, Taryn, and Becca.

Valerie B. Whiting, OTR/L, LMT, teaches in an occupational therapy assistant program in Oak Ridge, Tenn. She maintains a private practice in therapeutic bodywork. Her favorite healing modalities are structural integration, thai massage, and yoga.

Denise E. Williams, OTR/L, CHTP, is a pediatric occupational therapist, certified healing touch practitioner, and classical vocalist. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at the Medical Center and has been an occupational therapist for 26 years. Ms. Williams has recorded a compact disc that includes text on the benefits of music on the parasympathetic nervous system with classical and spiritual selections. She employs her musical acumen as a therapeutic technique in her pediatric occupational therapy and healing touch practice.

Peggy Prince Wittman, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, has practiced, taught, and researched occupational therapy for 30 years; long enough to frequently experience its healing powers on both herself and many others. Music, scrapbooking, reading, camping, writing, traveling, and beach-sitting are occupations she engages in for fun and well being. The presence of family, friends, and God are also critical to her life satisfaction.

Margaret Mary (Mimi) Wolak, MA, OTR, has been a practicing occupational therapist for the past 32 years. She presently works in public schools with students who are blind or visually impaired and has recently adopted a retired guide dog. Now that her only son is raised, she is active in various church ministries and has completed her master’s degree in pastoral leadership. Mimi has been published in an ecumenical worship resource magazine.

Cindy Wright, MA, OTR, was formerly assistant professor of occupational therapy at Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans. She currently lives in Baton Rouge with her husband, Terrell Martin, and is an at-home mother to Sam, now 10, and Jack, 13. Sam is a fifth grader in the gifted magnet program at Brookstown Elementary and is a talented artist. He hopes to be a paleontologist when he grows up. He continues to receive occupational therapy services through his school.