Student Occupation Therapy Association participates in events to raise awareness
Sierra Taylor, Managing Editor
The Houston Student Occupational Therapy Association is participating in Occupational Therapy Month by hosting several events in April.
Throughout the month people are encouraged to use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to use the hashtag #OTMonth2016 to respond to weekly prompts given by (?). A $25 gift card will be awarded to the best post made by a TWU-Houston Student using the hashtag on April 28th.
“The goals of OT Month are to spread awareness of the profession and promote all of the amazing things we do to enable people of all ages,” Houston-SOTA President Katherine Hahn said. “We do this through different events that connect professionals, celebrate OT, benefit the community through service projects and fundraise for local service organizations.”
On April 9, SOTA members in conjunction with Texas Occupational Therapy Association will volunteer their time to the Rehabilitation Services Volunteer Project where they will be handing out free medical equipment to people in financial need.
Community members are encouraged to grab a bite to eat at Berryhill Baja Grill on Buffalo Speedway from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. where 20 percent of proceeds will go towards SOTA’s budget and a monetary donation to RSVP.
“[RSVP] will buy medical supplies and equipment for the medical equipment program, as well as for their clinical program where OT, PT, and speech therapists provide free therapy services also for people in financial need,” Hahn added.
SOTA will have a booth at the annual Run for the Roses event, which will be held on April 10. They will be playing games and sharing information about what OT can do for children and adults who have brain cancer, as well as brain injuries.
A Bike Day will be hosted on April 30 along with the Young Men’s Christian Association, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research Memorial Hermann and TOTA. OT Practitioners and students will help host games and activities including a Bike Wash and Bike Rodeo. They will be giving away a bike helmet and will provide information on helmet safety, brain injury prevention, and ways that children with disabilities can be successful with bike riding.
Also on April 30, the University of Texas Medical Branch SOTA encourages all OT and friends of OT to join and walk with their “OT Buddies” team at the annual Houston Buddy Walk, promoting Down Syndrome Awareness.
“[SOTA] also worked hard to design a t-shirt and button specifically for OT Month as another effort to fundraise,” Hahn said. “Buttons are $1 and the goal is to share them with all family and friends so that they can wear them on their bags and backpacks [during] April and spread awareness of OT.”
For more information about SOTA events this month please visit www.SOTAHouston.wix.com.
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