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Epilogue
When I started my career in mental health, I was unaware of the profound suffering some individuals experience and the life-long impact it has on the body and mind. Body and mind are so intertwined that they cannot be separated. Emotions are felt in the stomach, hands, legs, skin. Individuals may experience a disconnect when they suppress their feelings and needs, as those feelings are useless, and the needs will not be met. Hunger means nothing when there is no food to eat. Increased heart rate tells no story when it is ignored because the abuse comes regardless.
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Reflecting on my experiences over the past decade, I find it difficult to understand how I previously connected OT with foster care, given my limited understanding of both. Throughout this journey, I recognize both the pain and healing that may come. I see how the sensory system becomes disconnected from the body because your senses mean nothing. I see it is crucial to address interoceptive healing, for example for those who have had no food for so long you don’t know the feeling of a full belly, so you shovel food into your mouth to the point of vomiting.
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There is no telling how much benefit can be had when the person you are trying to help has never been able to trust someone. How much help can be provided, when people have brought nothing but uncertainty and pain? Many children have learned not to trust adults because adults have brought them only suffering. I am uncertain how many children I will truly be able to help as their histories may make them resistant to accepting help. Nevertheless, I am committed to helping and will continue with my goal of increasing OT services for this population, because while some may have had every reason not to trust their therapists, hopefully, some can at least learn that adults can be safe. While my passion and goal is to be an OT, and with that providing therapy to improve lives, I recognize that my role may be to be one of the few positive examples in a person’s life, showing that there are individuals who can be safe and trustworthy.
Jessica