Student Spotlight, Katie Walker: Addressing Trauma
The OT Student Spotlight is an ongoing series of articles that highlight OT and OTA student success stories as well as the quirks, challenges, and joys that make up student life. Share the great things you and/or your class is up to within the OT community!
Describe a meaningful, OT-related project that you were recently involved in.
I joined a local organization that serves survivors of sex trafficking and at-risk youth in an effort to bring an OT perspective to their program design. The program currently assists with the rescue, immediate needs, and ongoing mentorship for survivors of sex trafficking. While I did not provide OT services to clients, my responsibilities included helping staff brainstorm realistic expectations and timelines for successful community reintegration following complex trauma. Communicating to staff how trauma can impact participation in occupations helped identify the long-term needs of sex trafficking survivors and at-risk youth.
From this experience, I learned that life after trauma is complex. Healing and community reintegration do not appear to be linear. This can feel awkward and frustrating, but remaining client centered will guide the care process. I also learned that at-risk youth and survivors of sex trafficking are incredibly resilient, despite the complexities of successful community reintegration. This fosters appreciation for the Recovery Model. Lastly, I enjoyed seeing how meaningful "basic" occupations are to people—especially those who have experienced occupational deprivation.
If you could go back in time as a practicing OT, where and what era would you go to?
Eastern Europe for the last few decades to work with children aging out of orphanages and their integration into the community.
What is the strangest or most inspiring thing you have witnessed in class?
The most inspiring thing has been watching my friend and classmate embody self-advocacy for living, learning, and thriving on the autism spectrum.
If you could be any assistive device/durable medical equipment, what would you be?
I would be a “reacher” because everyone needs a hand every now and again.
Tell a funny or meaningful story about a time you had to explain what OT is to a friend, family member, or stranger?
When I graduated from college, I decided to pursue higher education in OT instead of counseling, which had been a lifelong dream until that point. My family and friends didn’t know what OT was and I had an awkward time explaining it (little did I know this was a "thing"). Around the crowded dinner table over Christmas break, one of my family members was trying to be supportive and said, "I think you'll make a great OT! Plenty of people hate their jobs and need someone to talk to about it."
What is your dream practice area?
I became interested in community mental health after volunteering with an agency that provided warm clothing to children living in orphanages in preparation for the cold winter months. Most of the children would “age out” of the orphanages once they turned 16, and I learned that many of them frequently ended up being coerced or forced into sex or labor trafficking as a result. I became passionate about finding a career that would act with both a preventative and rehabilitative mindset. Shortly after this experience, I heard about occupational therapy, and the rest is history.
Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 20 years from now as an OT?
I envision myself working in a community mental health setting. I hope to become involved in research projects that advocate for the occupational and functional needs of persons who have experienced psychological and/or physical trauma.
Katie Walker is an OTD student who is originally from Freedom, Oklahoma, but completed OT school in Alaska. She lived and taught in Japan for more than 2 years and misses Sakura blossoms in the spring, sushi, and the festivals. She is currently completing her Level II placement in a Level 1 ICU trauma center.
April 2022