I've Found What I Was Meant To Do

Whew...what a day!

This morning started out with a trip to MCC to meet with a recruiter in the admissions office.  I talked to a nice woman named Helen who helped me with what I need to do to get started.  She gave me the FAFSA application, as well as the new student application form for the college.  She also set me up with a printout that outlines the courses included in the Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) program, as well as examples of the places where COTAs can work.

Back home to fill out paperwork.  Not too bad, all considered - it took less than an hour for everything I needed to do.  Called the guidance office at my high school to get the application to have my transcript sent over to the college, filled that out, and will be dropping it off within the next day or two.

All of a sudden it was lunch time.  I scarfed a quick peanut butter and honey sandwich, got The Princess out of her jammies and into jeans and a cute little shirt from Nana, and loaded her in the car.  We headed back out to Crystal Lake for The Princess's first occupational therapy appointment at Milestones with Sakina.

Sakina is a wonderfully cheerful, outgoing woman, who was tailor-made to work with kids.  Milestones is a combination playground/classroom setting where she and her COTAs work with differently-abled kids from 0-21 years of age.

Sakina met us in the waiting room (we were half an hour early thanks to my obsessive-compulsive fear of being late!), and was all smiles as we introduced ourselves.  From there, The Princess and I shucked our shoes and headed into the gym to see what kind of thing we were getting ourselves into.

The gym.  When Sakina said we were going to the gym I wasn't sure what to expect.  I mean, this clinic is in a small storefront office in a business park, and it sure didn't seem like there was going to be enough room in this little place for a gym.  Once she led us into the back, I changed my tune.  The gym is a large room with a whole wall of mirrors facing a sea of crash pads, swings, a slide that shoots kids out into a ball pit, a trampoline, a wedge to run up and down (with super-cushy crash pads at the bottom for jumping into), and I'm sure there was more I'm not remembering now.

The Princess had a blast, especially with the ball pit.  She went down the slide a few times, running up the stairs in between to get another turn.  The trampoline was also a hit.  Cutest.  Thing.  Ever.

I told Sakina that I am currently in the process of registering at MCC for the COTA program, and her face lit up.  It turns out that she was on the committee that initiated this program at the college, and she's super-excited that it's coming.  And once she knew I was interested in getting into the profession, she kindly gave me an overview of things from her perspective. 

I'm especially excited to report that COTAs get to do all of the fun stuff OTs do, the main difference being that a COTA can't administer evaluations.  This is done by the OT who leads the staff.  Sakina assured me that my choice to become a COTA is a good one - most people who go into this field take this route, and continue their education while gaining valuable experience working with kiddos who need their help.  Otherwise, it would be six years of full-time school to get the OT qualifications start to finish.

Sakina explained that each session typically starts out with 20-30 minutes in the gym, letting the kids blow off some steam doing their favorite activities.  This helps them to rid themselves of excess energy, preparing them for more one-on-one learning time.

When we finished in the gym, Sakina led The Princess and me across the hall to a small room with kiddo-sized tables and chairs.  The Princess sat with Sakina and strung beads, put pegs into a board (and actually cleaned up when she was done - bonus!), drew on the chalkboard, and made Mommy and Daddy a most excellent picture of a crazy-colored penguin using these gigantic markers.  FYI - the markers didn't taste very good, apparently...and The Princess still has a bright green bottom lip!

All in all, it was a very good first impression.

After having talked with Heather, our service coordinator, and other people who work in industries that help differently-abled people, I've come to know that there's a huge shortage of OTs...specifically those who work with EI (Early Intervention - Illinois' state-funded program for kiddos from 0-3...this is the program The Princess is currently in).  Based on that and the fact that I want to help other kids like The Princess, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be a COTA. 

But I'd never even seen a facility before.  How did I know I was going to like it?  I couldn't possibly know that...I just had a feeling.  A feeling that has now been reinforced with a great experience at a wonderful place with a fantastic OT.

Not only was Sakina great with The Princess, but she helped me to understand what I'll be getting into when I enter the field.  I couldn't be more thankful.

Or excited.  Or hopeful.

I think it's official: I've found what I was meant to do.

After leaving Milestones, we drove across town to turn in my enrollment application at MCC and I picked up the study guide for the placement tests I'll need to take before choosing my courses.

It's all coming together.  Must be a sign.  :)