Proud and visible as occupational therapists.

As occupational therapists, we provide an essential service to society. We assist people to lead productive, healthful, and creative lives. We remind the greater culture that every human has inherent value and worth and deserves the caring attention necessary to flourish. We understand the central importance of meaningful occupation to the physical, mental, and spiritual well-heing of all people, and we work to change the current societal structure so that it affords all individuals access to meaningful occupations. We helieve in human pmential and understand the importance of assisting our clients in the process of empowerment. As occupational therapists, we deserve to stand visible and feel proud of the importance of our work and the ideas we profess. Are occupational therapists proud advocates of our profeSSion? Undoubtedly, many occupational therapists could answer this question with a resounding yes. Without the belief, energy, and commitment of occupational therapists throughout this century, our profession could not have grown to its current stature in society. Despite these advances, mher questions are troubling. Why do so many of our family members, friends, relatives, politicians, acquaintances, co-workers and colleagues still nor know what occupational therapy is' Why do we still struggle to convince third-party payers and legislators of our value' Why are the voices of occupational therapists often not heard in treatment team meetings' Why do occupational therapists nm promore our profession, as Reilly did (1962), as one of the great ideas of the 20th century' These questions point to an ongoing struggle within occupational therapy for personal and public recognition Jeanette Froehlich