Occupational Therapy in the Media

On December 14 of 2016, Fox 5 News reported a story titled “Georgia two-year old already a comeback kid.” The story is about a two-year old boy whose shoulder got caught in the birth canal during delivery. The boy, Kason, suffered an injury to his brachial plexus which left his entire left arm paralyzed. This article and video specifically caught my attention because I recently learned about this possible brachial plexus injury at birth in my anatomy course. The condition is called Erb’s Palsy, and it causes arm weakness or loss of motion. In Kason’s case, he experienced complete paralysis from his shoulder to his fingers. Kason underwent two surgeries and by the age of two Kason became a determined little boy who meets with an occupational therapist every week.

This news report definitely reflects the profession of occupational therapy accurately. The discussion of Kason’s therapeutic journey is factual and holds the work that OT practitioners do in a very positive light. When introducing the story, the reporter used person-first language by describing Kason as a “determined little man who has already spent his entire life trying to push beyond his limits,” rather than introducing him by his diagnosis first. The report goes on to show footage of Kason doing exercises with his occupational therapist. The reporter says that “each session leaves Kason with a little bit more function, and Kendra (mother) with a little bit more hope.”

In addition, I appreciated that the occupational therapist spoke in a very realistic way about Kason’s path to recovery and improvement. While she was optimistic, the occupational therapist reminded Kason’s mother and the viewers that “in terms of the path, this is not a sprint this is a marathon.”

Finally, the video ends with the reporter saying “at the end of the day, I think he will decide what his limits are.” I found this to be an extremely positive example of disability-referencing language. When occupational therapy practitioners (as well as others speaking of the profession) use language that is inclusive and client-centered, they are conveying that they recognize the wholeness of the individual and what they are capable of achieving. We should all practice person-first and inclusive speech because it decreases an individual’s limitations and increases their potential for growth. 

Article: http://www.fox5atlanta.com/health/fox-medical-team/georgia-two-year-old-already-a-comeback-kid