Representation is very important and hopefully , during this Black History Month , having me take up this role will inspire more OTs from various diverse platforms to consider joining the profession and / or independent practice .”
Need I say this was a shock to my system . I cried , phoned home and after gathering myself together , I did my own research and figured out the occupational therapy process in the UK , which is very different from South Africa .
You see , in South Africa we used the rehabilitation model mainly , especially in the hospital setting , whereas in the UK we always start with the compensatory model . This has been the biggest difference and as soon as I figured this out , I was cruising through my OT locums , often praised for being one of the best OTs .
The occupational therapy profession in the UK has grown a lot since 2005 , when I first started working in the UK , and we are seeing more people of colour in the profession . However , as much as I may have had a lot of positive experiences as an OT in the UK , it would be wrong of me not to note a lot of prejudice and bullying in the workplace .
This includes people closing their noses when some OTs walked past ; a fellow Black OT being told that she is ‘ as dark as ace of spades ’ because of her complexion ; an OT being told that he was not good enough , because he spoke in a very soft tone ; and much more .
Then you get me , who is outspoken and was told that I am very opinionated – which even today , I see as a good trait to have .
I do take on board that being a light-skinned Black person , we have some advantages . However , on the flip side , a lot of people think that they can say things to us . I remember being vocal about which political party I was not willing to vote for in South Africa and was told that someone of my calibre should not be saying things like that .
I was like , what calibre ? Our forefathers have fought for democracy ; therefore I have the right to choose who my leader is going to be and I do not take that choice for granted .
Private practice ( still the minority )
I started practicing as an occupational therapist in 2004 . Out of all my years of practice , I have only worked three years and three months ( yes , I counted ) as an employed therapist . I have always known , without a doubt that being employed was just not for me .
My journey in private practice has been both rewarding and a challenge , but we still soldier on . The level of knowledge that I have acquired in private practice has helped me in becoming a better , more confident and a more independent therapist .
Being asked to take up an EDB ( Equity , Diversity and Belonging ) lead role for the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist
Representation is very important and hopefully , during this Black History Month , having me take up this role will inspire more OTs from various diverse platforms to consider joining the profession and / or independent practice .”
Section – Independent Practice , in 2023 , has been something that I was initially reluctant to take on .
However , I knew that with my vast exposure to different cultures , ways of practice , variety of ways of doing things , or calling equipment and services , this role was meant for me . I feel that my journey and exposure to and working with those of various cultures , nationalities , gender , personalities , those with disabilities , age and so forth , has curved this journey for me .
Representation is very important and hopefully , during this Black History Month , having me take up this role will inspire more OTs from various diverse platforms to consider joining the profession and / or independent practice .
In the words of Nelson Mandela : ‘ No one is born of hating another person because of the colour of their skin , their background or their religion . People must learn to hate , and if they can learn to hate , they can be taught to love ; for love comes more naturally to the heart than its opposite ’.
Words MAPULE MASEMOLA-RALEHIKA
October 2023 OTnews 33