When people ask me what I’m studying here at Central Michigan University, it has become second nature to have the words fly out of my mouth, “Recreational Therapy.” When I say those two words, all of the good memories I have had here come to my mind: volunteering at the Fowler Center, hand-cycling around the fieldhouse, playing sled hockey for the first time, and many other fun opportunities within our program that I have gotten to experience.
But then I begin to see as the confusion crosses their faces. I can almost hear them processing what my major actually is. Which, yes, recreational therapy can be a bit confusing if you have never heard of it before. Early on in my college career, I would explain it by relating it to occupational therapy, but more fun. However, now that I am close to completing my degree, I have a much better understanding of the field, and I am able to disclose what recreational therapy is to me.
Recreational therapy can be hard to describe…show more content… We volunteered on campus and in the community: writing positive notes, raking leaves, sending letters to soldiers, working at the Foster Closet, and volunteering at Special Olympics Michigan. Through all the fun and good feelings these events brought, this service sorority also instilled important values in my life: character, compassion, and commitment. I have found these qualities to be prevalent in the way I live my life. These characteristics are also vital leadership qualities within our program. We need character to show our clients that we are individuals who understand that they might need help. We need compassion to demonstrate empathy, and not sympathy in order to grow closer with our clients. We need commitment to build trust and respect and to reveal responsibility. These values have become important to me in my daily life, and I am constantly striving to implement them in any way I
