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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: EMPOWERING GOANS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY
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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: EMPOWERING GOANS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY

Uncategorized October 24, 2025 , by

By Dr Vailanki Nazira Raposo

IN our beautiful state of Goa, where community spirit and care are part of everyday life, health and independence hold special value. Yet, for many Goans recovering from illness, injury or disability, even simple daily tasks — like dressing, writing or returning to work — can become difficult. This is where Occupational Therapy (OT) steps in, quietly transforming lives through compassion, creativity and care.
Occupational Therapy is a science-based health profession that helps people of all ages live meaningful, independent lives. It is not about finding a job — as the word “occupation” might suggest — but about enabling individuals to perform the everyday activities that give life purpose: self-care, study, leisure and work.
Occupational therapists use a holistic approach, looking at the person as a whole — the body, mind, environment and goals. Through purposeful activities, adaptive equipment and tailored exercise programs, they help individuals regain movement, coordination, confidence and independence.
Occupational Therapy encompasses a wide range of specialized branches, including:
• Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, which focuses on recovery after fractures, surgeries, or musculoskeletal conditions;
• Neurosciences, which assists individuals with stroke, spinal cord injury, or neurological disorders;
• Paediatrics and NICU care, which supports children with developmental delays and infants requiring early stimulation;
• Mental Health and Forensic Psychiatry, which promotes emotional well-being, coping skills, and productive engagement in daily life;
• Geriatrics, which enhances safety, balance, and independence for the elderly;
• Oncology and Palliative Care, which improves comfort and quality of life for those undergoing long-term or end-stage care;
• Ergonomics, which promotes safe posture, workplace adaptations, and injury prevention; and
• Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR), which brings therapy and empowerment directly into homes and communities.
Today, occupational therapists are an essential part of the healthcare system, working in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, and private practice settings. Their expertise supports people across all age groups — from children developing motor and learning skills, to adults recovering from injuries, and older adults maintaining balance and safety in daily living.
This year, the World Occupational Therapy Day 2025 theme — “Occupational Therapy in Action: Transforming Lives, Building Communities” — truly reflects the spirit of the profession. OTs not only help individuals recover, but also strengthen families and communities by promoting inclusion, participation, and well-being.
Occupational therapists work hand in hand with doctors, nurses, educators and families to ensure holistic healing—addressing not just the physical needs of a patient, but also their emotional and social well-being. The goal is simple yet powerful: to help every person live life to the fullest.
As Goa continues to advance in healthcare, it is important to understand that occupational therapy is not just treatment. It is much more. Let us acknowledge the quiet strength of this profession that enables independence, enhances quality of life, and empowers Goans to live with dignity and purpose — one meaningful activity at a time.
Occupational Therapy: Enabling Independence • Enhancing Quality of Life • Empowering Goa.
(The writer is an Occupational Therapist at Occupational Therapy OPD 17, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Goa Medical College & Hospital)

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