Chaya Henig's Linkedin Analytics

A passion and a dream. My daughter was born on an early Sunday morning with a head full of soft downy jet-black hair. Why, you ask, is this important to my career path? Oh, because this is my why of my career journey to Occupational Therapy. Anyways, to continue... I'll never forget that strong surge of love I felt as I gazed down enraptured at my little bundle of joy that the midwife thrust into my hands seconds after her birth.  That love is what propelled me to do anything I could to figure out the mystery of my child.  From early on she was an unhappy and fussy baby, crying for hours on end. I chalked it up to colic and spent many sleepless nights trying to soothe her. But when she was still having trouble self-regulating at 2 years old I knew this was something else.  I tried different parenting methods, looked into various paths of healing, explored possible medical causes, but none of them matched up. I felt lost and frustrated.   The first time I even heard of OT was when my daughter's school invited a popular Occupational Therapist to speak to the parent body.  As the OT spoke it all clicked! The trouble self-regulating, pickiness with food, chewing on objects, anxiety in noisy, public settings, aggressive behavior with siblings, bothered tremendously by her hair being brushed, seams of socks, new clothing. All signs pointed to a sensory processing disorder.  After that it was not smooth sailing. Took some time to advocate for her in school. Got an OT. Read books about SPD. Pushed for a sensory diet and religiously kept to it every day for close to a year. Her siblings joined in the fun with activities of their own that targeted their weaknesses (it was so much fun that even now, a few years later they still fondly reminisce about it).  Although the sensitivities are still there, it's a world of a difference. My daughter and I can recognize it, and have the tools to deal with it. I feel pride and joy every day I see the (almost) permanent content smile on her face. Every time I see her thoughtfully taking care of her siblings. Every time she comes home beaming from school with great marks and stories of her playtime with friends. Every time she winces at something that is uncomfortable but then doesn't follow with a meltdown. And that is where my passion for the field of Occupational Therapy began. And where my dream to help other kids and adults reach that same place of inner peace, sprouted and took wings. My passion and my dream.