Document Type

Student Paper

Publication Date

2017

Abstract

This life history is one of 29 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of this project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice in North Dakota and Wyoming.

An in-depth phone interview with Maggie Lesher, MA, OTR/L was conducted by two student researchers and both the student researchers and Maggie Lesher were in their homes at the time the phone interview took place. Maggie Lesher is a highly successful occupational therapist and is the founder of Children’s Theraplay – a home based agency with locations in Plymouth and Maplewood MN. Maggie has worked in multiple states and practice areas making the interview rich with information regarding occupational therapy practice.

The findings of this study will be archived and made available on the University of North Dakota (UND) OT website. Informed consent was obtained by the student researchers prior to completing the interview with Maggie Lesher. Careful consideration of the Kawa Model was kept by the researchers throughout this process to root the focus of the study on the overall life experiences of the participant (Teah & Iwama, 2015). Emphasis was placed on the barriers the participant experienced, her personal attributes, and the physical and social environments that surrounded Maggie Lesher (Teah & Iwama, 2015).

Download

Share

COinS