Editorial – March Newsletter

Hello

I am delighted to write the editorial for our Spring newsletter, one that will outline some fantastic work being completed by our Executive Committee and our wonderful Members. This year is an important one, as we begin to implement our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan for COTEC. The plan outlines how we intend to strengthen our impact. I wish to thank you all for contributing to this Plan and for working with us to implement it. 

The Strategic Plan has got me thinking about professional impact, how it can be measured, defined or expanded. It is interesting that, historically, occupational therapy as a profession has seen its greatest growth during times of national and global adversity. Each period of hardship has propelled us forward, challenging us to evolve and reaffirming the value of occupation as a means of healing, empowerment, and connection. 

Thirty-five years ago, in her Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture, Susan B. Fine posed a thought-provoking question: Who rises above adversity? Through examining the experiences of individuals who have faced psychological, medical, and traumatic hardships, she concluded that occupational therapists have a responsibility to consider the inner psychological world of those we serve. She emphasized the importance of fostering occupations that build resilience and support long-term adaptation. Her message was an important one – what is our role in helping people navigate life’s most difficult moments?

Although decades have passed since that keynote address, its message remains just as relevant today. In many ways, adversity feels more amplified than ever. The 24-hour news cycle continuously reminds us of pressing global challenges: climate change, political unrest, economic disparities, rising rates of gender-based violence, even, a live streamed genocide. Adverse events disproportionately impact marginalised populations, further deepening existing inequities. As occupational therapists, we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to these realities. 

Spring, a season of renewal, offers an opportunity for reflection. Just as we engage in spring cleaning—sorting through what no longer serves us and making space for what does—we must also take stock of our professional practices. What should we hold onto? What must we adapt or change? How can we refine our focus to better support the individuals and communities who need us most? These are critical questions.

It is natural to feel overwhelmed by the weight of these issues and to retreat into the comfort of our professional routines. As we step into this season of renewal, let us embrace the opportunity to grow, adapt, and reaffirm our purpose. Our work matters, and our ability to make a difference—no matter how small—has a ripple effect. The question remains: Who rises above adversity? The answer, in part, lies in our willingness to rise to the occasion, to stand alongside those we serve, and ensure that all people have a fair opportunity to overcome and thrive.

Occupational Therapy belongs at the forefront of addressing global challenges– and working together, in our local, national and European communities we can achieve much. 

Wishing you all a peaceful and happy Spring