An Occupational Therapist: A Scholar Story

Read on to hear about the path of one of our current scholars! We have a number of incredible folks this year receiving scholarships from us, and this is the first of many stories to come! Enjoy!

1. What are you attending school for now, and how long have you been in school?

I’m attending school for a doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD). The program is three years (9 semesters as there are summer semesters also), I’m in semester 8 currently.

2. Can you tell us a little bit about your story of living with a mental illness, for instance how and when you were diagnosed, and how that impacted your life as a whole?
I was diagnosed with bipolar I in the middle of my senior year of high school after a manic episode shortly after 2006 New Year. Looking back I definitely had intermittent symptoms as far back as 9th grade including hypomania, depression, and an underlined impulsivity. It ultimately was beneficial to receive a diagnosis so I could address the issue with medicine and learning coping strategies. However, it took me 2-3 years to accept it and therefore all my initial plans for college were thrown off. I spent a lot of time in and out of psych hospital from 2006-2009. I eventually began working in mental health as a peer specialist, then a qmhp after I got my bachelors and soon I’ll practice as an OT. I would not have become an OT without getting a bipolar diagnosis as I was not on a healthcare tract at all. Ultimately I’m very happy with where my life has taken me even if it was an uphill battle after being diagnosed.

3. What effect has your mental illness had on your educational path? Did it interrupt it? Did it shift your course of focus and/or study?
Kind of just touched on this. It certainly interrupted it. I was on track to follow in my mother’s footsteps with the aim to get a business degree and end up in the corporate world. I was just too unstable for college out of high school though, and by the time I found stability I found another path. It started with a human services certificate that I received in 2010 to practice as a peer specialist. I worked as a liaison between a peer support center and a state psychiatric hospital part time. In 2011 I started part time studying at a community college while working as a peer specialist. I graduated with a general studies associates in 2014 before transferring to a four year university. In 2016 I graduated with a bachelors in Human Services. In 2014 I started full time as a peer clinician with a csb. In 2016 I also became a QMHP after gaining the bachelors. By 2017/2018 I began steps towards getting into OT school. I 100% think I would be on a different tract and person without being diagnosed with bipolar but I’m very okay with that.

4. What has helped you most with your recovery and reintegration back to school, work, and life in your communities?
I would say number one the right medication. And tied for second is good self care routine and good supportive relationships whether family, friends, or professional.

5. How did you hear about the Baer Reintegration Scholarship Program, and what motivated you to apply?
I was initially told about a scholarship years ago through Lilly for individuals with mental health issues. My wife then encouraged me to look for scholarships when I returned to grad school and I googled mental health scholarships thinking I would find that one before finding this scholarship.

6. How has being a Baer Reintegration Scholar impacted your education and your life?
It has been tremendous. Keeping my loans down and not having to take a more high interest loan. It has been great to connect with other Baer Scholars too.

7. What career goals and life goals do you have once you have graduated from your program?
I plan to work as an OT. I am most interested to work in mental health or with assistive tech. This degree will allow me to make a respectable living to be able to buy a home, and joining with my wife’s income, support our family including our daughter and any other future kids. (I also really want a Rivian one day, which is an electric truck or suv)

8. What advice would you give to someone who has just been diagnosed with a mental illness?
Do research. Speak with your psychiatrist to find the right medication, and advocate for yourself if you feel over or under medicated. Find a good self care routine, limiting caffeine, good sleep routine, nutrition, exercise. Find fun leisure activities/ interest and surround yourself with good people. Also as tough as it may get know the sky is the limit for your recovery and life. 12 years ago I had just overcome three to four years of being in and out of psych hospital and going in and out of delusions and mania, now I’m married with a daughter and about to have my doctorate.

9. What advice would you give to someone applying for the Baer Reintegration Scholarship Program?
Keep trying. I applied twice and was not accepted. I didn’t give up and the third time was charm! If you don’t get accepted the first time, consider being more vulnerable in your next application to properly show what you’ve overcome and where you’re trying to go.

10. What is your favorite aspect of being a student? What is your least favorite?
Gaining a foundation to be able to practice in the field Im studying. Least favorite is just the stress of tests and managing a course load. I am in fieldwork right now so I don’t have the testing in the same way but being under the scrutiny of another can be stressful.

11. What are some of your hobbies and interests? What do you like to do in your free time?
I have a big green egg grill so cooking on that is a fun hobby. Also I enjoy football season, eagles fan (go birds!). I like to mountain bike and snowboard too. I’m going to Colorado this Christmas to see my in laws and will snowboard out there too. Love live music too, been to many concerts/festivals. Into movies and tv shows too. Spend a lot of free time these days raising my daughter though.

12. Is there anything else you would like to share with our community?
It’s really such a great service reintegration and the Baer scholarship provides and I’m very thankful.

*All images are free stock images through our website provider. Scholars’ privacy is an upmost priority at the Center for Reintegration, this scholar has chosen to remain anonymous.