Alumni Robin F. Baker, MS, OTR/L: Advocacy, Locally and Globally Serving the community locally and globally can improve conditions for vulnerable populations, empower communities and reduce gaps in access to care resources and wellness. Through collaboration, groups are better able to advocate for themselves by identifying their specific needs. Recently, we had the opportunity to meet with Alumni Robin F. Baker, MS, OTR/L who embodies the University’s pillars for service and mission of advocacy. Robin is the owner of a nonprofit organization, GO Therapy, Inc., that has a mission to “improve access and quality of occupational, physical and speech therapy services for persons living with disabilities and chronic health conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Q1). Tell me about your business? A1). GoTHERAPY is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of individuals living with chronic health conditions, such as stroke, by improving their access to quality rehabilitation services. Through our Stroke Community Re-Integration Program (SCRIP), we provide stroke survivors in the Shai Osudoku district of Ghana with communitybased occupational, physical and speech therapy services as well as health monitoring and health and wellness education. Essentially, we are helping individuals walk again, talk again and engage in meaningful daily activities after surviving a stroke. In March, GoTHERAPY and the Shai Osudoku District opened the first community occupational therapy center in Ghana to serve adults living with chronic illness and children with special needs.
Q2). What motivated you to attend the University, and how has that influenced your interest in occupational therapy? A2). Throughout undergrad, my mother battled stage 4 breast cancer; however, two weeks into my senior year she transitioned to hospice care. She was provided with a home occupational therapist who helped her establish end of life goals. My mom’s goals included independently washing her face, brushing her teeth and walking to her favorite chair. I loved the intimacy of the OT profession, and I appreciated the intentionality of the OT who helped my mom participate in activities that were meaningful and purposeful to her up until her death. After my mom passed away, I pivoted from pursuing athletic training post-graduation and started looking into OT programs.
OCTOBER 2020 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 19
