Liminality

A poem on experiencing liminality brought about by disability

Liminality 
By Akemi

Alive but dead
Dead yet still breathing
Life has robbed me of its treasures
All that I was,
And all that I'll be
'tis no more

As the people join hands
To set the world in motion
I fell out of role
In the darkness of day
You see me..
With blind eyes

I ponder upon my reflection
Though I am whole, I am broken
My hands no longer craft
My feet no longer stride
The fiend cut deep
To rob even my soul

In dreams I embark on lost adventures
Of the life I never had
Of the life I've wished I had
Slumber away 'til my moving feet are reality
Dreams are all I need...
Dreams are all I need...

(May 18, 2012)

Genbu Kaiden finally ends

This is totally unrelated to occupational therapy but I felt that I really REALLY needed to blog about it.  Since the year 2007, I have been diligently reading Yuu Watase's Fushigi Yuugi Genbu Kaiden.  Anime fan or not, you may be familiar with Fuushigi Yuugi.  Well, this is the story of the first ever maiden who entered the book of the four gods - two hundred years before Tamahome and Miaka's love story set into motion.  Truthfully, I had doubts before reading it for two nonsensical reasons (now that I look back to it). One, I haven't exactly read the past work of Yuu Watase although I have watched the anime Fushigi Yuugi.  And you know, not to demean Miaka's story but I just grew out of that "too cheesy" stuff (and the reverse harem factor).  So I kind of expected it to be with the same feel as the last one.  Boy, was I wrong.  Second reason, I knew it was tragedy.  I didn't want to read it knowing it was going to end in Takiko dying.  Tragedies stick to me until I sublimate it into something like what I am doing right now.   Otherwise, I'm going to think of it for days!  But I'm glad I did decide to click that first chapter.  One chapter was all it took and I knew I just had to finish this manga.  It didn't help when suddenly Watase decided to put it on hiatus in 2008).  All of us waited for almost five years.  FIVE YEARS!!!  That felt like forever!  I mean come on, with the 2012 apocalypse ringing back in 2010, I was thinking, "There is no way the world is going to end before I know what is going to happen in Genbu Kaiden!" And yes, Watase-sensei didn't fail us.

A love this pure deserves to have a happy ending

Five years for this fulfilling ending

Took my two favorite pages, which by the way, still makes me cry when I read them. Kudos to Genbu Kaiden Love who scanlated the whole series!  Without your hardwork, I never would have known Uruki and Takiko's pure love. 

Unofficial Guide to CAOT Application for IEOTs

Since I got here in Canada, a lot of my friends have been asking about how to apply to for the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam and so I decided to make a detailed post about it.  Just a reminder to you guys that this procedure is for World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) accredited schools; however, you are very free to read it if you would like.

BASIC WEBSITES
First and foremost, let's go over the basic websites to access the information you need in your endeavor.  I have to say, it took quite some self assertion to tie up the loose strings in this puzzle. Listed below are the websites with a simple description and the basic knowledge you can get from them:

1.  Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

The first thing you'll see when you click the link above

The prime of them all!  Everything and anything you need to know about applying starts from here.  The steps you must take in applying is detailed there.  You can find both the application process for the WFOT accredited and the Non-WFOT in this website.  However, you can easily get lost in this website as there are a lot it covers and it is in your discretion to filter what you need to read from what you don't.  I spent hours trying to filter those stuff but don't worry, I have a smart advice about browsing the site.  So, upon entering "CAOT Central".  That blue rectangle up there in the main picture, the site will open up with this:

CAOT Central page

So, what I want you to do is ignore all other tabs aside from the one that has a red arrow pointing to it.  Once you have clicked that, the page should look something like this:

The IEOT page in the CAOT website

Okay, this time you must take your time to read and understand just what an IEOT is.  From my point of view, the explanation is as plain as day so there is really no need to divulge on its meaning.  In the next websites that you will check, the term IEOT will be a standard.  At this point however, you must note whether you come from a WFOT accredited school or not because the path you take for application is totally different as IEOTs.  So, from there you have two choices to follow.  One is to just click the eligibility requirements page I have provided here for both WFOT accredited and Non-WFOT accredited schools or you follow the other path I will provide. For the second path, you must click the National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE) link found on at the bottom of the first division of the site. You will be redirected to this:

The NOTCE page from the "Students" tab

From here, you must click the link that the red arrow is pointing.  This page frequently changes so this might not be the one you'll see if you're going to visit the site again in November.  However, I believe that the link to the "eligibility requirements" is always there.  After clicking the link, you will be redirected to the "International Graduates" page that is also located on the first division of the page.  From there, you'll you can easily follow the steps in applying.

2. Internationally Educated Occupational Therapist Portal

This website is specially made for IEOTs like us.  It is a great site that simplifies the things you need to go over for your overall transition of practice here in Canada.  See that encircled icons below?  Those are the things you need to go through and if you get lost during browsing (because the pages will redirect you to other websites), you just need to go back here and click on what you have yet to cover.

IEOT Portal main page

The greatest thing I love about this website is the "Success Stories" page.  I really recommend that you take time to watch their videos there.  They really give you a glimpse of what to expect in applying and in practicing occupational therapy here in Canada. And of course, they give out really handy tips.

3. Citizenship and Immigration Canada

As you may have read already from the learned from the second website I have listed, it is compulsory to emigrate to Canada. As far as I know, you need to have a permanent resident status or you have papers in process for getting into Canada to apply for the exam. In this website, you'll find it easier to navigate.  My tip is to know what type of application you want and then search the tabs located at the upper side of the main page.

See how friendly the site is?  You'll know more when you navigate through it

Let's put a little depth on what to search so that you won't get lost in the site.   If you have at least two (2) years of experience in the occupational therapy field, you can apply for the "Skilled Workers and Professionals".  The downside of this is I think you have to have an arranged employment contract.  Another important matter that may limit this choice is that the government of Canada is cutting down on getting skilled workers and professionals to migrate.  I do not really know why but that is the last I have heard.  You might want to go check the website time and again to get updates. My family and I went through the "Provincial Nominee" process.  You might want to check that out as well.

Other  Important Websites 

Aside from those three basic websites, you will need to decide on what PROVINCE to practice in.  Deciding on where to practice at this early stage is essential because there are some differences in "registering" for practice per province.  Let's say in the Western parts of Canada like The College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia, the language requirement is English.  However, in the Eastern parts like in College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, the better choice of language is French.  I believe that there are also provinces that do not allow temporary practice without a license and there are those many who allow it if you are already eligible for the exam.  Check out this page to know see the list of provincial regulators.


CONTACTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Now that you know the basic information, it is time to contact people.  At this point, there are two important people you must contact - the Exam Services Administrator in CAOT and one staff from the provincial registry (the registrar I think).  You can also e-mail them in their general mailing address that is exam@caot.ca for CAOT and again, your preferred provincial regulator.  For those interested in British Columbia, mail this address info@cotbc.org.  They will reply to you in one business day. Yes, that fast.

So, after knowing who to contact, you must learn on how to contact them.  Although you are going to contact them, you must do it with finesse.  Be sure to address them properly and as how they would like it.  For example, when Mr. Ryan Govern, the Exam Services Administrator of CAOT, replies to you and said that you can address him as Ryan, you do so.  Otherwise, you will be culturally inappropriate.  However, if he does not permit you so, you will remain calling him as Mr. Ryan.  Subsequently, you must construct the body of the letter in an organized manner.   Ideas and questions expressed clearly will get an answer with the same transparency or at least I believe so.  Of course don't forget to introduce yourself before you actually ask a question.  Lastly, sign with your whole name and your title.  If you need help in articulating yourself in writing, you better start learning now because having that skill gives you an edge.  Mr. Ryan McGovern will ask you to construct a cover letter to accompany your application form.  And you will also need to construct cover letters when you apply for jobs.  Actually, you write cover letters here for almost everything!

Also another option is to call CAOT and the provincial regulator to ask your questions but I think e-mailing is as good.  Better perhaps!  Because you can browse through it again.


DOCUMENTS NEEDED

For the documents you need, I am pretty sure it is almost everything I got from my school.  I ordered a lot of documents!  And honestly, I can't remember their descriptions but I'll try hard to list them down.  Here is the list:

1. Diploma
2. Transcript of Records
3. Certificate of Internship
4. Course Syllabus (with description)
5. Certification that the school is WFOT accredited
6. Certification of Graduation
7. Certification of Completion (?)  - hmmm...I'm not sure about this
8. Other certificates (e.g. academic scholar certificate, dean's lister certificate, etc.) although I don't think this matters much

Okay, so after contacting Mr. Ryan on applying and you have sent the application, you will need to have the documents above reviewed.  A year before, you need to pass it to BCIT but now they made it easier.  They recruited the World Education Services (WES) to assess the documents.  You can also find the WES link in CAOT.  The required assessment is the basic document by document credential report.  Other documents I have missed in the list may be listed there when you browse through the application.


THE COST

Costs will be tearjerking, I tell you.  Once your application is approved, it will cost you an immediate 500 CDN . 200 CDN for your language assessment and 120+ CDN for the credential assessment.  Add to that the money you need to get all of the documents you need in your school. One thing you need is a credit card to make payment handy but a cheque would do nicely as well.  You just need to make sure it gets to Canada safely.  If you intend to use a cheque, please do not, DO NOT send it through ordinary mail.  Send it via couriers (if they allow it).


There are a lot of information to digest, I know.  And perhaps with all of the meticulous process you need to go through, you will be discouraged.  However, I assure you that Canada is a great country to go to.  The people are willing to help you as long as you don't give up on them.   I suggest giving it a try before letting the idea go.  After all, you will only go as far as you think you'll go.

Edukasyon ko Inang Bayan, kaya mo pa bang tustusan?

Ngayong gabi, nasadlak ako sa kalungkutan ng marinig ko ang pagpapakamatay ng isang labing-anim na taong gulang na estudyante mula sa University of the Philippines - Manila (UP-Manila).  Freshman siya ng dating kolehiyo ni Aiko, parehas na Behavioral Sciences ang kurso.  Pinakita siya sa akin ng kapatid ko sa iilang Facebook pictures na naka-share sa page ng kolehiyo nila. Marahan siyang nagkwento.  Madalas na tumitingin ang kapatid ko ng mga pictures ng underclassmen niya at palaging sumusulyap sa landas na hindi niya tinahak. Natatandaan niya daw na representative si Kristel ng mga freshman sa isang aktibidad ng kolehiyo. Nabanggit niya nga minsan, sa aking paggunita, na madami daw siyang gustong "i-bully" sa mga first years.  Tulad daw ng mga ginawa sa kanila noong isang semestre niyang pag-aral sa UP.  At heto daw, hindi siya makapaniwala na merong nagpakamatay sa kinasasabikan niyang mga underclassmen. Dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay.  "Paano kung nandun ako?", tanong niya sa akin habang nagpipigil ng luha.  Wala akong naisagot.

Si Kristel ay panganay sa limang magkakapatid.  Taxi driver ang trabaho ng ama at simpleng maybahay lamang ang ina.  Isa lamang siya sa maraming kabataan ngayon sa Pilipinas na naghahangad ng edukasyon ngunit nahahadlangan ito ng kahirapan.  Nitong nakaraang dalawang dekada, hindi makakaila na lubhang bumaba ang budget ng gobyerno sa edukasyon sa kabila ng mga pangako nila na pagtutuunan ito ng pansin. Ang unang naalala ko nung dekada nobenta ay ang pag-allocate ng budget sa iba't-ibang sektor ng gobyerno para ilagay sa "pork barrel".   Isa ang kagawaran ng edukasyon sa kinuhanan ng pera upang mapuno ang kaban ng mga kongresista.  At sinong makakalimot sa milyones na tinanggal ng administrasyong Arroyo sa PUP?  Isa yan sa mga ibinato ni PNoy sa nakalipas na administrasyon at kakatwa na isinambalik niya sa pamumuno niya ngayon.  Mas malala pa nga kung ikukumpara dahil isang bilyon mahigit ang tinanggal niya sa edukasyon at kalusugan nitong taong 2010.  Sa dami ng mga kinaltas ng gobyerno, lumipad ang halaga ng edukasyong hirap na ngang abutin ng mahihirap.  

Isa sa mga naunang artikulo na lumabas tungkol sa trahedya mula sa The Manila Collegian

Natatakot ako para sa mga kapwa ko Pilipino, lalong lalo na para sa mga kabataan.  Tila ba unti-unti nilang ginagawang mang mang ang mga sumusunod na henerasyon.  Tumatarik ang tatsulok at ang edukasyon na dapat ay karapatan ng bawat isa ay nagiging pribilehiyo.  Mayayaman na lamang ang nakakatamasa ng disenteng edukasyon at ang mga sadlak sa hirap ay nagkukumahog sa maliliit na silid-aralan.  Nasa awa na tayo ng mga oligarko sapagkat hawak nila ang utak ng kabataan. Nitong nakaraang dekada, meron nang mga artikulo at iilang mga aktibista ang pumuna sa pamamaraan nila.  Natatandaan niyo pa ba ang "Study now, pay later" program noong 90s? Isang mabuting programa na ginagawang paraan ng mga oligarko para maibulsa ang pera ng masa.  Halos isang daang estudyante din ang nabigyan ng umano'y "loan" ang hindi masingil ng Commission of Audit (COA).  Naglaho na parang mga multo. Ha! Tapos sa tuwing may mga problemang darating (tulad ng kay Kristel) ay pinaiikot lamang nila tayo sa mga hintuturo nilang di matigil sa pagturo.  Sinisisi ng gobyerno ang UP-Manila ngunit sila ang tunay na may hawak ng kapangyarihan upang mabago ito.  Madaling magtaas ng tuition ngunit hindi madaling ibaba.  Madaling magsibak ng estudyante kaysa sa gumawa ng paraan upang makatapos sila.  Yupian na nga talaga ang UP kung ganun.

Tila nga malayo-layo pa ang tatahakin natin para maabot ang Pilipinas na ipinaglaban noon ng ating mga ninuno.  Ayokong matulad ang mga Pilipino kay Boxer (ng Animal Farm) na buong buhay nagkayod para sa demokrasyang hindi totoo at namatay ng hindi namulat sa katotohanan. Masipag at matiyaga ang mga Pilipino at di hamak na may potensyal upang harapin ang mundo.  Huwag tayong magbulag-bulagan at magbingi-bingihan sa isyung ito! Edukasyon ang susi sa pag-ahon mula sa kahirapan kaya huwag tayong pumayag na tanggalin ito sa ating mga anak. Sabay sabay nating pasanin ang bigat ng buhay na kinitil ng mga oligarko at ipaglaban ang nararapat.

Imahe ng kasipagan at tiyaga

Sa ngayon, ang pagtustos ko sa dalawang bata mula sa World Vision ang tanging magagawa ko upang makatulong sa sitwasyon.  Maraming tumutulong sa atin mula sa iba't-ibang bansa kaya't tulungan din natin ang isa't-isa.  MERONG PAG-ASA ANG PILIPINAS!  

Isang World Vision sponsored child dati, Order of Lakandula and CNN Hero

 Sana ay makita ko ring magtagumpay sina Clarence at Lyka sa buhay.  Sa ngayon, hahayaan ko muna silang maging bata.

OTepp First Week

As I am currently in line for the November 2013 National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination here in Canada, I have decided to enroll in a program funded by CAOT called OTepp.   It is a program ran by the McMaster University in Ontario that assists internationally educated and returning occupational therapists integrate into the Canadian practice.  It consists of five (5) modules that started this January 2013 up until June, just before the July examination. I was a little late to register because of the status of my papers so I joined in the third module.

Interested in the program?  Click the link

We are currently studying evidence -based practice in which we are taught how to critically appraise articles to be used in practice.  In a virtual classroom!  I am so fascinated by this new experience that I can hardly contain my smile every start of the session. (Not that they could see my ridiculous smile though)  It really surprised me as well just how many Filipinos were engaged in the program.  And yes, it is perhaps one of the main reasons why I am happy with the classes.  Hearing a familiar accent calms me down and it reassures me (somehow) that we are one in the same.  We are seeking help to re-enter the world of occupational therapy.  Striving hard to re-ignite the flames of passion for the profession in a highly unfamiliar setting.

 Truly, support groups like this for internationally educated health care professionals like us is truly a blessing!      Can't imagine starting from nowhere.  Next week, I'll be posting about the process I underwent to apply for eligiblity to CAOT.  

To my friends who are taking the PTOT local boards

Let me tell you my friends, the fact that you are sitting for the exam tomorrow is an achievement worth telling.   That seat could have been someone else's but you took up the courage to take it for yourselves. That seat could have been empty, but now it is heavy with your hopes and dreams for the future.  A future in which the world will be shaped by your burning passion and great determination.  If you look back to it, you'll see how humble your beginnings were. Some of you must have been just persuaded to take it. Some with just the curiousity in their minds. Some must have taken into account that nursing has a surplus.  And in rare cases, some who actually dreams of becoming professional occupational and physical therapists. It took just the simple choice of enrolling the course and whatever happened after that is credited for your regal choice to stick to it.  

I want you to take just a little while to remember how you got there - to the seat where your future will be built.  Remember the first day of school?  Who do you talk to? You ask yourself.  Then you made a simple choice of who to be-friend.  Remember the next few weeks when you ponder if you are just going to copy that physics assignment given by the professor?  Then you made the simple choice not to.  Remember your first anatomy class?  You wonder whether your seniors were right about how you'll not have the appetite to eat after seeing a cadaver for the first time.  Then you made the seemingly silly decision to eat chicken fillet at McDonald's afterwards.  As the days progress however, the simple choices weighed more - like stones thrown over your back. You never realized how those simple decisions could lead you to marching on that stage with the friends you thought were the weirdest bunch you've ever met during that first day of algebra class.  Now, you are going to take the local boards.  You must realize that it is that heavy not only because of the intense review you have undergone the past few months, but of the five or more years you have spent making simple choices.  Remember that it is in our moments of decision that our destiny is shaped.  And that fate is going to be built tomorrow.  You have been working hard and I believe that you will be rewarded!  Your determination will shake that exam until you claim that license!

So in dedication to you guys, I have a short poem to share and the video of "Best Times".  Oh and a picture from 9gag that will remind you of your love for your course.

Finding Strength

by Kris Akemi Job

To you who is weakened

This I pray...

That if now you're suffering

May tomorrow, God bestow you strength

To face the dismay

And in years henceforth

You shall look back

And be grateful for the stones

For they have paved way to the dreams

You once held "nay"

(August 20, 2012)

ALWAYS REMEMBER WHERE YOU STARTED AND WHY YOU DID IT

In a few months, it's going to be my turn.  

Thank you donorworx and World Vision!

I could still remember the bright orange glint of that tiny World Vision booth at our event, OTzibit 2011, almost three (3) years ago.  The trifold brochure with a little boy really piqued my interest. Pretty soon, I found myself grabbing one from the table.  The kid that looked around 8 years old in the brochure said that he wants to be a driver and nothing else.  I remembered thinking, "Man, an eight year old kid...wants to be just a driver like his dad? The cycle of poverty is trapping a lot of people in its course."  When I was eight years old, I dreamt of becoming EVERYTHING!!!  A doctor, a scientist, a singer, an actress, an astronaut, even becoming president!  My dreams were limitless!  And yet, that little boy in the brochure and perhaps quite a lot of other Filipino kids don't even have the permission to dream high.  How truly sad it is. At that time, I had to reject the idea of sponsoring a kid for fifteen (15) pesos a day because I can't even fend for myself.  

The second time I encountered World Vision was at Metrotown.  I saw this guy stopping a couple of people who were walking by.  I was in one of my "enlightening strolls" that day and I decided to stop by the booth as I loved that familiar warm color.  I, of course, having no job yet, refused the opportunity to sponsor a child.  But, mind you, I had always wanted to.  One autumn morning, World Vision came knocking in my door again. I saw an ad in the newspaper about a hiring as a fundraiser and I applied with much hope.  (Please refer to this post)  Holy guacamole!  I got accepted and by the end of the campaign, I was given the "WHY" award.  It's for new people like me who does a great job in the field. 

Sweet!  I was excited to open this when Kirsten gave it to me

Aaw...such a sweet card

TADA!!!  Free 10 dollars to spend in Starbucks :)

 I am so touched.  I didn't really expect it because it was hard enough to get people to stop in Guildford mall.  My teammates and I were really challenged to work those stops and break those objections to pulp.  Thank you Chris Ghieuw, Korina Manaloto, Odette Pinto, Sam Bones, Katharine Heaster, Melanie Scharfe, Brendan for the amazing fundraising days.  I give my special thanks to Kirsten (TL) and Stephanie (CFM) for picking me as a winner. You are such wonderful people and I wish to work with you guys again.   And of course, I just wanted to say thank you to donorworx for giving this once in a lifetime opportunity to work with World Vision. If you hadn't given me the opportunity, I wouldn't be posting about this.  My words are not enough to express the gratitude I feel.  I deeply wish for summer to come soon!