Taylor Pinson, 30
Occupational Therapist
Employer: Camden County Schools, Pediatric Therapies of Southeast Georgia, Southeast Georgia Health System
Lives in: Kingsland
Professional responsibilities: As an occupational therapist, I work with both children and adults across the lifespan and provide services to promote health and independence in their ability to complete their daily activities. These meaningful activities include taking care of yourself, your family, going to work, going to school, taking a shower, walking your dog, etc. In the school setting, I am helping children to obtain the necessary skills so that they can be as successful as possible in their academics (handwriting, visual-motor skills, sensory processing). In the outpatient setting, I am helping children obtain skills throughout their development, which can include feeding, dressing, fine motor, gross motor, play and other age-appropriate skills. In the hospital, I am working with adults who need to regain mobility and strength after an illness or surgery so that they can return home and safely complete their daily activities.
Accomplishments/Honors/Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina, Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences, graduated with Honors from my Occupational Therapy program.
Community Involvement: Each Christmas, I host a toy drive for in need patients and families at my work, Camden Special Steps Program, Special Olympics Volunteer
Why did you go into your particular field? I chose occupational therapy because it is a career that allows me to help others get back to living life and doing the things they love. I get to gear each session to that person and what they like to do, so that they can be as independent in their daily living as possible. Love to fish? I can make our therapy session about fishing! Walk your dog every day? We can work on skills so you can get back to doing that! A kid loves Mario? We can work on visual-motor skills that include Mario characters! I enjoy the diversity of the career and that I can work with individuals of all ages and that there is no such thing as a boring day in OT.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I had to ask my mom this one, and she said that I never would say one particular thing but I do know I always had a baby doll in my hand, so it made sense that I now have a career working with children. I did go into college as a pharmacy major, but once I took chemistry (and realize it was not for me), I had to quickly change paths!
What was your first job? My first “real” job included keep score for football, baseball and basketball games at my hometown’s recreation center. I also spent almost every weekend night in high school babysitting for families at my church.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? The best advice I have ever received is to not allow the actions of others to determine my life. I am responsible for myself and how I respond to situations.
What’s your favorite thing about your job? My favorite thing about my job is that I am let in to someone else’s “real.” The parents of the children I work with, the children with special needs, the adults who just had surgery or are very sick – they all all trust me and allow me into their most vulnerable moments during sessions so that we can achieve their goals. It is a privilege that I try to never forget.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? I wish I knew that it is the little moments that lead up to the big changes. When I first started OT, I wanted every session to have some dramatic change or gain for my patient and would get frustrated if there was none. I realized that in therapy, it is the little small changes that work their way up to the big life changes.
Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My greatest mentor would have had to be my grandfather, “Grandpaul.” He showed me how to love others without conditions, and to lose myself in the service of others. He used his actions, not his words to show his dedication to his family and friends (and even strangers on the side of the road). He worried very little about what others thought of him, and lived his life to the beat of his own drum. I try to mimic the generosity, loyalty, and love that he showed others with everyone I meet.
When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I spend my free time walking and hanging out with my dog Riley, spending time with family and friends, reading a good book, going to the beach, watching the Braves, and cheering very loudly for my beloved USC Gamecocks (though I am not sure I can call that relaxing during most football games).
What is something about you that most people don’t know? For those that know how much of a huge Gamecock fan I am, there was a time in my life (middle school) where I tried to be a rebel and called myself a Georgia fan. There is a picture to prove it that I try to keep hidden as I would never admit to it now!
How do you hope to grow in your career? I hope to continue to obtain skills and specialty certifications so that I can better serve my patients, I also am working to hopefully finish my doctorate in occupational therapy so that I can be a professor one day for an occupational therapy program.
If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? Does being a stay-at-home dog mom who goes to the beach every day count? No, but seriously I think I would have gone to event planning. I thoroughly enjoy planning and setting up for my friend’s wedding showers, baby showers, and birthday parties. I love to celebrate any occasion with a well-planned party!