Ora Ruggles: A Poetic Life of Occupation: The Life of an Occupational Therapy Pioneer

Ora Ruggles was one of the pioneers in the profession of Occupational Therapy, although somewhat neglected by history. Dr. Whitney summarizes Ora's remarkable life in 4 chapters: Childhood, Introduction to Occupational Therapy as Reconstruction Aide and Pioneer, Seasoned Therapist, and Retirement & Reflection. For each chapter, Dr. Whitney has written a collection of poems that capture the challenges faced and overcome by this amazing pioneer, and give a glimpse into Ora's compassionate spirit. In this 100-year anniversary of the founding of Occupational Therapy, this book is a reminder of what a struggle it was for early therapists to win acceptance. Ora's life is also an expression of the timeless qualities that made a good therapist in 1918, and are still essential today: empathy, creativity, and faith. Ora Ruggles is probably best known for her quote: "It’s not enough to give a patient something to do with his hands. You must reach for the heart as well as the hands. It’s the heart that really does the healing"