Khatta Meetha OT Talk-Dr Raviraj Shetty (OT)

Introducing the ninth guest of my column,a passionate soul who is known for his out of box thinking.A dedicated professional who has transformed lives by his zeal to work creatively.
 

Dr Raviraj Shetty (OT)

Raviraj Shetty’s life and work is guided by relentless curiosity, audacious hope and magic. He believes from his heart that people are not the problem, but the problem is in the social-political-cultural context we live in. 

He is a lead therapist, supervisor and project manager at Ummeed Child Development Center where he consults with young people and their families, communities and healthcare workers. He teaches Narrative Practices to community health workers and professionals in diverse context like developmental disabilities, trauma, abuse, mental health concerns, violence, divorce etc. 

He also has a small private practice as  OT in mental health where he consults with people of diverse age groups, class, caste, gender and sexuality.  He has published articles in The Indian Journal of Occupational Therapist and a reviewer for Journal of Occupational Science. He is a TEDX speaker and has been a part of WFOT Congress 2019 in Capetown. 

 Let's read his views further,

1)Please can you elaborate on your journey and growth in the field of occupational therapy?

    My journey has been nothing less than an exciting magical adventure filled with possibilities I never imagined before. I moved from a medicalized understanding of OT to that of socio-political-cultural view. (Which has been liberating and a powerful shift for me). From working in an acute care setting to a paediatric context to mental health in children and families to communities marginalised due to class, caste, gendered violence, sexuality, ableism.

2) What are the challenges you had faced as a fresh graduate and how did you go about it?

 One of the challenges I remember was whether to pursue masters or not? And if yes, than India or US? The answer to both the challenges was my best friends and lack of resources (e.g. money). We made some beautiful life lasting friendships during our graduation which helped me navigate through my challenges of finding a job, changing a job, finding home visits, meeting some inspiring people, a shoulder to cry on when life seemed difficult.

3) Why do you think there is lack of professional recognition in the field of occupational therapy?

Because the idea of recognition is flawed. Who decides what is recognised and what is not? What gets recognised? When does it get recognised? Is all a game of POWER. In my work experience so far, the recognition that matters the most is that of the people and communities who I consult with, my OT community, allies from other professions and loved ones. And everything else follows. This has been journeys of recognition for marginalised communities and professions,  

4) A lot of OT’s have concern over remuneration in consideration to other professionals market, what are you views on this?

Its sad but that’s the truth for many of us. But each one of us has a voice and allies, to influence the system and demand more. I have learnt that until we don’t ask for it we will not get it. So when we deserve it, we demand it as if it is our right to be paid equally. To not see ourselves as less in comparison to any (ANY) profession. There is a lot we can learn from the feminist and queer movement in our fight to ask for a dignified remuneration. It works. J

5) What are the practical ideas that can be incorporated in OT practise that can give more opportunities to youngsters to explore different fields in OT?

Mentorship programmes by OTs from diverse context outside the OT schools during internship and graduation. Collaboration with artists, activists, authors, other professionals to create spaces for ideation. Meeting OT’s from diverse cultures from across the world on various online platform.

Your highlights:

My professional strength: to think from my heart.

My favourite occupations: Witnessing stories which are never heard, being with loved ones, netflixing, instagramming, collecting all information about Unicorns. J

I am known for: speaking my heart, being unconventional and a die hard fan of Arundhati roy.

My inspirational moment: everyday resilience that marginalised communities do to existed  and being on the TEDX red circle.

P.S :I extend my gratitude to him for giving me his valuable time. See you all next Saturday with another guest.