Ainsley Zubrinsky ~ Occupational History

Reflecting on various periods of your life, discuss and provide examples of • The role of occupation in the promotion of health and prevention of disease and disability • The importance of balancing areas of occupation for health and wellness. As a public health major, I spent much time learning how to prevent disease and disability and promote health. In my final semester as an intern with the American Red Cross, I helped educate families on how to prevent fires in their mobile homes. We went into each home and asked about their routines and habits, and concerns they have that may be fire hazardous. We helped educate families on the importance of clean homes and preventing children from accessing lighters.  I think it's important to balance areas of occupation for health and wellness because some occupations may be healthy, and others may not be. It's important to have an understanding of which occupations are beneficial to which aspects of an individual's health and welln...

Occupation and context: Playing tennis is a meaningful occupation that I do routinely.  Playing tennis has varied throughout my life. When I was younger, in high school, I played tennis more competitively and routinely. Once I got to college, I joined the club tennis team which allowed me to continue playing at a competitive level. Once I graduated college and began working full time, tennis became more of a leisure thing for me rather than a competition. I now play in adult leagues for fun, but as I get older, tennis and its role in my life often changes. In my hometown, it was a lot easier to play tennis compared to being in graduate school in a new city. Once I move to a new city, I have fewer people to play tennis with and less knowledge of the courts around town. Now that I am in graduate school, tennis is not a priority for me anymore. 

  Reflect on your particular cultural heritage, including areas like ethnic influences, religion, and values from family, school, and other social groups. • How do these values influence you and your choice of day-to-day activities? • How do changes in your activity pattern reflect changes in your priorities? As someone who was raised Jewish in a southern town where the Jewish population was tiny, I am used to people making assumptions about my background, including my religion. I also grew up with my neighbors of all ages as my best friends for most of my childhood, which has helped shape me into who I am.  This background of mine has led me to value the differences that make up the people in my life and the things that bring us together. I currently go into every day with an open mindset about my classmates and professors in my OT program and avoid making assumptions about others.  When my usual activity patterns are altered due to schoolwork, or an unexpected lack of m...

Job: Pizza maker at Your Pie Pizza For context, this was a pizza place where the customers would go down the line and customize their pizza, starting with dough, and finishing with toppings. (Similar to Chipotle) Skills, Habits, Roles: To make the pizza for customers, I was required to learn how to spin out the dough properly without ripping it and the correct amount of toppings to use. I also gained social interaction skills to greet customers, take their pizza orders, and listen to their special requests. My role here was shift manager. I assigned tasks to other employees and led the closing procedures, ending with closing the register drawer. In this role, I took customers' orders, made their pizzas, rang them up, and ran the food to the customers. Some habits that I practiced include, facilitating the same closing routine in order, and making the pizza in the same order almost every time.  Motivation, Values, Beliefs: This job allowed me to help satisfy customers and deliver ex...

How environmental context influences my meaningful occupation - Walking my boyfriend's dog, Millie Walking Millie on Public Trail vs Neighborhood Loop When walking on a public trail with other civilians and their dogs, Millie pulls on the leash, approaching other dogs and people. This can become stressful as other dogs may not be friendly. I have to pay more attention to her when walking on these public trails to ensure our safety and other dogs. I also have to be more prepared. I need to get Millie in the car to drive her to a public trail and pack water for her afterward This can be less relaxing (but definitely more enjoyable for Millie as she gets to socialize!)  When walking throughout the private neighborhood, there is more privacy and less pulling on the leash from Millie. This environment is more relaxing and less stressful when walking Millie. I also feel more motivated to walk her around the neighborhood loop because I do not have to drive anywhere, I can just walk her ou...

Recent Occupations that are Valuable to Me: Played tennis with my boyfriend This occupation is related to nostalgia and my present time. Since I grew up playing tennis, getting back on the court is always nostalgic. Tennis is also my active outlet at this present time in my life.  I gained personal satisfaction and personal awareness during this occupation; I was able to teach and share the sport of tennis with an important person in my life.  Took a solo road trip to Tennessee to see my best friend who started her Nurse Practioner program.  This occupation was present in time as it was a spontaneous and last-minute decision to drive out there. It also brought back memories from our past considering we have been friends since kindergarten. This is also related to a future goal of mine; being more spontaneous, and adventurous, and taking more time to visit long-distance friends.  This occupation gave me personal awareness and openness to new opportunities; not holding...