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AOTA Board Member Throws Out First Pitch at Boston Red Sox Game

By Katie Riley posted 08-21-2018 11:25

  

Occupational therapy practitioners know that sometimes to make a difference, thinking outside of the box is necessary. AOTA Board Member Melissa Tilton, OTA, BS, COTA, ROH, took this mentality to a new level on Monday night when she took her mission of promoting the profession to new heights.

Or should we say, distance?75_Tilton_jumbotron.jpg

In Fenway Park.

Live.

In front of thousands of cheering baseball fans.

Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, Tilton kicked off Boston Red Sox Rehabilitation Night. The evening created by the baseball organization was originally advertised to recognize, “PTs, OTs, and SLPs” according to a social media posting passed along to her by a colleague. As an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) for more than 20 years, the omission of OTAs and PTAs frustrated her. However, instead of stewing about it, she decided to act.

“I reached out to a Red Sox employee to thank her for having this Rehab Night and to ask a few more questions about it,” Tilton said. “I also asked her if it was okay to give some feedback. I shared that both the OT and PT profession had OTAs and PTAs, who are licensed and credentialed practitioners. She was great. She stated she had no idea and was grateful to get some info. She was willing to take back the flyer to the Red Sox to talk to them about it. From then on, the language changed to OTs, PTs, SLPs, OTAs, and PTAs. It was such a win for me.”

Tilton then learned that the Rehabilitation Night organizers were seeking nominations for 5 people to be on the field, one of which would throw the first pitch. She was nominated, and chosen.

“I am over the moon right now, grateful, excited and nervous; all at the same time,” said Tilton in a Facebook post last week, announcing that she had been selected for the honor. “It’s [The Red Sox’s] the first Rehabilitation Professionals Night, and it will be great to spend the evening with my OT, OTA, PT, PTA, and SLP friends and colleagues from all over New England. I’m sending so many ‘thank yous’ out to some amazing friends and colleagues, I’m not really sure who all to thank, so putting this out here in hopes of getting the message to each of you.”

Tilton, who says she did not own a ball or glove before embarking on this honor, took training very seriously by practicing throws across the required 60-foot 6-inch distance each evening with her partner Ben, and “studying Top 10 bloopers in hopes of learning a little something.”

In the end, the practice paid off. However, she was understandably extremely nervous. Tilton took the mound, aimed, and threw the ball straight toward home plate. Perfection? Not quite, she said, but she called it “the best OT night ever.”

“I was just really excited to be with my rehab colleagues and celebrate our amazing professions,” Tilton said, adding that she was especially happy because she was able to create a 6th inning Jumbotron memorial to fellow OT and Red Sox fan Janet Wright, who passed away last spring. “I still can’t believe it happened. I even got some cheers going ‘OT, OT, OT, OT’ in the crowd.”

In the end, the Red Sox fell to the Cleveland Indians 4-5, but for Tilton, the night was a win for rehab professionals, especially OTAs.

“I’ve never been more proud to be an OTA, to be part of an amazing profession and to have had a chance of a lifetime,” Tilton said, adding that her face hurt from smiling so widely. “Thank you to everyone for cheering me on, laughing with me, hugging me and nominating me. OT is an amazing profession that has given me so much. I hope a few more people looked up ‘OT’ tonight and are more aware of what the fabulous profession is.”

Photo Caption: AOTA Board Member Melissa Tilton readies herself to throw the first pitch in Fenway Park on Monday night. Seeing “OT” so large on the Jumbotron brought her to tears, she said. (Photo by Lisa Boyajian, COTA/L, CPRP)

Interested in promoting the profession in a unique way? Contact kriley@aota.org to get started.

#promoteot #media-relations

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Comments

09-21-2018 12:32

Melissa, you are an OT to the core! Love, love the shirt! Way to go!

09-06-2018 12:24

That is fantastic. Melissa your leadership and driving force to promote the OT practice  and OTA's is very inspiring. Thank You!

08-21-2018 22:04

This is so awesome!  Thank you Melissa for representing our great profession and standing up for OTA's and PTA's too!

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