Conclave: Car Insurance and Your Future...
It happened so suddenly. I pulled in to the gas station and all the gas pumps were full. I noticed a car leaving a pump, but I needed to turn my car around. As I put the car in reverse, I looked to see if I was in the clear, while slowly letting my foot off the brake. Then SMASH!
Stunned, I turned off my car, and looked behind me to see a Mazda with a huge dent in the side of the driver’s door. Did I do that? I got out the car, shaking a little, and the man whose door I had just rammed got out his car, assessing the damage. We talked in incomplete sentences. I was overly apologetic, he a little irritated. We exchanged insurance information, the insurance companies took it from there, and I just had the always-satisfying notice of my insurance premium going up.
Car insurance is a requirement in most states, so that in situations like this one, the Mazda guy isn’t stuck footing the bill for someone else’s (my) carelessness.
I’ve heard it said before that participating in legislative activities with AOTA is very much like having “OT insurance.” It may seem harsh, but there really is no guarantee that occupational therapy will always be included in health care legislation. So, one way to “insure” your profession is to get your voice heard through advocacy, and to tell the world (specifically your legislators) about occupational therapy and how your profession allows people to live life to its fullest.
This year at Student Conclave, you have the opportunity to participate in Conclave Capitol Hill Day (Nov. 20, 9:00 am). Washington D.C. is a short drive from Baltimore, and we’re giving you the opportunity to advocate for your profession on Capitol Hill. You’ll get a full briefing on the issues and the support you need to meet your congressperson and tell them all about your future profession. Sign up for Capitol Hill Day now.
Also, registration for Student Conclave is officially open, so register today (and book your hotel room too!).
A picture of Capitol Hill from last November taken by your's truly.