| President’s Message
Charles Sylvester, an educator from Washington, has been known to ask his students- “If TR didn’t exist why would we need to invent it?” A great question and one which makes us ponder what we do and why it’s important. My sense is that it’s also a thoughtful question to ask about the Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Society (PTRS). If PTRS didn’t exist why would we need to invent it? Let me suggest some specific answers and then a more global perspective.
Specifics include:
- the newsletter, magazine, website, and annual directory all designed to share information and promote networking;
- the TR Institute (a very special one this year as we celebrate our 40th!!!) and other training programs; and
- ongoing society projects including membership surveys, development of promotional materials, and advocacy efforts for the field.
Longtime TR professional Nancy Navar recently asked activity professionals to consider the appropriateness, for our field, of a promotion for nursing which she had seen- One profession, many roles. Sounds like a pretty good fit for our diverse profession. Even better though, and in my view a phenomenal rationale for PTRS, would be the more global perspective- one calling, many possibilities! PTRS is the “big tent” organization in TR. We are not limited to one particular certification, setting or background but include the variety of professionals who have an interest in promoting leisure opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Volunteers, consumers and their families have also been a part of Society efforts.
We view leisure and recreation as a central focus of our mission. We believe that leisure and recreation are basic human rights and are critical to health, happiness and quality of life. We believe that the process of TR can provide important outcomes for participants. We believe that professionals are an important piece, but only a piece, of the puzzle of coping with challenges, diminishing barriers and realizing potentials. We have a unique and ever-growing relationship with recreation and park agency professionals. We have an ever-expanding level of competence in a variety of modalities and facilitation techniques. We have passion for demonstrating and promoting the value of services we provide. Finally, we recognize that TR can serve the dual purpose of promoting participants’ personal fulfillment while at the same time contributing to their accomplishment of significant goals and plans. Our discipline and the PTRS continue to make a distinctive contribution.
As we consider the future of our field it’s imperative that we enhance efforts to advocate for and demonstrate our efficacy in the full spectrum of settings and programs for our consumers. The extent to which we are marginalized within settings or among settings will have significant consequences. We will become a less fulfilling occupation and, most importantly, the tremendous potentials our services have to produce unique and valuable outcomes for participants will be lost. So, if activities and therapeutic recreation is your calling, consider a renewed personal commitment to greater professional involvement to ensure that the possibilities of our field will be realized. Let’s make TR a field which we would be excited to have a son or daughter enter! Our PTRS board welcomes your questions, your comments, your suggestions, and your affirmations for involvement. Be in touch and keep a good thought.
Sincerely,
Jeff Witman, Ed.D., CTRS
PTRS President
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