Session Seven:

23/10/12

Last session today, (on my own this time) to make sure I have retained some of the signs.  I’m quite proud of my efforts, but I hope I can remember some of them for future use in practice, as this was the motivation for learning it in the first place.  In reflecting on my choice of occupation for this unit, it was a difficult one due to the fact it had no real meaning to me in my current life context.  I think if I was using sign language on placement or with a family member or friend, it would have meant a lot more to me, as I would hold a lot more value to the fact that I can communicate with a loved one, as a personal belief that I hold, is it is important to include people and be able to converse with your loved ones.  This has been very insightful; as I now see that it is nearly pointless in taking on occupations that have no real meaning, unless you have to, for example we all have to work to have money.   I have a better understanding of why meaning is so important to people, and how this influences our choices in what, where, why and how we engage in occupations.  Furthermore, I have a much better understanding of the influence social participation and how this influences occupational engagement and participation.  Through learning sign language with Bec, I developed a new friendship, we had found shared values, beliefs and had shared a unique experience, which gave new meaning to this occupation in the social context of it.  It shows that having a community or a network of people to share the experience with, in itself is a motivating factor that influences participation and engagement.