Portrait of Adiel Lotri, Occupational Therapist in Lomé

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Extract from the article: In Lomé, Adiel Lotri, an occupational therapist specializing in sensory and cognitive disabilities, weaves tailor-made solutions to give her patients - children, adults and seniors alike - the keys to a more independent life. Her approach, which comb

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In Lomé, Adiel Lotri, an occupational therapist specializing in sensory and cognitive disabilities, weaves tailor-made solutions to give her patients - children, adults and seniors alike - the keys to a more independent life. Her approach, which combines careful assessment and creative interventions, illustrates a communicative passion for a profession where the human being is at the heart of every action.

A dedicated occupational therapist, she has made sensory and cognitive disabilities her area of expertise. "My aim is to act on my patients' cognitive functions or on their environment to help them regain a degree of autonomy in their daily activities. It's a multi-faceted profession, which demands constant innovation and is, above all, deeply fascinating", she emphasizes.

The genesis of a professional commitment

Adiel Lotri's choice of occupational therapy is not the result of chance, but of a profound quest for meaning and a desire to make a direct impact. Guided by a desire to provide tangible help to those who face daily challenges, she found in this discipline a path where her aspirations could be realized: "I was looking for a profession that would enable me to provide concrete help to people with disabilities. It was during the course of my studies that I discovered occupational therapy and that this option became an obvious choice", she admits. The discovery of occupational therapy during her studies was a revelation, the perfect alignment between her values and the fundamental principles of this profession.

An engaging daily life

Adiel Lotri embodies passion in the service of autonomy. For her, occupational therapy is not just a profession, it's a vocation in which creativity and adaptability are essential tools: "My days are structured around consultations and exchanges with those close to the patient, be they family, teachers or the company where they work. Then comes the important assessment stage, leading to the definition of personalized objectives. My day-to-day work is rounded off by the implementation of appropriate interventions to achieve these objectives, and proposals for specific adaptations", says the specialist. This expertise then translates into the design and implementation of targeted interventions, and the proposal of concrete adaptations to facilitate autonomy in daily life.

The reward: seeing goals become reality

For Adiel Lotri, his real satisfaction lies in his patients' progress: "My best moments are undoubtedly the days when we reach a goal we've predefined with the patient. There are no bad memories as such. My job consists precisely in overcoming or circumventing the difficulties that arise, so as to keep moving towards improvement", says the occupational therapist. Faced with the challenges inherent in her profession, she adopts a resolutely positive stance, seeing every obstacle as an opportunity to find creative solutions and keep moving forward.

Occupational therapy, an investment in autonomy and development

Occupational therapy is not an expense, but an investment in human capital. For Adiel Lotri, "occupational therapy is an essential profession, because it helps prevent everyday accidents, maintaining people's integrity and autonomy, and preventing them from becoming a burden. For people with disorders or disabilities, it offers the opportunity to be autonomous in the activities of daily life and even to exercise a profession, a source of income and a contribution to the country's development".

These words describe his belief in the fundamental role of occupational therapy in society. By acting upstream to prevent risks, and by helping people with disabilities to become autonomous, it contributes not only to their individual well-being, but also to the country's economic and social development.

Challenges: recognition and accessibility

Despite its positive impact, occupational therapy faces major challenges in Togo. Lack of awareness of the profession, including within the medical profession, limits access to patients who could benefit from it. "Occupational therapy is still a little-known profession in Togo, including among certain health professionals who don't always think of prescribing sessions to patients who might need them. What's more, not all insurance companies reimburse occupational therapy sessions, which is a barrier to access for many people", she says. Her aim is to ensure that occupational therapy is better recognized and more accessible to all those who need it.

Balancing professional and personal life: a daily challenge

Adiel Lotri juggles the demands of her professional and personal life. Being a wife, a mother and a passionate occupational therapist demands flawless organization and the ability to reconcile multiple roles, a challenge she meets with determination on a daily basis. Being a wife and mother is already a profession in its own right. To combine it with another profession as demanding as occupational therapy is a constant daily challenge," she says.

A holistic vision of health

The centers where I work offer holistic care. Nothing is left to chance. The WHO's comprehensive definition of health is fully taken into account: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Thus, health involves participation in social life, the performance of meaningful activities, and the proper management of environmental and personal factors.

The occupational therapist's approach is part of a global vision of health, going beyond the simple absence of disease. She focuses on the physical, mental and social well-being of her patients, promoting their active participation in life, the fulfilment of their activities and the adaptation of their environment. For Adiel Lotri, occupational therapy is an essential pillar of this holistic approach.

Esther KOLANI