Have you ever considered how your identity affects how you participate in and experience your occupations?
Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) students learn early and often that sociocultural context shapes, and is shaped by, what people do and the particular way things are done. As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked students who identify as Hispanic/Latinx how their background shapes the occupations in which they participate.
How is your heritage and identity reflected in your occupations?
Fatima Al-Sarakbi Hernandez, OTD '26
My heritage emphasizes the importance of connections, so I strive to serve others in every occupation I encounter by strengthening relationship bonds. This focus on relationship-building shapes how I participate in and experience various occupations.
Itzel Grijalva, OTD '25
Some occupations I participate in that reflect my Hispanic identity are Dia de los Muertos, making traditional Mexican dishes my mother and grandmother made for me growing up, listening to the music my grandparents listened to, and going to grocery stores directed to the Hispanic/Latinx population.
Jesus Martinez Hernandez, OTD '27
Both my Hispanic heritage and Latinidad directly affect my occupations. In Mexican culture, cooking is an essential occupation that ties together identity and traditions. The communal act of preparing meals is more than nourishment—it reflects pride and connection. Preparing and sharing meals like tamales, enchiladas, or tacos allows us to express our identity through instrumental activities of daily living. Additionally, speaking both English and Spanish is a significant occupation for me. It is part of my identity that reflects how I navigate social settings and engage with both Latinx and non-Latinx communities. Language alternation is a skill that shows both my heritage and my adaptability.
Paola Dávila Uzcátegui, OTD '27
I experience my occupations through my heritage and identity lens, where each activity becomes a shared effort inspired by advocacy and justice for the lives and cultures surrounding me. Cacerolazos are social demonstrations in Latin America that are a form of resistance—this occupation entails banging pots and pans used to protest. I walked along with my mother, brother, grandparents, family, and friends around the city of Mérida, Mexico, fighting for the freedom to choose our future. During these pivotal moments, I understood the profound significance of mutual support and all forms of advocacy. Our collective endeavors to pursue justice continue to foster a deep sense of belonging and unwavering determination.