[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS ON NATIONAL BACKPACK 
                             AWARENESS DAY

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                            HON. BRAD MILLER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2006

  Mr. MILLER of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, in preparation for 
National School Backpack Awareness Day, taking place on September 20, 
2006, I would like to recognize the many occupational therapists (OT) 
and occupational therapy assistants (OTA) that live and work in my 
district. Each September, members of the American Occupational Therapy 
Association (AOTA), students, and other health professionals join 
forces to alert the public, particularly teachers, parents, and 
children about the dangers of improperly wearing overweight backpacks.
  Occupational therapists are health, wellness, and rehabilitation 
professionals, dedicated to maximizing the independence, function and 
performance of their clients. In other words, they provide them with 
the ``skills for the job of living''. Concerned that increasingly heavy 
backpacks may be putting school children at risk for long-term health 
problems, AOTA is sponsoring its fifth National School Backpack 
Awareness Day. Thousands of occupational therapists and occupational 
therapy assistants work in school systems, pediatric hospitals, and 
other health care facilities, in order to help children develop the 
skills they need to participate fully at school, home, and in play.
  The goal of the National School Backpack Awareness Day is to reduce 
the load students carry to 15 percent or less of the child's weight. 
More than 350 participants in schools, stores, and health fairs from 
all 50 states will help ``weigh-in'' thousands of children to ensure 
their backpacks meet the 15 percent weight goal. They will also help 
educate students about the risks of carrying too much weight, and will 
teach them the proper way to pack and wear a backpack. As part of the 
National Backpack Awareness Day, therapists at the General Greene 
Elementary School in Greensboro, NC will educate students and teachers 
about the importance of loading and wearing backpacks the right way in 
order to avoid back and shoulder pain, stooped posture, muscle pain, 
and headaches.
  I am particularly aware of the role occupational therapists play 
within our public schools as one of the members of my staff previously 
worked as a school system occupational therapist. OTs use their unique 
expertise to help children perform important learning and school-
related activities that are part of their role as a student. 
Additionally, occupational therapists and occupational therapy 
assistants play a critical role in training parents, staff, and 
caregivers regarding the education, health, and success of students 
with diverse learning needs.
  Please join me in support of all the occupational therapists, 
occupational therapy assistants, school children, and other 
participants whose efforts will make the 2006 National School Backpack 
Awareness Day such a success.

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