W.Va. Rec Therapy Association?

The West Virginia Therapeutic Recreation Association (WVTRA) conference is currently being held in Charleston, West Virginia in conjunction with the West Virginia Recreation and Parks Association (WVRPA).

Bruce with the WVRPA introduced “Brent Strum, as the upcoming president of the West Virginia Recreational Therapy Association. Notice that I said, “Recreational Therapy.”

I thought this was an interesting slip-up at an interesting time since ATRA may change to ARTA with the right vote in Dec. I don’t think anyone corrected Bruce on the correct name, W.Va. Therapeutic Recreation Association.

However, it shows, that people think of us, as recreational therapists. Even our colleagues in Recreation and Parks think of us as recreational therapists.

Of course, one could argue that this was just a slip of the tongue. Bruce often uses the word “Recreation” first when saying, the West Virginia RECREATION and Parks Association.

I tend to believe he called us, recreational therapists, what we really are.

The West Virginia state Treasurer, John Purdue referred to us as those who work in parks and he understood that there were others in the room who worked with physical therapists. John said his doors are open anytime.

I’m going to send him a thank you card for presenting and a little pamphlet or hand-out on recreational therapy, just to increase his awareness.

Please note that WVTRA is a branch of ATRA. There are no plans to change the WVTRA to WVRTA at this time.