By: Alejandra Antonio-Trejo
Molly Pierce is a mom, graduate student and worker for the University of Oregon in the department of clinical services. She’s been working with kids in pediatrics for over 30 years. Molly was in a pre-med track but it was not what she wanted. When Molly Pierce graduated she was young and decided to travel the world. She wasn’t married or had any kids so she decided to take a year off and quit her job. Her aunt, physical therapist, is the one that guided her to become an occupational therapist. Molly packed her bags and ended up in Africa.
Working in Tanzania her aunt was having trouble with her patients so that’s when Molly came in. Molly helped her with the children. Word got out that there were people working with babies. She recalls there being 20 mothers with their children sitting in a gym waiting to see Molly and staff. Overwhelmed but Molly realized that she knew more than she gave herself credit. Being in a third world country, if a baby came in with hydrocephalus, fluid in the brain which causes for the head to swell, there was not much that could be done. Molly would use her knowledge and teach parents on how to properly care for their child; using their resources such as Congo wrap. This experience helped Molly grow as an individual and helped her realize that she just needed to trust herself with the skills she had. She found a passion with working with kids. Now she works with kids with autism and developmental disabilities for birth to the age of 21. She incorporates art projects though her therapy sessions because those are all pre-school concepts which they need to learn. “A child’s occupation is to play, learn, grow and develop,” says Molly. “Part of the way those kids learn about the world is through art.” Art is a great way in connecting with people and learning about emotions.
“I have worked with Molly since 2003, she been here for a long time. She works with kids and families with problems and disabilities yet she is so gentle and an amazing clinician,” says Toolie Kable. Molly is in a different place in her life. She has an idea of creating spaces with the use of art and design. Her mission is to get the community interested with having spaces of healing. She’s in school right now where she is picking up where she left off. She is working towards a Masters in Science in art management with a concentration in art and health care and a certificate in nonprofit. She tries to understand children and adults though stress and anxiety related to space.