Reconstructing Life One Clay Pot at a Time

Kate Lewis, a ceramicist and teaching artist based in Grand Rapids, MI, created the artwork for the Winter 2026 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The image features a collection of heart-shaped ceramic pinch pots, produced after she was told she may never be able to move her left arm again. She created them on the recommendation of an occupational therapist who understood the value of meaningful occupations for recovery. These vessels represent a pivotal shift in Kate’s rehabilitation from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Diagnosed in 2018 after sustaining an injury to her wrist, the minor fracture of a small carpal bone proceeded to upend her entire life as she sought freedom from immeasurable pain and isolation. Feeling dismissed and abandoned by her doctors and community, Kate made the commitment to find the help she desperately needed. Among numerous appointments with doctors and specialists, it was an occupational therapist who acknowledged the value of her creative occupations and encouraged her to return to her studio. More than a set of exercises, this advice illuminated a path toward healing her body, mind, and spirit. Kate’s story brings insight into this often overlooked, poorly understood, life-shattering disorder and highlights the need for a greater awareness and understanding of it, as well as better treatment by the medical establishment. It demonstrates the significant value of occupational therapy in helping patients overcome the grip of CRPS and rebuild their lives. Moreover, it highlights the importance of empathy, community, and hope as essential components for recovery.