title: From education to occupation: the story of Thomas Bessell Kidner.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thomas Bessell Kidner is well-known in the United States as a great contributor to occupational therapy. He is not well-known in Canada despite the fact that his first contributions to the profession were made here between 1900 and 1918.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To tell the story of Thomas Bessell Kidner and his impact on occupational therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interpretive biography research methods using archival materials, published papers and family papers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Kidner's work as an organizer of manual training in elementary schools in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and as Director of Technical Education for Calgary prepared him for his work as Vocational Secretary of the Military Hospitals Commission during World War I. Kidner developed, implemented and oversaw the reeducation program for injured soldiers across Canada. It included bedside occupations, off-ward and curative workshop activities provided by ward aides, as well as industrial training and apprenticeships in the workplace.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Kidner's story stimulates us to revisit our profession's early emphasis on return-to-work. Knowing about our past helps occupational therapists to build a stronger identity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario. judith.friedland@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Friedland
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Davids-Brumer
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D004493:Education / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000266:history*; D014728:Veterans; D047828:World War I