L. Margaret Drake

Reconstructing Soldiers: an Occupational Therapist in Wwi L. Margaret Drake

WWI was a time when women at war were few and far between. The new profession of occupational therapy was just becoming known. Lorena Longley joins this new profession and decides to be part of the war work to help US troops in France. The Army does not have much use for women near the war front. Lorena and the other reconstruction aides, as these first occupational therapists were called, learn how to fit into an army hospital and how to help shell-shocked soldiers. Along the way, she has adventures, courtship, sorrows and successes. Mustering out of the reconstruction aide service is a bitter sweet end to her adventure of a lifetime.