Dublin graduate Mariah (Reeder) Schultz wears several hats — she’s a pediatric occupational therapist, runs an online business to provide resources to parents, and is a mom herself. The throughlines that connect everything she does are care and community.
Schultz graduated from Dublin High School in 2012, and went to Texas Tech University to study exercise and sports science. During her undergraduate years, she completed several internships at a hospital in Lubbock in different types of therapy — physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
“I decided I wanted to go into occupational therapy, which is similar to physical therapy, just with a little different focus,” she said.
Schultz started applying to graduate schools, and was accepted to the University of St. Augustine in Austin to earn her masters. The program moved on an accelerated schedule, meaning Schultz took 22 hours of coursework each semester, and completed internships on the side.
“Grad school was probably the most challenging time ever in my life,” she said. “It was challenging, mentally challenging, academically challenging, but it’s been the most rewarding. At the end of the tunnel, I’m super thankful I did it. My work has brought me so many amazing people in my life.”
After graduating, she interned all over Texas, in San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth. An internship at Early Childhood Intervention in Fort Worth opened the door for Schultz to work for that company full time.
She worked there for five years, until just over a year ago, when she switched to a smaller, private home health company called MGA Healthcare, which offered her more flexibility. “I’m able to be home more with my family and make my own schedule,” she said. “I pick and choose what patients I want, and I’m able to be home on days that I want to be home and work days I want to work.”
Schultz currently works 2-3 days a week as a pediatric occupational therapist. “I see children with all kinds of disabilities and abilities,” she said. “So for example, children with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or Down syndrome, kiddos who’ve had traumatic births, or they’ve been in the NICU for half their life. I [work with] them when they come home from the hospital, and I help them meet their milestones, or I help them be independent in everyday life.”
Schultz’ work is different for each patient, and she meets them where they’re at. “I go into the home for about 30 minutes to an hour once or twice a week with the kiddo, and I work on whatever is appropriate for them — their ability to engage in play, their ability to eat food, whatever it might be,” she said.
Schultz also started an online business on the side: she runs an educational Instagram called @ MariahsMilestonesOT, offering resources and advice to parents. “I started my Instagram when my first son was born when I was on maternity leave,” she said. “I didn’t think anything of it, and it kind of just blew up, and has been really fun. I’ve met a lot of cool people and cool companies, and I’ve been able to work with some brands, and so kind of trying to do more of that.”
The Instagram account now has more than 50,000 followers. “It’s occupational therapy-based, and I’ve got a lot of interest in doing some online coaching,” she said. “I’m trying to move towards doing some more online coaching and education and a little less working in the field, because I’ve been doing in the field for six years, and I’d love to be home more with my kiddos.”
Schultz has no plans to leave the occupational therapy field, and still finds the work very fulfilling. “The most rewarding thing is just seeing a kiddo meet their goals. I’ll have a kiddo, for example, that is a year old, and he’s never been able to sit up, and within a few months, he’s able to sit up and play and engage with his brother or sister,” she said. “It’s a very rewarding job seeing them progress so fast, and improving their quality of life too. I’ll always keep a few patients in person — I won’t fully transition to online, because the other best part of this job is working with families and, you know, helping out moms, helping out dads in all aspects of parenthood. It’s a really nice community.”
Schultz met her husband, Brent Schultz, a firefighter in Burleson, at the gym in Fort Worth. The Schultzes have been married for three years and have two young children, Hudson, almost 2, and Callan, three months. The family recently moved to Godley.
When she has free time, Schultz enjoys trying new restaurants and wineries with her husband, spending time outside with her kids, reading and working out. Schultz and her family often visit Schultz’ parents Blake and Becky Reeder, who still live in Dublin. “They’re the best grandparents,” she said. “They help out every week with the kids.”
Schultz’ family is her greatest source of inspiration. “My family is what got me to where I am now,” she said. “If I’m taking time away from my family, it’s very intentional and very purposeful.”
Schultz’ advice to Dublin graduates is to leave Dublin and see the world, at least for a while. “Don’t let a small town define you,” she said. “When I moved to Austin, that was such a big city and such a cultural shock to me, because growing up in a teeny tiny town, I didn’t have any of those experiences growing up, and it was super overwhelming.”
Schultz found the opportunities that led to her current career in Austin and Fort Worth, but Dublin still holds a special place in her heart. “Dublin is always home and we love going back,” she said. “Just put yourself out there and be open to new opportunities, because there’s a much bigger world than sweet old Dublin, Texas.”
Where are they now chronicles what Dublin graduates have done since high school. If you have any suggestions for other grads, email publisher@dublincitizen.com.