cOnnecT with Lori Cyr

It’s amazing how fast 2_ some years can go by! I graduated with my B.Sc.O.T. from Dalhousie in 1986 and promptly came to Vancouver. Though glad to be a Maritimer, I find I’m much more at home on the West Coast. My career has taken me from younger adult extended care at (then) Pearson Hospital to outpatient arthritis and in and outpatient rehabilitation. After 2_ years, one can see approximately 5 year cycles for change and my current role is as Practice Coordinator/Clinical Resource Therapist at the Mary Pack Arthritis Program, Vancouver Coastal Health. 

Throughout my career I’ve had the freedom and the  opportunity to explore many areas of OT practice – seating, power mobility and technology in the early days; evidence based practice and interprofessional practice and education in the middle and now my interests are focused on client education, self management support and the use of social media in practice. 

No man, or woman, is an island and I’ve been privileged to develop networks through various means. I value the collegiality and support of my practice colleagues and have used volunteerism to expand professional networks to include national and international colleagues and friends. I’ve always found that volunteering provides way more than one gives, in many expected and unexpected ways. I will never forget the fellow from Texas who offered me a lot of money for my 2010 Olympics blue jacket. Fortunately, or unfortunately at the time of offer I needed it for another week.

It seems a lot of changes happen at a certain period in a woman’s life. Always being active it was a surprise to me when I turned 50, was challenged to remember details and forgot to exercise! Needing a focus and a goal I registered for the Vancouver Marathon. Running kills me, but walking is fine, so I’ll be spending a big chunk of May 5^th tromping around the streets of Vancouver. A recent talk I heard on courageous leadership has helped spark my flagging commitment to training – it’s OK to be afraid, because it will hurt – be brave!