What made you choose OT as your career?
I came to
Occupational Therapy unconventionally – with an International Development
Studies degree. In International Development, there is a focus on building
capacity for change by capitalizing on the strengths of a community, often
through participatory processes. Although I love the field, I wanted to work
closer to home, on a more individual scale, and OT offered me the chance to do
this. Similarly, OTs work on building capacity for change within an individual,
capitalizing on their strengths, within a client centred focus – remarkably
similar to the community building process I had been educated in. OT was a
natural fit for my interests, and offered a chance to be engaged in an
incredibly diverse, varied profession, with opportunities to improve the daily
lives of individuals within my community.
Where
have you worked over your career?
I’ve had
the great fortune to have worked in a range of physical and mental health
areas, as well as teaching. My clinical roles have included practice in
burns/plastics, geriatric restorative care, orthopaedics, community/home care,
school care, paediatric mental health, and most recently, assistive technology
and specialised seating. I have taught in a variety of capacities, teaching
both OTs and OTAs in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and BC. I’ve also held less
traditional roles – as Stroke Program Coordinator for the Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Nova Scotia, and Client Support Worker for a shelter for homeless
women and youth.
What has
been your most interesting job?
My jobs
have all been interesting on some level, but I have the most passion for
assistive technology and specialised seating. My interest propelled me to enrol
in the PhD program at UBC, with a focus on issues related to mobility and
assistive technology. I’m looking forward to the challenge of the endeavour,
and hope this will be the most interesting pursuit yet!
What do
you find most challenging about working as an OT?
The thing
I find most challenging about working as an OT is also the factor which keeps
the job so interesting – the variety. I love that every client and every
solution are unique, and really enjoy the collaborative process leading to a
great solution.
What is
your personal philosophy about volunteering and giving back to the profession?
I believe
volunteering and participating in our professional organization is critical to
ensuring the success of the profession. A profession does not grow and succeed
without support from the membership. My philosophy suggests all Occupational
Therapists should determine the direction of the profession, and advocate for
our inclusion. I believe it is critically important more Occupational
Therapists step out of their work lives to contribute to the growth of the profession
– even with a small contribution, or the profession will stagnate and fall
behind in. After all, if we don’t believe in the benefit of our services enough
to give back, it’s hard to imagine we will be able to convince anyone else of
the great things which OTs can do!
What do
you think will change/shape practice over the next five years?
As most
of us have seen first-hand, health care funding is a huge challenge in British
Columbia, Canada, and world-wide. With the expiry of the Canada Health Act and
Health Accord in the coming year, our federal government has an opportunity to
re-define Canadian Health Care delivery. For those who don’t know, these two
agreements govern how universal health care services are delivered in Canada,
and how the funding is apportioned between provinces. We may see a shift to
more public-private partnerships, and a decline in publicly managed health care
– a move which will impact everyone. In the coming years, I feel practice will
be significantly shaped by these political issues – as health care structure
and funding change.
What do
you do when you aren't working?
I love to
be busy, so when I’m not working, you’ll find me volunteering for the Sunshine
Foundation of Canada – helping deliver dreams to kids with severe physical
disabilities and life threatening illnesses, the Mainland BC Military Family
Resource Centre as a member of the Board of Directors, Vancouver Adaptive Snow
Sports, RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of
North America), the RESNA Professional Standards Board, Vancouver Resource
Society for the Physically Disabled, and of course, with CAOT-BC. In my
non-volunteer time, I enjoy being active on my bike, swimming, paddling, and
skiing, and spending time with my friends and family. For true down time, I
head to my family cottage in Nova Scotia for much needed rest and relaxation!
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