cOnnecT with Laura Fawcett

What made you choose OT as your career?

I was studying psychology at the University of Victoria and was planning to become a Clinical Psychologist.  I took a course in “abnormal psychology” that had a volunteering requirement.  Up to that point, I had never heard of Occupational Therapy.  I ended up volunteering on the Psychiatric Ward of the Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) with an amazing Recreation Therapist who kept telling me about OT and really encouraged me to find out more about it.  She connected with the two Occupational Therapists who worked in the mental health program at RJH and I learned more about what the profession entailed.  I saw how OT was such a practical and positive way to harness people’s abilities and look for ways to improve their quality of life.  The more I learned about the profession, the more I loved the philosophy behind it and thought it was a great fit for me. I changed my career direction and here I am.

Where have you worked over your career? Where do you currently work?

I’ve worked in a number of different areas.  I started off on the Transitional Care Unit that was at Lions Gate Hospital, and then went on to work in acute care, primarily with older adults.  After that, I worked on the Burns, Plastics and Trauma Unit at Vancouver General Hospital.  I have also worked on the In-Patient Spinal Cord Injury unit at the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre.  I’ve always had an interest in technology and was intrigued by how it can fit with OT.  When the opportunity came up, I jumped at the chance to work in the Assistive Technology and Specialized Seating Program (ATSS) at G.F. Strong, where I currently work.  The ATSS program is the provincial resource for alternate computer access, environmental controls and augmentative/alternative communication for adults. The Assistive Technology side of the program acts as a consultation service for clinicians and their clients.  Additionally, we provide a short-term equipment loan service so that clients can try a variety of solutions to find the best fit for their needs.  Our team consists of a Speech-Language Pathologist, three Assistive Technology Consultants (which includes one OT – me), and two OTs who work in the Specialized Seating Service.

What has been your most interesting job?

Oh, it’s definitely this one (in ATSS).  I really enjoy the variety of clientele I get the opportunity to work with, not to mention the fact that I get to try out new technology to see how it can benefit people with disabilities.  I also appreciate the fact that, because we’re the provincial resource, I get to speak with OTs from all over the province and collaborate with a number of community organizations, community clinicians and a diverse range of clients.  I learn something new from everyone.  Also, I often get to work with clients to address their leisure-related needs, which I feel is uncommon in more typical OT roles. 

What do you like about OT?

Probably pretty much everything! Well, maybe not charting…  I really enjoy how creative you get to be, and part of what drew me to the profession is how flexible it is.  There are so many practice areas that you can be involved with that I feel like you will never be stagnant in this profession.  There’s always the opportunity to get more education or to branch out and do different things within the profession.

Tell me about someone who has influenced your OT practice.

It’s kind of a combination of two people.  One of them would be my 96-year-old great aunt who proclaimed to me just as I was starting my MOT program, that the only thing Occupational Therapists liked to do was “change things!”  She was a very strong-willed, independent lady and I suspect she gave her community OT quite a run for her money! The other person is a former client in acute care that I was talking to about the amazing benefits of a raised toilet seat.  She looked me straight in the eye and informed me that she already had one…and that it was in her closet!  So now, when I get caught up with an idea that I am convinced a client is going to benefit from, I remind myself that whatever my idea is, it needs to fit with their preferences, their lifestyle and so on – it really is a collaboration.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?

Between the ages of 9 and 14, I worked as a co-host and interviewer on a weekly children’s radio show in my hometown of Calgary.  The purpose of the show was to showcase child friendly activities and people.  I had the chance to travel and to interview a huge variety of individuals.  It was anyone from the child who won the local science fair, to celebrities like John Candy, Audrey Hepburn, and Wayne Gretzky.

What would you tell someone who is thinking of becoming an OT?

Just go do it!  If you have a passion for working with people and you like to be creative and are practically minded, I would say it’s a fantastic profession.  You’ll never feel bored or stagnant – you can take it so many places!