cOnnecT with Carmen Gendron

Please note this interview was conducted in early March prior to physical distancing measures being in place. 

Why did you choose OT as a career?

When I was accepted into UBC’s rehab program, I was solely interested in physiotherapy. Fortunately for me, the program was still combined at that point, and my first OT placement completely won me over. It was a revelation how meaningful OT can be – our work is wonderfully practical, immediate, and makes a difference in people’s lives.

What is your favourite thing about CAOT-BC?

I’m glad that it exists and brought together the roles of BCSOT and CAOT into one organization. Both organizations made significant contributions to our profession, and I appreciate there being a single more empowered organization. I feel we have a greater voice provincially and nationally, because we have one voice now. I’ve also always appreciated CAOT’s educational leadership in organizing and presenting workshops.

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

I started my OT career on the arthritis program at GF Strong, then travelled and worked in a psychogeriatric day program in London.  When I came back to Canada I worked on what was then a new, innovative program called the Quick Response Team in Victoria; the purpose was to keep people in emergency out of acute care.  It was fast-paced and collaborative.

In 1992, Ts’ewulhtun Health for Cowichan Tribes hired me to start an Elders Program, and I’ve worked directly for coastal First Nations since then.  The part of my work I value most is having the opportunity to listen to what Elders and younger community members are saying they want in their health programs, and contributing to seeing their community and personal health goals reached in all kinds of creative ways.  I wish I could share with you here the many cultural health programs I have been privileged to support. Currently, I work for Kitasoo Xai’xais Health in Klemtu and Wuikinuxv Health in Rivers Inlet, doing home and community care and program development.

What one piece of advice would you give an OT who wanted to work with First Nations?

Be authentic.  Be yourself - no matter who you serve or your practice setting.  Because we are often working with people on intimate aspects of their lives, our practice absolutely depends on our clients trust in us.  For our interventions to be to be successful there has to be trust.  Presenting ourselves as we really are is a form of respect to the people we serve.

What has surprised you most about working as an OT?

I have been surprised how much I love this work; I feel honoured with the privilege to do this work with people. I have tried, but have been unable to imagine a career I would love more!

Tell me about someone who has influenced your OT practice?

The first Health Director for Cowichan Tribes, Heather Payne, with a background in Nursing, role-modelled leading respectful community development.  I also learned from observing her real-world role-modelling of skills we use like active listening, conflict resolution, healthy and practical professional boundaries, and community engagement. Her mentoring at that time continues to inform my practice as an OT.

What do you think will change/shape practice over the next five years?

The change in the education of OTs from an undergrad to a master’s degree for entry level is very significant: who’s getting into the program, and the structure of the training. There’s less time spent being trained and therefore more emphasis on the person’s own initiative and self-education, which has both positive and challenging aspects.  It will be very interesting to see how these bright young people influence our profession.

The increasing shift towards self-employment or employment in small non-profits; situations where we work more in isolation, is shaping our profession. For OTs and PTs who have initiative and integrity, this creates excellent scope-of-practice opportunities. At the same time, these are basically unsupervised work environments, which I have observed can be a pitfall for practice standards.  I believe regulatory colleges will have to take a more active role in overseeing practice aspects such as charting and advocacy in places where therapists work unsupervised.

What do you do when you aren't working?

A joy of my life is the kids in my neighbourhood. At the request of the kids and with the blessings of their parents, my spare bedroom has been converted into a playroom.  The kids come over and play in the playroom or yard, or I read books with to them. The parents know their kids are safe, I love having the kids around, and it’s a little contribution to community development. Swimming in the Cowichan River and walking in the woods near the river is nourishing to me. For many years I was a volunteer and board member with the grassroots organization Cowichan Family Caregivers Support, who have been local and national leaders in support for family caregivers. 

Interview and post by Katie Eichar, previous fieldwork student with CAOT-BC

#OT365