Why did you choose occupational therapy as a career?
Inherent in my Syilx cultural identity is the respect and need to ensure my elders are cared for. So, when I was a kid, I helped to take care of my maternal grandmother who had several health issues. I saw the benefits of home modifications and equipment that enabled her to engage in her everyday life. In addition, my sister was in a car accident in 2010 and again I was helping to care for her at home with all of her ADLs and I went with her to her occupational therapy appointments. I always wanted to go into something health care related, especially with an undergrad of Kinesiology. I considered PT and medicine too, but the emotional connection and holistic view of occupational therapy drew me to it and it felt like it clicked well with my Indigenous identity, culture and perspective.
What is your favourite thing about CAOT-BC?
My favorite thing about CAOT-BC is that they advocate strongly for our profession. I was lucky enough to be their second placement student and be able to witness this first hand. I know they are doing a lot of work behind the scenes to make things better for both public and private practice in our province!
Where have you worked over your career? Where do you work now?
I am working in community and long term care in two rural towns in the Okanagan/Similkameen. It is quite a variety and rural healthcare always has it quirks and challenges.
What has surprised you most about working as an OT?
To be quite honest, I am most surprised by how much I have learned about death and dying. I didn’t realize I would be so involved with palliative care but working in community and long term care I see a lot of palliative folks. It is such a vulnerable time to be a part of the care team and a part of someone’s life, but it is really great to be able to assist people in this time and make them more comfortable and their care and positioning easier with equipment and so forth.
Tell me about someone who has influenced your occupational therapy practice?
I think all of the fantastic instructors at UBC as well as the preceptors I had all influenced my occupational therapy practice, but one person in particular is Katie Lee Bunting. When I first started working Katie was often checking in with me and even allowed me to phone her and ask her questions. Being a fellow introvert and emotional being, I felt like hearing from her experience as an OT it reminded me that it is okay to be who I am. In a world that constantly tried to makes introverts ‘talk more’ or ‘be more outgoing’ or feel bad for who we are, I felt assured knowing that I can still be introverted and be a great OT. And in actuality, it turns out to be one of my biggest strengths in my practice because I connect to clients very well on a one to one basis, to the point that they remember me, how I made them feel and they even come say hi to me in community and at my office. I think that is very rewarding and I am grateful Katie has become a friend of mine and that she was an inspiration in this lesson for me.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming an OT?
I would tell them OT is a very unique and wholesome career. There are many areas you can specialize in and there will always be challenges to expand your practice and learning with different challenges that arise. I would also say, from my experience, we do a lot behind the scenes as part of the care team, and when people notice the work we do they realize how invaluable our role is.
What do you do when you aren't working?
When I am not working, you can find me at the gym, going for long walks, sewing, or spending time with my twin niece and nephew and newborn niece. Being Syilx ‘Okanagan’, I am also a very culturally active person and do a lot with the seasons in that regard; harvesting traditional foods and medicines, hunting, going to ceremonies, being on the land, singing, dancing, playing stick games, going to other large community events. I am also currently taking an Nsyilxcen language class 5 hours a week on top of going to the gym and working nearly full time. Life is busy and great!
No comments:
Post a Comment