Help people to live life their way by training as an occupational therapist
Occupational therapy is a truly superb career – with many different roles to choose from. You could be a practitioner, a manager, or you could run your own business. You could become a lecturer, a researcher, or work your way up to become a consultant. As an occupational therapist, there are so many roles to choose from. The choice is yours.
Occupational therapist Jo Roach discusses how she became an OT with physical disabilities and dyslexia
I arranged to spend a few days shadowing OTs in different areas to confirm that OT was the career for me and that I could physically manage the job.
I have a physical disability that limits my strength and stamina, and as well as causing me difficulties with coordination and proprioception. Pain, fatigue and the ability to injure myself with minimal effort are daily hazards. I was also diagnosed with dyslexia during my course, which was a positive experience overall but which also presents its own challenges.
Occupational therapist Rachel Booth tells her story about becoming an OT having been born with Cerebral Palsy and diagnosed with Dyslexia
I was born with Cerebral Palsy and whilst at school it became apparent I was also dyslexic. Many essential skills needed to become an OT, I feel I have acquired as I’ve grown up with my disability. I’m sure I’m not alone in this. A large part of being on OT is problem solving, looking at a situation and finding an alternative.
Occupational therapist Caroline Jefferson discusses how she became an OT with the challenges of being profoundly deaf
I had been a horticulturist for ten years, and loved the outdoor life, I thought it’d be a sensible career, as I’m profoundly deaf from birth. I communicate verbally by speech and lip-reading. I’d have no phones to deal with, and no meetings to listen in. This was true, but for me, I found it lacking on the social side. I felt I wanted to work with people more and maybe make a difference to lives? I found it strange, but noticed able-bodied people found my ability to function with my deafness an inspiration.
Jane Harper is an Occupational Therapist, a role which can have a massive impact on clients
According to Jane’s client, Margaret, ‘I would not have celebrated my 50th birthday; my husband would be a widower, my children motherless and I would not be living a fulfilling life as I am now, trying to put something back into society.’
Margaret firmly believes that it is due to Jane's unstinting efforts that in November 2003 she was finally able to ask to be discharged from Mental Health Services after 14 years of care.
Denise Sterling is Head of Occupational Therapy staff at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. Her role involves managing 120 people, working in six locations across the city
'My role is to ensure we have high quality staff providing the best standard of occupational therapy for our patients. You have to keep abreast of the fast pace of development and change in the health and social care environment to ensure services are planned, developed and delivered appropriately. I also have responsibility for monitoring the quality and the standard of the service we offer, overseeing health and safety issues, managing complaints, managing our budget, and working to reduce waiting lists.'
