Occupational Therapy (OT) Week runs from 21st-27th October and this years theme is ‘Celebrating 80 Years of Connection!’
As I reflect on the theme of OT week ‘Celebrating 80 years of Connection’, it takes me on a meaningful journey into the past.
In 1978 as I was finishing high school, I came across OT as a career choice and decided it was for me. I liked the variety of settings in which to work. Fortunately I was accepted, which meant moving from the Newcastle area to Sydney to attend Cumberland College of Health Sciences. The University of Newcastle wasn’t an option back then!
One of my clients that has influenced me significantly was a man I met while a student. He had an above knee amputation, which in my naivety I assumed was an accident, but he told me it was due to a diabetes-related ulcer. Over time, I became passionate about prevention and I eventually ended up down the lifestyle medicine pathway which has been a rewarding journey.
I have seen lots of instances where health and quality of life has been improved through simple (but not always easy) lifestyle changes. I love focusing on wellbeing occupations that impact our health both mentally and physically.”
Written by Zanita Johnson, OT from our NDIS & Chronic Disease team.