Mission
Commitment to providing a holistic, creative and efficient occupational therapy service to NDIS participants living on the Sunshine Coast and surrounds and to embolden them to achieve their goals and to live a purposeful life.
Vision
To inspire people with disabilities to realise their full potential and create opportunities for connection within their community.
To influence communities to think deeply about how they can provide equitable access for people with disabilities.
To collaborate with stakeholders to facilitate learning within the community to enable access to superior and accessible services for people with disabilities.
The Full Story
About
I grew up on the Sunshine Coast, close to the beach, surrounded by my large and lovely family. I moved to Townsville in 2008 and graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at James Cook University in 2012. I completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Neurological Rehabilitation through Edith Cowan University in 2021, given my interest in neurological conditions and desire to understand the best practices for those affected.
I landed my first job after completing a clinical placement at Community Rehab, Northern Queensland. It was here that I found my love for neurological rehabilitation, particularly upper limb rehab after acquired or traumatic brain injuries. Under the guidance of a fabulous occupational therapist, and physiotherapist, I was mentored to lead a research project looking at the development and feasibility of running a Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) program for people living with upper limb dysfunction after stroke, in the community. In the face of COVID-19 I developed a telehealth based CIMT program to continue to assist those living with upper limb dysfunction after brain injuries in the community. I presented the findings of my study at the Smart Strokes Conference (2013, 2014), state Occupational Therapy Conference (2014, 2015), and national Occupational Therapy Conference (2015, 2020), published results in the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal and have subsequently mentored other clinicians and students to develop their own CIMT programs across multiple sites in Australia.
I have worked in regional, rural and remote communities in northern Queensland, developing and implementing in-reach and outreach rehab services, as well as intensive rehab programs (centered around mobility, upper limb function, cognitive-communication, activities of daily living and community participation). Telehealth services were also utilised to provide ongoing support to participants, clinicians and students living in rural and remote areas. I led an inter-professional team of clinicians and students support to a rehabilitation facility in Dili, Timor Leste in 2018 which helped me to hone my creativity and resourcefulness as a clinician.
I have worked in acute stroke care as well as rehab in the subacute, outpatient and community settings, so I have a strong understanding of how to support clients to transition from hospital to community with the assistance of NDIS. For the last two years I have been working with NDIS participants in southern NSW to achieve their goals with the assistance of NDIS funding. I supervised a team of occupational therapists to enable them to gain the best possible outcomes for their NDIS participants. I have supported NDIS participants to access funding for intensive therapy programs, minor and major home modifications, low, medium and high-cost equipment, access Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL).
I am passionate about helping my NDIS participants reach their goals. I am committed to providing a creative, holistic and efficient occupational therapy services that will help my clients and their loved ones to lead meaningful lives.
