World Occupational Therapy Day: Why Participation Matters
This World Occupational Therapy Day, we're celebrating the important role occupational therapists play in helping people take part in the activities that matter most to them.
We caught up with Alexis, one of our occupational therapists at Wheelfreedom, to hear about her experiences working in Sweden, what she took away from her first Posture and Mobility Group (PMG) Conference, and why understanding the client's goals, hobbies and passions are just as important as understanding their clinical needs.
Understanding the Person, Not Just Their Condition
Before joining Wheelfreedom, Alexis worked as a community occupational therapist in Sweden, where she learnt the importance of looking beyond a person's diagnosis to understand their everyday life.
From daily routines and hobbies to their home environment and personal goals, her approach was about finding solutions that were not only clinically beneficial but also meaningful to the individual.
Alexis approaches her assessments by asking:
"What do you love doing, and what's the most important thing for you to be able to do?"
For Alexis, occupational therapy is a collaborative process. Clinicians bring their professional knowledge, but the individual brings something equally valuable: their lived experience and understanding of what works for them.
Learning From Lived Experience at PMG
Alexis recently attended her first PMG Conference, where she enjoyed learning from clinicians, manufacturers and others working in the specialist posture and mobility industry.
One presentation particularly stood out. Andrew Herbert, who lives with motor neurone disease (MND), shared how he uses everyday technology and home automation to monitor aspects of his condition and support his independence. Alexis was fascinated by how relatively simple technology could create meaningful opportunities for participation.
More importantly, Andrew's presentation reinforced the belief that some of the most effective solutions come from combining clinical expertise with the individual's own knowledge, interests and ideas.
Functionality in Posture and Seating
During Alexis's time in Wheelfreedom, she has been drawing on her background in occupational therapy to create seating solutions for a range of clients with different conditions.
One of her biggest takeaways has been the importance of balancing postural support with everyday function.
"We might have an idea of how we want someone to sit, and it might look great clinically, but if that position isn't functional for the person, then we've completely missed the mark."
Good seating isn't simply about achieving the ideal posture. It should also support the individual as they reach, interact, move and participate in the activities they enjoy.
As Alexis puts it:
"Are we allowing the person to be who they are and who they want to be? Are we enabling function?"
Whether that's drawing, playing sport or spending time with loved ones, these activities are what make life meaningful, and everyone's priorities will be different.
Celebrating World Occupational Therapy Day
For Alexis, every assessment is an opportunity to learn from the person in front of her. By bringing together clinical knowledge and lived experience, occupational therapists can help find solutions that support both physical needs and personal goals.
At Wheelfreedom, this person-centred approach is at the heart of our work because a mobility solution goes beyond supporting posture; it facilitates the participation of life and allows the individual to continue doing what fulfils them.
Happy World Occupational Therapy Day to all the occupational therapists making a difference every day!
For queries and appointments, contact us via 0800 025 8005 or [email protected]
