Blog Post
October is Occupational Therapy Month and occupational therapists help clients resume or maintain their abilities to participate in a variety of tasks and everyday activities. They help those who experience challenges that could be due to injury, disability, illness, mental health or barriers within the social and physical environment. Four occupational therapists with the NTHSSA celebrate the month by describing their unique roles and highlighting the work OTs do across the NWT.
“My training as an Occupational Therapist provides me with a unique perspective in helping patients gain skills to enable optimized coping and reduce barriers to achieving a greater wellbeing.”
Kristi is originally from Alberta and moved to the NWT five years ago. She lives with her partner, Mike and cat, Mousey. She feels immense gratitude to live as a guest on the territory of the indigenous peoples of this land and enjoys paddling, lake swimming, foraging, fishing, and curling.
“I’m excited to celebrate Occupational Therapy Month and highlight just one of the many roles that OTs lead within our health system!”
“I think OT is important because we look at people as a whole; we try and meet and assess the physical, cognitive, and emotional needs of all of our clients. Our scope can cover everything from assessing for wheelchairs to helping those experiencing mental health challenges achieve their goals. Our role is to enable function in meaningful occupations, which sounds like we only work with people that are having problems at their job, but it really means we help people do the things they need to do in their everyday life (i.e. things that 'occupy' their time). We try to find ways to help our clients problem solve to achieve their goals. Sometimes this is through a piece of equipment, a splint, motivational interviewing, planning/goal setting, cognitive assessments- the list goes on and on.”
Claire has found that providing services to other communities in part of the NWT has been a rewarding experience and an area of growth. “I try to practice in a culturally appropriate/safer manner; keeping in mind the social determinants of health and the long lasting impacts of trauma from the residential school system and colonialism. I still have more to learn, but I have found self-reflection and reflecting with peers to be critical and really important, it's something I find I am constantly doing up here.”
“I really enjoy living and working up here and hope to be up here for many more years!”
“OT is a unique and diverse health profession that focuses on creating and/or sustaining one’s participation in meaningful occupation. You can see OTs in a variety of settings and observe them work with diverse populations across the lifespan. They work on inter-disciplinary teams and are an integral part of the health care system. We have a great department of therapists across the territory that demonstrate and represent the core values of OT; working collaboratively with clients and community stakeholders to promote independence in all facets of living.”
Linsey graduated with an MSc Occupational Therapy degree from Dalhousie University and a BSc degree in Kinesiology from the University of New Brunswick. She moved to Yellowknife in 2009 from Prince Edward Island and has been trying to figure out how to make the two places closer together ever since. Linsey enjoys exploring beautiful on the territory of the indigenous peoples of this land with her dog, Barry and enjoys curling on Friday nights.
“As an Occupational Therapist with NTHSSA, my goal is to develop a culturally sensitive therapeutic relationship with residents of Yellowknife, encompassing NWT communities and the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, their family/ circle of support. Assessing a patient’s functional challenges, abilities, and personal goals while facilitating independence and safety in their activities of daily life, are important to an individual’s successful discharge from hospital, recovery, and wellbeing.”
Sarah put together the “Rehab Rebels” who participated in this year’s Mud Run with the team FUNraising over $1,800 while promoting the importance of rehab services in a person’s recovery.
Sarah enjoys being an enthusiastic, passionate, and creative therapist, with many years of experience working as an Occupational therapist in Victoria, British Columbia, on the unceded territory of the Lukwungen peoples, also known as the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations. Sarah was honoured to be featured in BC’s Health Care Heroes Art Installation at the BC Ministry of Health, receive an Island Health/ University of Victoria Research Grant, work as a spokesperson for Victoria Hospitals Foundation, and is a recipient of their Caring Spirit Award.
“I have previously lived in Whitehorse and I find myself really drawn to the magic of the North. I’ve enjoyed immersing myself in the culture, community, and natural beauty of the traditional lands and having the opportunity to be a guest on the territory of the indigenous peoples of this land. I’m truly grateful to learn about life and traditions from the patients and families of the communities within NWT and Nunavut.”