-
Continue reading →: Occupational Therapy Week 2026: Participation Changes Everything, but What Makes Participation Possible?
2nd to 8th November 2026 Welcome to Occupational Therapy Week 2026! This year’s theme is Participation Changes Everything, and it is one that resonates with me both professionally and personally. As an occupational therapist, much of my working life has been dedicated to supporting people to participate in the occupations…
-
Continue reading →: Finding My Voice at the UNISON National Disabled Members Conference
This year marked my third time attending the UNISON National Disabled Members Conference as a delegate. The conference moves around the country, and this year it was held in Brighton from 24th to 26th October. Although it was my third conference, it was a year of firsts. It was the…
-
Continue reading →: Black History Month: Going Down a Rabbit Hole into Black Disability History
October is Black History Month in the UK, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people, while also recognising the ongoing impact of racism and inequality. As a white disabled woman and occupational therapist, I have spent a lot of time learning about disability history, the Disabled…
-
Continue reading →: Why I’m tired of explaining non-disabled privilege to occupational therapists
I have been thinking about writing this for a while, usually after finding myself in yet another conversation where I am trying to explain what I mean by non-disabled privilege. I am increasingly tired of having these conversations, particularly when they are with other occupational therapists. That does not mean…
-
Continue reading →: Being There Is Not the Same as Belonging: Rethinking Social Inclusion
If you have read some of my previous blogs, you will probably know that I often find myself exploring language. I am interested in the words we use within occupational therapy, health and social care and disability spaces, particularly when language that initially appears positive or inclusive can carry assumptions…
-
Continue reading →: Looking Beyond the Individual: What Studying Health Inequalities Taught Me
Over the past 6 months, I have been studying the Mind, Body and Health Inequalities module as part of my MSc in Inequality and Society at the University of Sunderland. It has been a thought-provoking module, challenging many of the assumptions we often make about health, illness and the role…
-
Continue reading →: Vis-Ability: Shining a Light on Disability – Reflections from the Conference
Today I had the privilege of attending and speaking at Teesside University’s Doctorate in Clinical Psychology EDI Conference, Vis-Ability: Shining a Light on Disability. Held in the Legends Lounge at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, the conference brought together clinicians, academics, students, carers and people with lived experience to explore…
-
Continue reading →: The Occupation of Creating: What David Hockney Taught Me About Creativity, Adaptation and Meaning
I was saddened by the news of David Hockney’s death. When I am trying to process something, I often write. It is one of the ways I make sense of the world. As occupational therapists, we understand that occupations can help us express our thoughts, connect with our emotions and…
-
Continue reading →: Simplicity in Occupational Therapy: Reflections on Sue Parkinson’s Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture 2026
The Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture is one of the most prestigious lectures in the occupational therapy profession, delivered each year by someone recognised for their significant contribution to occupational therapy practice, leadership, education, or research. This year’s lecture was delivered by Sue Parkinson, I think I first met Sue as…
-
Continue reading →: Participatory Social Policy and Occupational Therapy: Participation as Occupation
As part of my Master’s in Inequality and Society, I recently watched the video “Why Participatory Social Policy Now?” which explored the growing recognition that people and communities should actively shape the policies that affect their lives, rather than simply being passive recipients of them. The discussion particularly focused on…
About me
I began my career in Occupational Therapy in 2000 as an assistant in a mental health hospital. I graduated from Teesside University in 2006 and have accumulated 20 years of experience working in Acute, Rehabilitation, and Forensic mental health settings. I currently work full-time for a large NHS mental health and learning disability trust in the northeast of England.
I was born with Cerebral Palsy (right hemiplegia) so have personal understanding & experience of disability. I have experienced much therapy over my life time mainly occupational therapy and physiotherapy. I am dyslexic & have had periods of depression as an adult. In 2020 I contracted Covid 19 spending over a year in hospital recovering.
Blogger
I have been writing about topics that are important to me on this blog since 2013. My blogs often centre around my personal lived experiences with disability, neurodiversity and my job as an Occupational Therapist.
Activist
I focus on raising awareness, influencing policy, and fostering environments where everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive. Understanding the importance of intersectionality, I work to ensure that disability rights are considered alongside other social justice issues, recognising how various identities interact. Through education, outreach, and active allyship.
Voluntary work
I’m active within the wider Occupational Therapy community, with voluntary roles including; Network Lead for the RCOT Northern and Yorkshire network,
I’m a founding member of AbleOTUK a network and advocacy group for Occupational Therapy staff and students with lived experiences of Disabilities and or Long Term Health Conditions.
I have volunteered to help run OTalk a free platform to enable to the UK occupational therapy community to learn and connect with each other since 2006
Private work
I conduct occupational therapy work privately, which includes carrying out occupational therapy assessments and interventions for private clients, working in an advisory capacity with organisations and companies, and providing expert advice.