Dr. Jill Zwicker Why did you choose occupational therapy as a career? Although I had dreamed of being a doctor since I was 4 years old, I realized during my first year of university that this career path wasn’t for me. My favourite courses were anatomy and psychology, so I wanted to find a career that integrated these areas of study. I stumbled across occupational therapy, did some volunteer work with some generous OTs who allowed me to shadow and work with them, and was hooked. This was the career for me!   What led you to your interest in DCD research? During my work as a school ..read more

  Your Month at a Glance: May     EVENTS May 4 - 7, 2022 – CAOT Conference Hybrid – Whistler, BC – There are over 150 sessions to choose from with diverse topics including the impact of COVID-19, social justice, mental health, assistive technology, autism, and acquired brain injury. On-site registration still available! UPCOMING CAOT-BC MEETINGS Mental Health & Substance Use Practice Network When: May 11th, 4:30-5:30pm PT  Where: MS Teams   Sensory Processing Practice Network When: May 12th, 5pm PT Where: MS Teams   Visit the webpage to view ..read more

Jody Edamura  Why did you choose occupational therapy as a career? I wanted a career with various job options and areas of interest that would keep me motivated and inspired. Occupational therapy had those opportunities. Over the years, I have connected with a diverse spectrum of people and shared their stories of innovation with colleagues, students and clients throughout my professional career. What is your favourite thing about CAOT-BC? I appreciate my Northern Community of Practice network that CAOT-BC has provided. The telehealth space opened up our network and united us in the nor ..read more

  Savannah Frederick  Why did you choose occupational therapy as a career? I’ve always wanted to help people ever since I can remember. I stumbled across occupational therapy in my 3rdyear of my undergrad at UBCO and it was as if a lightbulb went off, this is what I want to do. I was fascinated by the variety of work OTs can do and how this rehabilitative profession takes a holistic approach to care. One area of OT that hit home for me was hand therapy. When I was young, I seriously injured my dominant hand leaving me with some impaired function but also a determination that I wasn ..read more

Learning from adversity: Occupational therapy staff experiences of coping during Covid-19 Article: Ingham, L., Jackson, E., & Purcell, C. (2022). Learning from adversity: Occupational therapy staff experiences of coping during Covid-19. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 03080226211064490. Rationale: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care staff experience increased workload demands, reallocation of duties, adapting to protocols such as use of PPE and concerns about the risk of infecting their family. Health care workers are at a higher risk of burnout in “normal ..read more

The next Chronic Pain Management for Occupational Therapists workshop is coming up in February. Due to COVID-19, this workshop is now offered online via Zoom and is accessible to occupational therapists and OT students from any region of the province.   The three online workshop sessions (please note: participants must attend all three sessions): February 25, 2022 from 9:00AM-2:00PM February 26, 2022 from 9:00AM-2:00PM  March 28, 2022 from 6:00-8:00PM There are special rates available for CAOT-BC members when registering for the workshop. For full details and to regist ..read more

  Upcoming CAOT-BC Meetings Paediatric Community of Practice When: February 9th, 6:30-8:00pm PT  Where: MS Teams Visit the webpage to view the BC communities of practice open to new members. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see them listed.  If there is a practice network or community of practice you would like to join, please email hreid@caot.ca OPPORTUNITIES Pain BC - OT workshop The next Chronic Pain Management for Occupational Therapists workshop is coming up in February. Due to COVID-19, this workshop is now offered online via Zoom and is accessible to occupational ..read more

Bethany McWilliams  Why did you choose occupational therapy as a career? I studied therapeutic recreation in my undergrad studies and spent the past ten years working as a recreational therapist in different capacities and settings.  I have truly loved this work of supporting people with disabilities in kicking down barriers that may prevent them from accessing play and leisure and wanted to build on the foundational knowledge I gained in my undergrad.  I consider myself a lifelong learner, so the opportunity to go back to school has been extremely exciting for me.  Occupa ..read more

  This online toolbox published by Pain BC has comprehensive information on:  Coping with pain and getting connected with resources to help Self-management programs throughout the province Recommended apps related to relaxation, self-care, exercise and medication management Support groups (covid permitting) and virtual support networks  Pain clinics throughout BC  Pain management books with general information, pathophysiology, living with pain, lived experiences A list of psychologists and counsellors in BC who specialize in chronic pain  Sleep and CBT approaches f ..read more

  Occupational therapist Andrea Morrison and client Victory Anighoro "Transition planning preps teens with skills they need for adulthood" Hamilton Health Sciences, January 4th 2022 After experiencing a rare spinal cord stroke, Victory Anighoro started working with occupational therapist Andrea Morrison to regain his mobility and overcome functional limitations. The road was far from easy but he experienced huge improvements over the course of a few months.  Once Victory turns 18, he will transition from children's services to adult care which means a large transition and a need t ..read more