What if a scar changes far more than the way you look?In the first episode of "Occupational Therapy Unwritten", I’m joined by occupational therapist "Kelly Bendon" for a conversation that completely changed the way I think about skin, scarring and occupation.Because a scar isn’t "just" physical.It can affect how someone feels about their body. Their confidence. Their sensory experience. What they wear. Whether they want to be touched. Their relationships and intimacy. How they move. And ultimately, whether they participate in the occupations that matter to them.Kelly challenges us to look at skin through an occupational therapy lens bringing together the "physical, psychological, sensory and occupational impact" rather than separating them into different boxes.We talk about scar therapy following surgery, accidents and self-harm; trauma and body image; sensory sensitivity and guarding; graded exposure; and one incredibly simple question we could be asking in our assessments:"How does your scar affect your everyday life?"But Kelly’s OT story doesn’t stop there.We also explore her journey through forensic mental health, CAMHS, paediatrics and trauma; her work and research around "equine therapy, occupation and building resilience in children and young people through the outdoors"; independent practice; and the creation of "Sensational Skin and Well-being".And underneath it all is a much bigger conversation about our profession:"Are we sometimes the ones putting the blinkers on what occupational therapy can be?"This is occupational therapy beyond the boxes.This is "Occupational Therapy Unwritten".👑 "More Than Skin Deep: Scars, Trauma & Occupation"Connect with KellLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-bendon-18bb4b5aInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sensational_skin_with_kelly#OccupationalTherapy #OccupationalTherapist #ScarTherapy #Trauma #MeaningfulOccupation #EquineTherapy #IndependentPractice #OccupationalTherapyUnwritten

Welcome to Occupational Therapist Unleashed.

A podcast about what becomes possible when OTs stop limiting their incredible skill set to the traditional career path.

We’re talking real OT stories, different ways of working, business, money, time, freedom and the people already doing things differently.

Your skills. Your income. Your rules.

This is just the beginning.