Occupied

Have you ever thought about how your life would change if you just found out you had a sibling? Sounds like a movie script right? What if one sibling was an Occupational Therapist and the other had Cerebral Palsy? How would your occupations change? How would your family dynamic change?

I came across Whitney and Dexter’s story on Instagram. In this podcast, we explored their amazing story and how finding each other has impacted both of them.

Hey guys my name is Dexter I am the other half of the team here at Tied Together I’m 26 I have cerebral palsy which has been one of craziest experiences of my life along with finding my long lost sister. What I hope to bring to this page is the fun? as well as give voice to those who are in my situation or similar situations to let you know 1)there’s hope 2) you’re not in this alone 3) your voice matters With that said welcome to Tied Together let’s have some fun #cerebralpalsy #disability #adventure

A post shared by Dexter and Whitney (@tied__together) on Oct 2, 2019 at 6:47am PDT

Keep Occupied

Brock
[email protected]
@brockcookOT

I came across Crystal’s Intagram account during her “Neuro A-Z Photo Challenge”. Her content and explanations are exceptional and I learned a lot. Since then her content has continued with her focus on educating OT’s and the public on all things neuro, especially stroke. Her passion for her practice area is very obvious and infectious. 

We explored her journey into OT, her passion for promoting brain health as well as a number of other helpful little tidbits for therapists to be aware of. 

A post shared by ??????? ? ??????????? ? (@thebrainyot) on May 21, 2019 at 6:29pm PDT

The following website was also discussed by Crystal during the episode: 

EBRSR.com (Evidence-Based Review of Stroke Rehabilitation)

You can also check out her blog at: https://thebrainyot.wixsite.com/website 

Keep Occupied

Brock
[email protected]
@brockcookOT

This episode I wanted to reflect on an idea that I’ve been playing around with for a few weeks and that’s the difference between Mental Health and Mental Illness. Having an understanding of the links between wellbeing and mental health is a skill that every clinician can take into just about every clinical practice area.

This is an area and a concept that fits core with Occupational Therapy and isn’t constrained by the boundaries of Mental Health practice. Exploring Mental Wellbeing with clients is something for ALL OT’s to engage in….but how?

“There is no health without Mental Health”

Erik Johnson

During the episode I explore one model for wellbeing that you can find here:

https://www.wheelofwellbeing.org/

Keep Occupied

Brock
[email protected]
@brockcookOT

I know a lot of passionate people. I also know a lot of people in a lot of different practice areas. I’ve been lucky enough to know a couple of people who are incredibly passionate about working in the aged care sector. Brooke George has an amazing passion for working with people who have dementia. Those of you who have listened to a couple of episodes will know that this is far from my forte so I’ve been keen to learn more.

This conversation was one that I’d wanted to have for a long time given my own knowledge gap. I learned an absolute tonne about working with people with dementia. We also explored how Occupation based practice can be exemplified in this practice area. Brooke was also able to highlight some of the difficulties of working in this practice area.

It was a fantastic conversation and Brooke was brilliant. I learned a tonne from her expertise and I’m sure you will too.

https://www.holisticoccupationaltherapy.com.au/

Brooke also posts a TONNE of amazing videos and resources on her Instagram profile so definitely give her a follow if youre interested in learning even more! 😀

A post shared by Brooke George • OT (@teaming_with_dementia) on Aug 27, 2019 at 2:35pm PDT

Keep occupied

Brock
[email protected]
@brockcookOT

Continuing on a bit of a trend of lived experiences on the podcast I roped in the awesome Taylah Douglass to have a chat about her experience with Chronic Pain. Taylah is currently completing her OT degree just outside of Melbourne Australia and the combination of her study and her experience of pain has given her some great insights into its impact on occupational engagement.

Her story and her insights are invaluable and I learned so much about the mindset, and the toll that pain can have on a person. With roughly 1/5 people having chronic pain of some kind in their lives if you are lucky enough to not experience this for yourself you will definitely work with someone during your career who does. For this reason, gaining an understanding of the experience and toll of pain on a person is invaluable for an Occupational Therapist.

Resources Mentioned in the podcast:

Books:  Dr Howard Schubiner – “unlearn your pain” and also has YouTube videos. Dr John Sarno: “the divided mind” Nicole Sachs (therapist working with pain  patients) – “the meaning of truth” Steven Ozanich – “The great pain deception”

Podcasts:

Taylah’s details for any questions or feedback!

Keep Occupied

Brock
[email protected]
@brockcookOT

Professor Karen Jacobs is one of those guests that makes me feel like I don’t work hard enough. Any of the projects she has been involved in could be looked at as career-defining by mere mortals like myself. Everything from writing textbooks, creating national campaigns looking at safe backpack use, writing a library of kids books. Also, she’s been President and VP of AOTA, run a cable TV show, started an academic journal and runs an OT podcast. The list goes on and on and on!

I first “met” Karen in 2011 when I first got involved with the OT4OT team (where she was a member). There, I was able to help them out with their 24hr virtual conference as well as their suite of Facebook groups. The more I learned about her the more I was just in awe of the impact she has had on our profession.

Jacobs is a clinical professor of occupational therapy and the program director of the distance education post-professional occupational therapy programs at Boston University. She has expertise in the development and instruction of online graduate courses. In addition to being an occupational therapist, Jacobs is also a certified professional ergonomist (CPE). She has a private practice in ergonomics.

Jacobs earned her BA at Washington University in St. Louis, her MS at Boston University, and her doctoral degree at the University of Massachusetts.

Dr Jacob’s research examines the interface between the environment and human capabilities. In particular, she examines the individual factors and demands associated with increased risk of functional limitations among populations of university and middle school-aged students. She focuses particularly on notebook computing, backpack use, and games such as WiiFit. Most recently, she is co-developing, with Dr Nancy Baker at the University of Pittsburgh, the Telerehabilitation Computer Ergonomics System (tele-CES) for computer users with arthritis. The tele-CES is a remote systematic ergonomics program. It’s aimed at substantially reducing work disability among workers with any type of arthritis.

Jacobs is the founding editor-in-chief of the international, interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2010.

Jacobs is a past president and vice-president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). She is a 2005 recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Akureyri in Akureyri, Iceland; the 2009 recipient of the Award of Merit from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT); and recipient of the Award of Merit from the American Occupational Therapy Association in 2003.

https://www.aota.org/Publications-News/ForTheMedia/Experts/Jacobs.aspx

Keep Occupied

Brock

When I started Occupied I didn’t really have a plan for how it was going to go. It was a form of creative expression for me and I enjoyed learning the process and creating a product. The uptake of said product has been absolutely amazing.

I’d be lying if I said I was excited every single hour of the editing process or thrilled to get up at 4am to record but the feedback from you guys and hearing every now and then that you love the conversations is a big part that keeps it fun and interesting.

50 episodes

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means the world that you guys would listen, comment, email, share, like even just think positive thoughts about the podcast. I encourage you to keep building this amazing OT community of podcasters and podcast consumers. If you listen to a podcast and take something away from it, take the couple minutes and get in contact with the host. Let them know. I can 100% guarantee you will make their day.

Here’s to the next 50!

Keep Occupied

Brock
@brockcookOT
[email protected]